The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1925-02-27
DON'T BE FUNNY. now mucHr

strange voice was saying I shouldn't
have brought Mary into a den Ike
this: but time Is short, and you must
sail today"
"Oh. please don't worry about me, -
answered the girls voice "it's fun.
] wanted 20 see-Oh. look the voice
dropped to a stage whisper. There's
a man In there
Drake gruanrd silently lie wanted
10 take "A square look az the owner
OF that yuicr II was a rich. liquid.
happy voice. II sent a queer ripple
along his throat. But he dared not
take his arms from his face. He knew
by the next voice. that they had
passed on
"An the men are aboard but one.
Capt. Manning This was stevens
speaking. IN have man IN half
an hour. The crimp tried 20 send me
a putty dude Z" Tho fellow laughed
dLscordan,ly. Evidently playing 10 the
girl. thought Drake. III you saw a..
Miss Mary. you'd want Il Tor a dolly.
but you'll have 10 wash II first
Arc you speaking about man7''
came the girls voice. cool and unap-
preciative. Drake never could de-
eide, even many years later. whether
the girl meant that 70 be frosty. or
was having fun with Stevens too
deep FOR his understanding. Now they
were coming past the door again.
Tried to dump the dude onto me,
sir. l hammered him we'll"
who's the dudsr' queried the sirl.
sharply.
Hush, child! Let Mister Stevens
get hru- Times short" cut in Capt.
Manning.
THE crimp." said Stevens. II
would feel like a child beater II hit
that double left-handed thing in silk
striped pants that"
YES. yes" said the captain i'm.
patiently. Never mind the dude. You
get your ship warped out 10 the pier
head whether you have n fun com
plement or not. You'll lose the rest
IL you don't" The trio we're right at
the door Drake simply Rad TO peep.
Il have done all that's needed In
change Of masters. You'n take the
orontes out TO Batavia. Take good
care Of Mary. and see her safely 20
her brothers place. I'll get the bust
ness that's keeping me ashore all
settled by the tiins you get back.
Then wen talk about what's 70 be
done"
brakes first peep showed him tho
thick gray.bearded. copper-bronzed
old gentleman Of nautical aspect
whose Fat chaise horses he had start
led with his changing gate. His next
was more than a peep. for he raised
his head. and looked straight into the
wide blue eyes Of the girl who had
handled those frightened horses. lie
shuddered.
He wanted. as he had wanted no
other thing in life. to show that
clean, selfpossessed young lady that
he belonged Of clean rac,. too. He
wanted to tell her something. He
could still hear her voice. He could
hear the deep rumbling tones Of her
father. II Capt. Manning we're her
parent; hear too the blatant. conf
dent roar OF Stevens. He hated
Stevens more than ever. Stevens ap.
parentiy was TO sail master Of the
orontes clipper: with Mary Manning
rs passenger. Stevens, brute. a
nnanhandler who set himself up a
Judge OF a mans value as a man.
HE says I'm not even worth
shanghailngl Caesar, I'd like 10
prgue that with him.
But how? Drake took steps TO
peep outside again. II he could just
catch Mister Stevens alone for a mo-
ment. with that girl out Of the way.
he would see. The big blond beast
might batter clumsy customer like
the crimp. slow moving. slow think
ing. a creature Of one idea. But
Drake had known the day when he
could handle himself above a bit. He
had licked the 1hsifdeck bully on his
first voyage 10 sea. There was moth
ing like confidence.
80 you'll get on board, Capt.
Btevens, and haul out 70 the plerhead
before your crew jump" the old gen
tleman was saying. Mary. my girl.
take care Of yourself. Have a good
holiday with J,ck, and he'll bring
you home when he comes. III write
you at Cape Town"
Drake followed stealthily. His
hopes were dashed. for the three left
the place together and walked toward
nc docks. He stood on the sun
bsthed pavement. staring after them.
Then he hurried down the auieter
side street. The sight Of three gilded
halls over a grimy window full OF
knives. pistols. sextants, ship models
and curios from all the Seven Seas