Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-10-30

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 MI. McWhirter has
been looking after. aren't you?'
Eyes" pulled of my cap. and. rec
ellecting myself-"yes, miss"
"You have been Ill. haven't you?"
Eyes, miss"
'Could you polish brass and things
like that?'
II 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. nppraising 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 I
came to know that her hauteur was In.
difference. But ut 6rst 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 q 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 a. had not
been able to sell. wers awaiting dispo-
sition. every near. miss" said.
Better bring them at once. We are
sailing in the morning"
!. She gave curt little nod Of dismiss
ii, and I went down the gangplank
and along the wharf. had secured
what I went for. and my summer was
provided for. was exultant, but with
my exultation was mixed curious an
ger at McWhirter, that be had advised
me not to shave that morning.
My preparation took little time. Such
Of my wardrobe as was worth saving
McWhirter took charge Of. sold the
remainder Of my books. and In sail.
or's Quitting shop, purchased boots
and slickers-the sailors' oilskins. With
my last money bought good re-
volver. second hand. and cartridges.
I was glad later that had bought the
revolver, and that I had taken with
me the surgical instruments. antiquat-
ed as they were. which. In their ma.
hogany case. had accompanied my
grandfather through the civil war. and
had done. as be was wont to chuckle,
as much damage as a three FOUNDER.
McWhirter came to the wharf with me
and looked the Ella over with eyes of
proprietorship.
Pretty snappy looking boat" be
said. IF the Niger gets sick give him
some Of my seasick remedy. And take
care of yourself. boy" He shook
hands, his open face flushed with emo
ton. "Darned shame to see you going
like this. Don't eat too much. and
don't fall in love with any Of the wom-
en-. Goodby."
He started away. and turned to.
ward the ship. but a moment later I
heard him calling me. He came back.
rather breathless.
! up in my neighborhood." he pant
ed. ''they say Turner Is devil What.
ever happens. it's not your. mix-in. Bet.
ter-better tuck your gun under your
mattress and forget you've got It
You've got some disposition yourself"
The Ella sailed the following day at
10 o'clock. She carried nineteen peo-
pie. Of whom I've were the Turner's and
their guests. The cabin was full Of
flowers and steamer baskets.
Thirty-on days later she came into
port again. lifeboat covered with can.
vas trailing Mt her stern.
From the drst the captain disclaim.
ed responsibility for me. was housed
In the forecastle and ate with the men.
There. however. my connection with
the crew and the navigation Of the
ship ended.
AZ q matter Of fact. I found myself
a sort OF deck steward. given the 70.
sponsibility Of looking after the shunle.
board and other deck games, the
steamer rugs, the cnris-for they play
ed bridge steadily-and answsrable to
George Williams. the colored butler.
for the various liquors served on deck
The work was easy. and the situa-
ti0n rather amused me. After an a..
fort or two to bully me. one OF which
resulted In my holding him over the
rail until he turned gray With fright
Williav treated me a. an equsl
which was gratifying.
The weather was good. the food fair.
4 had no reason to repent my bargain.
OF tho sailing qualities of the Ella
there could b no question. The crew.
selected By Captain Richardson from
the bext men Of the Turner limo. know
their business. and. barring the otlor oe
formaldohyds In the forscastle. wh6ch
drove me to stepping on deck fof .
night o. two. everything was gslpe
smoothly, at least on The surface.