The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1914-10-15

TIE wreck, but rs the captain, Hank
RaynOr, was announced as among
those drowned it was impossible to do
much investigating.
On that very day Kate failed to ap-
pear at the pier.
Day by day for blank. wretched
week Captain Jim faced the empty
stand opposite his window. Then he
went down to the waterside street and
found there destitution. at once pitiful
and reassuring.
ut isn't your love | AIN asking for.
dear" he said to her gently as at the
end Of half hour he found himself
holding her trembling fingers and
smoothing her hair. Il couldn't expect
that. But II you will give me what is
left, the right to take care of you and
yours. God knows it VIII be a precious
trust"
Captain Jim had no fine phrases. but
months of effort had made him mar
vel Of self control He stood quite
still, though every nerve was tense
with longing to clasp the slim little
figure to his breast In fact. he hardly
dared breathe when at last Kate drop
ped her head against his arm for ac
quiescence and broke into soft Sob
bing. A guess at what was In his
heart, he told himself would have
frightened her out of his reach forever.
The six weeks that followed were n
mixture of paradise and purgatory to
him. 1t was hard, indeed to play the
decorous, fatherly lover when his whole
soul cried out for the touch of her lips
on his and every swish Of her dress
against him set his pulses throbbing.
But he did it, and WELL
His paradise proved FOOLS, how
ever. Walking along the main street
one evening. with Kate on his arm,
Hank Raynor's unmistakable self pass
ed the two almost at elbow touch
There was livid scar along the ap-
partitions cheAA.. Kate did not see him,
| but a pang like death went through
"Old Ben Bolt" The sight Of that
handsome. devilmay-care face seemed
to sound his doom.
During the next four and twenty
hours Captain Jim worked out his bit
ter problem. Cost what 1t might to
lis own self respect. he would tell Kate
the truth as he knew 1t concerning
Hank Raynor. He could do that II
she had been his young sister, but in
honor he must free her from her prom
ise to himself.
He had thought Of way out Of her
financial difficulties. but it was not
necessary she should know that yet or,
indeed. the cost to his own heart Of
these last few months.
II have come to give you back what
| asked that first night. Kate, but
must tell you something 1t will be
hard for you to bear" he said to her
hoarsely as he stood In the little par.
lor, whose very plainness had grown
dear to him.
A flush ran into Kate's cheek, but II
died there, leaving white line around
her lips. "Old Ben Bolt" gripped the
back of the chair in front of him.
81 suppose you have seen RaynorT'
he went on.
Kate's color rushed back in a rosy
food. Her eyes dropped for an in
stant; then, shy, but brave, they looked
straight into Captain Jim's own.
"Yes, have seen him and-his wife, y
she answered with little laugh. "He
brought her from Philadelphia. lit
was a good thing had found out be
fore that-that l didn't care most foI
him, after all, wasn't 1t, you dear old
Ben Bolt?"
The room reeled round Captain jim
Out of its chaos Hates face grew
flushed and smiling still, but with sus
piciously luminous eyes. Then did
this ben Bolt" give a great gasp a.
the truth burst upon him. He took
two long strides with outstretched
arms, and a second later Kate was
quite lost in the big, warm embrace
her dark hour had taught her was hel
hearts true haven.