The Dolores star., 1920-12-17

a faint whisper seemed TO pass through the
ranks. one or two of the faces lit up suddenly,
Sl"ughed of their assumed age. and became young
and comely once more 1t Christmas eve.
and thoughts flew with lightning speed long
forgotten homes. where Christmas had been a
FESTIVAL of delight in those bygcne days before
the hungry claimed them as its own
You've got to thank my wife for that" went
on Hapshott. shes asked me to give you a
Christmas-a Christmas you'll have. Make the
most of it. TherelI be a fresh mess served for
dinner tomorrow, and there1 be srog for all
hands at eight bells. That's all-disrniss."
Ihe men broke up. walked forward slowly.
then, AS If moved by common impulse, they
bacii.
"Ee wish der lady for TO dank" grunted a Ger
man sailmaker lingering his cap Hey, boys.
vat you says? Aindt IT right?"
"les-ja-dots 1t. Hans" the replies
Mrs. Hapshott aware of n strange compress
sion in her throat; her eyes smarted A stiffcn-
Ing OF the crew followed by something faint
ly resembling cheer; then the men went forward
slouchngly. Their tongues were busy and they
wondered
Still more did they wonder Christmas day
when, two bells having sounded aft Mrs HIM
shott appeared among them. her arms piled hiuh
with gifts. From the commencement of the voy-
age her nimbe hands had been busy with pIns
and wool. and now there something for
them all, warm caps that completely covered n
mnns head and held him immune from frostbite
in the most rigorous weather; mufiers jerseys:
not one was forgotten. Even the greasy cook a
man of foul speech and unclean habits found
himself the possessor of n slceved wastcoat knit
ted ont of the feecieSt wool.
81 hope you'll have a merry Christmas men"
said Mrs. Hapshott and they cheered her-they
were gaining praCtice-until the idle wards
seemed to swing in answer.
Dinner time round, and steam!nc kits
We're passed into the forecaste, kits that con-
taned savory joints from the porler killed over
night. The men ate and were thankful but when
monster plum pudding appeared they stared
with awe-struck eyes.
Don't thank me, thank the nssus" said the
cook, who brought the duff in person. "She made
1t herseIf-last night; mixed the whole bIoomin'
thing with her own hands. Amt 1t a 'onerY
1t wns-a very giant among puddings and as
toothsome as 1t was vast Came, in the midst of
the rcyels, call aft, where the steward stood Mt
the capstan with dipper in his hand. Each
man. presenting a pannikln. received n tot OF
sterling groG, for Captain Hapshott had resolved
to DO the thing well he was embarked uDon
IT; no half-water measures for him. Each man.
receiving his allowance raised his drinking ves-
sci in the direction of Mrs. Hapshott who was
watching them from above. and drank a silent
toast 10 her and to the memory of Christmases
past
SO the wonderful day passed away and once
again night dropped down upon the sea
Mrs. Hapshott rose slipped on her clothing and
went swiftly out deck.
"Ffiram-what was that?' The skipper had
awakened and, missing her, had made for the
deck. The faint sreaks in the sky showed him u
strange figure clad in n gaudy sleeping suit such
sailors love. Mrs. Hapshott cutched at bis
arm and held tightly.
whats whatT' He had been thinking what a
fool he would If the story ever told
of the day now past, and hiSmanner was ungra-
cious.
ering, but all beyond still dark.
"a sea bird-your nerves edge" he told
her
Mrs. Hapshott drew herself to the tafrail and
leaned out. listening. The wind was wang
again; the ship had almost lost her way; she was
only crawling through the water to the accom-
paniment of Tapping aloft.
"Hirnm, It wasn't birdW The womans
voice was full of something to which her husband
could put name.
ut must have been-what else could It Re,
lassT
ITO me II sounded .llke-but, no. that's foolish
ness. My mind is Dlaying me tricks. husband"
But she did not leave the rail for fully twenty
minutes. and then 1t was to step down the ladder