The Ordway new era., 1922-08-04

4
BENJAMIN Corvet's list had had any
knowledge OF Alan Conrad or had
heard the name before
Alan was silent. watching the old
man; Burr. silent too. seemed listening
TO the conversation which came 10
them from the tables near by, where
men were talking OF carsceS, and Of
ships and OF men who worked and
sailed upon them.
How long have you been on the
lakes?" Alan inquired
"An my life"
do you remember the MiwakaT-
Old Burr turned abruptly and studied
Alan with slow scrutiny which
seemed to lock him through and
through: yet Shile his eyes remained
fixed on Alan suddenly they grew
blank. He was not thinking now Of
Alan. bur had turned his thoughts
within himself.
u remember her-yes. She was lost
in '95," he said. IN 'e5." he repeated
Did you know Benjamin Corveti
Alan asked.
Old Burr stared at him uncertainty.
Il know who he is, of course
You never mer hint?
NO"
Did you receive 8 communication
from him some time this year-a re
quest 70 send some things 10 Miss Con
stance Sheriff. 81 Hsrbor Polnt!'
u never heard Of Miss Constance
Sheriff.. To send what things?'
Several things-among them
watch which had belonged to Captain
Stafford Of the Miwaka-"
Old Burr got up suddenly and stood
gazing down at Alan. a watch OF
Captain StaSord's?-no," he said agi-
tatedly. "No,'
He moved away and left the place;
and Alan sprang up and followed him.
He was not, 1t seemed probable to
Alan now, the James Burr OF Coryets
list; at least Alan could not see how
he could be that one. Among the
names OF the crew OF the Mlwaka Alan
had found that OF q Frank Burr, and
his Inquiries had informed him that
this man was 8 nephew Of the James
Burr who had lived near Port Corbay
and had disappeared" with all his
family. Old Burr had not lived at Port
Corbay-at least, he claimed not 10
have lived there; he gave another ad-
dress and assigned TO himself quite dif-
ferent connections For every member
Of the crew OF the Miwaka there had
been q corresponding, but different
name upon COryet's list-the name Of
a close relative II old Burr was not
related TO the Burr On COryet's list
what connection could he have with
the MIwaka. and why should Alan's
questions have agitared him SO? Alan
would not lose sight Of old BUR- until
he had learned the reason for that
he followed. as the old man crossed
the bridge and turned 10 his LEFT
among the buildings on the river front
Burr's figure, vague in the dusk,
crossed the railroad yards and made
its way TO where 8 huge black bulk,
which Alan recognized as the ferry,
Ioomed at the waterside- He disap-
pezred aboard It Alan following him,
gazed about
long. broad, black boat the ferry
was, almost four hundred feet 10 the
rail-, bluf bow.
Alan thrilled q little at his inspec-
ton Of the vessel He had not seen
close al hand before one Of these great
craft which, throughout the winter,
brave ice and storm after all-Or near
ly all-other lake boats are tied up.
He had not meant TO apply there when
he questioned old Burr about berth
on the ferry; he had used that merely
as q means OF getting into conversa-
ton with the old man But now he
meant to apply; for 1t would enable
him to find out more about old Burr.
No berth on the ferry was vacant
yet but one soon would be, and Alan
was accepted In lieu Of the man who
was about to leave; his wages would
not begin until the other man left, but
in the meantime he could remain
aboard.
All that was known definitely about
that he had Joined the vessel in the
early spring. Before that-they did
not know; he might be an old lakeman
who, after spending years ashore. had
returned to the lakes for livelihood.
The next morning. Alan approached
old Burr in the crews quarters and
tried to draw him into conversation
again about himself: but Burr only
stared at him with his intent and odd
ly introspective eyes and would not
talk upon this subject. A week passed;
Alan, established as a lookout now on
Number 25 and carrying on his duties,
saw Burr daily and almost every hour;
his watch coincided with Burr's watch
at the wheel-they went on duty and
were relieved together. Yet better
acquaintance did not make the old
man more communicative; q score of
times Alan attempted to get him to
tell more about himself, but he svaded