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diff --git a/30713-h/30713-h.htm b/30713-h/30713-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a76e75e --- /dev/null +++ b/30713-h/30713-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10247 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Captain Pott's Minister, by Francis L. Cooper.</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + @media screen { + hr.pb {margin:30px 0; width:100%; border:none;border-top:thin dashed silver;} + .pagenum {display: inline; font-size: x-small; text-align: right; text-indent: 0; position: absolute; right: 2%; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration: none; background-color: inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + .pncolor {color: silver;} + } + @media print { + hr.pb {border:none;page-break-after: always;} + .pagenum { display:none; } + } + body {margin-left: 11%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 0.5em;} + + .caption {font-size:80%; text-align:center;} + .center, .center p{text-align: center;} + .figcenter {margin: 2em auto 2em auto; text-align: center;} + .large {font-size: 1.1em;} + .muchlarger {font-size: 1.3em;} + .muchogrande {font-size: 1.5em;} + .padtop2 {margin-top: 2em;} + .small {font-size: 1.0em;} + .smaller {font-size: .9em;} + .smallest {font-size: .7em;} + .trnote {background-color: #F5F5F5; color: inherit; margin: 5%; font-size: 85%; padding: 0.5em 1em; border: 1px solid gray;} + blockquote {display: block; margin: .75em 5%; font-size: 90%;} + h1 {text-align:center; font-weight:normal; font-size: 1.8em;} + h2 {text-align:center; font-weight:normal; font-size: 1.4em;} + h3 {text-align:center; font-weight:normal; font-size:1.1em;} + hr.invis2 {margin: .5em auto; visibility: hidden;} + hr.invis3 {margin: 2em auto 1em; visibility: hidden;} + hr.mini {width: 4%; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both; margin: .2em auto 0.2em 48%;} + hr.tb {width: 33%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;} + hr.toprule {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; clear:both; margin-left: 17%;} + ins.tnchg {text-decoration: none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} + + .chsp {margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em;} + .figtag {height: 1px;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .smcaplc {text-transform: lowercase; font-variant: small-caps;} + a {text-decoration: none;} + p.cg {margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; text-align: left; width: 101%;} + span.indent4 {margin: 0; padding:0; text-indent:0; width: 1.6em; display: block; float: left;} +</style> + +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Captain Pott's Minister, by Francis L. Cooper + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Captain Pott's Minister + +Author: Francis L. Cooper + +Illustrator: John Goss + +Release Date: December 19, 2009 [EBook #30713] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAPTAIN POTT'S MINISTER *** + + + + +Produced by Darleen Dove, Roger Frank and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_1' id='linki_1'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus-fpc.jpg' alt='' title='' width='312' height='469' /><br /> +<p class='caption'> +“<span class='smcap'>Then, let me hear you say you love me!</span>”––<i><a href='#page_335'>Page 335.</a></i><br /> +</p> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div class="center"> +<p class='muchogrande'>CAPTAIN POTT’S MINISTER<br /></p> +<hr class='invis3' /> +<p>By<br /> +FRANCIS L. COOPER<br /></p> +<p class='padtop2 smaller'><span class='smcap'>Illustrated By</span><br /> +JOHN GOSS<br /></p> +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_2' id='linki_2'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/potts2.jpg' alt='' title='' width='51' height='64' /><br /> +</div> +<p class='padtop2 large'>BOSTON<br /> +LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.</p> +<hr class='pb' /> +<p><span class='smcap'>Copyright, 1922,</span><br /> +<span class='smcap'>By Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co.</span><br /></p> +<hr class='mini' /> +<p><i>All Rights Reserved</i><br /></p> +<hr class='mini' /> +<p>Captain Pott’s Minister</p> +<hr class='invis3' /> +<p>Printed in U. S. A.</p> +<hr class='mini' /> +<p>Norwood Press<br /> +BERWICK & SMITH CO.<br /> +<span class='smcap'>Norwood, Mass.</span></p> +<hr class='pb' /> +<p class='large'><i>To Betty</i></p> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> +<table border='0' cellpadding='2' cellspacing='0' summary='Illustrations' style='margin:1em auto;'> +<col style='width:75%;' /> +<col style='width:25%;' /> +<tr> + <td /> + <td valign='top' align='right'><p style='font-size:small;text-align:right;font-variant:small-caps;'>Facing Page</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“Then, let me hear you say you love me!” (page 335)</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_1'><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“Now, see here, Beth, there ain’t no use of your pretending to me.”</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_3'>146</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“There ain’t money enough in the world to make me do that.”</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_4'>242</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Miss Pipkin had been disturbed by the noise.</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_5'>262</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9' name='page_9'></a>9</span></div> +<h1>CAPTAIN POTT’S MINISTER</h1> +<div class='chsp'> +<a name='CHAPTER_I' id='CHAPTER_I'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +</div> +<p>The sound of voices suddenly arrested +Captain Pott’s fork in mid-air, and the morsel +of untasted salt-mackerel dangled uncertainly +from the points of the dingy tines as +he swung about to face the open door. Fork +and mackerel fell to the floor as the seaman +abruptly rose and stalked outside. The stern +features of the rugged old face sagged with +astonishment as he blinked at the small army +of men swarming over his littered yard.</p> +<p>“’Mornin’, Cap’n,” cheerily called Hank +Simpson, the village storekeeper, as he approached +the irate man on the stoop.</p> +<p>Captain Pott was so completely jarred out +of his usual complacency that for once he had +nothing to say. He forgot even to swear. +As the significance of the movements of the +intruders suddenly dawned upon him he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span> +mutely glared at Hank from beneath blackened +and swollen eyelids.</p> +<p>“The women-folks said that you’d be +wantin’ to make your place look peart, bein’ +as the new minister is goin’ to stay here with +you,” explained Hank, who was apparently +the leader of the group. “When we men-folks +heard that they was goin’ to clean up on +the inside we thought it wouldn’t be no more +than neighborly for us to pitch in and give you +a hand with the outside.”</p> +<p>It was evident that the Captain did not +relish the explanation, for he bristled with +dangerous hostility as he took a step forward. +But before he could refer Hank Simpson and +his entire male army to a certain warm climate +where he thought they might go with mutual +advantage to himself and them, the morning +breeze carried within earshot another note, +higher in the scale, but unmistakable in significance. +Silently the old man stood and +dumbly watched a procession of petticoats +march up to his gate and turn into the cinder +path.</p> +<p>The female army took possession of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11' name='page_11'></a>11</span> +house even as the men had taken possession of +the yard, and he who had commanded mutinous +crews on the briny deep fled and took +refuge in the shade of a spreading elm near +the well. Mrs. Eadie Beaver, the Captain’s +next-door neighbor, approached him, requested +that he pitch in and help, and then as +quickly beat a retreat before the fierce glare. +Hank Simpson once asked where they might +burn the accumulated trash. The answer was +unsatisfactory though forceful. Hank declared, +“Them instructions is wuth a heap, +Cap’n, but unless you’ve got a trap-door to +them parts hereabout, I reckon we’ll have to +do the crematin’ some other way.”</p> +<p>All the shutters on the old house were +thrown wide open, and sunshine and air were +allowed to penetrate corners where dust and +cobwebs had held undisputed sway for years. +Through the open windows came the sound of +tack-hammer and puller, the moving of tables, +sideboards, and chairs, and of every other article +of furniture that was not actually built +into the walls. From his place beneath the +elm the Captain heard all these sounds, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span> +watched his old pieces being piled in a confused +mass about the front yard. He was +smoking incessantly, and swearing no less frequently.</p> +<p>From up the road came the sharp thud of +beating hoofs. As horse and rider came into +view he deliberately turned in the opposite +direction. At the gate the rider drew rein +and swung lithely to the ground. Many +young admirers gathered quickly about the +hitching-post, but the girl was too swift for +them. With a friendly nod and smile she +tossed her reins to a bashful youngster, and +tripped up the path to where the seaman was +standing.</p> +<p>The daughter of the senior Elder of the +Little River church had always been fond of +Captain Pott. When but an infant she had +looked up into the clear blue eyes, adoration +and love in her own. During childhood she +had sat contentedly on his knee, or on a stool +at his feet, listening with rapt interest to his +stories of adventure by land and sea. The +Captain had never been able to spin the wild +yarns commonly known to be his habit when +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13' name='page_13'></a>13</span> +Elizabeth Fox was his only audience. This +was not due to any fear that she would have +detected fraud in his impossible tales, but to +the fact that he could not lie when the gaze of +her big blue eyes was fastened on him.</p> +<p>To-day she edged near and waited for recognition. +Locks of her fair hair, shaken loose +by her ride, went straying bewitchingly over +her face and forehead. The smile in her eyes +crept down to the corners of her mouth as she +sought the averted face above her. But all +she could glimpse were violent motions of one +ragged point of his moustache as it kept imperfect +time with the unseen end which was +being viciously chewed.</p> +<p>At length, the irresistible little attraction at +his side proved too strong for the Captain’s +stubbornness, and he looked down into her big +blue eyes. At sight of his own blackened and +swollen lids Elizabeth uttered a sharp cry. +She took the roughened hand in hers and gave +it a gentle squeeze. But her deep concern was +quickly followed by a ripple of laughter. +Hers was a laugh that was as good to see as to +hear. The Captain smiled a wholly unintentional +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14' name='page_14'></a>14</span> +smile and returned the pressure of her +hand.</p> +<p>“Dear me, Uncle Josiah!” she exclaimed. +“You look so like a terrible old storm-cloud! +And those awful eyes! Where on earth did +you get them?”</p> +<p>“Cal’late I feel a heap sight worse than I +look, Beth. That set of females–––”</p> +<p>“But your black eyes!” she interrupted. +“Who made them like that? Has some one +been fighting you?”</p> +<p>“A feller handed ’em out to me last night, +and I didn’t happen to be in a position to refuse +’em,” he replied, his grisly weather-browned +features lighting up with a wry smile.</p> +<p>“Who dared strike you like that!”</p> +<p>“Now, don’t you worry, Beth. It ain’t as +bad as it looks. You see, I was on my way +over from the station last night from the late +city train. When I got to the top of the hill +I sot down for a spell, and while I was thinking, +I looked down on my place. I see a light +in the pantry window flicker up, die down, and +then settle into a steady glow. I cal’lated it +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15' name='page_15'></a>15</span> +must be pirates aboard the old craft, so I tore +down the hill like blazes and busted into the +house. Something struck me like a ton of +brick, and I went down. I never see so many +stars in all my life. The next thing I heard +was a voice asking if I was hurt, and saying, +‘You’ll pardon me, sir.’” He chuckled with +his first sign of mirth. “When I got my +senses back there was a big feller sitting on +me, nearly choking off my wind. He brung +out one of them lightning-bug flashlights and +turned it full on me, and then shouted like a +maniac, ‘Why, it’s Cap’n Pott!’ ‘That’s +me, but who in hell be you?’ I’m telling you +just as I said it. He told me his name was +Mack McGowan. Well, I was real glad to +see him till he told me he was the new preacher +and was going to live with me. Eadie Beaver +had put him up in my house a week ago. I +was mad as hops when he told me that, and I +was going to throw him out, but,”––again he +chuckled,––“well, I didn’t.”</p> +<p>“You thought caution was the better part +of valor, is that it?” questioned Elizabeth.</p> +<p>“Something like that, Beth. I cal’late +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16' name='page_16'></a>16</span> +we’d best say nothing to a soul about this. +There’d be some who wouldn’t understand the +details of the transaction. It was sort of confidential, +as you might say, and there’d be +them who’d blame Mr. McGowan for what he +wa’n’t exactly responsible for.”</p> +<p>“Oh! Can’t I tell it? It’s really too good +to keep. And then,” she added seriously, +“people might think you have been really +fighting. Don’t you think it would be best +to tell what actually happened?”</p> +<p>“Mighty little any of them would care how +I got my shine. But I cal’late it would be +best for the parson if we’d keep it quiet.”</p> +<p>“Very well, Uncle Josiah. He is really +going to live with you, isn’t he?”</p> +<p>“Don’t that look like it?” he asked, pointing +his pipe-stem toward the house.</p> +<p>“But that is for you, too.”</p> +<p>“For me? You’d see that set of females +getting down on their prayer-bones for an old +sinner like me, except to ask God A’mighty to +strike me dead. I ain’t that popular, not +yet.”</p> +<p>“Captain Pott, I don’t like that one bit! I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17' name='page_17'></a>17</span> +canceled all my engagements in the city when +Father told me the other day what the ladies +of the church were planning to do for you. I +did it just to help you, and now–––”</p> +<p>“There, there, Beth.” The old man +reached out and touched her arm. “Excuse +me, Beth. I feel like a cantankerous old sore-headed +bear this morning. Of course, you +come home to help me. I didn’t mean to hurt +your feelings.”</p> +<p>“They mean well, too,” she loyally defended +her neighbors.</p> +<p>“It was awful nice of you,” he replied, ignoring +her reference to those at work in the +house. “It’s worth it to put up with that +whole pack inside just to have you come.”</p> +<p>“There, now, I have my good old Uncle +back again.” She had always called him +Uncle. “But tell me, why do you feel so +badly?”</p> +<p>“About them in there?” He jerked his +thumb toward the house.</p> +<p>“No-o. I think I can understand your +feelings about them. I feel the same way +sometimes. If I were the minister it would +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18' name='page_18'></a>18</span> +take all of my religion during the week so I’d +have nothing to preach on Sunday. But, +there! Father must never hear of my saying +that.”</p> +<p>“He ain’t likely to hear it from me.”</p> +<p>“Have you quarreled with Father again?” +She stared apprehensively.</p> +<p>Denial sprang to the Captain’s lips, but +when he looked into her eyes and saw there the +expression of eagerness, he turned away.</p> +<p>“You have!” she averred. “I thought so! +And after Father was so kind as to let you +have the money to repair and paint your +house!”</p> +<p>“Beth, we ain’t exactly quarreled. Leastwise, +he ain’t,” he finished lamely.</p> +<p>“Uncle Josiah, why will you and Father +never understand each other? Father is so +kind and good, and so are you, and yet you +are never able to agree. Why is it?” she implored.</p> +<p>“Too much alike, I cal’late. But honest, +Beth, I ain’t got nothing particular against +your father, and if I had I’d sink my feelings +to Davy’s locker for your sake. The trouble +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19' name='page_19'></a>19</span> +is, I’ve been expecting too much, and I ain’t +got any right to ask your father to put himself +out for an old hulk like me.”</p> +<p>“What sheer nonsense! I’ve half a mind +to scold you. Of course, Father is willing to +put himself out for you. Only this morning +he said he would do all in his power to get a +ship for you to command.”</p> +<p>“He’s said something like that to me, too, +several times.”</p> +<p>“Then he’ll do it, if you will only be patient. +Father always keeps his word.”</p> +<p>“You ain’t seen the new parson yet, have +you?” asked the seaman, anxious to change a +dangerous subject.</p> +<p>“How could I, when I’ve just reached +home? Father tells me he is a real Prince +Charming,” she finished, with a wicked little +laugh.</p> +<p>“Humph!”</p> +<p>“Is he, really, Uncle Josiah?”</p> +<p>“He ain’t so bad on looks, if that’s what +you’re driving at.”</p> +<p>“Father says he must be very strong, too.”</p> +<p>“I cal’late he ain’t lacking on that p’int, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20' name='page_20'></a>20</span> +neither,” agreed the Captain, blinking his +swollen eyelids.</p> +<p>Elizabeth laughed heartily.</p> +<p>“Oh! By the way, what did you and your +handsome minister do to Father last night?”</p> +<p>“Is your pa ailing, too?”</p> +<p>“He says he is quite lame, and when I +asked him what the matter was, he only smiled, +and told me to find out from you. Did your +minister take him for a burglar, too?”</p> +<p>“Is that all your father said about it?”</p> +<p>“Yes, except that it was his own fault.”</p> +<p>Captain Pott chuckled. “I feared he +wa’n’t going to see it that way last night. +Eadie Beaver put the parson in here while I +was in the city on a special trip. She came +over the day I left last week, and said it would +be real nice if he could live with me and eat +with her. I told her I’d see about shipping a +parson in my house, meaning I’d have nothing +to do with him. Well, she went ahead and +bunked him here, thinking I’d meant it was all +right. It ’pears she done it against your father’s +ideas, too. So he come over last night +and tried to get Mr. McGowan to move out. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21' name='page_21'></a>21</span> +That made me madder than what Eadie had +done, so I asked him right then if he was willing +to stay. He said he was. Your pa got +sore, and started real dignified to go home. +The candle that Mr. McGowan had been using +was on the floor, and your pa’s heel hit it. +His cane went up and he went down. His +high hat took a swim in a bucket of soapy +water that the parson had been using to swab +decks with.”</p> +<p>“Father is so very dignified! It must have +been quite funny,” she commented, between +paroxysms of laughter. “I wish I could +have seen him!”</p> +<p>“’Twas a mite funny. I fished his beaver +out the pail, and he made off holding it away +from him like it was p’ison.”</p> +<p>Sudden seriousness on the part of the girl +caused the Captain to look in the direction of +her gaze. A tall young man had emerged +from the back door of the house, pail in hand. +He came hurriedly toward the well.</p> +<p>“That’s him,” confirmed the seaman in answer +to a look from Elizabeth.</p> +<p>“He? A minister?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span></div> +<p>“You see now why I wa’n’t strong enough +to throw him out, don’t you? I cal’late Eadie +Beaver would say the Lord took my strength +away, but the Lord don’t need to give that +feller a hand. He’s a hull host to himself.”</p> +<p>“He doesn’t look in the least like one,” declared +Elizabeth.</p> +<p>“He doesn’t? Why, his arm is as big–––”</p> +<p>“No, no! I mean he doesn’t look like a +minister.”</p> +<p>“He ain’t like none I ever see. He used to +ship with me during the summer months when +he was in school, and he’s man clean to the +ground. I can’t see why in tarnation a big +feller like him wants to take up such a sissy’s +job of piloting a lot of women to heaven.”</p> +<p>“But it isn’t that kind of work, unless one +makes it such,” she defended.</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan came to a halt on the opposite +edge of the well-curbing. It was very +unladylike, and Elizabeth knew it, but in +spite of herself she continued to stare.</p> +<p>“Let me interduce you,” suggested the +Captain.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23' name='page_23'></a>23</span></div> +<p>“Thank you, I’d better run along and help +those in the house.”</p> +<p>But she failed to suit the action to the word, +and for the simple reason that the gaze of two +perfectly normal young people became normally +entangled. At length, a flood of color +crept slowly into the girl’s cheeks, and she +smiled.</p> +<p>“I––I beg your pardon for–––” began +the minister.</p> +<p>“Here, young feller,” cut in the Captain +as Mr. McGowan turned away, “I want to +interduce you to my best friend, Miss Elizabeth +Fox. This here is the new minister, +Beth, Mack McGowan.”</p> +<p>Elizabeth cordially extended her hand. +“I’ve been hearing very interesting stories +about your prowess, Mr. McGowan.”</p> +<p>“I trust they are true.”</p> +<p>“Indeed, they are. Captain Pott told me.”</p> +<p>“I did make quite an impression on him,” +replied Mr. McGowan as he looked at the seaman’s +swollen eyelids. “I fear you’ve heard +prejudiced accounts of me.”</p> +<p>“I don’t like them that way one bit,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span> +laughed Elizabeth, “even if a clergyman did +do it.”</p> +<p>“See here! I ain’t going to stand this insinuating +any longer,” interposed the Captain, +his good humor fully restored. “I cal’late +they might want a hand to help swab +decks, so I’ll be going.”</p> +<p>“But, Uncle Josiah,–––”</p> +<p>“I know, Beth. I’ve been unpleasant, but +being as you have come from the city to help +me clean up the old craft, I’d otter show my +appreciation by bossing the crew.”</p> +<p>He seized the pail from the not unwilling +minister, filled it from the well-bucket, and +went to the kitchen to report for duty.</p> +<p>“Do you think you’ll like Little River well +enough to wish to remain?” asked Elizabeth.</p> +<p>“Yes, I think I shall. Mr. Simpson has +been telling me about your brother, and about +his far-sightedness in organizing the Athletic +Club.”</p> +<p>“Did Mr. Simpson tell you how the club +came to be formed in the first place?”</p> +<p>“No, but I think it a splendid idea. I +hope the boys will let me be one of them.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25' name='page_25'></a>25</span></div> +<p>She eyed him curiously. “Father sees no +good in the organization. I do. Most of the +boys are Harold’s friends,––Harold is my +brother,––but there are some who are not +friendly to any one except the Innkeeper. I +think you ought to know that the decent ones +were one time in the Sunday school, but because +some of your <a name='TC_1'></a><ins class="tnchg" title=" "spelling standardized"">church members</ins> would not +try to understand them, they were forced to +go to the Inn to set up their gymnasium.”</p> +<p>“Isn’t the Inn as good a place as any?”</p> +<p>“I prefer not to say. You’ll doubtless +find that out for yourself.”</p> +<p>“That is one thing I intend to find out. +I’ve an invitation to visit the rooms.”</p> +<p>“Indeed, so soon? And do you really +mean to go?”</p> +<p>“Certainly. Why not?”</p> +<p>“I suppose there is no reason why you +should not. But–––” she paused.</p> +<p>“I’ve heard that sort of statement several +times to-day, and invariably with the little +‘but’ at the end. I’m curious to know why +my presence at the Inn will cause any disturbance. +Is that the inference?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26' name='page_26'></a>26</span></div> +<p>“Other ministers have tried to get hold of +the boys, but they went at it wrong, and +failed,” she said.</p> +<p>“I’ll try to go at the matter from the right +end,” he replied, smiling.</p> +<p>“Will you go if you find yourself opposed?”</p> +<p>“I think I can interest the boys sufficiently +to overcome any opposition from the Innkeeper, +if that is what you mean.”</p> +<p>“What if the opposition comes from other +sources?”</p> +<p>“From the members of the church?”</p> +<p>“Yes.”</p> +<p>“Why should they interfere with me?”</p> +<p>“But suppose they do?”</p> +<p>“I’ll go, anyway,” he answered decidedly.</p> +<p>“I’m glad to hear you say that, and I trust +you will be able to help the members of the +club,” she said quietly. “But, there! I +really must be going. The ladies will think +I have deserted them.”</p> +<p>Elizabeth smiled, and the minister followed +the smile down from her eyes to the corners of +her mouth. He made the mental observation +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span> +that he had never seen a more beautiful face. +As she ran lightly up the path, he watched +her, unmindful of several pairs of observing +eyes focused knowingly in his direction.</p> +<p>When the day was over, and the furniture +restored where the greater part belonged, the +“Cleaning Bee” gradually broke up. Captain +Pott declared to Elizabeth: “It wa’n’t +half so bad a day as I cal’lated it would be, +and it’s many a year since the old craft has +looked so neat and togged up.”</p> +<p>That evening the Captain sat on his back +doorstep, smoking his pipe, and thinking. +He thought about the transformation wrought +by the hand of women inside the house. He +heaved a sigh, and thought of Clemmie Pipkin. +If she were only able to forget all the +past and consent to his oft-repeated proposal, +but–––He had thought that all out before, +and had brought all his persuasive powers +against the citadel of her heart, but to no +avail. A new light dawned upon him. Perhaps–––</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan came round the corner of +the house. The Captain rose to meet him.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28' name='page_28'></a>28</span></div> +<p>“Mack, how’d you like to go out to the +<i>Jennie P.</i> with me? That’s the name of my +power-boat out there in the harbor. I thought +it might be sort of restful to take a little cruise +after this house-cleaning typhoon.”</p> +<p>“That’s a splendid idea, Cap’n. It will +seem like old times to get aboard a vessel with +you, though it is only a power-boat.”</p> +<p>“And, Mack, if there’s any time I can step +in and help you pilot the salvation craft you’ve +signed up with, just you let me know. It +ain’t likely I’ll be much good to you, but–––”</p> +<p>The two men gripped hands. Little did +they know that night as they peacefully sailed +round the inlet just what the future was to +demand in the way of a fulfilment of that +promise.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29' name='page_29'></a>29</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_II' id='CHAPTER_II'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +</div> +<p>During the following weeks Mr. McGowan +continued to grow in favor with the +people of the church and village. Every +Sunday the little chapel was crowded. His +sermons, practical in thought, simple in language, +and direct in delivery, were discussed +about the tables of the country folk during +Sunday dinner. The boys of the Athletic +Club had received him cordially, not only because +of his athletic ability, but because he +had proved himself a good fellow. Elder +Fox had strenuously opposed intimate relationships +between the club and former ministers, +but he made no attempt to interfere with +Mr. McGowan, although he remained skeptical +as to the wisdom of such secular tendencies. +Sim Hicks, the keeper of the Inn, did +not like the minister, and declared he would +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30' name='page_30'></a>30</span> +oust him from the community if it were the +last act of his life.