The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-10-16

"You have been i'll. haven't your"
Thus from she chart room. which had
become Il sort of lounge aud card room
throJgh small barred window il waS
possible to see the man nj the wheel
who. IN his turn. commanded view
of part of th,. chart room. but not OF
the floor
The craft WIS schooner rugged. ear.
ried three lifehnAt> aud Il ruIllpsiht
Iaft and NGS utvtgatrd hv captain
first and Second mates and crew of
six ahterodjed sailors aud one .anul
youth Whose sole knowledge of navi.
CATION had heen gained on an Atlantic
City catboat.
do not recall that performed the
nautical rite of signing articles. Arm
Ell with the note McWhirter had se.
cured for me and with what fondIy
hoped was the rolling gait of the sea.
faring man. approached the captain
a bearded and fiorid individual. had
dressed thp nrrt nld trousers cap
and sweater from which | haG re
moved my college letter. McWhirter
who had supervised my preparations
and who accompanied me to the wharf
had suggested that | omit my morn
ing sha,e. The result WAS. as | look
back. lean and caduvernlS six foot
youth, with the hospital pallor still on
him. bis chin covered with days
beard. his hair cropped short and can.
nibalistic CLEAN in his eyes. remember
that my wrists. thin and bony. annoy.
ed me and that the girl had seen
through 4e opera glasses came on
board and stood off. detached and in.
different. but with her eyes on me.
while the captain read my letter
When he finished he held it out to
me-
I've got my crew" he said curtly.
There isn't-l suppose there's no
chance of your needing another hand?"
mo. You can leave your name and ad,
dress with the mate over there. If
anything turns up he'll let you know"
My address. The hospital:
folded the useless letter and thrust
it into my pocket. The captain had
gone forward. and the girl with the
cool eyes was leaning against the rail
watching me.
You are the man Mr.. McWhirter has
been looking after. aren't your
"Yes." | pulled off my cap, and. rec
ollecting myself-''yes. miss"
"You have been i'll. haven't your
"Yes, miss"
Gould you polish brass and things
like that?"
81 could try. My arms are strong
enough. 1t is only when [ walk"-
But she did not let me finish. She
left the rail abruptly and disappeared
down the companionway into the after
house. waited uncertainty.
When the girl returned she came to
me and stood for moment looking me
over with cool. appraising eyes. had
been right about her appearance. she
was charming-or no. hardly charming
She was too aloof for that But she
was beautiful. an Irish type. with blue
gray eyes and almost black hair. The
tilt of her head was naughty. Later
came to know that her hauteur was in
difference. But at first was frankly
afraid of her-afraid of her cool. mock
ing eyes and the upward thrust of her
chin.
MY brother-in-law is not here" she
said after Il moment. but my sister Is
below in the cabin. She will speak to
the captain about you. Where are your
things?"
glanced toward the hospital. where
my few worldly possessions. including
my dress clothes. my amputating set
and such of my books as | had not
been able to sell. were awaiting dispo-
sition. Very near. MISS" said.
Better bring them ut once. We are
sailing in the morning
She gave curt little nod of dismiss
al. and went down the gangplank
and along the wharf had secured
what | went for. and my summer was
provided for. I was exultant. hut with
my exultation was mixed curious an