Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-10-02
DAILY NOVELETTE,
A PILOT o. HEARTS
BY Sadie NJ. Stull
g A HOY, Miss Beth! Yell never

"a HOY, Miss Beth Yell never
"A make Port Fortune ct this rate o
sailin'. l know yer model amt just tn
right sort o. craft
A protesting wave of Elizabeth s
paint brush silenccd him. cts not the
model. but the artist who is at fault,
dear friend"
The old sailor unlimbered from his
cramped "pose" and slowly, approached
| the easel.
His shaggy brows contracted as ne
studied the half finished picture. Then
suddenly the eyes under the brows
twinklcd merrily. ITS cause we've
got me on dry land, lassic. If yer
gran father Gordon wus here this blessed
minute he'd tell yc Mat Donnen only
looks nat raj with plankin' under his
feet" The twinkle gave place to a
soft reminiscent tight. "1t's tn proper
order O. things. Miss Beth; all 'cordin
ter tn master shippers plan. He
knows what ev'ry hand o us is best
fitted fer an We cant sail contrary ter
sich orders an be happy
Beth averted her face, but not before
the eager. watching eyes had glimpsed
the wistful droop Of her sensitive
mouth.
From the distant sand dunes came the
raucous call of a mackorc gull; from
nearby cottage the mcIodious triil
of a canary. Over all was the calm
glory of a perfect midsummer day.
STOW the paint, lass an come out
on tn quarterback. What breeze thar
be will strike us fair, whito ! spin ye er
little yarn.
On the shaded piazza the brncing salt
air whipped twin roses into Beth $ pale
cheeks. Her eyes diatod slightly at
sight of the great gray ships at an
Chor in the harbor.
Cap'n Mat followed her glance. softly
whistling his favoritc chanty. Then he
cleared his throat.
81 met. n husky from ono o them
ships this .mornn'. \ trim young Of
ficer he was. the kind his men pass a
smile ter long with their salute. 1t
did my old eyes good ter sec TIL smile
he Civ 'em back, cause | knowed the
heavy heart he carried" The old
voice grew strangely tender: "Ie see.
l kinder feel rcspons bic fer this pertic'- :
lar laddic. His gran dad an me wus
shipmates back in the sos. We shared
fights an froics. an Onct in a rip
snorter o gale Bart was washed over
board. Ye kin bet I WIS in arter him
quicker than it now takes ter tell it,.
A fallin' spar he'd stunned him so he
wus dead weight Even after a
half century shuddor shook the speak
er's sturdy frame. 1t looked es tho
old Neptune would git us both: but |
thought O. the lass waitin' fer Bart back
in tn home town. an won out. Two
months artcr we made port an Bart
married his bonny lass. thanks ter me.
he allus swore.
"Thct's why I feel sortcr riled when,
see the lad-born image O my ship
mate-kcp' outer tn harbor O. happi-
ness. His bonny lass claims career
is calm her. 1t is. but not TIL ono she
answered ct tn start. l grant she's
maxim hcadway on her contrary course,
but how much more mightn't she make
in that snug haven list mentioned" ="
He was standing close to Beth'S chair
now. one gnarlPd hand resting gently
on her head. "Laddie hes been very
patient, lassie.. He went ovcrscas-it
might hev been ter his death-with only
yer promise ter pray an knit fer him.
Now. fer months he he'd Been figgerin'
on cozy little home O. which he
could dream on his long sea watches.
an shape his course fer tn minute his
ship returned ter Gods country"
Beth slowly raised her head. The
wonderful new light in her hazel eyes
made Cap'n Mat rejoice exceedingly.
His manner, however. remained semi
rcproachfUl.
II asked tn lad this mornin' if he
wus goin' ter til fancy dress ball ter
morrer night. lie wasn't overkeen err
bout it till told him wus ter pilot tn ;
trimmest craft bound thet way Cap II
Mat chuckled. II lowed es how my old
legs warn t. quite up ter TIL fandangos
they dance nowadays, so I'd hev ter
let a younger partner do tn bonors fer
my sprishtly charge. Ie should hev'
seen tn smile he fetched ct thet-jist
like yer own ct this blessed minute,
lass. Now, don't yc waste sich a
dazzler on me-
Playful fingers closed his lips, a soft
kiss sealed them. Bart won't be jeal-
ous," assured a happy young voice.