The evening world., 1914-03-30


return to a collar and tie.
all the crew coughing for two days,
and drove them out OF tho odor OF
forrr aldehyde to the deck to sleep.
Flo Installed an electric lighting and
refrigerating plant. put a bath In the
forecastle, to the bewilderment Of the
men. who were inclined to think II q
reflection on their habits, and almost
entirely rebuilt inside the old ofiicers'
quarters In the after house.
The wheel. replaced by n new one.
white and silt, remained In its old
position behind the after house. the
steersman standing on u raised iron
grating above the wash Of the deck.
Thus from the chart room, which had
become q sort Of lounge and card
room. through q small barred window
II was possible to see the man at the
wheel. who, In his turn. commanded
view Of part of the chart-room. but
not OF the. floor.
Tho craft was schooner-rigged. car
ried three ltfeboats and a collapslble
raft, and was navigated by q capita In,
first and second mates. and a crew OF
six able bodied sailors and one gaunt
youth I'm self, whose sole knowledge
OF naviy alton had been gained on an
Atlantic City catboat. Her destina-
ton was vague panama perhaps,
possibly a South American port, do
pending on the weather and the within
Of the owner.
DO not recall that I performed the
nautical rate Of signing articles.
Armed with the note McWhirter had
secured for me, and with what
fondly hoped wss the rolling gait OF
the sea faring man, ! approached the
captain--a eardsd and horid indi-
Ndual l had dressed the part-old
trousers. q cap and a sweater from
which | had removed my college let
ter, McWhirter. who had supervised
my preparations and who had accom-
panied me TO the wharf. had sug-
geSted that omit my morning shave.
The result was, az look back. a
lean and cadAverOus SiX-fooi youth.
with the hospital pallor still on him.
his chin covered with days beard.
his hair cropped short and a canni-
balistic sleam In his eyes. ! remem-
Der that my wrists. thin and bony.
annoyed me, and that the girl had
seen through the opera glasses came
OH board and stood off. detached and
Indifferent. but with her eyes ON me,
while the captain read my letter.
When he finished he held II out to
me.
"I've got my crew." he said CURLY.
There isn't suppose there's no
chance OF your needing another
No" lie turned away. then
glanced Back at the letter was still
holding. rather dazed. You can
leave your name and address with
the mate over there. II anything
turns up he'll let you know"
Ny address! The hospital?
folded the urelcss letter and thrust
,,t h. mi N
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 you?"
Yes" / pulled OF my cap. and.
recollecting myself: Yes, n iss."
You are not u sailor?
II have had some experience and
l am willing"
You have bean III. haven't you'"
yes miss"
could you polish brass and things
like that"
Il could try. My arms are strong
enough. II Is only when I walk
Hut she did not let me finish. She
left the rail abruptly, and disap-
pcared down the coinpanionway into
the after house.
When the girl returned, she came
TO me, and stood for moment. look
ing me over with cool, apprais sin x
eyes. had been right about her up
pe.Lrance: she was charmLng--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 indiffer-
Inn Mt
afraid OF her, afraid of her cool,
hooking eyes aud the upward thrust
OF her chin
MY bro;her-in-law is not here, =
she said after a moment, but my
sister IL below in the cabin. She Will
speak to the captain about you.
I'VE are taking YOU as sort OF
extra man." she explained. YOU viii
work with the crew. but il liz possible
hat we will need you-do YOU know
anything about buffers work."
l hesitated. ~ ! said yes and then
failed
II could try"
81 thought, from YOUR appearance,
perhaps you had done something OF
the sort" q shades Of my medical
forebsars, who had bequeathed me-
along with the library, what I had
hoped was a professional manner
THE butler is q poor sailor. n he
fails us you will take his place
She gave curt little nod of dis
missal. ana | went down the sang
plank along the wharf,
MY preparation took little tine
such of my wardrobe as was worth
saving McWhirtrr took charge of
sold the emiindcr of my hooks, and
in II sailors Quitting shop I pan
chased boots and slickers ,ae sal Jrs
oilshins. Win my last money
bought a good revolver, second hand
and cartridges, | was glad later thai
| had bought the revolver and that
had taken with me the surgical in
struments, antiquated as they were
which. in their mahogany case, had
accompanied my grandfather through
the civil war and had done, az he
was wont TO chuckls. as much dam
age as a three FOUNDER. McWhlrtsI
came to the wharf with me, and