The Lamar register., 1919-10-22
BETTYS SHIP
BY SADIE NJ. srULL


Betty turned to the speaker with a
rare smile. ~ was not looking for my
ship, Cap'n Andy. was playing the
game you chide me so much about
max believe l was just about to
start on journey of dreams-to the
world beyond the harbor-the wonder
land that calls to me with the gold
en- voice Of Opportunity"
Cap'n Andy shook his grizzled head.
"Avast, there, little shipmatel Ye must
git sich notions outer yer purity head
Mind, I'm not scoldIn.' dearie," he add
ed in a gentler tone. "Onct ! felt tn
same es We do erbout this snug harbor.
wus thet crazy ter see yer boasted
wonderland | run erwny ter N'Nork
an signed with tn fust ship thet need
ed a cabin boy" reminiscent gleam
frightened the speakers faded blue
eyes. "She wus a clipper. bar none, an
] got my fill o. adventure; but will ye
believe me now. Miss Betty, 1t wusnt
er bit like I'd pictured itf' The kindly
old voice ended in chuckle. "Ev'ry
bloomin' air castle went up in smoke
at tn fust port o call. an by tn time
tn old ship tackled fer home tn last
O. my store O. day dreams he'd gone by
tn board"
They had been walking along the
wind-swept beach. Now they turned
into the lane leading TO Betty's humble
home.
As he opened the creaking gate the
oap'n said: "Jist let tn old anah hor
hold We while longer, dearie. Yer
ship is due soon-I feel 1t In my
weather bones No. I won't lay to fer
mess. but tell yer gran'dad ter keep
the forecasle light burnin'."
Betty watched the sturdy old figure
out of sight ere she entered the
weather-beaten cottage. As she pass
ed the living room door she called
CHEEKY greeting TO her grandfather.
Her steps Jagged as she entered the
Then. recalling the cap'n's
parting words. she blithely set about
preparing the simple evening meal.
Such was the influence Of the genial
mariners optimistic spirit. 1t had al
ways been so. from the day he told
the wide-eyed child, her idolized ia
ther would never come back from the
Banks"
The same sad day saw the birth Of
q series Of wonderful sea yarns. more
IA ascinating than any fairy tale. Spun
to tighten the child's grief they made
an unexpected and lasting impression.
Some eight years later. Betty. on the
of beautiful womanhood. an
she had decided to become a
writer and would specialize In Cap'n
Andy's sea stories.
with the payment check for her first
story. Betty bought a warm sweater
for her ailing grandparent and a high
liner" cargo for Cap'n Andy's pipe.
Her own young heart craved roses.
but her practical eye selected a hardy
geranium.
Bstty's glance turned now to that
beloved plant Meow - meow-owi" 7"
the open window shot a small
furry object, which like an ebony
streak. disappeared cellarward.
why. Tommy Black-what's the
What, indeed1 The distant rumble
which preceded the kittens hasty en-
became roar. with a drum
ming accompaniment Betty had never
heard with thunder.
She approached the window with
bated breath. A sharp cry escaped her.
as she beheld a huge flying monster
the mist Even as she looked,
the great man-bird dove sideways
then down-to a shuddering stop In
the wet sands.
Needless of wind and rain. Betty
sped from the house.
To the helmeted and begoggled pilot
who struggled from the wrecked ma
chine she seemed veritable water
sprite. As he removed his goggles
Betty saw a thin stream of crimson
oozing from his temple.
IT'S nothing" he said with a crook
ed smile. Just bumped an upright
when the old girl smashed. Now, II
there's a telephone station anywhere
In this neck Of sand-rd like to call
the nearest naval station"
Come to the house and Cap'n Andy
will send your message from the post
ofnce." Her strong young arms guided
him across the uneven sands to the
welcome ease of her grandfather's
sleepy hollow chair. Then. with cool.
left fingers she bandaged the ugly cut
All the while her heart beat with a
usw rhythmic foy that almost fright