Evening star., 1915-03-21
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR MARCH 2l. 1915

|
hands in his pockets and pipe clenched be-
tween his teeth, gazing. up at the sky.
"Good day, Sir said the sailor. "Glad
to see yer movin' around. Now if l could
ony figure out the lingo they talk in Pont
Aven, I'd swap idees on the weather with
any old character saw at anchor
"What is it you want to know, Captain?'
said Raymond, hailing the others presence
as relief from somber thoughts.
"Well, to my thinkin', the weathers goin'
to clear. The winds trife steadier, and
gone round a point to BASTARD. At this time
o year that means a risin' glass an frost"
"a frost would be more cheerful, certainly,
than a gale bowling about the chimneys."
"The sea will fall too. A couple of tides
should iron it out an I'll have a peep at
that reef
"But why?'
Mrs. Carinacs orders, Sir. I'm to spare
no expense in searchln' for some boxes an
other oddments."
Raymond turned abruptly, and walked
to garden seat beneath the window of the
hotel dining room. He moved with Curl
Gus swaying of the legs, as though his knees
were unequal to the task of supporting his
body.
Popple followed hastily "W'ats up?" he
cried. "Are ye feelin' bad? Been doin' too
much, s'pose?"
| NO. ~ llotillllS. Soulu you-cdi
maid? If l have sip of brandy-and rest
awhie-thc weakness will pass"
The skipper hustled into the hotel and
found a waitress. "Cognac-two-queek!"
he said, holding up two stubby fingers
The girl smiled. She understood fully.
"Oui, Monsienr,' she said.
But Popple deemed the matter urgent.
Gentleman eel-vare seek he insisted.
"Yes, Sir, said the maid, to her hearers
profound surprise. 1--we got you ~ I'll be
"Sink mel" roared Popple. "Here have
been spttin' French all this time, an you
can sling the right stuff at me in that style!'
He received another broad SMILE and the
lingust vanished. Thenceforth the two held
long conversations when they met; but
some days elapsed before Popple realized
that the chat was rather one-sided. The
girl had been taught a few slang phrases by
an American artist, which, together with
fairly comprehensive knowledge of the aver
age tourists requirements, completed her
vocabulary.
T ORD love a duck but it's a treat to hear
honest English once more!' he said, re-
turning to Raymond, whose pinched face
was ghastly yellow "How are ye now,
Sir? Gettin' over it?'
"Yes. Pm not what you would regard as
robust, captain ana nurSuaV AFTERNOON
experiences placed a severe strain on my
powers of resistance. Did you say you ex-
pected frost? The weather is quite mild
today, don't you think? Sit down, and join
me in drink when the brandy comes.
"Dont mind if | do, Sir. But are you
sure you oughtn't to be in bed?'
"Quite sure | walked little too far, and
l find these hills tryng-that is all. All,
here comes Marie with the medicine.
as that your name-Nlarie?' inquired
Popple, eying the girl admiringly.
| "Yes Sir, and pair of fine Breton brown
eyes sparkled.
"An' very nice tool" said he. "NIighty
fctchin' rig the gals have in this part, he
went on, pouring out some brandy for Ray
mond, which the latter drank neat. "They
look like so many dandy housemaids got up
for a fancy ball. Now, if my old woman
could see me maxim googoo eyes at a tasty
bit like Aarie-well, there'd be double
entry in the family log"
| "What's this nonsense that Mrs Carmac
has got into her head about salving certain
articles from the Stellao" said Raymond
whose voice had regained its normal harsh
ness of tone Small men usually have strong
voices. Your giant of a fellow will pipe in
childish treble.
"Why do you say it's nonsense Sir?" de-
manded Popple sharply.
1 Il lN.,) .l,tx