</p> +<p>The one man who responded most naturally, +whole-heartedly, and with simple loyalty +to the power of the young man’s personality +was Captain Josiah Pott. These two +became close companions, and one evening +Mrs. Eadie Beaver remarked concerning it:</p> +<p>“Ain’t you glad I got him in with you, +Josiah?”</p> +<p>“Cal’late I am, Eadie. I was mad at first, +but it’s beginning to mean a heap to me to +have him here.”</p> +<p>“You always seemed so lonely when you’d +come home, and I’d see your light in the setting-room +window. It don’t seem that way +now when I look across.”</p> +<p>“It is real nice and homelike having him in +the house.”</p> +<p>“I’m glad it’s different for you,” declared +his next-door neighbor as she looked about the +room. “Things look real trim since the +painters got through.”</p> +<p>The seaman’s face clouded. “It took a +sight more than I thought it would, though, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31' name='page_31'></a>31</span> +and it ain’t going to be easy to pay back to +Jim what I borrowed to do the repairing +with.”</p> +<p>“Now, don’t you go to crossing any bridges +till you get to ’em. The Lord will provide +when the time comes.”</p> +<p>“Cal’late He might, but I’ve always noticed +that it’s safer to help Him a mite on the +perviding question.”</p> +<p>“Well, ain’t you helping? You’re doing +the janitor work at the church, and that helps +some. And, then, you’ll get a ship one of +these days, mark my word. Mr. Fox said as +much to Harry just the other day.”</p> +<p>“I ain’t so sure of that, Eadie,” remarked +the Captain doubtfully. It was reasonably +clear to his mind that the Elder had a fish to +fry in thus starting reports of his willingness +to secure a command for the Captain, and it +was also reasonably clear that sooner or later +he would catch a whiff of the frying fat which +would indicate the breed of that fish. Till +then, the Captain must be content to wait.</p> +<p>“By the way, Josiah, have you heard that +the day has been all set for the installation +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32' name='page_32'></a>32</span> +service?” asked Mrs. Beaver. “Mr. Fox is +arranging it, and it’s going to be a great +time.”</p> +<p>“What are they aiming to do?”</p> +<p>“Why, don’t you know? An installation +service is a meeting where all the ministers of +other towns come in and say nice things about +our minister. Elder Fox says this one will be +a special one, because some one has said that +Mr. McGowan ain’t sound in church doctrine, +being as he graduated from what is called a +‘New Theology’ school. Mr. Fox says he’s +going to prove that ain’t so.”</p> +<p>“What’s all that got to do with him being a +man?”</p> +<p>“I guess it ain’t got much to do with that. +But you know there is a difference between +being just a man and being a real minister.”</p> +<p>The Captain looked at her oddly. “And +they’re planning to change him from one to +the other, is that the idea?”</p> +<p>“No-o, not that exactly. But Mr. Fox +thinks it would be a good time to show all the +people that Mr. McGowan is orthodox. +There will be ministers here from everywhere. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33' name='page_33'></a>33</span> +The Reverend Mr. Means is coming out from +New York.”</p> +<p>“If they’re all like that feller, they’ll be a +hot lot.”</p> +<p>“Josiah Pott! Haven’t you any respect +for the cloth?”</p> +<p>“Not for the kind he wears, I ain’t. I’d +say his cloth is a sort of sheep’s clothing, same +as the Bible speaks of.”</p> +<p>“If you can’t talk decent I sha’n’t stay,” +said Mrs. Beaver. She bridled past him, and +on into her own yard.</p> +<p>What Mrs. Beaver had said concerning +plans for the installation service was true. +Elder Fox was carrying the full responsibility, +for he wished to make this meeting one +long to be remembered. He selected with +great care those who were to sit on the council. +The Reverend Mr. Means had been +chosen for two reasons, first that he was a personal +friend of the Elder, and second because +his presence would add dignity to the occasion. +It was even arranged that the city +clergyman should be made moderator.</p> +<p>The eventful day arrived, and with it dignitaries +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34' name='page_34'></a>34</span> +of city and countryside. It was a +fearfully hot humid day in July, one of those +days when to move about was torment, and to +work was torture. Not a breath of air stirred. +The clergymen were plainly enervated as they +descended from the various vehicles which +had conveyed them over from Little River. +The Reverend Mr. Means mopped his face as +the chauffeur assisted him from the Elder’s +limousine. He greeted every one with deep +sonorous tones. His manner was graciously +condescending, but never once familiar. He +made his way up the steps of the chapel with +what was evidently meant for a majestic +stride, but his heavy frame turned it into a +decided waddle. He shook hands with a +chosen few, all the while looking far above +their heads as though his vision were not of this +world.</p> +<p>The Captain watched the clergyman till he +had disappeared behind the vestibule doors, +and then remarked to Mrs. Beaver, “Them +kind ain’t hard to sight. I could sight that +feller a mile in the offin’, on a dark night, with +my eyes shut! If Mack McGowan was that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35' name='page_35'></a>35</span> +kind, he’d get to stay here about twenty-four +hours, and then he’d smell fire and brimstone.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Beaver surprised the seaman with a +wry smile and vigorous nod.</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan arrived in due season under +tow of the Elder. Mr. Fox led him before +the clergyman from the city, who was lounging +near an open window in the front of the +auditorium.</p> +<p>“How do you do, Brother Fox!” boomed +the deep voice of Mr. Means. “And is this +the fortunate young man who has been called +to this delightful little town?”</p> +<p>“Yes, this is Mr. McGowan. Mr. McGowan, +this is the Reverend Mr. Means from +New York City.”</p> +<p>The studied dignity of the visiting clergyman +seemed to receive a decided shock as he +rolled up out of his chair. He stood before +the candidate to whom the Elder had introduced +him and forgot to look at the ceiling. +He had been caught off his guard, and +through the momentary look of recognition +there flitted across his flabby features an expression +that was far from ecclesiastical. But +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36' name='page_36'></a>36</span> +it was gone as quickly as it had come, and the +Reverend Mr. Means was once more his complacent +unperturbed self.</p> +<p>“Ho! So this is our candidate? So!” he +exploded. “I am glad, Mr. McGowan, to +shake your hand, and perhaps we’d better do +it now, for we might not so desire when the +grilling is over. So!” He laughed vociferously +at his rude joke, and offered his fish-like +palm.</p> +<p>“I’m glad to see you again,” lied the candidate, +cheerfully.</p> +<p>“Again?” echoed the man, his mirth suddenly +controlled by well-feigned astonishment. +“Again?”</p> +<p>“Have you so soon forgotten how strongly +you opposed me last year when I was up before +the New York Presbytery for ordination?”</p> +<p>“So? Really so? Ah! Yes. I do remember, +now that you call it to mind. That +probably accounts for the familiarity of your +face. But I did not oppose you for personal +reasons, I assure you. It was because of your +radical theological beliefs. I do not allow +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37' name='page_37'></a>37</span> +personal reasons to enter into my religious +activities.”</p> +<p>“But why should you have personal reasons +for not wishing to see me ordained?”</p> +<p>“Just so! Just so! I did not mean to say +I had any. But, as you doubtless remember, +my brethren overruled my objections, and although +I greatly regret the theological laxity +of our Presbytery, I am willing to abide by +the decision of the majority. So!”</p> +<p>He dismissed the two men with a wide gesture, +and dropped back into his chair. When +Mr. Fox and his charge were out of sight, Mr. +Means motioned to Mr. Harry Beaver. He +whispered in the little man’s ear, and indicated +the groups of ministers gathered here and +there about the room.</p> +<p>Harry Beaver had the misfortune to stutter, +and in his eagerness to make himself understood +he would support himself, stork-like, +on one leg, and pump the other up and down +with frantic jerks. Mr. Beaver’s services +were invaluable in such cases as this when +gossip was to be repeated, for his stuttering +compelled him to leave just enough unsaid to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38' name='page_38'></a>38</span> +make his news the more startling. He was +seen slowly pumping his way from group to +group, and there followed in his wake the buzz +of low whisperings.</p> +<p>When Elder Fox later saw these signs, he +was greatly perturbed. He went directly to +the Reverend Mr. Means and demanded particulars. +On hearing what the clergymen had +to say, the Elder declared that this was neither +the time nor the place to air theological differences. +The city clergyman leaned forward to +whisper a further explanation, but was interrupted +by Mr. Beaver, who announced that he +had finished his task. Mr. Means looked at +his watch, declared it was time to open the session, +and rapped sharply for order.</p> +<p>Minor matters of business were quickly dispatched, +and Mr. Means––according to the +prearranged plan––was duly elected moderator.</p> +<p>“Brethren and sisters,” he roared in his +most effective tones, “we now come to the +most important, and, I hope, the most delightful +part of this program. We are to be favored +with a statement from the Reverend +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39' name='page_39'></a>39</span> +Mr. McGowan, who is the candidate for installation +as pastor of this very beautiful +church. The members of the council will be +given an opportunity to question Mr. McGowan +after he has read to us his statement. +A word of caution needs to be uttered: you +are to confine your questions to theological +matters as they may affect the fellowship of +the ministers and churches represented to-day +by pastor and delegate. Mr. McGowan will +please come forward.”</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan came forward in more ways +than one. He concisely stated his belief in +applied Christianity, and followed with a program +for future work in the village. His +short statement left the council under the spell +of an embarrassed silence. But the first question +broke the silence, and was followed by +others both new and old, which were hurled at +the head of the candidate like shots from a +rapid-fire gun.</p> +<p>Captain Pott stood the fusillade as long as +his patience permitted, and then retreated to +the quiet of the out-of-doors, where he +dragged a box into the shade of the building, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40' name='page_40'></a>40</span> +and lit his pipe. Here Elizabeth Fox found +him, when she, too, felt the need of a little +fresh air.</p> +<p>“Uncle Josiah, did you ever hear anything +so ridiculous? Why did you come out here?”</p> +<p>“I felt sort as if I was coming up into a +reg’lar twister, and thought it would be safer +to reef a mite and make for ca’m waters. My +head begun to whirl, and I cal’lated I’d best +weigh anchor while my soundings was good.”</p> +<p>“But isn’t it bad form for you to desert like +this?” she asked, her big eyes dancing mischievously.</p> +<p>“I ain’t exactly deserting, I cal’late. If +I’d been able to pitch into that crew and shake +the devil out of ’em, I’d stayed on deck. +But–––”</p> +<p>“I want you to go back with me. It’s getting +too funny to miss!”</p> +<p>“I ain’t got much hankering for them officers’ +meeting, Beth. It makes me feel +like busting chairs on their heads.”</p> +<p>“But you must go back! You should hear +what he is saying to them. Come!”</p> +<p>Before the seaman could obey the summons, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41' name='page_41'></a>41</span> +Miss Edna Splinter emerged from the rear +door. She hurried toward the two. Miss +Splinter was one of those fine spinsters which +one so often finds stranded in small villages +located near large cities. She was one of the +few friends of the Captain in Little River.</p> +<p>“It’s the most disgusting thing I ever saw +or heard!” declared Miss Splinter, angrily +stamping her foot.</p> +<p>“It’s really too funny for words!” exclaimed +Elizabeth.</p> +<p>“What in tarnation is he doing to them?”</p> +<p>“Doing to them!” flashed Miss Splinter +indignantly. “My word! It’s what they’re +trying to do to him. It is positively disgraceful.”</p> +<p>The seaman decided that a scene which +could have such opposite effects on two of his +best friends must at least be interesting. He +knocked the tobacco from his pipe and followed +them inside. As he listened, his interest +grew, not so much in the ecclesiastical +storm of big words, as in the wildly gesticulating +clergymen. The moderator had risen +and was rapping loudly for order.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42' name='page_42'></a>42</span></div> +<p>“Brethren!” he thundered. “It is time +that we recognize some of our laymen. I see +Mr. Harry Beaver of this church asking for +the floor. Mr. Beaver may speak.”</p> +<p>“M-Mr. Ch-chairman, does M-Mr. Mc-McGowan +b-believe in e-ev–––”</p> +<p>The unfortunate man blinked, backed, +pumped, emitted a series of hissing sounds +like escaping steam, but remained hopelessly +stuck. Those round him dodged his foot gestures, +and smiled appreciatively, while those +not engaged in trying to escape mutilation of +corns, encouragingly suggested words such as +everlasting, everpresent, etc., which might +have bearing on the subject previously under +discussion. The little man spurned them all +with vigorous backings and increased hissings. +At last, between a discouraged hiss and a triumphant +sputter, the awful word rolled out.</p> +<p>“Evolution!” he shouted, and sat down.</p> +<p>After the laughter had subsided, the moderator +demanded that the candidate answer +the question.</p> +<p>“Yes, Mr. Moderator.”</p> +<p>Mr. Means was on his feet in an incredibly +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span> +short time for one so bulky. “Then, you +deny here in the face of these wise men, as you +did before your superiors in the New York +Presbytery, the creation story of the Bible?”</p> +<p>“I did not deny it then, and I do not deny +it now.”</p> +<p>“Brethren, we have the right to an explanation +from our young brother. I was denied +that privilege at the time of his ordination. +But I consider his contradictory statements so +serious a thing that I shall give you the opportunity +that was denied me.”</p> +<p>Elder Fox, plainly nettled by the turn affairs +had taken, rose and demanded the floor.</p> +<p>“Brother Fox!” vociferously acknowledged +the moderator.</p> +<p>“We have no right to carry this senseless +discussion further. There has not yet been +sounded––er––the note of fellowship that +should prevail among the brethren,” declared +the Elder, eyeing the chairman. Very gently +stroking his <a name='TC_2'></a><ins class="tnchg" title=""hyphenation standardized"">side-whiskers</ins>, he continued: “We +have sprung at our young friend––er––as if +he were before a jury, condemned and found +guilty of a felony. Why should we trouble +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44' name='page_44'></a>44</span> +him about things that are not fundamental to +our faith?”</p> +<p>Captain Pott muttered something under his +breath. Never before had he known of the +Elder and the city minister disagreeing.</p> +<p>“That is the very question,” expostulated +the moderator. “Mr. McGowan has attacked +every sacred doctrine of the church, +for he has said what is equivalent to the statement +that my ancestors were monkeys. What +other interpretation can be given to the doctrine +of evolution? If it does not contradict +every sacred belief of our past, then I am no +theologian.”</p> +<p>The old seaman chuckled, and several +shocked faces were turned in his direction.</p> +<p>“Perhaps it would help if Mr. McGowan +would tell us just what he does believe in regard +to the book of Genesis,” suggested Mr. +Fox.</p> +<p>“It is the story of human redemption.”</p> +<p>With a nod of satisfied approval, the Elder +sat down, and the moderator crumpled up.</p> +<p>Captain Pott irreverently observed to Elizabeth: +“I cal’late that there Means is left for +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45' name='page_45'></a>45</span> +once with his sails flopping, without no idea as +to what his longitude is.”</p> +<p>A little wizened-looking man smiled cordially +and addressed the chair, but the +“chair” seemed oblivious to all about him.</p> +<p>“Should not the ministry of to-day place +greater emphasis on the philosophy of life +than upon time-worn theology that has come +to us from the middle ages?” asked the man.</p> +<p>“We should preach both where they affect +life; neither where they do not,” was the quick +response.</p> +<p>“I am an instructor in philosophy in the +high school over at Marble Point, and I was +led by your last reply concerning your belief +in the book of Genesis to believe you are somewhat +of a philosopher. Do you not think that +philosophy will touch life more quickly than +theology?”</p> +<p>“Religion is something that has outgrown +both the classroom and the cloister. It is the +anonymous religion that we must take into account +in the future if the church is to progress +with the needs of men.”</p> +<p>It was the voice of the Captain who broke +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46' name='page_46'></a>46</span> +the silence of surprise which followed the unusual +statement.</p> +<p>“I want to know!” came the seaman’s exclamation +in a hoarse stage whisper.</p> +<p>Every face in the room seemed to register +the same question. Mr. McGowan smiled +and explained.</p> +<p>“By anonymous religion I mean every +ideal striving for the right and truth, wherever +it is found, and by whatever name it may +be known. It may be found outside the +church as readily as within it. Wherever good +is found, the church should make use of it, +whether it is counted orthodox or not.”</p> +<p>First one, and then another, was on his feet, +till the moderator was powerless to moderate. +Some <a name='TC_3'></a><ins class="tnchg" title="Was "exclaimd"">exclaimed</ins> for, and others declaimed +against, the candidate. Still others fired +broadside after broadside into all present.</p> +<p>“It ain’t much like a heavenly craft, that +there ark, now, is it?” queried the Captain of +his two friends. “Smells more like brimstone +round these parts than it does like heavenly +ozone.”</p> +<p>Mr. Fox assumed command, and under his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47' name='page_47'></a>47</span> +steady hand and head the spiritual elements +began slowly to calm.</p> +<p>“In all my life,” he lamented, “I have +never seen such proceedings in the house of +God. The parish committee arranged this +meeting––er––for the purpose of fellowship, +and you have seen fit to make of it child’s +play. It is time for us to recognize that Mr. +McGowan is big enough, and broad enough, +to supply the needs of a community like this. +The very fact that he has not satisfied each of +your unreasonable demands is evidence that +he is competent to meet all of them, if we give +him time. I make the motion––er,––Mr. +Moderator, that we proceed with the installation +of the candidate without further delay or +discussion.”</p> +<p>The motion was seconded, and put to a vote. +There were only a few who had the temerity +to register themselves as negative in the face +of what the leading layman had said. Elder +Fox suggested that the vote be made unanimous.</p> +<p>“Brethren,” protested the Reverend Mr. +Means, slowly rising from the depths of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48' name='page_48'></a>48</span> +easy chair, “before that vote is taken to make +the will of this council unanimous, I wish to +have it fully understood that I am opposed, +bitterly opposed, to the calling of unorthodox +men to our pulpits. It is atrocious, and I +shall wash my hands of the whole affair. I +regret very much that our beloved Brother +Fox has forced me to disagree with him, and +if he is of the same opinion still, I shall have +to ask him to take the chair while the vote he +has called for is being registered.”</p> +<p>Mr. Fox took the chair, and the motion +passed without one dissenting voice. Adjournment +to the kitchen parlors followed, +and when that vote was taken the voice of him +who had washed his hands of the action of the +council was heard booming an affirmative near +the Captain’s ear.</p> +<p>The bounteous provisions warmed heart +and stomach, and that fact, together with +some persuasion from Elder Fox, led the city +minister to the decision that he would lose +nothing if he remained to deliver his prepared +address. And he did himself proudly. Even +Captain Pott could find no fault with the impassioned +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49' name='page_49'></a>49</span> +words of the speaker. He was +heard to remark, however, “Them there +things he said wa’n’t what was inside by a +damn sight, but just smeared on like honey.”</p> +<p>It was late that night when the Captain +reached home after closing the church building. +The minister was in his study, and the +old man tapped lightly on the door.</p> +<p>“Won’t be disturbing your peaceful meditations +about that meeting if I come in for a +spell, will I?”</p> +<p>Assured he would not, he entered. He took +a chair on the opposite side of the table and +drew out his pipe.</p> +<p>“There ain’t no wind so fierce that it don’t +blow you some good,” he philosophized, as +with deliberation he scratched a match on his +trouser-leg. “I’d never hoped to see Jim +Fox stand up to that city feller the way he +did.”</p> +<p>“What did you think of the whole thing, +anyway, Cap’n?”</p> +<p>“Well, so far as I could get the drift, I’d +think that there theology stuff would be +purty dry picking. But it was mighty interesting +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50' name='page_50'></a>50</span> +the way you met up with ’em at +every p’int. I was real ’feared that Jim Fox +would get aboard their band-wagon when he +see the way things was going against you.”</p> +<p>The minister nodded.</p> +<p>“And the way the Means feller washed his +hands! Wa’n’t that good as a show, and then +getting up and preaching like Gabriel afterward? +Mack, you ain’t got no idea what he +made me think of, have you?”</p> +<p>“Not in the least. What?”</p> +<p>“I heard a preacher tell a yarn once about +a pilot washing his hands in hell. It struck +me queer about there being a river in hell. If +it’s as hot down there as I’ve heard it described, +you’d think the surroundings would +sizzle her up. But that’s what the preacher +said about this pilot, whose last name I rec’lect +was Pontyhouse. His stay was to be purty tolerable +long with his Satanic majesty. I’ve +always felt sorry for that chap, seemed kind +of lonely, but as I figger it out he’s going to +have company one of these hot days.”</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan looked up.</p> +<p>“You just bet he is. I knew that Means +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51' name='page_51'></a>51</span> +chap afore he took to religion, and if he’s +slated for heavenly bliss I’m going to put in +my papers for the other place, alongside the +scrubbing pilot.”</p> +<p>“You mean–––”</p> +<p>“I mean that one of us is going to keep that +feller company in hell. Beyond that you’ll +have to guess,” said the Captain, rising. +“Only don’t you tie too tight to Means, that’s +all. Good night, I’m going to turn in.”</p> +<p>“All right, Cap’n, I’ll promise,” replied +Mr. McGowan, smiling appreciatively.</p> +<p>“You’d best go to bed, too, Mack. You’re +mighty tired.”</p> +<p>But the minister did not follow his friend’s +advice about retiring. He sat at his desk. +The angry men of the afternoon slowly faded +from his thoughts, and into the center of his +consciousness came the vision of the loveliest +face he had ever seen. He recalled the words +of frank approval with which Miss Fox had +met him after the evening service, and the cordial +manner she had shown. Not that he was +in love with one of the members of his church. +That would never do. But there was something +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52' name='page_52'></a>52</span> +different about the Elder’s daughter, +something which appealed to his sense of the +beautiful. This, he told himself, he could +enjoy without overstepping the conventions.</p> +<p>The next day he was to dine at the Fox +home.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53' name='page_53'></a>53</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_III' id='CHAPTER_III'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> +</div> +<p>On the following evening, just as early as +the rules of propriety would permit, Mr. McGowan +turned into the private road that led +up to the Fox estate. He walked slowly +along the wide avenue beneath the spreading +elms and stately chestnuts. He had dined +with the Elder many times during the few +months he had been in the village, but on those +other occasions Elizabeth had been absent. +The house had always seemed cold and forbidding +both outside and inside. As he came +out of the shaded roadway into the sweeping +semicircle described before the main entrance +to the house, he caught himself wondering if +the stiff interior would seem softened by the +presence of the girl. He began at once to +chide himself for entertaining such a sentimental +notion, but before he could finish the +rebuke the door swung back, and Elizabeth +Fox stood in the opening. She was dressed +in a simple blue frock of clinging stuff, which +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span> +set off the perfect lines of her athletic body. +The blue of her eyes took on a deeper hue as +though to harmonize with the shade of her +gown.</p> +<p>“Good evening, Mr. McGowan. We are +so glad you could come. Father will be right +down.”</p> +<p>The minister’s emotions played leap-frog +with his heart, and he stumbled awkwardly +on the upper step. He made some stupidly +obvious observation concerning the condition +of the weather as he followed his hostess into +the library. He realized that he was acting +strangely for one who had reached the supposedly +practical view of life where all sentiment +is barred from social intercourse with +the fair sex, but he also realized that he was +powerless to check the surge of what he now +felt within. With kaleidoscopic rapidity +there flashed through his mind every occasion +when he had been with Miss Fox, from the +first meeting beneath the elm-tree in the Captain’s +yard to the present time, and he recognized +what it was that had sent scurrying his +practical views of life. He was in love, not +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span> +with the beauty of this girl, but with her. +That love had come like the opening strains of +a grand symphony, subtly and gently disturbing +his emotional equilibrium, but with accumulative +effect the transitions had come with +the passing weeks, till now every interest in +his life seemed to be pouring out into the one +emotion he felt.</p> +<p>Elizabeth had preceded him into the library, +and was standing motionless before the +mantel. She became suddenly aware of what +was going on within the mind of Mr. McGowan, +and a shy embarrassment crept into +her eyes.