The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-04-22

he was on MS way TO see ClariSsy
Martin, the schoolma'am, and for
horny-handed seaman he was facing
a delicate situation. He intended 10
pop the fatal question that would
probably take her away from her du-
ties as school teacher TO an obscure
fishing village.
For more times than he cared TO re-
member. Cap'n Hornepayne had in
tended 10 pop the question. but every
time he tried TO do so, something in
side of him seemed TO reach up and
get strangle hold on his voice This
time, he vowed. was going TO be differ
ent He was carrying a talisman that
had proved itself lucky on other occa-
sions. 1t was a small silver horseshoe
that he had won in some long-forgot-
ten contest.
There are great many people who
believe in the lucky properties attrib-
uted TO horseshoes. Clarissy Martin
belonged to that class. She had a
worn horseshoe nailed over her kitch-
en- door,
Dusk was setting in rapidly and a
light glowed from a front window Of
the schoolma'am's cottage. as Cap'n
Hornepayne come abreast of ii.
Drawing a deep breath, he knocked
firmly on the door. believing all the
while that his heart was making a
louder echo with its rapid humping.
A short pause, then the door was
opened wide.
-Evenin', Cap'n Hornepayne."
"Evenin', Miss Martin" replied the
captain, fumblils with his cap.
Giving him a quick, sincere smile
of greeting. the schoolma am led him
into the tiny parlor. She was, as the
captain would have expressed it, AL
primped up"
Conversation was desultory. The
scanty news concerning the village
was soon exhausted The weather
came in for its share of comment.
Fishing operations were discussed. but
that, too. soon languished. 1t was
then that Clarissy Martin suggested
that they sir on the veranda for
awhile. The captain agreed with ALAG
rity.
They found the two chairs placed
in convenient position. The night was
mild, shadows were deepening and aae
atmosphere was conducive to amatory
conversation.
Surreptitiously, he slipped a hand
into his coat pocket and like Aladdin
with his magic lantern, rubbed bis
fingers over the horseshoe, ferventIy
praying for some loop hole that would
offer him a chance TO swing the con-
versatiOn into the channel ne desired.
Perhaps not altogether innocent of
his intentions. Clarissy Martin gave
him the long-awaited chance as she
casually inquired: How is your
house comm along, Cap'n? l remem-
Der you sayin' that you only had 10
put few more touches TO finish it
off"
Cap'n Hornepayne gave a gusty sigh
of relief as those blessed words
bridged the gulf that had been grad
ually widening between them The
horseshoe was not failing him. He
knew he was on the right course now.
He edged his chair closer to the
schoolma ANS.
The little house is comm along
fine" he told her, with renewed con-
fdence. when | brought the schoon-
er in this last trip. | come in with the
finest catch o. the season | gOr nice
pay for it, too. O. course | sailed
most O. the money away with the rest
l had, but | KEEP enough out TO put
the last touches 10 the house. Now
she's finished and standin' ship-shape,
ready TO weather any storm"
Don't you find ii a bit lonesome
Twin alone like you do, Cap'n Horne
payne?"
AYE, il does get a bit lonely at
times" the captain agreed Drawing
a deep breath he plunged into the
opening offered by the schoolma ANS
question. 90 course, IL amt my in
tention TO live alone all the time /
been thinkin' lately that a man soon
er or later ought to find himself a
wife an settle down some. / been
wonderin', too well .ys
see it's this way. Ye seemed inter-
ested in the house an | thought that
that ye might sort o. like to
take over the tiller ="
The question was out ar last. The
captain was on tenterhooks as he
waited for the fateful answer. Then,
as sweetly as the tolling of a church
bell, the schoolma'am's words fell up
on the still air: Captain. that would
make me the happiest person alive
''Chrissy. gall" the captain cried
hoarsely.
In the most convenient way imag-
Unable the captain found her head
resting on his arm. and In the same
instant he was imprinting kiss upon
her willing lips. with tenderness that
one would never expect to find in a
bluff, sea faring captain
If anyone had been watching Claris-
sy Martin early the next morning, they
would have seen a peculiar sight She
was standing directly in front Of two
chairs she and Cap'n Hornepayne had
occupied the previous evening. Her
hands were clasped together snd there
was an enraptured light
If anyone had been close enough.
they would have seen that what she
was looking AT was a horseshoe nailed
TO the cottage wall under the cottage
roof worn horseshoe that
formerly had hung over the kitchen
door.