The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-09-20
you LEVINE sHa' BREAnaED sTEvE.

the cutwater. The thought of money and the
pleasures it will buy makes cunning the stu
pidest of dofts: and Steve was ordinarily
dolt. But tonight his brain was keen enough
for all purposes 1t was hazardous Job to
get the box off the Auke without letting 1t slip
back into the sea. Steve. however, accom-
plshed the feat, climbed back on the rail and
sat down. waiting quarter of hour
passed. No one had seen him. With his coat
seeareIy wrapped ahert his precious find he
made for the forecaetle. His mates save those
who were doing their watch. were all in their
hunks. An oil lamp dirnly Illuminated the
forward partition. Steve's bunk was almost
ia darkness, Very deftly he rolled back the
bedding and secreted the box under HIS pill Z.
lows and then stretched himself out with the
pretense OF snoozing till the bel called him to
duty.
He was rich and the moment man has
money he has troubles there Is always some
one who wants to take it away from you.
His bunk was on the port side, and there was
plenty OF hiding space between the iron plates
and the wooden partition. He intended to
loosen three or four rlanks and then when
the time came, slip the box behind them.
Some time during the morning the forecaste
would be empty. and then would be his time
But he suffered the agonies of damnation
during his four hours watch. Surprising some
fool should 60 rummaring about his bunk and
discover the box? Suppose B,t he
dared not suppose. There was nothing to do
but wait II he created any curiosity on the
part of his mates he was lost. He would have
10 divide with them all, from the captain down
TO the cooks boy. II was a heart-rending
thought. From being the most open and frank
man aboard. he became the most cunning.
From being man without enemies, be saw
an enemy even in his shadow.
At 4 o'clock he turned in and slept like
LOG.
Ir the morning be found his opportunity.
For half an hour the forecastle was empty Of
all save himself. Feverishly he pried back the
boards. found the brace beam. and gently hl
the box there. II was mighty curious look
ing box. Once he had stocked up the Chinese
coast from the Philippines. and he judged it
II be Chinese in origin. He tried to pry open
the coysr and feast his eyes upon the treasure:
but under the leather and ivory and mother
Of pearl was impcrvious steel 1t would take
an ax or crowbar to stir that lid He sighed.
He replaced the boards, and became to al
appearances his stolid self again.
But all the way down to the Bahamas he
was moody, and when he answered any ques-
ton it was with words spoken testify and
jerkily.
II know whut's tn matter" said Dunkera
He's in lave"
shut your mouth 1"
Didn't tell yuh?" laughed the tantalixer.
dancing toward the companionway. "Steve's
: In love. T he didn't git drunk enough on shore
Z satisfy his whales beily!"
boot thudded spitefully against the door
jamh.
"You fellahs let me alone, r III bash In
couple o heads!"
20, yuh viii, win yuh7" cried Dunkers
from tha~deck !" II yuh want little exer-
else, yuh can begin on me, yuh moonsick
swab! whuts tn matter with yuh. anyhow?
Where'd yuh at this grouchf Whufvs we
done t yuh: HUH"
You kesp out o my way, that's all. II
mindin' my watches, an don't ask no odds Of
you buffers. What II have crouch? IL It
any o your blame busine1f All right. When
We step ashore at tn Bahams, Mister Jim
Dunkers. Ill tear the ropes out O. your pulley
blocks but til We sit there, sou Z III upper
bunk an me- { mine"
Leave IT, o. Crouch alone, Jim. III
nnte Won't stand for no serappin' aboard
Wen hsvs III thing done right in IT, custom
sheds. Wen have finish fight. Queensberry
rules n my IA best man win"
IN ;lllns,v ~ i'm.
} S h IN n o1svs. INT ~ inta.4ioee