</p> +<p>Simultaneously, an unreasoning determination +took possession of the minister. Unconsciously, +he began to move in her direction, +unmindful of the sound of footfalls on the +stair. Only one step remained between Mr. +McGowan and Elizabeth when Elder Fox entered +the room.</p> +<p>“I trust I’m not intruding–––”</p> +<p>The Elder began nervously to stroke his +chops. His breath came heavily, shutting off +his words. A hunted look leaped into his eyes +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56' name='page_56'></a>56</span> +as he studied the tense face of the eager young +man. Could it be possible that the fears of +the Reverend Mr. Means––privately made +known to the Elder after the installation service––had +foundation in fact? Or had the suggestion +of Mr. Means lodged in the Elder’s +mind, playing havoc with his imagination?</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan drew off to the far end of +the mantel, and began, figuratively, to kick +himself. He had often declared that a man in +love was the biggest mule on earth, and now +here he was, the king of them all, a genuine +descendant of <a name='TC_4'></a><ins class="tnchg" title="Was "Baalam's"">Balaam’s</ins> mount with all his +asinine qualities, but lacking his common mule +sense.</p> +<p>“I––I beg your pardon,” he stammered.</p> +<p>“There is no occasion for excuses,” graciously +replied the girl. “Father, Mr. McGowan +and I were–––” She paused, blushing +in confusion. “Really, Mr. McGowan, +what were we saying?”</p> +<p>She laughed, and it was so infectious that +the men forgot to look serious, and joined +with her.</p> +<p>“I should say––er––that you have put the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span> +matter in a very diplomatic way,” observed +the Elder, apparently once more himself. +“No explanations are necessary––er––I assure +you. I was once a young man, and have +not forgotten that fact. I apologize, Mr. +McGowan, if by my attitude I appeared––er––to +misjudge you. The trouble was with me, +not with you. An odd fancy momentarily got +the upper hand of me, and upset me for an +instant. Make yourself quite at home, sir.”</p> +<p>It was not long till they were called to +table, and in the discussion of parish matters +the strangeness of the Elder’s action was for +the time being relegated to the background.</p> +<p>“You have doubtless heard a hundred +times to-day how proud we all were of the +way you answered the questions yesterday,” +commented the Elder enthusiastically. “You +showed a fine spirit, too, sir, one––er––which +some of the older men might well emulate.”</p> +<p>“I feel greatly indebted to you, Mr. Fox, +for the final outcome.”</p> +<p>The Elder waved his hand as though lightly +to brush aside such words of praise, and yet +in the same movement he modestly acknowledged +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span> +that without his aid the young minister +could have done nothing.</p> +<p>“I might also add, that we are delighted +with the work you are doing at the church,” +continued the Elder magnanimously. “It is––er––very +good. Though I am still a little +dubious about your associations down at the +club, still–––”</p> +<p>“Father’s ambition is to have all the pews +filled,” broke in Elizabeth, attempting to divert +her father from a delicate topic.</p> +<p>“No, my dear. That is hardly my position. +There must never be a sacrificing of principle, +even for the sake of full pews. A full church––er––is +not the most important part of parish +work. Am I not right, Mr. McGowan?”</p> +<p>“Quite right, if that is the end sought in itself.”</p> +<p>“I am convinced from what you said yesterday +that you will furnish us––er––with +both. I am confidently looking forward to +one of our most prosperous years.”</p> +<p>“Both?” queried the minister.</p> +<p>“Yes. I am old-fashioned enough to believe +in the need of––er––the saving power of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59' name='page_59'></a>59</span> +the gospel. Full pews without that would +make our church the sounding of brass and the +tinkling of cymbal. We must have the old-time +power in our churches to-day, Mr. McGowan.”</p> +<p>“You think Little River needs reforming, +Father?”</p> +<p>“That is exactly the point I make: it is +more than reformation we need, it is conversion. +Take the Athletic Club, for example. +Will reform stop them? No, sir, no more +than a straw-stack would stop a tornado. +They need––er––a mighty thunderbolt from +heaven, and I hope that you will let God use +you, sir, as the transmitting agency.”</p> +<p>A picture of himself occupying the place of +Zeus, holding in his hand the lightnings of +heaven, flitted through the minister’s mind. +He smiled faintly. Elizabeth evidently +caught what was in the young man’s mind, for +she met his glance with a merry twinkle.</p> +<p>“Really, Father, don’t you think Mr. McGowan +would look out of place as a lightning-rod, +even on Little River Church?”</p> +<p>“I was speaking figuratively, my dear,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60' name='page_60'></a>60</span> +he replied, somewhat crestfallen that his reference +should be thus irreverently treated. +“The boys in that club are a reckless lot, and +they are doing the work––er––of the devil. +They must be brought to repentance.”</p> +<p>“I don’t think that is fair, Father. The +church is not wholly without blame for what +those boys have done,” declared Elizabeth +emphatically. “What did we do to keep +them from going out and organizing as they +have?”</p> +<p>“No doubt we did make mistakes in the beginning, +but our errors do not atone for their +sins.”</p> +<p>“But, Father–––”</p> +<p>“There, Beth, never mind. We can never +agree on that point, and we should not entangle +Mr. McGowan in our differences. I +only hope he will do all in his power to make +them see the sinfulness of their ways.”</p> +<p>Conversation turned into other channels +under the direction of Elizabeth. They were +discussing modern fiction when the door at +the end of the hall swung back with a bang +and a loud halloo echoed through the house. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61' name='page_61'></a>61</span> +Elizabeth sprang up from her place and ran +to the dining-room door just as a tall young +man bounded through. He came up erect at +sight of the stranger.</p> +<p>“Harold!” cried Elizabeth. “When did +you come?”</p> +<p>“Just now. Didn’t my war-whoop announce +me?”</p> +<p>“But how did you get over from Little +River station?”</p> +<p>“Walked.”</p> +<p>“Why didn’t you telephone? I’d have +come over to meet you.”</p> +<p>“Needed the exercise. Hello, Dad.”</p> +<p>The Elder greeted the young man with a +cold nod. His hand trembled slightly as he +stiffly extended it.</p> +<p>“We are just a short time at table. Will +you join us?”</p> +<p>“Be glad to, Dad. I’m starved,” he declared, +eyeing the minister as he drew up a +chair.</p> +<p>“Oh, Mr. McGowan, please excuse us!” +cried Elizabeth. “This is my brother. Harold, +this is our new minister, Reverend Mr. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span> +McGowan. Harold comes home so seldom +that I fear his unexpected arrival demoralized +our manners.”</p> +<p>“Delighted to meet you, Mr. McGowan,” +cordially greeted Harold. “Heard of you +before I got in sight of the house.”</p> +<p>The young men gripped each other’s hands. +Consternation took possession of the Elder. +Had his son fully understood?</p> +<p>“Mr. McGowan is the minister at our little +church,” he said significantly.</p> +<p>“That’s what Beth just said. Didn’t I say +the right thing to him, Dad? Want me to +start all over again like I had to when I was +a kid?”</p> +<p>He eyed the minister with a curious expression +as they took their seats about the table.</p> +<p>“Maybe Dad wants me to repeat some +verses to you. Used to do it and get patted +on the head.”</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan laughed heartily, but the +Elder showed his displeasure.</p> +<p>“That will do, Harold,” he commanded +sternly. “I shall not allow profane jesting +about sacred things in my house.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63' name='page_63'></a>63</span></div> +<p>“Closet next, is it? Never mind, Dad, I’ll +try not to shock you again. Haven’t had +much hankering for closets since I got shut up +in that hole over in Sydney. They called it a +prison, but it was more like a potato-pit than +anything else.”</p> +<p>“Sydney?” questioned the minister.</p> +<p>“Yes, Australia. You see, Mr. McGowan, +I was a real prodigal for more than two years. +Chased out to California after I graduated +from Yale, and got mixed up out there in another +fellow’s scrape. To save my skin I +shipped on a freighter to Australia. Over +there I tried to save another poor devil from +the lock-up, and got in bad with the authorities. +Yes, I was a real prodigal, always trying +to help the other fellow out of trouble and +getting the worst end of it every time. The +only difference between me and the Bible chap +was that Father did not heap treasure on me +when I left, and didn’t kill the fatted calf +when I returned.”</p> +<p>During this recital the Elder had fidgeted +to the end of his chair. “I cannot see, son, +why you persist in telling of your wickedness +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64' name='page_64'></a>64</span> +to everybody. It’s a thing rather to be +ashamed of.”</p> +<p>“I acknowledge that, Dad, but the closet +idea suggested it to my mind. Then, perhaps, +it’s not a bad idea for Mr. McGowan to know +the worst side of me first. I spent about a +week in that hole they called a prison,” he said +turning to the minister, “and seven days there +couldn’t be very easily effaced from my memory +unless I went bugs and had an awful +lapse. But the result was not so bad, for that +place proved to be my swine-pen where I +came to myself. It was just about as much +like a pig-sty as any place I ever didn’t sleep +in.... Do you happen to know anything +about Sydney, Mr. McGowan?”</p> +<p>“Not much. I know it’s quite a trading +center, but most of my information is second-hand.”</p> +<p>“It is the best trading center on the Australian +coast. An odd case came to the office +from there last week. You know, perhaps, +that I’m a member of the Starr and Jordan +law firm in New York. Well, our branch +office in Sydney referred this case to our office +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65' name='page_65'></a>65</span> +in London, and they, in turn, sent it over +here. The reason it was transferred here is +that the documents say the client now lives in +America. I happened to be put on the case +because I knew a little about Sydney. The +same case has been up several times, it seems, +for some woman over there keeps pounding +away at it. The queer part of it is that the +trail has been followed up to a certain point +and then lost at that point every time. It is +the same old story of what is happening every +day. Relatives of a wealthy trader left Sydney +several years ago, the trader died, and the +heirs to his fortune can’t be found. The +strange part of it is that these people can be +traced as far as America without the slightest +trouble, and then, without any apparent reason, +they suddenly drop out of existence as +completely as though they had been kidnapped +and carried to a desolate island. So +little data has been collected from the other +side that the firm has decided to send me over +to Sydney. It promises to be quite an adventure. +That’s why I came home to-night, +Dad. I’m leaving in the morning.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66' name='page_66'></a>66</span></div> +<p>Elder Fox had been listening intently, and +at mention of the proposed trip he grew pale.</p> +<p>“I––er––should not go if I were you, Harold. +They may arrest you again. The police +of Australia have a way of remembering +things against former prisoners.”</p> +<p>“How do you know so much about the police +of Australia?”</p> +<p>“I’ve read it, sir,” hastily explained the +Elder.</p> +<p>“But I’ve got to go, Dad. They’ll not +pinch me. They found the right chap before +they let me go, and couldn’t do enough for +me when they discovered their mistake.... +You say you’ve never visited Sydney, +Mr. McGowan?”</p> +<p>“I was born there. But I don’t remember +anything about the place, as we moved away +when I was a mere lad. I’ve often heard my +father speak about it. He was a trader there +in the early days.”</p> +<p>“May I see your father to-night?” asked +Harold eagerly. “He may be able to save +me a trip over. Where does he live?”</p> +<p>“He is not living. He and Mother both +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67' name='page_67'></a>67</span> +died a few years after coming to America. +The climate was too severe for them.”</p> +<p>“I beg your pardon,” apologized Harold. +“I didn’t know. I’m so anxious to get news +of this man that I rush in where angels would +fear to tread.”</p> +<p>“That is perfectly all right. It’s no more +than natural that you should think he would +be able to help you in your search.”</p> +<p>“Yes. He could have doubtless given me +valuable information concerning the traders +of his day, and thus have put me on the trail +of my client. This man was arrested on some +charge trumped up by two scamps, but was +later released and exonerated. They’d arrest +a man over there for looking at his own watch +if he happened to cross his eyes while doing it. +At the time when my client was in trouble the +convict-ships were in business.”</p> +<p>The Elder dropped back from the edge of +his chair which he had held since the beginning +of the conversation. He gave his son a +look of dumb appeal. With an effort he +straightened and glared vacantly across the +table.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68' name='page_68'></a>68</span></div> +<p>“I was aboard the convict-ship <i>Success</i> +while she was in the New York harbor this +spring,” commented the minister. “I don’t +see how civilized men could think out so many +different modes of torture and remain civilized, +let alone human.”</p> +<p>“Nor I. I was aboard the old tub, too. +That was the ship my client was on. It was +when she first came out.”</p> +<p>The Elder was acting queerly.</p> +<p>“Dad, what’s wrong?” asked Harold, with +concern.</p> +<p>“Nothing,––er––nothing. Only I do wish +you would not take this trip. Can’t you send +some one else?”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid not. You see, I’m not my +own boss. No, Dad, I can’t get out of it.”</p> +<p>Harold had never seen his father so concerned +for his welfare, and it greatly affected +him.</p> +<p>“They won’t trouble me, not in the least. +To ease your mind I’ll go under an assumed +name, if you say so. But I must get my data +at the source concerning this man Adoniah +Phillips, if–––”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69' name='page_69'></a>69</span></div> +<p>The Elder was sipping his coffee, and +his cup fell into the saucer with a crash, +breaking both fragile pieces into fragments. +The contents were sprayed over the linen, +and drops stained the Elder’s white waistcoat.</p> +<p>“Father!” cried Elizabeth. “What is the +matter? You are ill!”</p> +<p>He did not answer. He turned an ashen +face toward Mr. McGowan, and with a wild +stare studied that young man’s face. The +two men sprang to the old man’s assistance, +but as the minister reached out his hand Mr. +Fox gave a startled cry and threw up his arm +as though to ward off a blow.</p> +<p>“Go back to your seats!” ordered the Elder +thickly. “Do not mind me. I’m all +right, or shall be in a few seconds.”</p> +<p>He fought helplessly for self-control.</p> +<p>“Come, Dad, you must go to your room,” +declared Harold, taking his father tightly by +the arm.</p> +<p>“I’m not ill, sir,” answered the father, stubbornly. +“But it might be as well for me to +retire from the table. You need not trouble, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70' name='page_70'></a>70</span> +Mr. McGowan. I shall get on quite well with +my son’s assistance,” he affirmed, waving the +minister back.</p> +<p>Mr. Fox drew his handkerchief across his +perspiring forehead, and dazedly eyed the +stained cloth. “I’m sorry, Beth, very sorry I +was so awkward.”</p> +<p>“Don’t mind the cloth, Father,” begged +the girl tearfully.</p> +<p>“You remain with Mr. McGowan, Beth. +I shall soon be quite myself. Fainting spell, +I guess.”</p> +<p>Harold led his father from the room. +Elizabeth turned to the minister.</p> +<p>“Oh, Mr. McGowan! Is it––do you +think–––Oh! I can’t say it! It’s too +awful!”</p> +<p>“We must telephone for the doctor at once. +It may be serious.”</p> +<p>“Then, you do think it’s a stroke! What +shall we do!”</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan telephoned for the doctor, +and when he arrived he sent him at once to the +Elder’s room. The physician entered unannounced, +stopped short on the threshold, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span> +stared at the two men who were in the midst +of a heated discussion.</p> +<p>Elizabeth met the doctor as he came down +the stair.</p> +<p>“Miss Fox, will you be kind enough to tell +me if your father has had bad news, or sudden +grief?”</p> +<p>“Not that I know of, Doctor. Harold +had just told him that he must start for Australia +to-morrow when Father nearly fainted. +That is all that happened.”</p> +<p>“Then, I see no occasion for this. There +is nothing organically wrong so far as I can +discover. But I shall take his blood pressure +to-morrow just to be on the safe side. Call +me any time during the night if anything out +of the ordinary happens. Keep him perfectly +quiet. Good night.”</p> +<p>Harold called Elizabeth from the head of +the stair.</p> +<p>“Excuse me, Mr. McGowan. I shall send +my brother right down.”</p> +<p>“Please, don’t do that. Your father will +need you both. I shall be going.”</p> +<p>“I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed, offering her +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72' name='page_72'></a>72</span> +hand. “You will come again, very soon, +won’t you?”</p> +<p>“I shall call in the morning to inquire +about your father.”</p> +<p>“Thank you. Good night.”</p> +<p>“Good night.”</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan took his hat from the hall-tree +and left the house. As he walked very +slowly through the avenue of trees a strange +passage from the Bible kept tantalizing his +attention. “Behold, a shaking, and the bones +came together, bone to his bone.... Then +there was no breath in them.... Then +from the four winds the breath came into +them, and they lived.”</p> +<p>Half provoked for allowing these words to +arouse suspicion, he tried to cast them out. +But the effect of them remained. He had +witnessed the coming together of the dry +bones of a past. Were the four winds from +the four corners of the earth to give them life? +Had he unwittingly helped to furnish the dry +bones with breath?</p> +<p>He had gone but a short distance when he +heard footsteps behind him.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_IV' id='CHAPTER_IV'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +</div> +<p>“One minute, Mr. McGowan,” called +Harold Fox. “Come with me, please.”</p> +<p>He drew the minister aside into the path +that led into the lower gardens. Once in the +deeper shadows, Harold stopped.</p> +<p>“What have you to do with this man Phillips?” +he demanded.</p> +<p>“What’s that? Why, Mr. Fox–––”</p> +<p>“I’d no sooner got Dad to his room than he +began to mumble that you were to blame for +his condition,” cut in the lawyer. “He connected +you in no favorable way with some +woman in Australia. This man Phillips was +involved, too, from what I could gather. I +was questioning him when the doctor arrived, +and after he was gone I could get nothing +more out of him. I hate to go to Australia +with him like this, and I have every reason to +surmise that I won’t need to go if you tell me +all you know.”</p> +<p>“I’m very sorry for your father’s condition, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74' name='page_74'></a>74</span> +but I see no way to help you. I don’t +see why he should connect me with his condition. +How long ago did all this happen to +your client?”</p> +<p>“About twenty-five years ago.”</p> +<p>“Then it’s ridiculous to associate me with +any such trouble. I was not more than born, +if, indeed, that. In what way does it all affect +your father, anyway?”</p> +<p>“That I don’t know. It’s a mystery to +me.”</p> +<p>“I should gladly give you aid if it were +possible.”</p> +<p>“I’m only asking that you tell me all you +know.”</p> +<p>“All an infant in arms would know would +be of little value, I fear.”</p> +<p>“But you must know something by hearsay. +Father would not take this turn out of +a clear sky. There must be a little moisture +where there are so many clouds.”</p> +<p>“But, Mr. Fox, I’ve told you–––”</p> +<p>“See here, Mr. McGowan,” broke in Harold +impatiently, “don’t think me thickheaded. +I’ve been practising law long enough +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span> +to smell a rat when it’s round. Father knows +something, and he knows you know something. +In some way it involves him. His +trouble to-night was purely mental.”</p> +<p>“Suppose I am connected with all this +mystery in some way, how on earth can a man +call on a child’s empty memory–––”</p> +<p>“You’re stalling, Mr. McGowan. Don’t +try that alibi stuff with me. It simply won’t +go.”</p> +<p>“You refuse to accept my statement of ignorance +concerning this man?”</p> +<p>“I most certainly do. You and Dad are +passing the buck. I thought from all reports +that you would stand up to any proposition +like a man, no matter how unpleasant.”</p> +<p>“There is nothing for me to stand up to, +Mr. Fox.”</p> +<p>“You absolutely refuse to tell me what you +know?”</p> +<p>“I absolutely refuse, for I know absolutely +nothing.”</p> +<p>Harold Fox studied the set features of the +minister in the dim light of the moon. He +then cordially extended his hand.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76' name='page_76'></a>76</span></div> +<p>“Pardon me, sir. I believe you. But +there’s something damned crooked somewhere, +and I intend to ferret it out. If Dad’s +in it–––Well, I hope to the Lord he isn’t. +You’d better watch your p’s and q’s pretty +close, for Dad mentioned the fact that Mr. +Means has it in for you, and the two of them +can make it hell for you. I’m sorry to say +that, but it’s God’s truth. I wouldn’t trust +Means with a pet skunk. I never have liked +the fellow. I’ve said too much. Good night, +and good luck.”</p> +<p>Harold abruptly left, and Mr. McGowan +walked slowly and heavily from the garden +into the road that led toward the sea.</p> +<hr class='tb' /> +<p>Following that night, things began to happen +with lightning-like rapidity. A spirit of +distrust and suspicion sprang up among the +members of the little church over night. The +congregations dwindled down, till within a +month they were not one-half their original +size. But in spite of the friction that was +grinding at the religious machinery, Mr. McGowan +went on steadily about his work. He +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span> +visited the Inn more frequently, and won no +little renown among the members of the club. +But here he also had his enemies, and they were +becoming bolder in proportion as the church +grew more hostile toward its minister. Sim +Hicks, the keeper of the Inn, began an open +fight against Mr. McGowan’s intrusions, declaring +he would make good a former threat +to oust the “Psalm-singer” from the village.</p> +<p>One evening Mr. McGowan returned to his +study deeply perplexed. What was the +meaning in the unjust persecution? Not +that he complained; his difficulty was rather +his inability to get at the bottom of it all. He +stood before his window gazing absently out +into the gathering dusk, when Captain Pott +quietly opened the door and entered.</p> +<p>“Can I come in, Mack?”</p> +<p>“I’d love to have you. I need company.”</p> +<p>“Anything special wrong? I’ve been noticing +you’re getting awful thin of late. Ain’t +Eadie’s cooking agreeing with you?”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid that food cooked to the queen’s +taste wouldn’t agree with me these days.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78' name='page_78'></a>78</span></div> +<p>“Ain’t in love, be you? I’ve heard tell how +it affects people like that.”</p> +<p>The young man turned toward his friend. +The wry smile with which he tried to divert +the seaman did not hide the hurt expression in +his eyes. The Captain caught the expression.</p> +<p>“Thought likely,” he observed, pulling at +his moustache. “But that ain’t no reason for +you losing sleep and flesh over, unless she ain’t +in love with you.”</p> +<p>“There’s no reason why she should be.”</p> +<p>“Tush, tush, son. Don’t ever try to hurry +’em. Let her take all the time she wants. +Women are funny that way.”</p> +<p>“Cap’n,” said the minister in tense earnestness, +“there is something vitally wrong in this +town, and I can’t seem to find out what it is.”</p> +<p>“I know,” nodded the Captain.</p> +<p>“Then I wish you would enlighten me.”</p> +<p>“I cal’late I can’t do that, Mack. All I +can see is that there’s something like mutiny +brewing aboard your salvation sloop, and mutiny +is a mighty funny thing. You can’t put +your finger on it and say, ‘Lo, here, or lo, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span> +there,’ according to scripture. Ain’t that +right?”</p> +<p>“You have certainly stated the situation +much better than I could hope to.”</p> +<p>“I was only hoping you wouldn’t see it.”</p> +<p>“I don’t see it, and that’s my whole trouble. +I can only see the results. I can’t say that +this one or that one is to blame, for the thing +seems to be in the very air.”</p> +<p>“I know just how you feel, Mack. That’s +where a skipper is hog-tied against taking any +action. You just sort of feel that there’s +something devilish afoot, but you don’t know +enough what it is to be ready to meet it. Puts +me in mind of a song I heard once aboard one +of my ships. One of the new mates sang it, +and called it the microbe song. I ain’t got +any idea where he picked it up, but it went +like this:</p> +<table summary=''><tr><td> +<p class='cg'>“‘Johnnie, don’t you see ’em on my head and chin,<br /> +All them powerful microbes, both outside and in?<br /> +Johnnie, up and smite ’em, counting every one,<br /> +With the strength that cometh with the pork and bun.<br /> +<br /> +“‘Johnnie, don’t you feel ’em, how they work within,<br /> +Striving, crowding, pulling, kicking just like sin? +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span><br /> +Johnnie, don’t you tremble, never be downcast,<br /> +Gird ye for the battle, we’ll kill ’em while it lasts.<br /> +<br /> +“‘Johnnie, don’t you hear ’em, how they speak ye fair:<br /> +“All of us are shipmates, not a bunk is bare!”<br /> +Johnnie, answer boldly: “While we breathe we smite!”<br /> +And peace shall follow battle, day shall end in night.’”</p> +</td></tr></table> +<p>Mr. McGowan laughed heartily as the Captain +brought his song to an unmusical close.</p> +<p>“That song ain’t got much music in it, +leastwise not as I sung it, but it’s got a heap +of truth. Fact is, Mack, I’m as chuck full of +them damn microbes as you be, and I ain’t +able to smite ’em. They are right in here,”––he +tapped his head,––“and though I ain’t able +to say for sure, yet I’ve got a purty good idea +that they’re outside, too, and making a heap of +trouble in this here burg.</p> +<p>“Now, take those pirates down to the Inn,” +continued the seaman. “There’s something +brewing down there, and it smells like hell-fire +to me that’s doing the boiling. Sim Hicks +and his gang are whooping it up a mite too +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81' name='page_81'></a>81</span> +lively for comfort. That’s microbe army +number one. Then, there’s Harry Beaver. +He says they won’t board you after your +month is up.”</p> +<p>“May army number two quickly advance! +I shall gladly and willingly surrender.”</p> +<p>“Hey? What’s that? Where in the name +of the ship’s cook would you go, I’d like to +know?”</p> +<p>“Right here.”</p> +<p>“Right where? You board with me?”</p> +<p>“Why not?”