The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-01-18
ARomdnce of the Great Lakes
ByKARLW.D DETER
w N. u. Service
Copyright by The Bobbs- Merrill Co.

iShed he laid II down silently and
left the room. Let her believe what
she wanted! There were other things
to think about He climbed up to the
tower.
THE lens first" Captain Stocking
said. putting him to work. "And re,
member, easy, easyl Ten thousand
dollars II cost. A split head will
mend, but these lenses no
mending then"
Captain Stocking was not driving
master. He treated Norman as su.
perior should. small superior COM
manding small vessel. He watched
like hawk but he never bullied. II
had been the bullying that sent Nor.
man away from Madrid Life was
pleasant here at the Eye.
"An' when the inspector comes he'll
be asking :"
The assistant heard the warning
dozen times, fifty, in the first two
weeks.
"When's he comingY he inquired
one morning. when you expect him?
II expect him." Captain Stocking
answered. when he's least expected
It's the way of 'em. I've seen 'em
a-plenty. LOr', wasn't | scared time
| was assistant at Spectacle reef?
My first light tina. was The keeper
got the pennant there that year. out
the whole district he had the best
kept station. I've never got 1t yet.
Think every year I'm going to. -"
He scuffed down the stair.
Norman went on with his polishing,
He had served a month with no word
from Madrid Bay. He wondered
about his father, usually at night Ii
was good weather for fishing; If old
Gustaf were out he was lifting heavy
hauls.
Several times, in the evening al
ways, he heard the peculiar "chug
chug, chug" of Bakers engine
putting in cautiously along the rect
to the lighthouse. heard Bakers
heavy voice and Sues, laughing and
talking But he never encountered
Baker face to face. Sue managed
that
Sue sailed often in the coast guard
boat to Madrid. She asked him al.
ways if there was anything he need.
ed. There was only one thing, and
at first he did not mention 1t to her.
But the second time he gave her
letter and two pennies.
"Put it In the post Office, will you,
please? Buy stamp" o.
Susan did not look al the address
until she was half across the bay
When she did, she saw that the name
upon the envelope was Gustaf Erick-
son.
Norman had offered to return to
Madrid If his father wanted him. and
enclosed fifty dollars, half his first
months pay.
He never received q reply.
After fortnight he wrote Jim Mel
son. He folded a tive-dollar bill into
this envelope, instructing honest old
Jim to buy Gustaf anything In the
way o, extras that he needed, and to
send word to Blind Mans Eye If an
emergency arose. Jim answered on
postal card.
"Sure." he wrote. "Tm standing by.
Gus is all right wouldn't come
back, not yet I'm easing up his
mind. I'll leave you know when TO
try seeing him." and that was all.
Twice on days off duty the assist
ant keeper walked up the sand to the
coast guard station. Captain Parish
neglected to recognize him the first
time. The second visit he nodded,
curt businesslke salute as If his min
utes were valuable AID he feared Nor
man might waste them.
Then, one hot windy morning in
August, Captain Parish stuck his
lean face into the tower door.
II got new man. Sam1." the coast
guard captain said. II been two short
all season. had a little time,