Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-12
IONs AND PRACTICAL DEsPR SUGGESTIONS FOR THE HOUsEKEEP
The Daily Story
Piracy and Proposal

the twins were her chums and EVAN
envied them.
He had been trying for six weeks to
decide whether or not Alice cared for
him. and he was afraid to put his fate
to the test. He was not much of
ladies man. Until he had seen Alice
his yacht had been his sweetheart, and
cruise with lot of good fellows out
weighed all the allurements of fem
mime society.
Now he regretted a little-iust lit
tle-hls c Nvotion to the sea. He did not
even know whether Alice thought of
him as his nephews uncle or as himself.
Unversed In the ways of women, he
could not decide. He might have asked
his sister, but he dreaded Gertrude's
gibes so he devoted himself more than
ever to the twins, and thus gained =
right occasionally to enter the charmed
circle, the centre of which was Alice
Cutler
Then came the twins inspiration. Bed
time tales of the Spanish main had
fred their maginatons. Here they were
on the Gulf of Mexico. whence the gold
laden galleons had made their start
Nothing would satisfy but that they
should go upon a pirating expedition.
Their mother was glad enough to be
rid of them for the week ,he cruise
would occupy, and Alice Cutler manu-
factured a most imposing skull and
cross bones flag to be broken out from
the mast head when the quarry should
be sighted. The twins carefully looked
after the saluting cannon and its sup
ply Of ammunition, and laboriously prac-
ticed carrying wooden daggers between
their teeth.
Then came the day of embarkatlon.
The twins kissed their mother Eood-by,
as dutiful pirates should, and set out
with Alice for the pier, while Evan hur-
ried over to the postofilce to make sure
~ co. ttTuG NJ
erly posted.
He cursed his fate with true pratical
fervor when he came to the dock and
found that Alice had returned to the
hotel without good-by for himself. but
once on board and under way he became
absorbed in the twins play.
1t was one of their greatest charms
that they could make believe" with such
absolute seriousness as to convince an
outsider that their pretense was real, and
Evan grlnned over their circumstantial
account of the capture of beautiful
maiden whom they were holding for
ransom.
I'VE Just tied handkerchief over her
mouth" exclaimed Dudley, "an' says
less we get ten thousand dublins from
your father we'll send him your ears.
AN she cried" supplemented Gordon.
"and tried to take the bandage off and
we tied her hands and it was doubleoons.
not dublins what we said"
"'Taint it's dubins," defended Dudley,
and by the time the arbitrator had de-
cided that neither was right on the pro-
nunciation of doubloons. the twins were
ready to go down into the cabin and de-
eide upon their course.
Now what | propose" explained Evan.
"is to get out in the Gulf and lie in wait
for the galleons from the mines. They
should have left Vera Cruz day before
yesterday. Shall we do that or shall we
set sail for Brazil. land a force and plum
der the storehouses of the natives?
81 don't think mother would like it,"
objected Dudley. ITS too far away. Be-
sides we've the bcauteous maiden &c ran
SON. We ought to cable her father as
we promised"
pirates don't cable" suggested Cor
don, they send messengers in Disguise
II guess modern pirates use the cable"
laughed Evan. stopping demonstration.
you youngsters had better pile on deck
and keep Il sharp lookout for treasure
ships"
The twins departed. still arguing the
question of to cable or not TO cable,
and lighting a cigar, Evan gave himselt
over TO wondering why Alice mad not
waited TO bid him good-by. She had half
promised that she would be on hand to
wish him good luck on his first piratical
adventure 1t was not like her 10 break
her word,
He was still lost in thought when the
steward came in to set the table Tor
lunch.
beg pardon, sir" he asked, shall l
set a place for the lady?'
Have the boys been telling you about
their captive?" laughed Evan. Il sup
posed chat captlves on pirate ships were
fed on bread and water"
The young lady in the cabin, sir. the
one the young gentlemen were tellinG
you about SIR
There's no young woman in the
cabin" denied Evan. It's a part of
their make-belleve."
~ thought you knew, SIR" persisted
the steward. There's a lady In that
cabin"
Hoffman made two steps to the door
indicated and threw 1t OPEN There on
the bunk lay Alice Cutler. bound hands
and feet and with a towel across her
mouth. 1t was the work of moment
TO release her, but It was five minutes
before her lips permitted her to speak
Don't mind she smiled as she list
ened to Evans horror-stricken explana-
tions. "I imagine that the boys took
their pirate too seriously. 1t was al!
done so suddenly that | could not help
myself, but I was sure that you would
find II out when you came on board"
"And to think" he groaned. that
was SlttlHs III lne CdDln All lne IOFe-
noon, and you were lying here suffering"
ut wasn't so very bad" she concilated,
"and the boys were so full OF their cruise
that you really cannot blame them. /
hope you will not punish them"
Punish them" ne echoed savagely, IF
they are going In for this sort OF piracy
they should be strung up at the yard
arm"
With whoop the boys came tumbling
| down the companiOnway AS their
glance fell upon their captive they
jumped upon their uncle and began TO
pummel him,
at amt fair" protested Gordon. ito
let the captives out, They might run
| away"
For a moment EVAN struggled with
desire to fight back. then he caught
Alice's eye and he cOntented himself with
/ grasping the collars of two sailor jackets
and bringing the twins in front Of him.
I'm give you a dollar apiece as ram
SON." he said sternly. mot a cent more. Z"
you can have her." they chorused
| Give up the dollar"
| Payment was made and Hoffman sent
word to the mate to ehead for home, to
the great dismay OF the twins. but n
this point Evan and Alice were agreed
The sun was Just sinking In the west
a the Mona renamed the Spolrae ma