</p> +<p>The old seaman’s face slowly lighted up +with appreciation as he fully grasped the +meaning of Mr. McGowan’s words, and then +suddenly clouded.</p> +<p>“No, Mack. There ain’t no sense in that,” +he declared, shaking his head emphatically. +“I can keep soul and body together, but +what I get on with would kill you. There’s +worse things in the world than Eadie’s biscuits. +No, I ain’t going to listen to any such +out-and-out murder as my cooking would +commit.”</p> +<p>“Don’t you think we could hire some one +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82' name='page_82'></a>82</span> +to come in and get our meals?” asked the minister.</p> +<p>“I’m ’feared that ain’t possible. And even +if it was it would cause more talk about town. +There’s enough gossip aboard the old salvation +craft to sink her now, beam-fust.”</p> +<p>“Why should it cause talk for some one to +take care of the house for us, and get our +meals?”</p> +<p>“Why should any of this gab be floating +round at all? There ain’t no sense in it, but +that don’t stop it. Mack,”––the Captain +leaned eagerly toward his young friend,––“don’t +tell me nothing you don’t want to, but +what happened up to Jim Fox’s house that +night you ate there the last time? Things +ain’t been going smooth since then. I hear he +acted mighty queer. Was you to blame for +it in any way?”</p> +<p>“Did Harold Fox talk to you before he +left?”</p> +<p>“No. Harold ain’t the gossiping kind.”</p> +<p>“Some one has evidently been talking to +you.”</p> +<p>“Ain’t denying that, Mack. There’s plenty +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span> +of ’em in this burg that’s ready to talk, and +I’d have to be deaf, dumb, and blind, not to +get some of the gab. The doctor told more +than he ought, I guess.”</p> +<p>“It might pay him to take a few lessons in +keeping his mouth closed,” impatiently commented +Mr. McGowan.</p> +<p>“I know, Mack. I reckon he was pumped +pretty hard.”</p> +<p>“That doesn’t excuse him for–––”</p> +<p>“There, Mack, don’t get mad. I was asking +you for your own good. There’s something +mighty mysterious about that affair, +and I thought if you’d tell me just what took +place that we’d be able to do something before +that gang of rough-necks down to the Inn get +the bits in their teeth.”</p> +<p>“I don’t see what the men at the Inn have +to do with all this.”</p> +<p>“They ain’t got much to do with it, except +to use it for a lever to pry you loose from the +fellers who do like you. There’s real trouble +of some sort being hatched down there, but I +ain’t sure just what it’s like. Maybe there +ain’t no use my worrying you with these suspicions, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84' name='page_84'></a>84</span> +but watch them skunks at the Inn, +and don’t give ’em the inside of the track. +Cal’late you’d best go over to supper, and see +if Harry’s going to shut off the rations.”</p> +<p>Three days after this conversation Mr. McGowan’s +month was up, and the hammer of +Mr. Beaver’s authority came down. Captain +Pott stood in his door, watching the pantomime +as Mr. Beaver pumped, backed, stuttered, +and blinked out the minister’s dismissal +from his wife’s table. The Captain had an +extra griddle on the stove when Mr. McGowan +returned. Without question or comment +he indicated a chair, and the minister +smiled like a schoolboy as he drew it up before +the place at the Captain’s table which he was +to occupy from now on.</p> +<p>“Best eat ’em while they’re sizzling hot,” +invited the Captain, dumping a turnerful of +cakes on the empty plate.</p> +<p>When the men had divided the last flapjack, +the minister announced that he was going +for a stroll along the beach.</p> +<p>He was no sooner out of sight than over +came Mrs. Beaver, carrying a large tin filled +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85' name='page_85'></a>85</span> +with biscuits. Captain Pott took them to the +pantry, and returned with the empty pan.</p> +<p>“Thanks, Eadie. Mr. McGowan will sure +appreciate them.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Josiah! I hope he won’t blame me +for what’s happened.”</p> +<p>“Cal’late he won’t blame you,” said the +seaman sympathetically.</p> +<p>“Why are things so upset in town against +him?”</p> +<p>“I ain’t able to answer that, Eadie. It +does seem that the old ark is going through +quite a squall, don’t it?”</p> +<p>“Has Harry said anything to you?”</p> +<p>“Not yet, he ain’t, and if I sight him fust +he ain’t going to say anything. I ain’t got +time for him to get his pumps working on +me.”</p> +<p>“You mark my word, he will say something, +and don’t you believe one word when +he does. I don’t see what’s got into him. +Somebody has bewitched him.”</p> +<p>The Captain stared at her. Here were +signs of a new kind of microbe, and he could +make neither head nor tail of it. It was next +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86' name='page_86'></a>86</span> +to the miraculous for Mrs. Beaver to espouse +an unpopular cause when there was interesting +gossip to repeat.</p> +<p>“You don’t say!” exclaimed the seaman.</p> +<p>“I do say. Hank Simpson is the only man +in this town beside you who’s got back-bone +enough to stand by himself! He’d struck +Harry last night if that Hicks hadn’t held him +off. I wish he had hit him hard, maybe it +would have brought him to his senses.”</p> +<p>“Are you trying to tell me that Harry’s +got the gossiping fever?”</p> +<p>“Not only that, but what he’s saying is +pure lies. I can’t see why he wants to do +other people’s dirty work,” complained the +unhappy woman.</p> +<p>“I cal’late you’d best give me some idea +about this here yarn he’s spinning, so’s I can +lay for him with a spike.”</p> +<p>“It’s about Mr. McGowan, and what he’s +telling ain’t true, and I know it!” Her voice +broke into short dry sobs. “He says our minister +is doing things down to the Inn that ain’t +right. And, then, that Reverend Mr. Means +was up again the other day, and told Mr. Fox +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span> +something. Harry won’t tell me what it was, +but he keeps saying it’s awful scandalous.”</p> +<p>“Well, Eadie, if I was you I’d quit spilling +all that brine, for it ain’t wuth it.”</p> +<p>“But, Josiah, it is worth it. They’re trying +to ruin Mr. McGowan, and he’s such a +fine man. Won’t you stop Harry’s talking in +some way? Won’t you go to Mr. Fox?”</p> +<p>“Me go to Jim? What in tarnation would +you have me say to him?”</p> +<p>“I don’t care what you say, but make him +understand that he’s to leave Harry alone, +and stop him telling what ain’t so.”</p> +<p>“Maybe he’s the one who has made Harry +believe it is so. In that case, I’m ’feared my +views on the subject might set off some real +fireworks.”</p> +<p>“But you must make him believe you! +Can’t you say something?”</p> +<p>“I ain’t sartin but I might say a thing or +two, and they won’t be words fit for a prayer-meeting, +either.”</p> +<p>“Then, you will speak to him?” she asked +eagerly.</p> +<p>“We’ll see, Eadie. Maybe I’ll do something, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span> +too. But I cal’late we’d best begin as +Scripture says, right here at home.”</p> +<p>“You mean you’ll speak to Harry? What +will you say?”</p> +<p>“I ain’t got it all figured out yet being as +we’re camped on this here sand-heap. If I +was aboard ship I’d kick him down the deck +and up again, then into the hatches for a little +tonic for disobeying orders. Beyond that, I +ain’t able to say right offhand.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Beaver clutched the back of a chair. +“Oh, don’t hurt my Harry! He’s all I’ve +got!”</p> +<p>“He ain’t wuth boasting about, Eadie. +But being as he is all you’ve got in the way +of earthly possession, and being as we’re on +land, I cal’late I won’t do harm. But if I +was you I’d steer him clear of these channels +for a spell till I calm down a mite.”</p> +<p>“O dear! I’ve made a mistake coming to +you, and I hoped you’d help me. I shouldn’t +have told you!”</p> +<p>“We won’t argue that p’int.”</p> +<p>“Whatever shall I do!”</p> +<p>“The fust thing I’d do,”––suggested the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89' name='page_89'></a>89</span> +Captain, slowly nodding his head for emphasis,––“would +be to use a little discipline on +your fust mate.”</p> +<p>“But I can’t make Harry mind any +more!”</p> +<p>The pitiful figure gave the Captain an uneasy +feeling as he tried to return her pathetic +gaze. He replied kindly:</p> +<p>“Eadie, you’ve always held a purty tight +rein over that husband of yours, about the best +I ever see drawn over a prancing colt. You’d +best tighten up a mite on them reins, right +sudden-like.”</p> +<p>“But I haven’t any power over him now. +He’s that worked up that I can’t even talk to +him. He shuts me right up.”</p> +<p>“What’s that? You can’t handle that little +shrimp?”</p> +<p>She uttered a cry, and looked past the Captain, +through the dining-room door, into the +hall. The seaman turned in the direction of +her wild and distracted gaze. Mr. Beaver, +more wild and distracted than his spouse, +stood in the door, the incarnation of burning +passion and pent up fury.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90' name='page_90'></a>90</span></div> +<p>“W-What are you d-doing in this m-man’s +house?” he shouted, his shrill voice breaking +into a ferocious shriek, as he blinked and +pointed at his frightened wife.</p> +<p>Captain Pott was so surprised that he +merely gaped at the infuriated little man.</p> +<p>“Harry, please don’t!” pleaded Mrs. +Beaver, drawing back against the wainscoting.</p> +<p>“C-Come out of h-here!” hissed her husband. +He brought his heel down with such +vehemence that he chipped off a splinter from +the threshold.</p> +<p>“Best stand back, Eadie, and be careful +not to touch him,” advised the Captain, eyeing +the human cyclone with amusement and +amazement. “Looks mighty dangerous, and +sort as if he might go off.”</p> +<p>Harry met these words with a blazing +glare.</p> +<p>“Cal’late you’d best come in and cool off +a mite, Harry. You seem sort of het up.”</p> +<p>“W-Woman, c-come w-with m-me!” +spluttered Mr. Beaver.</p> +<p>He strutted round the room, well out of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91' name='page_91'></a>91</span> +Captain’s reach, and back again toward the +door, looking for the world like a young barnyard +fowl. But his wife did not follow.</p> +<p>“She ain’t going just yet. We was having +a quiet-like chat when you busted in here, and +I cal’late we’d best make it three-sided, that +is, if you ain’t got no reasonable objection to +raise. Come, you ain’t in that rush.”</p> +<p>Harry bounded toward the door. So, also, +did the Captain. A heavy hand fell on the +shoulder of the little man and spun him about.</p> +<p>“It’s real nice of you to come in like this +for a friendly conflab,” said the seaman, dangerously +pleasant.</p> +<p>“M-Man, t-take your h-hand off m-me! +H-How dare y-you a-assault m-me! I’ll +h-have the law on y-you!”</p> +<p>“That’s all right, Harry.” The expression +on the Captain’s face contrasted sharply +with his quiet words. “There’ll be plenty of +time for that. I’ve been feeling real slighted +because you ain’t been to see me for some +time. Cal’late a little conversation will do us +both a heap of good, and clear up the air a +mite.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92' name='page_92'></a>92</span></div> +<p>Mr. Beaver again started for the door, but +the Captain reached it first. He closed it, +turned the key in the lock, and put the key in +his pocket.</p> +<p>“Now, suppose you spin the yarn to me +that you’ve been spreading round town,” he +said, slowly filling his pipe and offering the +pouch to Harry Beaver.</p> +<p>Mr. Beaver spurned the weed of peace with +a ferocious glare. With a little coaching the +Captain brought out the story. The gist of +the matter was that Mr. Beaver considered +McGowan morally lax in the free way he was +mixing with the boys at the Inn.</p> +<p>“Let’s get this straight. Who is the feller +you’re talking about? Just repeat his name +to me.”</p> +<p>“M-McGowan!” defiantly repeated Mr. +Beaver.</p> +<p>“When mentioning him to me,”––requested +the Captain in a tone that made the +other man start with apprehension,––“you’ll +call him <i>Mr.</i> McGowan. Understand that?”</p> +<p>Mr. Beaver seemed fully to understand, for +he obeyed. When he had finished his yarn of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93' name='page_93'></a>93</span> +sheer nonsense, Captain Pott slowly laid his +pipe on the table and his hand on the little +man’s collar. He led him to the door, and +opened it. Harry tugged like a bull-pup on +the end of a leash, so that when the Captain +released his hold––with ever so slight a shove––Mr. +Beaver described a spread-eagle on the +cinder path.</p> +<p>“If you repeat that rotten truck to another +soul, I ain’t going to be responsible for what +happens to you!” He shot each word at the +kicking figure from between set teeth, and +brushed one hand over the other as though to +clean them of filth.</p> +<p>Mrs. Beaver ran to her husband, lifted him +out of the cinders, and patted the ashes from +his clothing. Harry Beaver stood irresolutely +for a moment, and violently shook his +fist at the man standing in the door.</p> +<p>“Y-You’ll p-p-pay for this!” He spit out +words and cinders with gasping breath.</p> +<p>Captain Pott went inside. He washed his +breakfast dishes. He was by no means as +calm as he appeared. The whole day through +he fed the fires of his anger. That night he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94' name='page_94'></a>94</span> +urged the minister to stay at home. He even +begged him not to go to the Inn. Mr. McGowan +asked the reason for his deep concern. +The Captain could give none, except to say +that the microbes were working overtime. +But duty called more loudly than his friend’s +fears, and Mr. McGowan went that evening +to the Inn. An hour later the Captain’s intuition +got the upper hand of his judgment, +and he followed.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_V' id='CHAPTER_V'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> +</div> +<p>An ominous murmur of voices, with a deep +growling undertone, floated up from the improvised +gymnasium in the basement as Captain +Pott entered the swinging doors of Willow-Tree +Inn. This was followed by a more +ominous silence. The seaman bounded down +the steps. The sight that met his gaze caused +him to stop short. On each side of the low +room men and boys were drawn up in lines, +and the division was as clean cut as though +chosen for a tug of war. The doors at the far +end of the gymnasium swung back, and a +stranger, stripped to the waist, stepped gingerly +into the room. Sim Hicks met the man, +and began to tie a pair of boxing gloves to his +hands. While the Captain looked on in utter +amazement, the doors again swung back, and +Mack McGowan entered. He did not appear +surprised at sight of the crowd, as large audiences +had become quite the common thing +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span> +during his boxing lessons. Hank Simpson +came from out the shadows and reluctantly +tied another pair of gloves to the hands of +Mr. McGowan.</p> +<p>“What in tarnation is the meaning of this +damn exhibition?” demanded the Captain, +turning to Jud Johnson, the plumber.</p> +<p>“It means there’s dirty work on.”</p> +<p>“You mean there’s been a crooked deal put +over on Mack?”</p> +<p>The plumber nodded.</p> +<p>“Who in hell–––”</p> +<p>“Swearing ain’t going to do no good, +Cap’n. The parson don’t stand for it down +here,” cut in Jud.</p> +<p>“Whose doing is this?”</p> +<p>“We’ve got a pretty good idea who the cur +is, but we ain’t exactly sure.”</p> +<p>“Where’d he come from?”</p> +<p>“The city.”</p> +<p>“Who brung him in here?”</p> +<p>“We ain’t just sure of that, yet.”</p> +<p>“What in h––– What’s he cal’lating to +do?”</p> +<p>“He figures to lick the tar out of the parson. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97' name='page_97'></a>97</span> +And by the blazes of the inferno, if he +does–––”</p> +<p>It was plain that civil war was to ensue if +the contest went against Mr. McGowan.</p> +<p>“How’d he git into such a scrape?”</p> +<p>“It looks like the work of that d––I wish +the parson would let me swear for once––Sim +Hicks.”</p> +<p>“You mean Hicks brought him in?”</p> +<p>“He come in here more’n a week ago and +asked Mr. McGowan to give him some lessons. +Now the devil’s to pay, and if we ain’t +’way off Hicks happens to be that devil.”</p> +<p>“How–––”</p> +<p>“For God’s sake stop asking me questions +or I’ll cut loose and turn the air blue round +here.”</p> +<p>“There ain’t a feller living that can fight +Mack on a week of training,” declared the seaman.</p> +<p>“No one said he’d had no more’n a week of +training.”</p> +<p>“I don’t give a tinker’s dam if he’s had all +the training in creation, he can’t lick Mack +McGowan and do it fair.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98' name='page_98'></a>98</span></div> +<p>Jud shot the Captain a look of approval. +“Them kind don’t fight fair.”</p> +<p>“But, Jud, I don’t see the meaning of it, +anyway.”</p> +<p>“Then you’re a heap sight blinder’n I +thought. This thing’s all fixed up to help +Hicks get the parson out of town. When +the news of this fight gets out into the +church, they’ll oust him like a shot from a +cannon.”</p> +<p>“Then why don’t you fellers stop it afore +it starts?” blazed the Captain.</p> +<p>“Stop nothing. Hank’s tried it, already.”</p> +<p>Hank Simpson came across the room to +where the Captain stood, looking woe-begone.</p> +<p>“The minister says our fears ain’t got no +foundation about that feller being crooked, +and he won’t listen to reason,” declared the +dejected Hank.</p> +<p>“By the Almighty, he’ll listen to me!” exclaimed +the Captain.</p> +<p>“He wouldn’t listen to his own mother if +she was here. He says if what we suspect is +true, he couldn’t show the white feather now. +He’s the best sport I’ve ever seen, and I hate +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99' name='page_99'></a>99</span> +to see him beat up by that white-livered +slugger.”</p> +<p>“I sha’n’t see it!”</p> +<p>Captain Pott started toward the ring that +was rapidly forming about the boxers. He +caught the minister’s glance. He halted. In +that glance there was an expression which the +Captain had come to recognize and respect. +Mack McGowan was going to take his medicine, +or give it, and no one was to interfere +during the dose. The seaman dropped back +into the shadow of the stair.</p> +<p>The boxers faced each other. There was +no doubt left in the minds of the onlookers as +to the profession of the stranger as he squared +off for action. The minister recognized, too, +the trap that had been set for him, but he gave +no evidence of worry. He met the malicious +grin of the other with a friendly, but grim +smile.</p> +<p>The stranger lost no time in preliminaries. +He thought himself in full possession of the +minister’s boxing ability, and he showed a +great amount of over-confidence. He had +studied the other’s speed, he had spied into his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100' name='page_100'></a>100</span> +style, he had tested his reach. Certainly, with +all this knowledge, he should have a picnic. +He had been very careful on all occasions to +appear as nothing more than a novice. He +was not unmindful of the other’s endurance, +but hoping to make a quick end of the matter, +he tried to force the minister under full headway +at once. He went at him in a whirlwind +rush. It seemed to the observers that Mr. +McGowan must certainly be swept from the +floor.</p> +<p>But the minister was not caught off his +guard. He quickly guessed the other’s intention. +With a swiftness that took the breath of +the onlookers, he stepped aside, drew in his +left toe under his right heel, and faced to the +right. It was done in a flash! With one long +step he swung out to the left of his adversary. +Out of the range of terrific blows, he smiled +and made a closer study of his opponent, eye +and brain alert for information. It took but +a moment, and he was facing the stranger before +the man was ready to meet him.</p> +<p>The Captain had never seen his young +friend box with greater ease, although the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101' name='page_101'></a>101</span> +odds were against him in weight. He warded +off blow after blow with a precision that was +maddening to the other. His foot-work was +as quick as that of a cat, and as sure. Again +and again the stranger would rush in with +deadly intent, only to find himself blocked, or +to back away severely punished.</p> +<p>A breathless suspense hushed all rooting. +The minister had dropped his guard! Even +the other boxer hesitated, as though he could +not believe his own eyes. Mr. McGowan had +thrown back his head and shoulders as though +he had partially lost his foothold. The city +boxer rushed in and swung for the other’s +heart with all his weight behind the blow. +When it was too late he saw his mistake. He +had been led into a trap, and the very movement +which had drawn the blow made it ineffective. +With lightning-like swiftness the +minister stepped forward, delivered three +blows on his opponent’s head with bewildering +rapidity, and recovered himself with ease and +without exertion. The stranger recoiled, and +for an instant appeared to be under the impulse +to run. But blind rage seized him as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102' name='page_102'></a>102</span> +his unexpected punishment began to sting, +and he came back like a madman. Mr. McGowan +shoved aside or blocked the terrific +shower of fists with a coolness and precision +that drove the stranger momentarily insane. +He bellowed like a mad bull. He began to +slug with the force of a pile-driver without +any pretense to fairness. He leaped from +left to right, and back again, like an orangutan +stirred to frenzied anger. Mr. McGowan +tried to stop him by calling time, but +with a foul oath he shot a stiff arm into the +minister’s abdomen. Decidedly jarred, Mr. +McGowan swayed back under the impact of +the foul, but recovered his footing in time to +meet the other with a blow full in the face. +The stranger rushed in again, but Mr. McGowan +ducked, landed his glove with a heavy +jar on his adversary’s body, and cut the man’s +lip with a right swing as he sprang to safety.</p> +<p>The sight and smell of his own blood sent +the city pugilist into a crazed frenzy. He +threw his elbow into the minister’s throat and +hurled him against the wall. Holding him +there as though in a vise he landed a wicked +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103' name='page_103'></a>103</span> +hook under the left ear. Sim Hicks gave an +immoderate laugh. A shout went up from +the few who favored the stranger. A deep +growl was the answer from Hank Simpson +and his following as they sprang forward. +They seized Mr. McGowan, tore him away +from the maddened pugilist, and led him to a +box. Hank steadied him while Jud Johnson +massaged the bruised neck and bathed the +bleeding ear. Sim Hicks crossed to where +they were at work.</p> +<p>“Have you got enough?” he asked with a +sneer.</p> +<p>“No! And by thunder, you ain’t got all +that’s coming to you, neither,” growled Jud.</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan leaned heavily against +Hank Simpson. As it was apparent that his +mind was beginning to clear, Sim Hicks came +closer.</p> +<p>“Are you ready to call quits and stop your +damned <a name='TC_5'></a><ins class="tnchg" title="Was "medding"">meddling</ins> in my affairs?” persisted +the Innkeeper.</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan shook his head, slowly. +Then, with a start, he straightened. Between +the uprights of the stair-banister he had see +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span> +two faces peering down into the room. As his +vision cleared a little more he saw that one +face was set between silky chops.</p> +<p>Captain Pott had not taken his eyes from +the minister’s face, but now he followed the direction +of his startled gaze.</p> +<p>“If it ain’t that damned menagerie, Fox +and Beaver!”</p> +<p>One of the two figures slipped up and out. +The other, deeply engrossed, did not budge. +The Captain gave a mirthless chuckle and +quietly crept up the stair. He seized the +heels of Mr. Beaver, dragged him bumping +down the stair, and dropped him beneath one +of the lights. He gripped the little man’s collar, +glanced menacingly into the distorted +face, and remarked:</p> +<p>“Paying off some of them infernal debts +you spoke of?”</p> +<p>“L-Let m-m-me g-go! L-Looking’s +f-f-free, ain’t it?” His thin voice rose with +each word till it reached a hissing shriek.</p> +<p>“Yes, the show seems to be free. And if +I’m any judge, it’s just begun, so you may +as well come down for it all.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span></div> +<p>Sim Hicks was swearing so loudly that the +seaman turned in that direction. The Innkeeper +was shaking his fist in the minister’s +face. Captain Pott dragged the squirming +Beaver across the room.</p> +<p>“See here, Sim, you’d best shet that trap-door +of yours, it’s letting out too much blue +smoke, and the dominee don’t permit swearing +among the boys. Cal’late I can give +you some assistance if you’re needing it,” +said the seaman, coming uncomfortably +near. “As for that there slugger of yourn, +he’s nothing but a white-livered cur of a +coward.”</p> +<p>“You take back those words, or I’ll make +you swallow them one at a time!”</p> +<p>The threat came from the city pugilist, and +the Captain swung about to face him.</p> +<p>“This here is my friend you hurt,”––the +seaman’s eyes flashed with fury as he jerked +his thumb toward the minister,––“and I +cal’late you’d best apologize for what you’ve +done to him.”</p> +<p>“Why, you doddering old idiot! If you +didn’t want your little pet hurt, you’d best +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106' name='page_106'></a>106</span> +have kept him home. I understand he’s your +special hobby.”</p> +<p>“You’d best apologize,” repeated the Captain +in dangerous calm.</p> +<p>The pugilist laughed hoarsely. “When I +do it will be in a hotter place than where we +are to-night. I did nothing–––”</p> +<p>“Don’t lie to me! I see what you done. +Either you fight like a man,––even if you +ain’t one,––or by the lord Harry–––”</p> +<p>For emphasis he clutched the collar he still +held, and Mr. Beaver squirmed as though in +fear of being hurled bodily into the face of the +city boxer. Sim Hicks sprang at the Captain’s +throat with a fierce leap and an angry +growl. But Sim picked himself up from a +corner and rubbed the blood from his streaming +nose. The sight of the cringing Innkeeper +seemed to have a temporary effect +upon the pugilist, but he quickly recovered +and bristled defiantly.</p> +<p>“You damned city cur! If you don’t fight +fair I’ll measure you out on the same spot!”</p> +<p>“You go to the devil!” said the man with a +sneer.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span></div> +<p>“When I do I’ll take a white-livered, yellow-haired +cur along. You take that grin off +your face and stand up to Mack like a man. +I’ll act as pilot from now on, and if I sight any +more of your dirty tricks, may the Lord have +mercy on you, for I won’t. Pitch in!”</p> +<p>The two men obeyed and faced each other. +Except for a slight tightening of the lips, Mr. +McGowan gave no sign of having suffered +from the severe punishment because of the +other man’s foul. Those who had been standing +about the box, now jostled the other faction +out of the ring, and pressed closely about +the Captain.