Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1934-08-10
CHAPTER V

the C0lcI. IL S-Dui luSc Ido
double pneumonia, an they say he'll
snuff DOT like cigaret in gale o
wind"
you'll not be sorry" said Thorn
son who had been listening to what
Hodgson had told him.
son had told him.
"Ah, weel, he had his pairts." COM
mended Macalpin. "He aye kennel
guide whuskey when he tasted it,"
"How did Seymour shape?" ques-
toned Thomson.
Hell dae fine" was the engineers
scant commentator. A cynical crit
ic, he praised reluctantly and with
a seeming grudge that anyone should
merit such reward. whats this Pm
hearin' ashore ABBOTT auld Ben's
Orient? ?"
"Oh, that? Her new skipper put
her up on Gammon's Ledge the first
night out-she's a total loss.
cay, is that so? He'll likely be
sair he gi'ed Seymour the key O. the
beach,"
His loss, our gain. Can Seymour
take on this job if Burridge goes I'M
der?"
"Ay, ay. Whether or no, I'd say.
He's almost guide enough tae be
Scot"
Il must tell Old Ben that" sud-
denly cackled Thomson.
"Yon's his lassie crossin' the tracks,
or I'm a blindie," Macalpin said
1t was none other than Dawn, low
elier than ever, because she had ac-
quired a new quality even in this
short interval: womanliness that be-
came her infinitely. She'd made it
her business to learn all there was
to be learnt about the working of the
Burley reports with pathetic intensity.
as Mr.. Seymour aboard?" she
asked as she came up the gang
plank like a hurried fairy.
Captain Seymour's asleep" said
Thomson. Dawn's face suddenly
crumpled What she said was: cts
turning out a dandy day, isn't it,"
you'll find an easy chair in the
saloon" sympathized Thomson, who
had daughters of his own. you'll
be let to see him first. And he add
ed to Macalpin as Dawn went away:
"If | were an eugenist I'd advocate
that sort of mating-to keep the Bur-
ley boats supplied with men,"
Well, it was step up, and quick
one, but not quick or high enough for
Seymour's impatience, when he be-
came to consider it in cold blood.
Burridge didn't die, but every one
knew he'd never use the sea again
that icy sousing had knocked ten good
years off his life and aged him be-
yond belief. The whole colossal bluff
had collapsed; and even Seymour's
assurance that he had forgotten those
little interludes On the Minotaur's
bridge didn't reinflate it.
Maybe you'd have been better to
let me drown" said Burridge, playing
childishly with his bleached fingers.
"Well, the Lines the better for you.
Good luck!' That was his limit of
praise and thanks; but coming whence
it did meant a lot.
Skipper of the Minotaur after one
coastwise voyage was good enough to
create envy in the minds of many
Burley mate who'd expected promot-
ion; but it was still long way from
ownership. Out of his pay Seymour
bought more sweepstake tickets and
went on hoping, with Dawn offering
to elope with him any time. She US
ually said that when he left her at
her own door; and then Seymour look
ed at the house and shrugged his
shoulders. Sleek service and opu-
lence everywhere a suitable casket
for so rare a jewel. The girl was
crazy when she thought she could
change all that for cheap lodgings
near the docks.
'I'm going ahead faster than your
father did," he assured her. "There
aren't the same opportunities nova
days; but I'm out to find 'em if there
are any around.
Il hate the idea of your being in
that Minotaur," she shivered. CAL
most as much as Daddy hates you,
now the Orient's lost" She was par
tial enough to dmple at that re-
minder. "He blames you for it, of
course-since if you'd turned me into
the discard you'd still have been
there"
I'D have got the Occident, don't