The Dolores star., 1922-08-18

NbINtlS llSl Hdu 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 to
them from the tables near by, where
men We're talking of cargoes, and Of
ships and of men who worked and
sailed upon them.
How long have you been on the
lakes?" Alan inquired.
"All my life"
"Do you remember the Miwaks?"
Old Burr turned abruptly and studied
Alan with slow scrutiny which
seemed to loek him through and
through: yet ~hile his eyes remained
fixed on A,un suddenly they grew
blank. He was not thinking now of
Alan, but had turned his thoughts
within himself.
~ remember her-yes. She was lost
in %" he said "In '95," he repeated.
Did you know Benjamin Corvet?"
Alan asked.
Old Burr stared at him uncertainty.
II know who he is, of course"
You never met him?"
mo"
Did you receive a communication
from him some time this year-a re-
quest to send some things TO Miss Con
stance Sheriff. at Harbor PointT'
Il never heard of Miss Constance
Sheriff.. To send what thlngs?"
Several thlngs-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 Staiford's?-no," he said agi-
tatedly. "Now
He moved away and left the place;
and Alan sprang up and followed him.
He was not, it seemed probable to
Alan now, the James Burr of Corvet's
list; at least Alan could not see how
he could be that one. Among the
names of the crew of the Miwaka Alan
had found that of Il Frank Burr. and
his inquiries had informed him that
this man was 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 to
have lived there he gave another ad-
dress and assigned to himself quite diff
ferent connections. For every member
of the crew of the Miwaka there had
been a corresponding, but different
name upon Corvets list-the name of
a close relative. If old Burr was not
a1 no
what connection could he have with
the Miwaka, and why should Alan's
questions have agltated him SO? Alan
would not lose sight of old Burr until
he had learned the reason for that.
He followed, as the old man crossed
the bridge and turned to 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 a huge black bulk,
which Alan recognized as the ferry,
loomed at the waterside. He disap-
peared aboard it. Alan, following him,
gazed about.
A long, broad, black boat the ferry
was, almost four hundred feet to the
tall, bluff bow.
Alan thrilled a little at his inspec-
ton of the vessel. He had not seen
close at 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 n berth
on the ferry; he had used that merely
as n means of getting into conversa-
, tion 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
old Burr on the ferry, 1t appeared, was
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 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 score of
times Alan attempted to get him to
i koIl uho 4