</p> +<p>During the next fifteen minutes the boxers +worked swiftly. Although the stranger had +publicly defied the seaman’s orders to fight +fair, yet it was apparent to all that he was +obeying them. Only once did he attempt a +foul. The Captain’s quick eyes saw, and with +a thundering command that shook the room +he checked the pugilist’s stiff arm movement +to the throat. Then the end came. Mr. McGowan +brought forward his head and shoulders +with his usual lightning-like swiftness in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108' name='page_108'></a>108</span> +order to draw a lead before the other was prepared +for it, and at the same time he accompanied +the movement with a quick jerking +back of his left hand as though suddenly +changing his mind. The city man did the rest. +He halted. Mr. McGowan stepped to the +left just as the other delivered his spent blow, +and with the added weight of his moving body +landed his right glove against the stranger’s +ear. This was quickly followed with a crashing +upper-cut to the heavy jaw. There was a +loud rending and ripping of splintered wood +as the big man fell through one of the thin +panels of the partition. He slid to the floor +and lay motionless amidst the wreckage.</p> +<p>Sim Hicks bawled at him to get up and go +on with the fight. Mr. Beaver squirmed and +whined under the tightening grip like a +beaten pup. The crowd stood dumb with +amazement. Few of those present had ever +witnessed the effect of a knock-out blow.</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan was the first to the side of +the prostrate man. He lifted him to his feet, +and began walking him about. As the +stranger regained his senses, he smiled faintly +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span> +at Hicks’ repeated requests that the fight be +finished.</p> +<p>“How long was I out?” asked the pugilist.</p> +<p>Sim caught the savage glare in the Captain’s +eyes, and reluctantly admitted that it +had been over a minute.</p> +<p>“But this ain’t no regular match!” he +shouted.</p> +<p>The pugilist looked in the direction of the +Captain as he drew away from the minister +and steadied himself against an upright.</p> +<p>“I guess we’ll have to call it regular +enough to go by rules,” declared the city +boxer. “I’m beaten, Hicks.”</p> +<p>“I was sorry to do it, but there seemed no +other way. There was too much at stake to +run the risk of losing,” said the minister. +“May I say, sir, that you are a good +boxer?”</p> +<p>“Mr. McGowan,”––the stranger extended +his hand with unaffected cordiality,––“it’s +great of you to say that after what I tried to +do to you. I refused to apologize when that +old fellow tried to make me, but I do it now. +I’m ashamed of the way I lost my head. If +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110' name='page_110'></a>110</span> +you’ll accept my apology, I’ll accept your +compliment.”</p> +<p>“Gladly!” exclaimed the minister.</p> +<p>Beneath the rough exterior of this savage +fighter there was the spirit of the true sportsman. +The two men removed their gloves and +gripped bare hands in a warm grasp.</p> +<p>“The fact of the matter is, you had me outclassed +at every turn. Any man who could do +what you have done to-night, after I’d +thought I’d spied on you long enough to secure +the key to all your strong points, could +make his fortune in the ring. I’m heartily +ashamed that I made myself a party to this +plot to put you out. What your old friend +has said is true: I’m a cur and a white-livered +coward to sneak in on you the way I did.”</p> +<p>“See here!” shouted Sim Hicks, abandoning +all caution, “ain’t you going to finish this +little job you’ve been paid for?”</p> +<p>“It is finished, but it wasn’t stipulated in +the contract as to who was going to do the +finishing.”</p> +<p>“You–––”</p> +<p>“Shet that trap of yours, Sim. If you +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111' name='page_111'></a>111</span> +don’t it’s li’ble to get another catch,” threatened +the Captain.</p> +<p>Hicks eyed the seaman, rubbed his swollen +nose, and backed away.</p> +<p>Mr. Beaver did a corkscrew dance, and +tried in vain to release the hold on his collar.</p> +<p>“Cap’n Pott!” exclaimed the surprised +minister who noticed for the first time that +the seaman was holding Mr. Beaver. “What +on earth are you doing?”</p> +<p>“Well, this little shrimp was mighty interested +in the boxing, and I thought he might as +well come down for a few lessons that he +wouldn’t forget right off. I cal’lated to give +him a few myself.”</p> +<p>Mr. Beaver’s face was purple. His words +would probably have been of the same hue had +there been any possibility of releasing them.</p> +<p>“Let him go, Cap’n, you’re strangling +him.”</p> +<p>“He’d otter be choked, if he’s as deep in +this thing as I think he is. But he ain’t in no +condition for a lesson to-night, he’s a mite too +worked up. Harry, I’ll let you off, but if this +here yarn gets out into the church through +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112' name='page_112'></a>112</span> +you or through the rest of the menagerie, +we’ll give you the little lesson I spoke about, +and it will stick like glue to your anatomy. +Now, you run along to Eadie, she’ll be missing +you, and I’d hate to send you home +mussed up.”</p> +<p>Mr. Beaver ran. With a dart he shot for +the stair.</p> +<p>The members of the club escorted Mr. McGowan +to the Captain’s home. As he said +good night, Hank Simpson came forward.</p> +<p>“Mr. McGowan, the fellers want to know +if you’ll be one of our members in regular +standing.”</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan expressed his delight, and +declared he would like nothing better.</p> +<p>“He’s ’lected, fellers!” shouted Hank.</p> +<p>A ringing cheer went up from the crowd. +The Captain said to Elizabeth the next morning, +when recounting what had taken place, +“I was ’feared that Mack would be mad as +hops the way them fellers carried on, but he +wa’n’t, not a mite. He seemed tolerable +pleased about it. When the fellers asked a lot +of foolish questions as to what was the matter +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113' name='page_113'></a>113</span> +with Mr. McGowan, and then answered them +by saying that he was all right, Mack looked +as happy as a school kid.”</p> +<p>Hank once more whispered to the minister. +The answer was apparently satisfactory, for +the boys gave a parting cheer, declaring that +they would all be present in church the following +Sunday.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114' name='page_114'></a>114</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VI' id='CHAPTER_VI'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> +</div> +<p>The troublesome microbes, of which Captain +Pott had so unmelodiously sung, had +been driven out into the open, and were now +doing a war-dance to a jazz tune. Into the +domestic life of the Captain there wormed the +most subtle microbe of all. Just what to do +with it, or how to meet it, he did not know. +But it continued to bob up at every meal time +with a clamorous demand for attention.</p> +<p>One Monday evening the two men sat in +the minister’s study, the clergyman wrapped +in silence, and the Captain in a cloud of tobacco +smoke. The seaman was the first to +break through his cloud.</p> +<p>“Mack, I’m awful sorry to disturb your +meditations, but if they ain’t a heap sight +more entertaining than mine, I cal’late you +won’t mind to give ’em up for a spell.”</p> +<p>“It wouldn’t be much of a sacrifice, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115' name='page_115'></a>115</span> +Cap’n,” acknowledged Mr. McGowan, laughing. +“What is troubling you?”</p> +<p>“Well, it’s this,”––the Captain blew a +cloud of smoke,––“this here’s slow navigating +on land without a woman’s hand on the wheel. +We need some one to set things to rights +round here once in a while.”</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan had been lounging lazily before +the open fire, but now rose and stretched +himself.</p> +<p>“The idea is all right, but how can we put +it into effect?”</p> +<p>“I ain’t just exactly sure.”</p> +<p>“You must have something to propose, else +you wouldn’t have mentioned it.”</p> +<p>“There ain’t going to be no proposing, +leastwise not by me.”</p> +<p>The minister smiled. “Afraid of the fair +sex, Cap’n?”</p> +<p>“No. Just wise to ’em.”</p> +<p>“Why don’t you take the suggestion I +made some time ago?”</p> +<p>“Meaning, which?”</p> +<p>“Have some one come in once a week to +clean up.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116' name='page_116'></a>116</span></div> +<p>“It needs something more than a cleaner +round here. What we want is a cook. I +cal’late we’d best ship a general housekeeper.”</p> +<p>“A housekeeper!” exclaimed Mr. McGowan, +suddenly breaking off a wide yawn.</p> +<p>The skipper blew a cloud of smoke and +watched it thin out into the air above his head.</p> +<p>“And you have just declared that you +didn’t intend to propose. I’m afraid–––”</p> +<p>“I ain’t interested in your fears, young +man. I’m too old a sea-dog for any of them +new-fangled tricks. But being as you’re set +on staying here I’ve decided that we’ll take a +woman aboard to look after the mess and +swab decks.”</p> +<p>The minister became serious. “Is that +practical in our present position?”</p> +<p>“Practical in our present position? If it +ain’t, then I’d like to know when in the name +of all my ancestors such a thing is practical. +Mack–––”</p> +<p>“I mean from the financial point of view. +The boxing match seems to have hit the +pocketbooks of the church members harder +than the man from the city hit me. At least, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span> +something has given them almost total paralysis.”</p> +<p>“Who’s asking you to consarn yourself +with a woman’s keep? I ain’t, be I?”</p> +<p>“I hope you don’t think that I’d permit +you to bring a housekeeper in here for me unless +you give me the privilege of sharing in +the expense.”</p> +<p>“Mack, this here place ain’t your house. +Cal’late I’ll do about as I please on that +p’int.”</p> +<p>“If I can’t stand the expense with part +salary, you certainly can’t stand it with none,” +persisted the minister.</p> +<p>“I ain’t sartin it would cost anything. +Leastwise, it won’t cost much. I ain’t sartin,”––repeated +the Captain as though in meditation,––“but +I think she’ll come.”</p> +<p>“Who?”</p> +<p>“Don’t let your cur’osity get away with +you, young feller. I ain’t promising nothing, +but I’m just thinking, that’s all. How’d you +like to cruise round the P’int to-morrow, +Mack?”</p> +<p>“You have a delightful way of changing +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span> +the subject when it gets too hot. But I’d certainly +like the cruise and the air.”</p> +<p>“I cal’late I ain’t changed no subject. +We’ll go over Riverhead way. It’ll be sort +of a vacation from all this mess, and give me +a chance to see about this puzzling woman +question.”</p> +<p>With this declaration, the Captain retreated +into a silence which all of Mr. McGowan’s +questions failed to penetrate. The +old man was thinking of Clemmie Pipkin!</p> +<p>Clemmie had been the object of his boyhood +ardor till the day when his dashing half-brother +had kidnapped her affections. But +no sooner had he won her from the Captain +than he disappeared, leaving the faithful Miss +Pipkin, never to return. She had remained +unmarried all these years, in spite of the oft-repeated +attempt on the part of Captain Pott +to rekindle her love. He wondered now, as +he sat before the dying fire, if her presence in +his home would change her attitude toward +him. This question wakened anew the desire +of his youth, and after he had retired it kept +sleep from his eyes through the long hours of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span> +the night. He must have Clemmie Pipkin to +take care of his house.</p> +<p>Daylight had barely kindled her fires over +the eastern waters when the two men boarded +the <i>Jennie P.</i> Mr. McGowan noticed that +the Captain took particular pains in cleaning +and polishing the few brass trimmings. They +both worked hard till the sun appeared, and +then hastily ate a lunch which they had +brought aboard with them. After finishing +the sandwiches, the Captain went forward +and dropped a measuring-stick into the gasoline +tank.</p> +<p>“I’ll swan!” he ejaculated. “There ain’t +a drop of ’ile in that there tank. And I left +the cans ashore.”</p> +<p>“I’ll go for them.”</p> +<p>“No, you don’t, young feller! You stay +right aboard here,” ordered the skipper. +“You can be working on the engine, or something. +I’ll get that ’ile myself.”</p> +<p>Surprised at the seaman’s earnestness, the +minister obeyed. He was working over the +engine, his hands covered with grease, when +the dory scraped the side of the boat. He +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120' name='page_120'></a>120</span> +came out of the cockpit, and, to his amazement, +saw the Captain assisting two young +ladies into the <i>Jennie P.</i> Each carried a +large basket. They were no less surprised +than he.</p> +<p>“Why, Mr. McGowan!” exclaimed Elizabeth, +the color flooding her already rosy +cheeks.</p> +<p>“Captain Pott!” cried Miss Splinter.</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan said nothing. He folded +his hands behind him and looked foolish.</p> +<p>“I thought maybe a little company might +liven up the trip,” observed the seaman, looking +like a schoolboy who had sprung a surprise +on his teacher. “Ain’t you going to welcome +’em? You’ll find their name on the roster, +and they brought their grub with ’em.”</p> +<p>“This is a very delightful surprise,” faintly +declared the minister.</p> +<p>Elizabeth looked troubled, and her discomfort +did not add to the minister’s ease. She +had been anything but cordial since the incident +at her home when Mr. Fox had taken +ill. He had not seen her since the fight. He +feared that the interpretation placed on that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span> +by her father had not bettered his standing.</p> +<p>“I didn’t go to bed last night right off, +Mack, when I said I was going,” explained +the Captain. “I went out and fixed up this +little party for a sort of surprise to all hands. +I stowed that ’ile in the boat-house on purpose +so as I could get ashore without too many +questions.”</p> +<p>“I trust that our going will make no difference.”</p> +<p>The minister’s embarrassment had grown +painful. With a hopeless gesture he brought +out a pair of black grimy hands. “Indeed, it +will make a difference, Miss Fox, all the difference +in the world. If the Captain had kept +his engine cleaner I’d have been able to give +you a more hearty welcome.”</p> +<p>The sight of the greasy hands broke the +tension, and although Mr. McGowan cordially +extended them neither young lady offered +hers in return.</p> +<p>The cruise was a great success, if we take +the Captain’s word for it, which word was +given to Mrs. Beaver on their return to Little +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122' name='page_122'></a>122</span> +River. “Them young folks had the time +of their lives, and I never see a more likely +pair than that little Beth and the minister as +they stood by the wheel together steering the +<i>Jennie P.</i> through them rollers. Beth takes +to water just the same way she takes to everything, +with her whole soul.”</p> +<p>It was noon when they cast anchor in the +Riverhead Inlet. The men prepared to go +ashore while the girls took out the lunches. +As the baskets were opened, and bundles untied, +Mr. McGowan suggested that they make +for shore before their appetites demanded +otherwise.</p> +<p>At the landing the men parted, for the Captain +had expressed the desire to make his visit +alone. He did not tell the minister that his +destination was the County Farm for fear +that he, Mr. McGowan, would not understand +that Clemmie Pipkin was the matron, +and not an inmate.</p> +<p>Captain Pott found Miss Pipkin without +difficulty. During the past ten years, he had +been a frequent visitor at the Farm, and many +knew him. He went at once to the bare little +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span> +reception-room and made known his presence. +As Miss Pipkin entered a slight tinge crept +into the hollow of her sallow cheeks. She extended +a bony hand.</p> +<p>“I’m real glad to see you, Josiah. It’s +been a long time since you called.”</p> +<p>“Howdy, Clemmie. It has been a mite +long, but I’ve been purty busy of late trying +to keep people out of trouble.”</p> +<p>“Then you must have changed a lot.”</p> +<p>“You ain’t looking well,” he observed solicitously. +“Ain’t sick, be you?”</p> +<p>“No,” she answered with a deep sigh. +“That is, I ain’t real sick. I ain’t been feeling +quite myself for a spell, but I reckon it +will wear off.”</p> +<p>“You’ll wear off if you don’t get out of +this place,” replied the Captain.</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin was far from being a beautiful +woman. From all appearances she had never +been pretty, or even good-looking. Her form +had a few too many sharp angles where it +should have been curved. Her face was long +and thin, and now age and worry had dug +deeply into the homely features, obliterating +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span> +the last trace of middle life. She always +dressed in black, and to-day the Captain saw +that her clothes were worn and faded. He +moved uneasily as his quick eye took in the +meaning of these signs.</p> +<p>“I cal’late they’re working you too hard +here, Clemmie,” he said tenderly. “You’d +best get away for a spell.”</p> +<p>“I’d like to have a rest, but I can’t leave. +There’s no one to take my place.”</p> +<p>“Pshaw! There’s plenty who’d be glad for +the place.”</p> +<p>“Anyhow, I ain’t got no place to go.”</p> +<p>“That’s what I’ve come to see you about, +Clemmie.”</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin straightened with cold dignity, +and her eyes flashed fires of warning.</p> +<p>“Josiah Pott! Be you proposing to me +<i>again</i>?”</p> +<p>“Now, don’t get mad, Clemmie. I ain’t +proposing to you,” he explained as calmly as +possible. “But as I’ve said afore–––”</p> +<p>“I know what you’ve said, learnt it like a +book. And you know what I’ve said, too. +My no means <span class='smcaplc'>NO</span>.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125' name='page_125'></a>125</span></div> +<p>“I cal’late you ain’t left no room for me to +doubt that. You’ve made that purty tolerable +plain. I reckon we’re getting too old for +that now, anyway. Leastwise, I be,” he finished +hurriedly, noting a rising color in her +thin cheeks.</p> +<p>“Huh!” she grunted indignantly. “A +body’d think you was the grandfather of Methuselah +to hear you talk.”</p> +<p>“I am getting on purty well, Clemmie.”</p> +<p>“Josiah Pott! If you come over here to +talk that nonsense you can go right back.”</p> +<p>“I really come on another matter. I want +you to come over and keep house for me and +another man. We’re living on the old place, +and it ain’t what you’d call hum sweet hum for +two males to live alone in a big house like +mine. Thought maybe you wouldn’t mind +keeping the decks swabbed and the galley full +of pervisions if I’d only pay you the same as +you’re getting here. I’d–––”</p> +<p>“That will be enough!”</p> +<p>“Thought maybe ’twould.”</p> +<p>“I’ll not listen to another word from you!” +exclaimed the shocked Miss Pipkin. The expression +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126' name='page_126'></a>126</span> +on her face gave the Captain the feeling +that he had dived into icy water, and had +come up suddenly against a hidden beam.</p> +<p>“Two of you! And you want me to do +your work! Well, of all the nerve!”</p> +<p>“I ain’t told you yet who the other feller +is,” suggested the Captain.</p> +<p>“I don’t care if he’s an angel from heaven. +I’d think you’d be ashamed of yourself to +come here and speak of such a thing.”</p> +<p>“But I ain’t ashamed, Clemmie. A drowning +man is willing to grab the first straw he +sees. Listen to me, Clemmie,” he pleaded, as +she turned to leave the room.</p> +<p>“Me listen to you proposing for me to +come over to Little River and start talk that +would ruin the town? Not if I know what +Clemmie Pipkin’s doing.”</p> +<p>“I tell you I ain’t proposing to you, I’m +just asking you. As far as that town goes, a +few things more for it to talk about can’t do +her no harm.”</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin paused on the threshold to +give a parting shot, but the Captain spoke +first and spiked her guns.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span></div> +<p>“The other feller happens to be the new +parson.”</p> +<p>Her expression changed. Preachers had +long been her specialty at the Poor Farm, and +she knew exactly the care and food they +needed.</p> +<p>“What was that you said, Josiah?”</p> +<p>“The other feller living with me is the minister +at the brick church.”</p> +<p>“The minister living with you!”</p> +<p>“Yes.”</p> +<p>“With you? But you ain’t got religion.”</p> +<p>“I cal’late that’s the safest guess you ever +made, Clemmie, but just now it’s cooking, and +not religion, that’s bothering me.”</p> +<p>“Lan’ sakes! You ain’t trying to cook for +the minister, be you?” she asked incredulously.</p> +<p>“You put it just right, I’m trying to. I +don’t know how long he’ll be able to stand it, +but he won’t go nowhere else.”</p> +<p>“Poor thing!” she exclaimed. “Poor +thing!”</p> +<p>“Them’s my sentiments, too, Clemmie.”</p> +<p>“And no doubt he’s a frail creature, too, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128' name='page_128'></a>128</span> +and ought to have the best of care. So many +of them are that way.”</p> +<p>A violent fit of coughing seized the Captain.</p> +<p>“Lan’ sakes! Now, what’s the matter with +you? Been going out without your rubbers, +I’ll warrant. Men are worse than babies +when left to themselves. I do believe they’d +die if the women-folks didn’t look after them +once in a while.”</p> +<p>“We sartin would,” choked out the Captain. +“Do you suppose you can arrange it to +come over?”</p> +<p>“When do you want me?”</p> +<p>“Right now. To-day. I come special for +you.”</p> +<p>“I’ll go,” decided Miss Pipkin impulsively. +“It’s plain as day that it’s my duty. I am +getting wore out in this place. They’ve been +putting the work of three on me, and I ain’t +got the strength.”</p> +<p>“It ain’t right, Clemmie, for you to be +wearing yourself out in this kind of work. +God intended you for something better. I +ain’t proposing,” he hastily added, lest his bird +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129' name='page_129'></a>129</span> +take the sudden notion to wing her way back +into the bush.</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin gave him a quick look, and +left the room. She very soon returned carrying +a bundle beneath one arm, and clutching +a bulging telescope suit-case in the other +hand. From one end of the bundle protruded +the head of a cat.</p> +<p>“What in tarnation you got in there, +Clemmie?” asked the seaman, pointing +toward the bundle.</p> +<p>“You didn’t think I was going to leave my +Tommy behind to be starved and abused, did +you?”</p> +<p>“Hadn’t thought about that,” meekly admitted +the Captain, as he took the telescope.</p> +<p>“Have you got a trunk to send over?”</p> +<p>“No.”</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin breathed a deep sigh of relief +as they passed out of the gates. She looked +back at the weather-beaten old buildings of +the County Farm into which ten years of her +life had gone. But she felt no pang on leaving.</p> +<p>The Captain kept up a constant stream of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130' name='page_130'></a>130</span> +conversation on the way down to the wharf. +Suddenly, Miss Pipkin stopped, and suspiciously +eyed the seaman.</p> +<p>“Josiah, how are we going back?”</p> +<p>“In my <i>Jennie P.</i>”</p> +<p>“In your what?”</p> +<p>“In my power-boat, the <i>Jennie P.</i>”</p> +<p>“Josiah Pott! You know I ain’t been +aboard a boat for more than twenty year, and +I ain’t going to start out on the thing, whatever-you-call-it!”</p> +<p>It appeared as if the Captain would have +to come another day, in another sort of vehicle, +to carry home his newly-found housekeeper. +He again led trumps.</p> +<p>“The minister come all the way over with +me to get you.”</p> +<p>“He did?”</p> +<p>“Sartin did.”</p> +<p>“Poor thing! He’s been treated so scandalously +that he’s willing to do ’most anything. +Well, it may be the death of me, but +I’ve got this far, and I may as well go on.”</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan was waiting for them at the +end of the wharf. The skipper introduced +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131' name='page_131'></a>131</span> +them with a malicious wink at Miss Pipkin as +he indicated the physical strength of the minister. +Her face flushed as nearly crimson as +it had in years. When they finally got into +the dory she leaned close to the Captain and +set his staid old heart palpitating. Mr. McGowan +was engaged, waving to the girls in +the <i>Jennie P.</i></p> +<p>“You ain’t going to tell him what I said +about his being delicate, and the like, are you, +Josiah?”</p> +<p>He answered with a vigorous shake of the +head as he leaned back to draw the oars +through the water. Each time he swung forward +he looked into the eyes of Miss Pipkin. +Did he imagine it, or did he see there something +more than interest in her own question?</p> +<p>Aboard the <i>Jennie P.</i> the young ladies took +charge of Miss Pipkin, and soon they were +chatting companionably. The girls had removed +the door to the cabin, and laying it +from seat to seat, had improvised a table. +Over it they had spread cloths, and on the +cloths were plates piled high with good things. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span> +The odor of coffee greeted the Captain’s nostrils, +as he came forward after securing the +dory.</p> +<p>“Well, I’d like to know! Where in tarnation +did you get the stove to b’ile the coffee +on?” he asked, sniffing the air.</p> +<p>“We brought it with us,” replied Elizabeth.</p> +<p>“You fetched a stove in them baskets?”</p> +<p>“Certainly. Come and see it.”</p> +<p>She drew her old friend toward the cockpit. +There stood the steaming coffee-pot +over an alcohol flame.</p> +<p>“Well, I swan!”</p> +<p>Paper plates were scattered about over the +improvised table, chicken piled high on some, +sandwiches on others, doughnuts, cream-puffs, +and apple tarts on still others. Indeed, +not a thing had been left out, so far as the +Captain could see.</p> +<p>“If this ain’t the likeliest meal I ever see, +then, I’d like to know. I feel right now as if +I could eat the whole enduring lot, I’m that +hungry,” declared the skipper.</p> +<p>Elizabeth served, moving about as gracefully +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133' name='page_133'></a>133</span> +as a fawn. Mr. McGowan watched her +with no attempt to hide his admiration. The +one question in his mind all day had been: +what did she think of him for his part in the +affair at the Inn? He decided that he would +take advantage of the first opportunity to +prove to her that no other course had been +left open for him.</p> +<p>Dinner over, the Captain filled his pipe, +and stood in the door of the cabin. He +smoked quietly, and watched the ladies put +the things away. Miss Pipkin was folding +the cloths, and on her the seaman’s gaze came +to a rest. Would the old home seem different +with her in it?</p> +<p>“Hadn’t we better start?”</p> +<p>The Captain jumped. “I cal’late I’m +getting nervous, jumping like that.”</p> +<p>“Or in love?”</p> +<p>“Maybe you’re right, Mack.”</p> +<p>“Honest confession?”</p> +<p>“I ain’t confessing nothing. I was referring +to your idea that we’d best be under +way,” explained the Captain, with a wry +smile.