Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-16

the intention of using IL as n private
yacht. and. since IL was a superstition
OF the house never to change the name
of one of its vessels. the schooner Ella,
odorous of fresh lumber or raw rubber.
as the case might be. dingy gray in col
or. with slovenly decks on which lines
of seamen's clothing were generally
hanging to dry, remained. in her meta
morphosis. still the Ella.
Marshall Turner was wealthy man.
but he equipped his new pleasure boat
very modestly. AS few changes as
were possible were made. He increased
the size OF the forward house. adding
quarters for the captain and the two
mates, and thus kept the after house
for himself and his friends He fumi-
gated the hold and the forecastle-a
precaution that kept all the crew
coughing for two days. and drove them
out OF the odor of formaldehyde to the
deck TO sleep.
The wheel. replaced by a new one.
white and gilt. remained in its old po-
sition behind the after house. the
steersman standing on a raised iron
grating above the wash of the deck
Thus from the chart room. which had
II,
through a small barred window it was
possible TO see the man at the wheel.
who. in his turn. commanded n view
of part of the chart room. but not of
the floor.
The craft was schooner rugged. car
ried three lifeboats and a collapsible
raft and was navigated by captain.
first and second mates and crew of
six ablebodied sailors and one saunt
youth whose sole knowledge of navi-
CATION had been gained on an Atlantic
City catboat.
! do not recall that performed the
nautical rite of signing articles Arm
ed with the note McWhirter had Sc
cured for me and with what fondly
hoped was the rolling gait of the sea-
faring man. I approached the captain
bearded and fiorid individual L had
dressed the part-Old trousers. a cap
ind a sweater from which had 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 shave. The result was. as l look
back. lean and cadaverouS six foot
youth. with the hospital pallor still on
him. his chin covered with a days
beard. his hair cropped short and n can
nibaiistic CLEAN in his eyes. 1 remember
that my wrists. thin and bony. annoy
ed me and that the girl I had seen
through the 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 CURLY.
There isn't-I suppose there's no
chance OF your needing another hand?"
No. 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 you?"
YES. miss"
Gould you polish brass and things
like that?"
~ could try. My arms are strong
enough. 1t is only when 1 walk
But she did not let me finish. She
left the rail abruptly and disappeared
down the companionway into the after
house. / waited uncertainty.
rHr 81 n1 CHI Dnn 70
me and stood for a 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 l |
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
aid after a moment, but my sister is
elow in the cabin. She will speak to
he captain about you. Where are your
hings?"
| glanced toward the hospital. where
ly few worldly possessions. including
ny dress clothes. my amputatinS set
nd such of my books as l had not
cen able 10 sell. were awaiting dispo-
ition. VERY near. miss" said.
Better bring them at once. We are
ailing in the morning"
Che gave a curt little nod of dismiss
|. and / went down the gangplaDk
nd along the wharf. 1 had secured
hat | went for. and my summer was
rovided for / was exultant, but with
" exultation was mixed curious an
er at McWhirter. that he had advised
lie not to shave that morning
My preparation took little time. Such
? my wardrobe as was worth saving
IcWhirter took charge of. i sold the t
.mainder of my books, and I'm sail I
IS Quitting shop / purchased boots {
nd sllckers-the sailors oilskins- With t
" last money i bought a good re- a