The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-04-12
CHAPTER xxx

CHAPTER XXX
 Just how, Jerry Whitfield won- dered, did the commander of ar American privateer go about get ting a visit home?
 It was now high summer and he was far from Connecticut. He had new difficulties. The ship he had engaged in combat had received a broadside from on of the May Queens long guns that wrecked her. There had been barely time to remove her officers and men to the May Queen before she sank.
 '"Very bad business" Jerry con- plained to his first mate. Our gunners need practice" His thrifty Yankee nature revolted at sinking & good ship. Now that he had his own vessel, he had pledged him. self to turn over all other cap tured prizes to his government.
 The May Queen was again full of prisoners. Plainly, there was but one thing to do put them ashore off the coast of France as he had done that other time. This was accomplished, but at the price of a fortnight of maneuvering And then he chanced on another gun brig. But that is another story, leading to yet another.
 Polly was sitting under an ap- pie tree in the side yard mending shirt for her father. She had brought the baby outdoors with her and as she sewed she rocked the cradle with her toe. Young Richard was lying on his back contemplating the green leaves and Altering sunlight in that pleas antly vacuous way that healthy infants have when left to them selves.
 Polly saw her father coming down the street, walking as usual with his two canes, and yet more urgently. He turned in at the picket gate, forgetting to shut it after him; and when Nuisance ran to meet him he frisked him away with his canes. Clearly, Trepid was not himself. And then Polly understood. He was holding out a letter to her.
 She uttered a little cry, took the letter and broke the. red seal. There fell out folded sheet with short message written on it:
 My dear Polly" said the ele- gant writing that was obviously not Jerry's. q send you this letter frem Jerry which I forgot to post four months ago. It was written during our last stop in Wilmington when I was hard pressed with worry and so I absent-mindedly put 1t with some papers to be left with my banker. Today on open ing the packet came on the letter Words cannot express my regret. hereby tender my apologies to you and shall tender the same to Jerry when I see him this evening on the Gray Gull. We are about to go our separatt ways and I shall sorely miss the companionship of this man l have come to regard as brother. As he is coming to you in person as fast as ship can take him, shall leave him to recount our adventures since we parted from you. Your ad- miring and o'd't s'v't, Cabell Banks, junior.
 Polly re-read the letter, this time aloud, for Trepid was concerned to know it's contents. Dick came out of the house and this called for a third reading. Polly's lovely throaty voice vibrating between tears and laughter.
 MT. Banks letter explains a good deal" Dick said with relief He had harbored resentment against his unseen brother-in law for rot writing to Polly, though he had kept the feeling to himself.
 They examined the date of the letter now and began to speculate about Jerry's arrival. It had been written 12 days ago. Cabell had lm- piled that Jerry was coming by ship "Whose ship?" What did it matter so long as he was con- ingl
 "Where is Wilmington, Dick? How far is it?"
 Tn North Carolina, you little dunce. Near the South Carolina border How far is it by sea Father?"
 Trepid rested his chin on his cane heads while he calculated Its 700 mile, reckon. You can look for him some time soon - un- less, of course"
 "Unless he runs into some Eng fish warships' Polly supplied. She spoke matter -of-factly but they saw her young face grow closed and still, as it had learned to do in the past months. will you watch the baby for me a while?" she asked them. When they assented she went into the house and up to her own room, to read Jerry's letter alone.
 The air seemed charged with expectantly now. The little house with the overhanging second story became the scene of much activity. Polly elated to "clean house" while they waited for Jerrys ship to put in at Lyme, and she all but wore Trepid and Dick to the bone in her zeal. Floors and woodwork and windows were washed till they shone. The Kitchen copper was secured and polished. Window curtains were