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134' name='page_134'></a>134</span></div> +<p>As he spoke he leaned over the engine, and +gave it a turn. Tommy, Miss Pipkin’s black +cat, was mincing contentedly at some scraps +when the chug-chug of the exhaust shot from +the side of the boat. Tommy shot from the +cockpit. He paused on the upper step, a +startled glare in his eyes. He forgot the +tempting morsels; he forgot his rheumatism; +he was bent on flight. And fly he did. With +a wild yodeling yell he sprang forward. Like +a black cyclone he circled the deck. On his +fourth time round he caught sight of the minister’s +legs. He and Elizabeth were standing +at the wheel, ready to steer the boat out of the +harbor. To the cat’s excited glance the man’s +legs suggested the beginnings of tree trunks, +at the top of which there was safety and repose +from the spitting demon at the side of +the boat. Like a flying bat he made the leap. +But he had misjudged both the distance and +his own rheumatic muscles. He landed on the +girl, and came to a rest half-way to her shoulder. +His claws sank into the thick folds of +her sweater. Elizabeth released her hold on +the wheel, and with a cry fell back against the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135' name='page_135'></a>135</span> +minister. A pair of strong arms lost neither +time nor opportunity. With a little persuasion +Tommy saw his mistake, and dropped to +the deck. He took up his interrupted flight, +finally coming to an uncertain rest somewhere +aloft.</p> +<p>Elizabeth looked up, smiled, blushed like a +peony, took hold the wheel, and gently released +herself.</p> +<p>“Oh, thank you! Wasn’t it stupid of me +to let that old cat frighten me so?”</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan declared that he was delighted +to have been of service, and his emotions +began to be very evident to him.</p> +<p>It took considerable coaxing on the part of +the Captain, and more clawing on the part of +Tommy, before he could be convinced that the +cabin was as safe as the mast. At last he gave +in and came down, and as the boat left the +harbor he was purring contentedly, folded +safely in the arms of Miss Pipkin.</p> +<p>Before they reached Little River harbor, +Miss Pipkin had many times declared she was +going to die. The Captain as many times +remonstrated with her, but she only showed a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136' name='page_136'></a>136</span> +greater determination to die. When the boat +was anchored, she refused to move or be +moved. The minister lifted her bodily, and +carried her to the dory. As he was handing +her over the side into the Captain’s arms, she +objected to the transference by a sudden +lurch, which sent the minister to his knees. +His foot caught on the gunwale, and his +ankle was severely wrenched. On releasing +his shoe string that night he discovered a serious +sprain.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137' name='page_137'></a>137</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VII' id='CHAPTER_VII'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> +</div> +<p>“Lan’ sakes!” exclaimed Miss Pipkin, +who, fully recovered, was busily engaged in +the kitchen on the following morning when +the minister entered. “Now, what is the matter +with you, Mr. McGowan?”</p> +<p>He was leaning on the back of a chair which +he was sliding along the floor in front of him.</p> +<p>“I twisted my ankle last evening as I was +leaving the boat.”</p> +<p>“You did! And you never said one word! +How did you do it?”</p> +<p>“I slipped just as I handed you over the +side.”</p> +<p>“It was my foolishness that made you do +it. Josiah!” she called, as the Captain came +down by the rear stair. “Get me a basin of +water and the cayenne pepper, quick!”</p> +<p>The Captain obeyed with alacrity. Miss +Pipkin soon had the ankle in the water, and +the water was a fiery red in color.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138' name='page_138'></a>138</span></div> +<p>“It’ll take the swelling out,” she affirmed.</p> +<p>“Ain’t you got it a mite too hot with pepper, +Clemmie?”</p> +<p>“No, I ain’t. That’s all you men know +about such things.”</p> +<p>“Well, I didn’t know.”</p> +<p>The swelling began to disappear according +to the prophecy of the housekeeper, but the +skin took on the color of the reddened water +in the basin. An hour later Mr. McGowan +was undecided which was the more undesirable, +the pain from the sprain, or the blisters +from the treatment.</p> +<p>“Cal’late I’ll run down to the <i>Jennie P.</i>,” +announced the Captain after breakfast. +“You can’t navigate that far, can you, +Mack?”</p> +<p>“Josiah Pott! What on earth do you +mean? Of course he can’t, and you know it. +I don’t see what you want to go traipsing +down to that thing for, anyhow; it ain’t going +to get loose, though it’d be a good loss if it +did.”</p> +<p>“It ain’t likely she’ll get away, that’s sartin +sure, but I thought I’d do a little work on +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span> +her. I ain’t had much time afore now, with +all my cooking and keeping house. The minister +said my engine wa’n’t clean.”</p> +<p>“Well, if you ain’t been cooking better +than you’ve been keeping house, the wonder +is you ain’t both dead,” she said, peering about +the room.</p> +<p>Fearing further comment, the Captain +hastily left the house. On reaching the wharf, +he was surprised to see Elizabeth walking +from the far end to meet him.</p> +<p>“Morning, Beth. Out purty early for +your constitutional, ain’t you?”</p> +<p>“Good morning, Uncle Josiah. I’ve been +waiting for you an awful long time. Are you +going out to the <i>Jennie P.</i>?”</p> +<p>“That’s my calculation. Want to go +along?”</p> +<p>“If I may.”</p> +<p>“Of course you can. Did you leave something +aboard last night?”</p> +<p>“No. I just came down here on purpose +to see you. I felt certain you would be going +out.”</p> +<p>“You come down just to see me? What do +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span> +you want to see an old feller like me for? +Now, if it was–––”</p> +<p>“You, old! Who’s been telling you that?”</p> +<p>“Nobody, ’cepting this infernal rheumatism. +But I ain’t quite as badly crippled up +this morning as the preacher is, at that.”</p> +<p>“Do you mean to say that the minister has +the rheumatism?”</p> +<p>“No, he ain’t got nothing as tame or ordinary +as that. He started with a sprained +j’int from the cruise, but he’s going to have +something far worse, if I don’t miss my guess. +Clemmie’s been soaking his ankle in red pepper.” +He chuckled quietly as he helped +Elizabeth into the dory.</p> +<p>“Soaking his foot in red pepper?”</p> +<p>“Yes. Hot as fire, too, it was. I asked if +she didn’t have the water a mite too red, but +she said it wa’n’t, and I cal’late she’d otter +know.”</p> +<p>“Isn’t she the quaintest little woman? I +remember her when I was a child, but she +didn’t like me one bit because I spilled some +hot water on her once. Is she going to stay +with you?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span></div> +<p>“She’s going to keep house,” replied the +Captain, drawing the dory alongside his +power-boat. “Well, here we be, Beth.”</p> +<p>Elizabeth sprang lightly over the side. She +led the way to the roof of the cabin, where +she sat down. When the Captain had taken +his place at her side, she looked up eagerly +into his eyes.</p> +<p>“I do so hope you will understand me, +Uncle Josiah!”</p> +<p>“I’ve always tried to, Beth.”</p> +<p>“I know you have! Tell me, did my––did +any one you know have anything to do with +making up that boxing match the other +night?”</p> +<p>“There was a good many that had to do +with it, unless I’m ’way off in my reckoning.”</p> +<p>“Has Mr. McGowan said anything about +Father in connection with the affair?”</p> +<p>“He ain’t said nothing to me,” responded +the Captain.</p> +<p>“Uncle Josiah!” exclaimed the girl, her +eyes growing wide in her earnestness. “I +know Father has not treated Mr. McGowan +one bit nicely since what happened at our +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span> +house, and I don’t know why. There must be +some reason, though, for Father would not +harm any one without just reasons. He is +the best man in the whole world! But he has +had his way so long with all the other ministers +that he cannot become accustomed to the +way Mr. McGowan ignores him. Father +does a lot of good, and Mr. McGowan dare +not think ill of him!”</p> +<p>“There, there, Beth,” soothed the Captain. +“You’re trying to tell me something, but +you’re getting off the course. Just you tell +me calm-like what it’s all about. The fust +thing to do is to get our bearings. Has some +one been telling you that Mr. McGowan +thinks and talks about your dad in the way +you say?”</p> +<p>“No-o. But I’ve heard others say that Father +knew all about the plans for that fight +before it happened, and that he could have +stopped it had he wished to. It isn’t true! +And if Mr. McGowan even thinks it’s true he +isn’t fair. He will misjudge Father if he has +the least idea that he would stoop to such a +frame-up.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span></div> +<p>“I cal’late he ain’t misjudging your father +none, Beth. So far as disobeying orders goes, +it’s because he knows what’s best. He ain’t +likely to go contrary, unless–––”</p> +<p>“But I know he does misjudge Father,” +broke in the girl in an attempt to return to +her former subject. “And Father feels it +keenly. If he doesn’t misjudge him, why +doesn’t he come to our house any more to ask +advice about parish matters? He just goes +ahead to suit himself. Do you think that +fair?”</p> +<p>Captain Pott wanted to say no, in order to +agree with his young friend, but her big blue +eyes were too intent with eagerness to permit +of anything but the truth, or to hedge. He +chose the easiest way and hedged.</p> +<p>“I ain’t in no position to answer that, +Beth.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I can’t understand it at all! Why +can’t they be friends as they were at first? +What has happened?”</p> +<p>“I can’t answer that, neither.”</p> +<p>“It’s just because Father has refused to +bow to him in some little matter, I suppose. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144' name='page_144'></a>144</span> +Isn’t there some way to get them together or +at least to get them to compromise?”</p> +<p>“I’m ’feared it ain’t in neither of ’em to do +either one.”</p> +<p>“I suppose not,” she replied, a little catch +in her voice. “But it is too bad to have the +work go to pieces like it is just because they +are both so stubborn.”</p> +<p>“It sartin is, Beth.” The seaman fidgeted. +What could the girl be driving at?</p> +<p>“But I’m in sympathy with my father!” +she cried.</p> +<p>“That’s right for you, Beth. I’d think less +of you if you felt any other way.”</p> +<p>“If only Mr. McGowan would go to +him!”</p> +<p>“Let’s see if I get the hull drift of your +argument. You say that you think your father +is right, and the minister is wrong. That +being your conviction you think the minister +otter go to him and do a little apologizing. +Well, he won’t. What he’s done is just as +right to him as what your father thinks he’d +otter done is right to your dad. To try to get +’em together would be like trying to mix ’ile +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145' name='page_145'></a>145</span> +and water, both of ’em good enough in their +place, but when you try to mix ’em what you +get ain’t one nor t’other, and sp’iles both. +Cal’late we’d best leave ’em as they are.”</p> +<p>“I didn’t mean that Mr. McGowan should +go to Father and apologize. That would be +too much like all of the others before him. +But I did think you might suggest some other +way to bring them together before things get +worse.”</p> +<p>“Beth, I’d like to accommodate you, if +that’s what you’re asking of me, but if Mack +McGowan had chosen any other way than the +one he took, I’d cut him adrift, sartin as +death.”</p> +<p>The seaman felt the girl at his side stiffen +and tremble against his arm as she turned +from him. Despair seized him.</p> +<p>“Forgive me, Beth, for making you cry +like that. I ain’t nothing but a rough old +sailor, and can’t say things as they’d otter be +said. Come, it ain’t wuth crying over. What +I meant was that I’d have disowned him, because +I’d have known he was going contrary-wise +to what he thought was right.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146' name='page_146'></a>146</span></div> +<p>She trembled more violently than before. +Too miserable for words, he seized her and +turned her about. He was amazed to find no +tears in her eyes.</p> +<p>“I wasn’t crying,” she choked, drawing the +corner of her handkerchief from her mouth. +“It struck me so funny, Uncle Josiah!”</p> +<p>“Your notion of fun is the funniest I ever +see,” he commented. “Mind telling me what +it was that tickled you so?”</p> +<p>“You! Captain Josiah Pott! Threatening +to disown the minister should he fail to +toe your chalk-line! Where, may I ask, can +one find a more high-handed tyranny of +spurned authority than that? It’s too funny +for words!”</p> +<p>“I cal’late you’d do some disowning, too, if +he’d go traipsing round asking everybody’s +pardon just because he steps on a few toes +now and again.”</p> +<p>“I disown him?” she asked, not able to +check the rush of color to her cheeks. “Pray +tell! Why–––”</p> +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_3' id='linki_3'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus-146.jpg' alt='' title='' width='319' height='477' /><br /> +<p class='caption'> +“<span class='smcap'>Now, see here, Beth, there ain’t no use of your pretending to me.</span>”––<i>Page 146.</i><br /> +</p> +</div> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147' name='page_147'></a>147</span></div> +<p>“Now, see here, Beth, there ain’t no use of +your pretending to me. I’ve got a pair of +eyes, and I make use of ’em. You wouldn’t +want him a mite different, and if he was, you’d +be as disapp’inted as me. I know what I’m +talking about,” he declared, holding up his +pipe with a convincing gesture. “All that +he’s done is as religious to him as preaching a +sermon, even that fight down to the Inn. It +was a heap sight more religious than a lot of +sermons I’ve listened to in my day.”</p> +<p>“But, Uncle Josiah, don’t you think his +methods are a little too strenuous and out of +the ordinary in dealing with spiritual derelicts?” +she asked, trying hard to hide the pride +which the Captain’s observation had wakened.</p> +<p>“I ain’t got much of an idea what you +mean by spiritual derricks, Beth, but I’m going +to say this: he’s the fust real live preacher +I ever see, and if he’s got ways of bringing +’em in that’s a mite off the set course, he’s going +to do it, and there ain’t enough men living +to stop him. He has found some of that queer +sort of religion what he called anonymous +down there to that Inn, and if he’d have taken +water the other night he’d have lost every one +of them boys. He fought that puncher because +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148' name='page_148'></a>148</span> +he was after the gang behind him. If +things had gone against him, I’d have pitched +in and helped him trounce the hull enduring +lot, and I’d have felt mighty religious while I +was doing it, too.”</p> +<p>“But I think he might prove just as much +a success and still not be so original. It +doesn’t pay when one’s position and salary depend +on how one acts.”</p> +<p>“Mack’s position and salary can hang from +the same gallows, so far as he’s concerned, if +they go to putting muzzles on him.”</p> +<p>“I’m so glad you said that!” exclaimed the +girl, giving his arm a gentle squeeze.</p> +<p>The seaman stared at her. What on earth +could she mean? “Beth, you’ve sartin got +me gasping to understand you this morning.”</p> +<p>“I’m trying so hard to explain without +actually telling you. He must leave the +church!”</p> +<p>“Must leave–––Say, what in tarnation +do you mean?”</p> +<p>“Please, don’t hint that I told you, but it +has been decided by the vestry.”</p> +<p>“I want to know!”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149' name='page_149'></a>149</span></div> +<p>“It isn’t to be on account of the fight, +though. Oh, I was real bad and listened,” +she explained to the surprised seaman. “I +didn’t mean to at first, but I couldn’t help +hearing. Then, I had to listen to the rest. I +shall tell Father what I have done just as soon +as I can, for I know it was wicked of me. I +felt I must come to you. They are going to +find something in his sermons that isn’t orthodox, +and then, there is to be a church trial! +That was what I didn’t want to tell you for +fear you wouldn’t understand, but you didn’t +suggest anything for me to do, and I had to +tell you. Can’t you get Mr. McGowan to be +careful what he puts in his sermons?”</p> +<p>“Am I to tell him whose orders they be?”</p> +<p>“Indeed, not!”</p> +<p>“A heap of good it will do, then, for me to +say anything. He’d take it as a banter for a +fight. Cal’late we’ll have to trust to luck that +he’ll stick to the old chart.”</p> +<p>Elizabeth slid from the roof of the cabin +to the deck. She walked to the railing and +looked over into the water. The Captain, +thinking she was ready to go ashore, followed. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150' name='page_150'></a>150</span> +She swung about, and stamped her foot, +angrily.</p> +<p>“Why don’t you men know how to act! +Why doesn’t he know how to behave himself!”</p> +<p>She turned back and looked out across the +Sound. The mainland showed dim through +the haze of the Indian Summer morning.</p> +<p>“Beth, I hate to see you worrying like +this,” said the Captain, a tremor in his voice. +“I wish I could help you, I sartin wish I +could.”</p> +<p>She came to him, and laying her hand +lightly on his sleeve, looked eagerly into his +eyes.</p> +<p>“You dear old Uncle! Please, forgive me +for telling you all I have. I am worried, +dreadfully worried, about Father. He is so +different of late. He takes everything so +seriously where Mr. McGowan is concerned. +He is not at all like himself. I’m afraid something +dreadful will happen to him if things do +not right themselves very soon.”</p> +<p>“Now, don’t you worry, Beth. Just you +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151' name='page_151'></a>151</span> +be patient. I cal’late there is something +wrong, but there ain’t no channel so long that +it ain’t got an outlet of some sort, and the +rougher ’tis, the shorter it’s li’ble to be. +We’re going to get out, you bank on that, and +when we do, your daddy is going to be +aboard.”</p> +<p>“Thank you, Uncle Josiah. I’m ready +now to go ashore.”</p> +<p>The look of relief on her beautiful face, as +the tears of gratitude filled her eyes, caused +the Captain to swallow very hard, and to draw +the back of his hand across his eyes, remarking +that the smoke was getting into them. He +was unmindful that his pipe had gone out +long ago.</p> +<p>On his way home the skipper became uncomfortably +aware of the seriousness of his +promise to the Elder’s daughter. He had +pledged himself and his support indirectly to +Jim Fox! What that might mean he could +not foresee. He remembered what Elizabeth +had told him concerning her father’s condition, +and this set a new train of thought going +through his brain. He recalled that there +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span> +had always been times since Jim Fox had first +come to Little River when he had seemed dejected +and melancholy. Could it be possible +that there had been some physical disease +working all these years in the Elder’s body, +and might that not be an explanation for the +mental state into which he seemed to be heading? +Might that not be the reason for his +strange actions against the minister and himself?</p> +<p>Captain Pott entered the dining-room just +as Miss Pipkin emerged from the minister’s +study. She was carrying a large crock. The +seaman looked intently at the bowl.</p> +<p>“There was a mite too much pepper in that +basin, Josiah. I was that excited about his +ankle that I didn’t notice how much I was +putting in. It’ll soon be better, now, for I +was bathing it in this cream that Mrs. Beaver +give me.”</p> +<p>“Bathing his foot in––what?”</p> +<p>“Cream. It takes the soreness out.”</p> +<p>“Clemmie, you’re a wonder! But if that +cream come from Eadie’s I cal’late it won’t +be none too healing.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span></div> +<p>“I’ve been talking to the minister about +the services,” she said, placing the crock on +the table. “The Ladies’ Aid meets this afternoon. +I’m going.”</p> +<p>“You’d best get a life-preserver on.”</p> +<p>“Josiah, you shouldn’t talk like that. +They do a lot of good. I ain’t been to one for +years. It’s so Christian and nice to do things +for others. That’s what Aid means, aiding +some one else.”</p> +<p>“If I ain’t ’way off, most of the aiding business +runs to the tongues of them present. +Most women lean to tongue, excepting you, +Clemmie.”</p> +<p>“Josiah, you ain’t fit for the minister to +live with! You shouldn’t talk like that about +the business of the Lord.”</p> +<p>“Cal’late I am sort of a heathen. But I’ll +wager that you’ll find them there aiders interested +in some things aside the business of the +Lord.”</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin left him and hurried into the +kitchen for broom and duster.</p> +<p>It was late in the afternoon when she had +finished her house-cleaning, and sailed forth +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154' name='page_154'></a>154</span> +in the direction of the church. The Captain +was sitting on the front steps of the chapel, +and rose to meet her as she turned in at the +gate.</p> +<p>“I hope the meeting ain’t over,” she said, +breathless.</p> +<p>“Just got her off the ways, I’d say,” he +commented, jerking his head toward an open +window through which came the sound of +many voices. “You’d best tell ’em where +you’re staying, Clemmie, or you’re li’ble to +hear some things not intended for your ears.”</p> +<p>She bridled past him and swept into the +church. There was a brief pause in the buzz, +but the hubbub that followed was doubled in +intensity.</p> +<p>That evening while Miss Pipkin was placing +the food on the table she appeared worried. +She inquired solicitously concerning the +minister’s ankle, but there was a distant polite +tone in her voice. After supper she asked the +Captain to dry the dishes for her, and went to +the kitchen. The seaman took his place at the +sink only to have the cloth snatched from his +hand.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155' name='page_155'></a>155</span></div> +<p>“Josiah,”––she whispered,––“close that +door to the dining-room, I’ve got something +to ask you.”</p> +<p>“Ain’t you going to let me dry them dishes +for you?”</p> +<p>“Of course not.”</p> +<p>The door was closed, and the Captain came +back to the sink.</p> +<p>“What’s wrong with Mr. McGowan?”</p> +<p>“Too much red pepper, I cal’late.”</p> +<p>“Don’t be silly. You know what I mean. +There is something awfully wrong. I can’t +help noticing it.”</p> +<p>“What makes you think that, Clemmie?”</p> +<p>“What I heard this afternoon.... And, +you know, the most of ’em knew me, but +none excepting Mrs. Beaver knew where I +was staying, and she didn’t tell. She come +over and set down by me, different from what +she used to be, quiet and real refined.”</p> +<p>“Eadie Beaver quiet, you say? Well, I +cal’late the million is coming, sartin sure.”</p> +<p>“Millennium or no millennium, that’s the +truth. I was kind of ’feared at first that she +wasn’t real well.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156' name='page_156'></a>156</span></div> +<p>“She’d be a real cur’osity in this here new +state of hers,” mused the Captain.</p> +<p>“Well, I begun to hear things about him,”––she +pointed toward the closed door,––“and +Mrs. Beaver was that indignant that she +didn’t know what to do. From all I heard, it +seems the minister has been doing things he +has no right to do, fighting and the like. +Then, too,”––came in an awed tone,––“he +ain’t orthodox. He’s preaching all sorts of +new-fangled ideas that he shouldn’t mention +in the pulpit, and though you don’t know it, +Josiah, that is hairsay! That is worse than +killing a man, because it sends their souls to +hell.”</p> +<p>“If I was you, Clemmie, I’d wait and +judge his preaching for myself. You ain’t +heard him yet.”</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin agreed to the fairness of the +Captain’s proposition, but she was still troubled.</p> +<p>“Josiah, there’s going to be some sort of +meeting next Sunday night after the regular +service, and there is going to be something +done to get Mr. McGowan out of his church. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157' name='page_157'></a>157</span> +Of course, if he ain’t orthodox, I’d hate to see +the meeting interfered with, but–––”</p> +<p>“Clemmie, I ain’t up on this hairsay and +orthodox stuff, and I ain’t sartin I want to be. +It all sounds like mighty dry picking to me. +But I’ve been thinking, and I’ve decided that +whatever them things are they ain’t real religion. +And I’ve decided that the Lord ain’t +been sitting in on them church meetings for +quite a spell. I cal’late I’ll be on hand next +Sunday night with a special invitation for +Him to cut the pack for this new deal.”</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin looked as though she expected +him to be struck dead. But he was not. This +fact decided her in favor of being present to +witness the thing which the Captain intended +to do.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158' name='page_158'></a>158</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VIII' id='CHAPTER_VIII'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> +</div> +<p>On Sunday evening the chapel was packed. +It was evident that many were there, not for +the service, but for what promised to be a sensational +after-meeting. Members of the Athletic +Club were scattered through the room, +and the same dogged determination was on +their faces as on the night of the boxing +affair.</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan hobbled up the pulpit stair. +He announced his text: “Launch out into the +deep and let down your nets.” Captain Pott +felt Elizabeth, who was sitting beside him, +stiffen. Miss Pipkin leaned forward in her +eagerness to catch every word, and as the minister +proceeded her expression changed from +perplexity and doubt to one of deep respect. +There were others who followed the thought +of the sermon with keen interest. Elder Fox +was present, for the first time in weeks. Occasionally, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159' name='page_159'></a>159</span> +he would write something on a pad, +and then lean back to pull at his silky chops.</p> +<p>Throughout the sermon Mr. McGowan +spoke with tense earnestness.</p> +<p>“The time has come when the church must +cut the <a name='TC_6'></a><ins class="tnchg" title=""spelling standardized"">shore lines</ins> that have been binding us +to the past. If a man persists in dragging +the shore line he may get a few good fish, but +that does not set aside the fact that he is either +a poor fisherman or a coward. He must +know the habits of the fish, and go where they +are.... The same thing may be said of +the church. We may produce a few fair +Christians by dragging shore lines of church +doctrine, but our success will be due more to +luck than to a knowledge of the working of +God’s laws.... We have been long-shore +Christians for a good many centuries; +the day has come for us to break away from +the surf of man-made ideas, and launch out +till we can feel the swell of a boundless love, a +love not confined to the letter of denominational +law or creed. We must get into us the +spirit of Christianity. We must recognize +the fact that the spirit is not a thing that we +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160' name='page_160'></a>160</span> +can confine to sand-lined beaches of narrow +conceptions of faith and salvation that now +exist in our churches....</p> +<p>“Here in Little River we have been an excellent +example of what I mean. We have +been admiring ourselves,––and not without +just cause,––while the world we ought to be +serving is forced to take its stand on the outside, +ofttimes with ideals greater than our +own.... We have substituted doctrine +for Christianity, the letter of the law for the +spirit of freedom. We have slavishly worshipped +our beliefs about God, instead of worshipping +God.... And what is the result? +We have shut our doors to many who +hold a greater faith than our own; or we +have forced them out with no faith because +of our own selfish religious intoxication. +Of this very thing, this church has been +guilty....