Evening star., 1915-03-28


words with him, and he was a positive god
send to Popple.
"Well, Harry, my boy, how goes it," was
the skipper's greeting.
The invalid was sitting up in an easy
chair, placed in front of a low window. Thus
he could gaze into the square beneath, and
see its whole extent. In summer the dense
foliage of the sycamores would have blocked
the view; but in mid December their bare
branches hid nothing.
"Fine, Capn," he answered. "Mr. Tolle-
mache tole me the doctor said | might hop
downstairs tomorrow. This d'y week | IL be
leggin it back to England 'ome, an work
"Mebbe, an mebbe not" said Popple,
settling his bulk into another chair, and be-
ginning to fill pipe.
"Struth, Cap'n, you're the larst man
I'd tike for Jobs comforter!' said the
steward
"W'at's the rush?"
mo rush; but I'm goin' along all right,
an 'er Lydyship won't want to keep chap
like me 'angin abart.'
"S'pose you get job here?"
"Now | arsk you, Cap'n, wat can | do
nor English? I'd be byby among em-a
silly byby"
"This salvage business may last a bit. If
you like, I'll AK Mrs Carmac to put your
name on the books"
"Cap'n, d'y mean it? Well, you are a
brick! It'll help lot if earn a quid or
two while I'm crooked. I've been thinkin'
abart this salvage idee. Watts behind it?'
"Just pickin up any odds an ends we
come across. But that's funny question.
Got something in your noddle?"
"Nothink, Cap'n. On'y it struck me that
wat between sea an rock the Stella must be
Dretty well diShed by this time +"
Everybody says that" growled Popple.
"An' that's just why I've a fixed notion
we'll find more'n anyone bargains for"
HE was busy with his pipe, which refused
- to draw freely; SO failed to perceive that
the steward was gazing out into the square
with curiously brooding stare Harry Jack
son had been taught by hard world not to
blurt out everything he knew.
ye like tonc?"
"Would a duck swim, Capn?" said Harry
instantly.
"There was glass or two left in bottle
of the boy downstairs. ART mo! I'll AK
Marie if it's still on tap
Harry stared again out of the window
This time his glance followed Harvey Ray
mond, who was strolling toward the bridge.
He watched the secretary's thin figure, its
urga1nnneSS Delng somewhat enhanced by
the stifly bandaged arm, until Popple re-
turned in triumph with nearly pint of
champagne and wine glass.
"'fhere you are, SOM" he cried joyously.
"Put that where the cat can't get it. You're
drinkin Mr.. Raymond's health
"Am II" said Harry. "Then ere's to
him, the swab!'
"Hullo Don't you like him?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"E amt my sort, Cap'n. Monkey-fyce,
we chaps forrard used to call i'm"
"Sink me! You didn't see much of him.
"Didn't need to. 'E's the kind O. jumped
up blub who forks to men beneath i'm as if
they was dawgs. When real toff calls me
Jackson l s'y Yes, Sir; but when that
blghter did the SINE thing wanted to
bung i'm one in the jawr.'
"Well, I'm dashed!" breathed Popple, sur
veying his friend with manifest approval.
"Now, who'd ha thought he'd stirred you
up in that way? Between you an me,
Harry, I'm not too fond of him mesclf. |
suspicioned that Mrs. Carmac meant to fire
him last week; but | was mistaken. Any
how, Live and let live is my policy. So
long as he doesn't interfere with me, I'll
leave him alone"
"Syme ere" agreed Jackson
tn he rOufiuupd uprI SuuI1v