</p> +<p>“We must admit blame for many conditions +that exist in our town. Let us purge +ourselves before we seek to cleanse others. +Let us first launch out before we call to others +to follow. Let us learn the laws by which +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161' name='page_161'></a>161</span> +God works, and then shall we have no trouble +to fill our nets.”</p> +<p>After Mr. McGowan had finished, he stood +looking out over his congregation. The Captain +whispered to Elizabeth, “Ain’t he the +finest-looking specimen of human natur’ you +ever see, six foot of him standing up there +reading the riot act to ’em! And I got all he +said, too. I cal’late there’s some here to-night +that feel like they’d been overhauled and set +adrift.”</p> +<p>Without announcing the usual closing +hymn, Mr. McGowan very quietly pronounced +the benediction, and left the church +by the rear door.</p> +<p>The only move that followed his leaving +was made by the members of the Athletic +Club. They filed out one by one, but reconvened +beneath the window where the Captain +sat inside. Captain Pott was plainly nervous +when Mr. Fox rose and went forward. He +opened the window slightly as though in need +of fresh air.</p> +<p>The Elder clapped loudly for order, and +the boys beneath the Captain’s window joined +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162' name='page_162'></a>162</span> +in so heartily that the Elder was forced to +shout for order.</p> +<p>“This meeting has been called for the members +of this church, <i>only</i>!” he shouted. “Will +those who are not members in regular standing +adjourn to the rooms below to complete +their visiting?”</p> +<p>Few heard, none obeyed. Instead, all began +to take seats as near the front as possible. +Mr. Fox grew red in the face, and dark of +countenance. But he preserved his dignity.</p> +<p>“Must I repeat that this meeting has been +called for the members of the church. Will +the others kindly leave us to ourselves?”</p> +<p>It became evident that there was no intention +on the part of any to leave the room, and +so the Elder called the mixed crowd to order.</p> +<p>The first half-hour proved so tame that +some who had remained to see trouble, got up +and went home. At last Mr. Beaver rose, +and the audience caught its breath. He +poised himself on one foot, and began to +pump, blink, whistle, and finally to stutter.</p> +<p>“M-M-Mr. Ch-ch-ch-chairman!” he called +in a high excited voice.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163' name='page_163'></a>163</span></div> +<p>Elder Fox declared that Mr. Beaver had +the floor, and Mr. Beaver proceeded to take it, +at least a good part of the section round which +he was hopping. People moved back and +gave him room, for he needed plenty of space +in which to make himself understood.</p> +<p>“The p-p-parish c-committee h-h-has d-decided +that M-Mr. McGowan is not the m-m-man +for our ch-ch-church. Elder F-F-Fox +has the report of the c-c-committee. I +m-m-move we h-h-h-hear him now!”</p> +<p>Mr. Fox mounted the platform and came +forward to the edge. He looked into the +faces of those before him with deep sadness in +his own.</p> +<p>“Friends, this is one of the saddest moments +of my life,” he began, his voice shaking +with feeling. “Some––er––have come to love +our young brother who has been called to our +church. And he has many very estimable +qualities. For that reason I feel very keenly +what I am about to say. The committee feels +that Mr. McGowan holds ideas that are too +far advanced for our humble little church. +We must not overlook the fact that we hold +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span> +sacred some of the things to which he flippantly +referred to-night, and it is our duty to +protect––er––the sacred doctrines which have +been handed down to us from the more sacred +memory of our fathers and martyrs of the +past.</p> +<p>“Our minister does not believe in the divine +inspiration of the Bible. The question was +put to him by one of the members of this committee, +and he replied––er––that even if every +jot and tittle were personally dictated by God––which +he doubted––the Bible would remain +a sealed book unless it inspired those who read +it. It is evident from this answer that he does +not believe in––er––our sacred doctrine of the +verbal inspiration of Scripture.</p> +<p>“You have heard him to-night, asking us––er––in +the common slang of the dock to rid +ourselves of all these doctrines on which the +church has been founded. What he said +proves that he does not believe in the fundamentals +of Christian faith.</p> +<p>“I need not go back of this sermon so fresh +in our minds to prove to your intelligence that +Mr. McGowan is not orthodox. I could call +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165' name='page_165'></a>165</span> +to your attention many unfortunate statements, +but I feel that it is not necessary. +Your committee has gone over every detail––er––prayerfully +and thoughtfully. Truly, it +gives me a pain–––”</p> +<p>“Get a bottle of Watkins’ Relief!” piped +a shrill voice through the partially opened +window.</p> +<p>Taken by surprise, and with his mouth +open, the Elder lost every expression of dignity +as he gazed in the direction whence the +advice had come. Before he could again +gather up the threads of his closing remarks +several men were demanding the floor. The +Elder scanned the faces of all, in order to +place friend and foe. He then fixed his +glance on some one at the rear of the room. +In answer to the Elder’s nod a heavy basso +pealed forth.</p> +<p>Every head turned about, and as the buzz +of comment broke from the astonished crowd +the Elder rapped for order. The Reverend +Mr. Means of New York City moved ponderously +forward.</p> +<p>The faces of the sympathetic ones in the audience +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166' name='page_166'></a>166</span> +became exceedingly serious as each +looked into the face of the city clergyman. +Certainly, this meeting must be of tremendous +importance to lead so great a man to leave his +metropolitan pulpit to attend a gathering in +so small a church.</p> +<p>“We must have better order!” cried Mr. +Fox, smiling a welcome to the visiting minister. +“We have the unexpected pleasure of a +visit from––er––our much-loved friend and +brother. Shall we dispense with the business +of the hour and hear what the Reverend Mr. +Means may have on his heart?”</p> +<p>Mr. Means took his position near the moderator. +With a long sympathetic look he +searched the invisible among the shadows of +the ceiling. He was calm, too calm, thought +the Captain. He drew his frock coat about +him, and plunged the fingers of his right hand +in between the two buttons over his heart. +That attitude, as of one weary with the struggles +of men and yet tolerant because of long-suffering +kindness, had an immediate effect on +part of the audience. From somewhere near +the center of the room applause started, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167' name='page_167'></a>167</span> +soon swelled to a moderate ovation. He acknowledged +the respect shown him by bringing +his eyes down to the level of his audience.</p> +<p>“Brethren,”––his voice trembled as he began +to speak,––“I have no special message +for you to-night; my heart is too sore from +the things I have just seen and heard. I have +been in the rear of this room during your entire +service. I have listened to the unfortunate +sermon which your bright young minister +was so unwise as to preach. I do not marvel +that you are like a flock of sheep having no +shepherd; that sermon was enough to confuse +even me, and I have been in the ministry a +great many years. I feel I must say something, +but I earnestly pray that it may not influence +you in this matter which is yours to +decide. I do not intend to even suggest what +action you ought to take on the report of your +parish committee. You must remember that +what you do to-night may affect the future of +our young brother, and you must not wreck +that future. Mr. McGowan and I do not +agree on matters of theology, but that fact +does not prevent me from admiring some of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span> +his fine qualities to which your senior Elder +referred to-night. Time may cool the ardor +of his youth into sane and safe ideas.</p> +<p>“But,”––he lifted his hands toward +heaven and his voice toward the people,––“what +your parish committee chairman has +told you in his report is true, only too true. +We cannot afford to permit our churches to +suffer from such teachings as those given you +to-night, and I dare say, which have been +given you many times past. Brethren, as +great as is our love for this young minister, it +is as nothing in comparison with the devotion +that should be ours where the doctrines of our +church are concerned. I opposed the ordination +of Mr. McGowan in the New York Presbytery +a year ago on the ground that he was +not sound in doctrine, but when my brethren +passed him over my protest I acquiesced as a +Christian must always do when the voice of +the majority speaks. But I must say that I +greatly deplored the action taken at that time. +Not that I hold any personal feelings against +the young man, but because I am opposed to +unorthodox men being called to our pulpits.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169' name='page_169'></a>169</span></div> +<p>“Now, brethren, I should gladly waive all +this,” he continued, dropping his voice to a +soothing whisper, “but theological differences +are not all that stand between the young man +and a faithful church. You’ve heard him +suggest that the church which should be the +house of God, and which Scripture calls the +house of prayer, be turned into a playhouse +for the community. I cannot imagine any +man with a passion to save souls holding to an +idea that he can accomplish this by desecrating +the place of Divine Worship by turning +it into a gymnasium. The only explanation +possible is that Mr. McGowan has not been +reared under the influences of our best families. +Not that this is anything against his +character, but fact is fact.”</p> +<p>The room became quiet with interest in anticipation +of what might follow. It was true +that their minister had come to them as an unknown +man, and they were certainly entitled to +any disclosure of his past that the city man +might wish to give. But there was nothing +more said on the subject, and a murmur of disapproval +ran over the audience.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170' name='page_170'></a>170</span></div> +<p>“I have finished, except to say that I honor +your Elder for the firm stand he has taken. +Mr. Fox, you are to be congratulated on +your courage, and although I repeat that I +would not think of influencing the action of +this assembly, I hope that every man +and woman present may see fit to support +you.”</p> +<p>Captain Pott had grown more and more +restless as time went on, and now as the city +minister began to move from the platform the +Captain began to move toward the open window.</p> +<p>“I am ready to entertain any motion which +you care to make,” announced the chairman.</p> +<p>Mr. Beaver rose. With the first hiss from +his lips, the Captain dropped his hand over the +sill and tapped the outside of the casing. +Shouts went up from the boys who stood beneath +the window. These were answered by +cries of fire from various parts of town. The +clang of the gong at the fire-house broke +through the stillness of the crowded room. +Distant alarms were rung with steady +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171' name='page_171'></a>171</span> +regularity. The meeting adjourned in a +body.</p> +<p>The seaman had kept his promise, and +“Providence had cut the pack for the new +deal.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172' name='page_172'></a>172</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_IX' id='CHAPTER_IX'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> +</div> +<p>In an incredibly short time the church was +emptied. Each one in the crowd was shouting +wild conjectures as to whose place was on +fire as they ran in the direction of the blaze. +It was a strange sight that met the gaze of the +excited people as they came in full view of +Dan Trelaw’s place. He was busily engaged +pouring oil on unburned sections of his hen-coops! +Dan’s hen-houses were located at the +rear of his property, and had been built from +a collection of dry-goods boxes. They had +been the pride of his life, and as the crowd +watched him pour on more oil, some one declared +that Dan must have gone out of his +senses. Nor would he permit the fire company +to play their chemical hose.</p> +<p>“It’s come to a purty pass,” Dan stated to +the onlookers, “when a man can’t burn down +his own coops to get rid of the mites without +the whole blame town turning out to interfere. +If the very last one of you don’t clear out, I’ll +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span> +use my office as constable of this town to run +the lot of you in!”</p> +<p>Hank Simpson was the chief of the volunteer +corps, and Dan was chief of the Little +River police system. The two chiefs argued +as to the rights of the respective offices. +Hank declared it was his official duty to put +the fire out. Dan as emphatically declared it +was his official duty to disperse the crowd. +Finally, Hank admitted that Dan had a right +to burn his own property so long as the property +of others was not endangered. Some say +that the chief of police answered the chief of +the fire corps with a slow and deliberate +wink.</p> +<p>“Now, all of you clear out and leave me to +my fire,” demanded Dan, as he poured on +more oil.</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan had gone directly home +after the preaching service. But he did not +sleep that night. It was very early on Monday +morning when he entered the kitchen. +Miss Pipkin was already busy with the preparations +for breakfast.</p> +<p>“Good morning, Mr. McGowan,” greeted +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174' name='page_174'></a>174</span> +Miss Pipkin, cheerily. “Are you all right +this morning?”</p> +<p>“Yes, thank you, Miss Pipkin.”</p> +<p>“I was afraid you’d be sick after last night. +I didn’t sleep none, I was that excited when I +got home. I’ve always been used to quiet +meetings, and that last night after you left +was a disgrace. But you wasn’t to blame, no +siree!” she finished with a vigorous shake of +her head.</p> +<p>“I am not so sure that you would find very +many to agree with you.”</p> +<p>“Lan’ sakes! How you do talk, Mr. McGowan! +Don’t you think I know what it’s +all about? I ain’t blind, and what I couldn’t +see through, Josiah helped me with last night. +You’ve got him to thank that they didn’t vote +you out of your position.”</p> +<p>“Miss Pipkin, do you mean that the Captain +spoke up in meeting?”</p> +<p>“Well, he didn’t exactly talk, but he +stopped others from talking, and that’s about +the same thing.”</p> +<p>“How?” asked the minister eagerly.</p> +<p>“He kind of made me promise not to tell a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175' name='page_175'></a>175</span> +soul, but I don’t think he meant you. Anyhow, +you should know. You see, he was setting +by a window, and some of the boys from +your club was on the outside, waiting. He +h’isted the window a little so’s to get his hand +through. Hank Simpson and some others +was at the fire-house, and when Josiah give +them beneath the window some sort of signal, +they all shouted ‘<i>Fire</i>.’ That was the sign for +others scattered round town, and they begun +to shout, too. Then, those at the fire-house +got the cart out and rung the bells. It was +real funny, but don’t tell Josiah I said so, because +he was all puffed up last night. He +gave his signal just as Mr. Beaver got up to +make a motion to have you put out. Things +was pretty strong against you after Reverend +Mr. Means spoke.”</p> +<p>“Mr. Means!”</p> +<p>“Um-hm. He was there as big as life and +sad as Job. He talked so tearful-like that +everybody was upset, but they didn’t get to +take a vote, and that was a good thing, for +there were some there that would have voted +against you, being so worked up, who +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176' name='page_176'></a>176</span> +wouldn’t think of it in their right senses. Mr. +McGowan, them boys down to the Inn ain’t +going to let you go from the town if they can +keep you here. Them boys with Josiah got +up that fire scare last night.”</p> +<p>“But it was more than a scare, I saw the +fire.”</p> +<p>“Course you did. ’Twas old Dan Trelaw’s +hen-house that was burned down. The +mites was bothering him, and he wanted the +insurance to build a better one.”</p> +<p>“He burned his hen-house to collect insurance?”</p> +<p>“That’s what Josiah said.”</p> +<p>“That’s absurd. There isn’t an insurance +company in Suffolk County that would write +a policy on such junk, and if they did he could +never collect a cent if it is known he burned it +on purpose.”</p> +<p>“Josiah said it wasn’t a regular company, +just local. I guess he’ll get his money, all +right. Are you ready for your breakfast?”</p> +<p>A boyish grin slowly lighted the minister’s +face as the truth of what had happened +dawned on him.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177' name='page_177'></a>177</span></div> +<p>“Do you mean–––”</p> +<p>“I ain’t saying right out just what I +mean,” she broke in as she paused on the +kitchen threshold. “If you’re real bright on +guessing, you’ll be able to figure that out for +yourself. The thing that’s most interesting +to me is that the Lord is wonderful in the performing +of all His works, and we ain’t to +question how He brings ’em to pass. I wasn’t +much in favor of the way Josiah done last +night when he first told me, but the more I +think about it, the more it seems all right to +me. It didn’t seem dignified and nice to +break up even a bad meeting that way, but +what else was he to do? You’ve got to stay +here, that’s plain, and if He ain’t got saints +enough to keep you He’ll use the heathen.... +Go right in and set down.”</p> +<p>“I’m not sure that it will bring Providence +or any one else much glory if I stay here,” said +the minister, with a faint smile.</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin returned with a steaming pot +of coffee. She took her place at the table and +for some time eyed the minister in silence. +She was a thoroughgoing mystic in her religious +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178' name='page_178'></a>178</span> +faith, but her mysticism was tempered +with such a practical turn of mind that it was +wholesome and inspiring.</p> +<p>“Mr. McGowan, it is the will of God that +you stay right here in this town. If we do +His will we ain’t to worry about the glory +part,” she emphatically affirmed. She placed +the cups and saucers beside the coffee-pot and +filled them. “You hit ’em hard last night, +and that is exactly what’s ailing them. You’ve +been hitting ’em too hard for comfort. The +shoe’s pinching and they’re not able to keep +from showing how it hurts. You hit me, too,” +she observed, looking earnestly into the minister’s +eyes.</p> +<p>“I’m sorry.”</p> +<p>“You needn’t be, ’cause it wasn’t you +speaking. It was God speaking through you. +Them words you used for your text rung in +my ears all night long. I could hear ’em +plainer than when you spoke ’em from the +pulpit: ‘Launch out into the deep.’ Mr. McGowan, +do you believe there is any forgiveness +for the unpardonable sin?”</p> +<p>Evidently knowing that a minister of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179' name='page_179'></a>179</span> +Presbyterian faith could entertain but one answer +and remain a moral man, she did not wait +for a reply.</p> +<p>“It was years ago when I first heard them +words. They were just as plain to me then as +they was last night, but I refused to obey ’em. +I didn’t think I could stand the ocean. You +know the way I was coming over from Riverhead. +Well, I’m always sick on the water, +and so I said right out that I wouldn’t set sail +as a seaman’s wife. I was young and strong-headed +then, and didn’t understand. The +man I said ‘No’ to went off, and I never +heard from him but three times since. Some +said he was drowned at sea, but I know he +wasn’t. I’ve been true to him all these years, +trying to atone for my sin of disobedience. If +he’d come back now, I’d go with him though +he’d slay me.”</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan wanted to smile at the +mixed figure, but the serious face before him +prevented him. “Did you say you never +heard from him?” he asked, sympathetically.</p> +<p>“No. I didn’t say that.” She spoke +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180' name='page_180'></a>180</span> +sharply, but immediately her face and tone +softened. “I didn’t mean to speak cross, but +I ain’t spoke of this for years, and it upsets +me when I think of what I done.”</p> +<p>“We’ll not speak of it, then.”</p> +<p>“It won’t disturb me the least bit. It sort +of helps to talk about it. I’m thinking all the +time about him, how brave he was. He was +so manly, too, was my Adoniah.”</p> +<p>“Adoniah?” questioned the minister, sitting +up with a suddenness that astonished +Miss Pipkin.</p> +<p>“Adoniah was his first name. I ain’t spoke +it out loud for years. It does sound sort of +queer, doesn’t it? I didn’t think so then.” +She sighed deeply. “The spirit of the Lord +seemed to go away from me when Adoniah +did. If only he’d come back.”</p> +<p>“He has not left you. God is not a hard +master, leaving people alone for their shortcomings.”</p> +<p>“Do you think He’ll send him back to +me?”</p> +<p>“He is here now. He has never left you.”</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin looked dazed, then puzzled, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181' name='page_181'></a>181</span> +and finally provoked. “I didn’t think you’d +trifle, or I’d never told you.”</p> +<p>“Indeed, I’m not trifling.”</p> +<p>“Then, what happened last night has gone +to your head, poor thing! I’d ought to have +known better than to have troubled you with +my sorrows. You’ve got all you ought to +carry. Poor thing!”</p> +<p>She slowly pushed her chair from the table, +eyeing the minister as though expecting +signs of an outbreak. But he motioned her +back into her chair with a calmness that reassured +her.</p> +<p>“I don’t quite understand your meaning, +I guess,” she said.</p> +<p>“And it is quite apparent that I didn’t understand +yours. You were speaking of the +Spirit of God leaving you, and I said He was +right here with you–––”</p> +<p>“Now, ain’t I a caution to saints!” broke +in Miss Pipkin. “I did mix you up awful, +didn’t I? What I was asking you about was +if you thought God would send back my +Adoniah Phillips. He–––Why, Mr. McGowan, +what’s the matter now?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182' name='page_182'></a>182</span></div> +<p>The minister had risen and was looking +oddly at the housekeeper.</p> +<p>“What on earth have I said this time?” +she implored.</p> +<p>“You say your lover’s name was Phillips, +Adoniah Phillips?”</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin did not reply, but looked at +him fixedly.</p> +<p>“Please, don’t look at me like that, it +makes me feel like I’ve been guilty of something,” +he said, trying hard to smile.</p> +<p>“You sure you ain’t sick?”</p> +<p>“Of course, I’m not ill. I’m slightly interested +in that peculiar name. I’ve heard it +just once before, and I’m wondering if there +is a chance of its being the same man.”</p> +<p>“You’ve heard of him?”</p> +<p>“Well, I have heard his name.”</p> +<p>“There ain’t likely to be another name like +his.”</p> +<p>“Have you any idea where he is at present? +You said a bit ago that you did not +think he had been drowned at sea.”</p> +<p>“No,” she answered curtly.</p> +<p>“Can you so much as guess?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183' name='page_183'></a>183</span></div> +<p>“I don’t know if he’s living at all, so of +course I ain’t got no idea where he is,” was +her snappy reply. “Has he been telling you +about me and him?” she asked, nodding toward +the up-stairs where the Captain was +presumably asleep.</p> +<p>“He hasn’t said anything to me, but–––”</p> +<p>“You’ll promise not to repeat one word to +him of what I just told you?” she begged, +again jerking her head toward the stair.</p> +<p>“I promise to say nothing about what you +have told me. But I have my reasons for +wanting to know something about this man +Phillips.”</p> +<p>“What are your reasons?”</p> +<p>“I should not have said reasons, for I guess +it is nothing but my curiosity that prompts +me to ask. If you could tell me more of the +facts I might be able to help you locate him.”</p> +<p>“You mean you have an idea that he is +still living?”</p> +<p>“I can’t say as to that, but if you’ll only +help me I am certain that we shall find out +something interesting.”</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin drew the corner of her apron +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184' name='page_184'></a>184</span> +across the corner of her eyes, disappointment +written deeply in every line and wrinkle of +her face.</p> +<p>“There ain’t much more to tell. Adoniah +went to sea. I got a letter from him once +from Australia. I wrote back saying I’d take +back what I’d said. He answered it, but +didn’t say nothing about what I said to him. +He spoke of meeting up with some one he +knew, saying they was going in business together. +I ain’t never told anybody about +that, not even Josiah, and I ain’t going to +tell you, for I don’t think he was square with +Adoniah, but I can’t prove it.”</p> +<p>The thud of heavy boots on the rear stair +checked further comment she seemed inclined +to make, and she dried out the tears that stood +in her eyes with short quick dabs as she hurried +to the kitchen.</p> +<p>“Lan’ of mercy!” she exclaimed, returning +with a smoking waffle-iron. “I clean forgot +these, and they’re burned to ashes. Here, +don’t you drink that cold coffee, I’ll heat it up +again,” she said, taking the cup. Leaning +closely to his ear, she whispered, “Mind, you +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185' name='page_185'></a>185</span> +ain’t to tell a living soul about what I said, +and him above all others.”</p> +<p>The minister nodded.</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin entered the kitchen just as the +Captain opened the stair-door. He sniffed +the air as he greeted the two with a hearty +“Good morning.”</p> +<p>“Purty nigh never woke up. You’d +otter have come up and tumbled me out, +Mack.”</p> +<p>“Rest well, did you?”</p> +<p>“Just tolerable. Clemmie,” he called, “I +seem to smell something burning. There +ain’t nothing, be there?”</p> +<p>“We was busy talking, and them irons got +too hot.”</p> +<p>“Talking, be you? Don’t ’pear to have +agreed with neither of you more than it did +with those irons.”</p> +<p>“You didn’t pass a mirror on the way +down this morning, or you’d not be crowing +so loud, Josiah.”</p> +<p>“No, that’s a fact I didn’t. You see, +Eadie busted mine during that cleaning raid, +and I can’t afford a new one.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186' name='page_186'></a>186</span></div> +<p>“You must have hit your funny-bone, or +something,” hinted Miss <a name='TC_7'></a><ins class="tnchg" title="Was "Pipin"">Pipkin</ins> as she poured +a cup of the reheated coffee.</p> +<p>“Now, don’t get mad, Clemmie. I was +just fooling. Mack understands me purty +well, and he’ll tell you that I didn’t mean +nothing by what I said.”</p> +<p>“Josiah Pott! You’re that disrespectful +that I’ve a good mind to scold you.”</p> +<p>“What’s up now, Clemmie?”</p> +<p>“The very idea! You calling the minister +by his first name.”</p> +<p>“I’ve done it ever since I knowed him, and +he wouldn’t like me to change now. Hey, +Mr. McGowan?”</p> +<p>“Call me by my first name, Cap’n. Too +much dignity doesn’t sit well on your shoulders. +You needn’t mind, Miss Pipkin, for +that is a habit that was formed before I became +a minister, and there is no disrespect, I +assure you.”</p> +<p>“You mean you two knowed each other before +you come here?”</p> +<p>“You see, Mack come to me one summer +when I was starting on a cruise, and he was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187' name='page_187'></a>187</span> +such a good sailor that we spent four seasons +together after that.”</p> +<p>“You never told me that,” said Miss Pipkin.</p> +<p>“I didn’t think to, Clemmie. Mack, have +some more of these waffles. They’re mighty +tasty. It takes Clemmie to cook ’em to a +turn.”</p> +<p>“Just listen to that!” rejoined the housekeeper. +“He ain’t had none yet.”</p> +<p>The minister did the unheard-of thing: he +refused the offer of waffles!</p> +<p>“Mack, you ain’t going to let them hypocrites +and wolves in sheep’s clothing come +right up and steal your appetite out of your +mouth, be you?”</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan assured him that he had no +such intention.</p> +<p>“You don’t know what you’re missing,” +declared the Captain, smacking his lips to +make the waffles appear more appetizing. +“Have just one. Maybe your appetite is one +of them coming kind, and I’ll swan if ’tis that +one taste of these would bring it with a gallop.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188' name='page_188'></a>188</span></div> +<p>“Don’t urge him if he don’t want ’em, +Josiah.”</p> +<p>“Cal’late your talking must have gone to +his stomach, hey, Clemmie?”</p> +<p>“Josiah!” she exclaimed, coloring. “He’ll +soon forget all I said to him.”</p> +<p>“You sartin give it to ’em good last night, +Mack. It was the best I ever heard. Got +most of ’em where they lived, and you took +’em out into the deep beyond their wading-line, +too. How about you, Clemmie?”</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin had important business in the +kitchen.</p> +<p>“Yes, Mack, that sure was a ringer,” continued +the Captain as he helped himself to +another layer of waffles. “Wonder if Clemmie +took what you said about launching out +as literal?”</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin returned with a plate of smoking +waffles and placed them at the Captain’s +side.</p> +<p>“Thanks, Clemmie. I was ’feared you’d +be setting out to sea in my dory after hearing +that sermon last night,” he said banteringly, +with a twinkle in his eyes. “You’d best explain +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189' name='page_189'></a>189</span> +that your meaning was figur’tive, Mack. +I looked up that word once and it +means–––”</p> +<p>“Josiah Pott! How can you be so +cruel!”</p> +<p>With a sob that rose from the depths, Miss +Pipkin fled, slamming the kitchen door after +her.</p> +<p>“I’ll swear, if she ain’t crying!” exclaimed +the surprised seaman. “What in tarnation +do you suppose is up, Mack? You don’t cal’late +she thought I was relating to her for earnest, +do you?”</p> +<p>He rose and started toward the door. Mr. +McGowan laid a hand on his friend’s sleeve.</p> +<p>“You’d better leave her alone.”</p> +<p>“But I never meant nothing. She’d otter +know that. I’m going to tell her,” he said, +pulling away from the minister, and trying +the closed door. “Clemmie, be sensible, and +come out of there. I didn’t mean nothing, +honest, I didn’t.”</p> +<p>But Miss Pipkin did not come out. She +did not so much as answer his importunings. +When the men were out of the dining-room +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190' name='page_190'></a>190</span> +she went up-stairs, not to appear again that +day.</p> +<p>It was afternoon when Mr. McGowan hobbled +out of his study, ate a light lunch, put a +few sandwiches in his pocket, and started in +the direction of the peninsula road that led to +the beach.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191' name='page_191'></a>191</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_X' id='CHAPTER_X'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> +</div> +<p>Mr. McGowan left the highway a little beyond +the Fox estate, and followed a crooked, +narrow old footpath across-lots. The path +dipped and rose with the contour of the land +till at last it lost itself in the white level +stretch of sandy beach. He walked on and +on, so deeply absorbed in his thoughts that he +was unmindful of the blistered foot. It was +only when hunger pains conspired with the irritation +of his foot that he dropped on a log. +He drew the sandwiches from his pocket, and +proceeded to devour them with genuine relish. +For hours after he had finished his lunch, he +sat with his back to the warming rays of the +afternoon sun, and gazed vacantly across the +wide stretches of sand-dunes.</p> +<p>The chill of the evening air roused him at +length to the fact that he must be going home. +But when he tried to rise, he discovered that +his long walk had produced an ill effect on +Miss Pipkin’s remedy for sprained ankles. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192' name='page_192'></a>192</span> +He dropped back again on the log, pondering +on how he was to retrace his steps. The sun +slipped into the misty haze that hung low +above the horizon of the autumn sky. The +shadows crept slowly up out of the waters and +over the landscape. A thin cloud drifted in +over the Sound, through which a pale moon +pushed a silvery edge. With the gathering +darkness there came a deep mystery over land +and sea which seemed to creep round and envelop +him.</p> +<p>Suddenly, the chill of the evening air was +filled with a glowing warmth, as when one +senses the presence of a friend. He stared +about him. He listened intently. Could it +be possible that this sudden change was only +a mental fancy? He hobbled a short way up +the beach, and as he rounded a promontory +his weakened ankle turned on a loose stone. +With an exclamation he settled down on the +sand.</p> +<p>A figure near the water’s edge rose as +though startled. She paused, ready for +flight. Then with an involuntary cry came +toward the man huddled up on the sand.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193' name='page_193'></a>193</span></div> +<p>“O dear, you are hurt!” she cried, as he +attempted to rise.</p> +<p>“Elizabeth!” He spoke her name without +thought of what he did, even as she had unknowingly +used the word of endearment in +her exclamation of surprise and concern.</p> +<p>“You should not have walked so far,” she +said, her tone cordial, but her eyes holding a +smoldering fire. She helped him to a near-by +stone, and sat down beside him.</p> +<p>“I somehow felt that you were near.”</p> +<p>“You thought––what?”</p> +<p>“No, I did not think it, I just sensed it.”</p> +<p>“You certainly have a very fertile imagination.”</p> +<p>“Yes. It has been both my blessing and +curse.”</p> +<p>“But how did you come to feel I was about +here?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know. It does seem strange, +doesn’t it?” he mused. “But I was certain–––”</p> +<p>“Perhaps you were thinking–––” She +stopped abruptly.</p> +<p>“Of you,” he finished for her. “I was. I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194' name='page_194'></a>194</span> +was feeling quite lonely, and couldn’t help +wishing I could talk with you.”</p> +<p>“I heard to-day that you are thinking of +leaving Little River,” she suggested, tactfully +changing what she considered a dangerous +subject.</p> +<p>“You heard that I intend to leave? Pray, +tell–––”</p> +<p>“Then you’re not going?”</p> +<p>“Quite to the contrary, I intend to fight +this thing through if it takes a whole year.”</p> +<p>“I’m so glad!” There was deep relief in +her voice. She hesitated before continuing. +“I had a terrible quarrel with Father this +evening.”</p> +<p>“Why did you do that?”</p> +<p>“I was very angry, and left him to come +out here. It is the first time we have ever +really fallen out. I’ve thought over some of +the unkind things I said to him, and I am +ashamed. I was about to go back to him when +you fell on those stones and hurt yourself.”</p> +<p>“You are right, Miss Fox. Go back to +him. He will see differently, too, now that he +has had time to think it all over.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195' name='page_195'></a>195</span></div> +<p>“That is what worries me. He won’t see +differently, though I know he is in the wrong. +I’m afraid we’ll quarrel again.”</p> +<p>“Then, I should wait. He will come to +you in time.”</p> +<p>“Father will never do that,” she said, sorrowfully. +“I hurt him more than I had any +right.” Searching the minister’s face under +the dim light, she concluded: “Please, Mr. +McGowan, don’t blame Father too severely +for what happened last night! He is not himself.”</p> +<p>“Miss––Elizabeth! Did you quarrel with +your father about me?” His heart gave a +bound into his throat.</p> +<p>She nodded, looking for the world like a +child grown tall. Her eyes did not waver as +they met the hungry look in his own.</p> +<p>“About me?” he repeated incredulously.</p> +<p>“Yes.”</p> +<p>A wild passion swept through him as he +listened to the quiet affirmative.</p> +<p>“It began about you and the Athletic +Club. Father does not understand about +your work among the boys. It ended about +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196' name='page_196'></a>196</span> +you and the action of the church last +night.”</p> +<p>“But that action was not voted through.”</p> +<p>“I know. But the end is not yet.”</p> +<p>“Do you think that my relations with the +Boys’ Club is all that was behind the abortive +action last night?”</p> +<p>“I–––”</p> +<p>“Would you advise me to give that work +up for a while till all this blows over?”</p> +<p>“No, indeed!” she declared strongly. “I +think–––Well, he says that you are not +orthodox. Do you need to preach like +that?”</p> +<p>“If my theology is of poor quality, I can’t +help it. I can preach only what is truth and +reality to me.”</p> +<p>“But couldn’t you be more careful how you +do it? Couldn’t you be less frank, or something? +Should you antagonize your people +so?”</p> +<p>“I’m sorry if I have really antagonized any +one by what I say. Do you find anything unorthodox +in my sermons?”</p> +<p>“That isn’t a fair question to ask me. I’m +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197' name='page_197'></a>197</span> +not familiar with such things. I thought you +might preach less openly what you believe so +strenuously. Coat the pills so they’ll go down +with the taste of orthodoxy.” She smiled +faintly. “I hate to see you putting weapons +in their hands.”</p> +<p>“And do you honestly think I’d be dealing +fair with myself or with those to whom I +preach to sugar-coat my thoughts with something +that looks like poison to me?”</p> +<p>She did not reply, but with a quick look she +flashed from her wonderful eyes a message he +could not fail to catch even in the semi-darkness. +She dropped her hand lightly on his +sleeve, and his fingers quickly closed over +hers. She drew nearer. He could feel the +straying wisps of fair hair against his hot +cheek. His emotions taxed all his powers of +self-control.</p> +<p>“We must be going,” she said, rising. +“Oh, I forgot your foot! You must wait +here till I send the trap for you along the +beach.”</p> +<p>“Don’t do that. I’ll get on very well, if +you’ll help me a little.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198' name='page_198'></a>198</span></div> +<p>“Please, wait till I send Debbs. You’ll +hurt yourself.”</p> +<p>“Your father might object to my riding in +his carriage,” he remarked, with a light laugh.</p> +<p>“Mr. McGowan, you must not talk like +that. I know you don’t like him, but he is +really the best father in all the world!”</p> +<p>“Forgive me, Miss Fox. I didn’t mean to +be rude. I’m afraid I was just trying to be +funny. As a matter of fact, I do like your +father, but there has been no opportunity–––”</p> +<p>“Have you tried very hard to find an opportunity? +You’ve stayed away from our +house pretty consistently, and have not +asked him one thing about the church work.”</p> +<p>“I stayed away because I was requested +to.”</p> +<p>“That was only for the time he was ill.”</p> +<p>“I’d be glad–––”</p> +<p>“Why will you grown men act like children +sometimes?”</p> +<p>“Miss Fox, please be seated again,” requested +the minister, a note of authority in his +voice. “I have something important to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199' name='page_199'></a>199</span> +say to you, and the time may not come +again.”</p> +<p>The girl obeyed, taking her place close beside +him on the stone.</p> +<p>“I see you do not understand what has +brought this trouble between your father and +me. Neither do I, but I don’t think that it’s +a matter of doctrine. Nor do I believe that +it’s the work I’ve been doing down at the Inn +with the boys. Some cause strikes deeper +than both. They are merely excuses. You +remember that he made no objection to me in +the beginning along these lines, and I +preached no less strenuously then, as you call +it, than I do now. In fact, had it not been for +your father I doubt very much if the installation +had gone through last summer. Behind +the scenes there is another man, and he is pulling +the strings while he directs the play. +When I was ordained to the ministry in the +New York Presbytery, that man fought me +desperately, while he raised no objections to +others who were ordained at the same time, +and who held views far more radical than +mine. That man was at the installation. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200' name='page_200'></a>200</span> +When your father told me that he was coming, +I made no protest, for I saw that there +was a fast friendship between the two. You +know what that man tried to do at the installation. +You doubtless know, too, that he has +been much with your father of late. You also +saw him at the meeting last night.</p> +<p>“Miss Fox, if we knew all the facts, we +should be able to lay the blame for this trouble +and your father’s condition right where it belongs.”</p> +<p>“You refer to Mr. Means?”</p> +<p>“I do. What it is–––”</p> +<p>“Mr. McGowan, if you think any man can +influence my father, you do not know him. I +dislike Mr. Means, maybe because he is so +preachy. But he cannot influence Father.”</p> +<p>“I wish I could believe that!”</p> +<p>“You must believe it. You are letting +your imagination color your judgment.”</p> +<p>“I should like to believe anything you tell +me, but I can’t believe anything else than that +Mr. Means stands behind this whole mess. +Just why, I don’t know, but it looks very +much as though there is a skeleton concealed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201' name='page_201'></a>201</span> +in his closet, and he’s afraid that I’m going to +let it out.”</p> +<p>“Why did you say that?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know. I can’t see what connection +I could possibly have with the man.”</p> +<p>“You are talking nonsense!”</p> +<p>“Perhaps, but truth sometimes masquerades +in the garb of the court fool.”</p> +<p>“Just what do you mean?”</p> +<p>“I wish to heaven I knew!”</p> +<p>“Do you think–––” She paused. She +searched his face, which was dimly and fitfully +lighted by the moonbeams as they broke +through the phantom-like clouds that were beginning +to sweep the heavens. “Tell me, +please, just what it is you are thinking.”</p> +<p>“I dare not. But there is some reason not +yet come to light, and it is sheltered in the +mind of Mr. Means.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps he knew you before you entered +the ministry?” she half suggested, half questioned.</p> +<p>“I have no recollection of even so much as +meeting him before coming before the ordaining +Presbytery of which he was a member. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202' name='page_202'></a>202</span> +So far as the history of my life is concerned, +he may find out the whole of it, if he so wishes. +It wouldn’t make very interesting reading, +though. Miss Fox,”––his voice took on the +quality of his earnestness,––“if you have any +way of finding out what the actual cause is for +the conditions in my church, I shall do all in +my power to make amends, providing the +fault is mine.”</p> +<p>“Why don’t you go to him? He might be +reasonable, and listen to you.”</p> +<p>“Didn’t I go to him? Didn’t I try to find +out what I had done till you and the doctor +forbid my coming again?”</p> +<p>“I don’t mean Father. Why don’t you go +to Mr. Means?”</p> +<p>“Would you, if you were in my position?”</p> +<p>She shook her head decidedly. “But I +don’t like him.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps that may be my reason, too.”</p> +<p>“But I thought all ministers had to love +everybody.”</p> +<p>“We might love the man, but not his +ways.”</p> +<p>“There’s no merit in saying a thing like +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203' name='page_203'></a>203</span> +that when a man and his ways are one and +the same thing, as is the case with Mr. +Means.”</p> +<p>“I’m honest when I say I have nothing +against Mr. Means. I don’t know the man +well enough for that. I suppose he can’t help +his ways.”</p> +<p>“There, you’ve gone and spoiled it. I was +beginning to think that you are like other +men.”</p> +<p>“Like other men?”</p> +<p>“Men who love and hate. I suppose you’ll +be telling me next that you are really fond of +that man who fought you at the Inn.”</p> +<p>“He was a good boxer,” was the enthusiastic +reply.</p> +<p>“And you like him?”</p> +<p>“I might if I knew him.”</p> +<p>“Can you fight everybody like that, and +still have love for them?”</p> +<p>“Self-control is the better word. Unless +a man can learn that, he had better stay out +of the ring. What is true in boxing, is just +as true in life.”</p> +<p>“But, when there are those who threaten to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204' name='page_204'></a>204</span> +wreck your whole life and your work, what +are you going to do?”</p> +<p>“That is the time when one needs to summon +every ounce of self-control he possesses. +It is when the other man is seeking to land a +knock-out blow that one needs to keep his +head the coolest, for unless he does he can’t +make his best calculations.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Mr. McGowan! You’ll keep that +way in this trouble, and not let any of them +get in that kind of blow?”</p> +<p>“Yes, if you will only help me.”</p> +<p>“I help you? But I can’t!”</p> +<p>“No one else can.”</p> +<p>“Oh!” cried the girl, beginning to take in +the meaning of his words.</p> +<p>“Elizabeth–––”</p> +<p>“Don’t say it, please!” Her fingers went +to her lips in a hurt gesture. “You may spoil +everything.”</p> +<p>“I must speak. I love you! I have loved +you from the first day beneath that old elm-tree +on the Captain’s place.”</p> +<p>“Oh!”––she sprang to her feet and faced +him,––“now, you have made it impossible for +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205' name='page_205'></a>205</span> +me to help you, where before I might have +done something!”</p> +<p>“Only if you say so.”</p> +<p>“I did so want to help you! You seem so +alone in this trouble! I thought you were going +to give me an opportunity. I thought +you would tell me how!” Her mobile lips +puckered as the shadow of pain flitted across +the light of her eyes.</p> +<p>“Elizabeth!” he called, holding out his +hand.</p> +<p>“Why did you say that to me?” she cried, +her youthful face deeply furrowed as though +she had grown suddenly very tired.</p> +<p>“Because I could not help it. I’ve known +so little of love in my life that since this has +come to me it hurts like the turning of a +knife. I’ve never been accustomed to human +care like other men. Had I been, I should +have been able to hide my feelings behind the +screen of pretense. You asked me a while +ago why I do not love and hate like other men. +I do love, and I hate! I have been schooled +all my life to hide my hates, but experience +neglected me with the other. Elizabeth–––”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_206' name='page_206'></a>206</span></div> +<p>She drew farther from him.</p> +<p>“I don’t think I understand you,” she said, +her eyes widening in the light of the moon +till they appeared like two shining orbs. +“Have I given you any reason to think of me +like that?”</p> +<p>“No. But I thought–––”</p> +<p>She drew into the shadows that he might +not see the rapid rise and fall of her bosom. +“Forgive me, if I have!”</p> +<p>“I’m the one to be forgiven. I’ve never +had much instruction concerning social custom. +I was reared where they were little +known. In school I was too busy to bother +about them. I’m crude. But, Elizabeth, I +love you. I see now that I’ve no right to tell +you, but I couldn’t help it. I’ve been driven +to desperation. I have been like a caged animal +for weeks past. I’ve been wild for just +a little love and understanding in the midst of +all I’ve gone through. But you don’t love +me!” His breath was coming hard. He +trembled as he rose. “You will love me some +day! God will not let a man love as I do and +give nothing in return!”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_207' name='page_207'></a>207</span></div> +<p>Stirred with pity, Elizabeth came to him +from out the darkness.</p> +<p>“Forgive me,” he said as she came nearer. +“I had no idea it would be like this.”</p> +<p>She did not take the hand he extended, but +folding her arms behind her, she stood quite +still and stared. “I’m so sorry! But I don’t +understand you at all.”</p> +<p>“You need not try. I don’t understand +myself. I have never been through anything +like this in all my life. I thought instinct +would lead you right to me. I never questioned +but that you would understand. But +don’t try, for I can’t explain. This afternoon +I had just one thought: to tell you how +I love you. I thought it would make me +happy. Happy!” He laughed bitterly. “I +didn’t stop to reason. It seems I have no reason.”</p> +<p>“Mr. McGowan, please stop! You +frighten me,” cried the girl, drawing away +again as he limped a step in her direction.</p> +<p>“Hate!” That one word was like the +sharp sudden sting of a whip. “I hate this +age of social position, where money stands +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_208' name='page_208'></a>208</span> +above the man. I hate the shell of so-called +good families, as if lineage made the man, +instead of man making the lineage. I +hate–––”</p> +<p>“You must stop! Love that gives such +torment as you have been describing to me is +apt to turn out as nothing more than infatuation. +I care for you, but in no such way as +you have indicated to me. I want you for a +friend. Don’t spoil that!”</p> +<p>He hobbled off down the beach as rapidly +as his limping foot could travel. The girl +came to his side and slipped her arm through +his. “Lean on me just as heavily as you +like,” she urged. “I know you think me unkind +and cruel, but I do so want to help you.” +Her voice broke unsteadily.</p> +<p>“I don’t think you unkind, Miss Fox,” replied +the minister as he accepted her proffered +assistance. “The cruel thing is this that has +been burning within like fire. If you only +knew–––”</p> +<p>“Mr. McGowan,”––she interrupted kindly,––“I +cannot tell you as to the height of esteem +in which I hold you. Nothing can ever +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209' name='page_209'></a>209</span> +harm that. But even if I cared for you as +you ask of me, don’t you see how impossible +it would be for me to go back on Father? I +can’t help but think there must be some real +reason for the attitude he has taken against +you.”</p> +<p>“Do you honestly believe what you have +just said?”</p> +<p>“Is there any reason why I should not believe +it?”</p> +<p>“I suppose not,” he replied, heavy fatigue +in his voice.</p> +<p>She saw from his averted face that her +question had pained him. She wanted to +speak, to soften her question, but no words +came to her dry lips.</p> +<p>The way home was traveled in silence. +They reached the pile of stones below her father’s +place, and Elizabeth released her aching +arm. In silence they watched the +strangely mottled effect where the moonlight +fell in patches across the water as the clouds +flitted past. A patter of rain, accompanied +by a sharp whistle of wind, warned them of +coming storm.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210' name='page_210'></a>210</span></div> +<p>“I’ll go up the path with you, and go home +by the road,” volunteered the minister.</p> +<p>“No, indeed. It will be much easier walking +for you along the beach, and you’ll not +need to climb any hill. I’ll call to you from +the back gate, and you’ll know I’m safe.” +She turned toward him once more. “Harold +came home to-day, and Father has been +worse since that. Harold found out something +about the man he went over to Australia +to look up. He must have told Father about +it to-day. Since then he has been in a terrible +state of mind. It seems that Harold found +out something about you, too.”</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan was too surprised to reply.</p> +<p>“Against you, Father says. I was not going +to tell you this, but you have compelled +me to do it by what you said to me. I know +nothing of your past life.”</p> +<p>“Miss Fox, will you be kind enough to explain?”</p> +<p>“I have nothing to explain. All I know is +that from the way Father acted it must not be +to your credit.”</p> +<p>He looked his amazement.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_211' name='page_211'></a>211</span></div> +<p>“Good night,” she said, extending her +hand. “You will not forget what you said +about the way one should do in boxing, will +you?”</p> +<p>He smiled faintly.</p> +<p>“Mr. McGowan, you are not going to disappoint +me, are you?”</p> +<p>“Would it make much difference? You +seem to have already formed your opinion +from the things you have heard.”</p> +<p>“If you are going to give up like that it +will make no difference what you do. I +thought you were more of a man than that.”</p> +<p>She turned and ran up the path. At the top +of the pile of stones she stopped, her slim outline +silhouetted in clear-cut lines against a +patch of moonlight, and her loosened hair giving +the suggestion of a halo as the mellow +light played through. She lifted her hand as +she declared, “And you are more of a man. +I do not believe that whatever Father thinks +he has found out can harm you in the least. +That is what we really quarreled about to-day. +Does that tell you how much I care? +‘Now is the time when you need to summon +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212' name='page_212'></a>212</span> +every ounce of self-control you possess. +When other men are seeking to land the +knock-out blow you should keep your head +the coolest, for unless you do you cannot +make your best calculations.’ You see, I +have not forgotten, and neither must you. +And in everything, Mack,” she finished, hurriedly.</p> +<p>The rear gate clicked, and she sent him a +light trill.</p> +<p>The minister went to his study as soon as +he reached home. For hours he sat, his mind +a blank. He was roused at last by the opening +of his <a name='TC_8'></a><ins class="tnchg" title=" "spelling standardized"">study door</ins>. He looked up into the +face of his old friend. The blue eyes, usually +clear and steady, had a faded look as though +the fire in them had suddenly gone out.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_213' name='page_213'></a>213</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XI' id='CHAPTER_XI'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> +</div> +<p>“I’ve been shut up with the most onreasonable +feller I ever see in all my life,” said the +Captain to the unasked question in the minister’s +eyes. “I cal’late I’ll keep my thoughts +to myself to-night, Mack, and sleep on them. +The way I feel wouldn’t be conducive to +prayer-meeting language. Good night, son.”</p> +<p>It was scarcely daylight when Miss Pipkin +began work in the kitchen on the following +morning. Shortly afterward the Captain +descended.</p> +<p>“Morning, Clemmie.” He held the +kitchen door ajar, and his voice wavered as +he spoke.</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin did not reply. The Captain, +to reinforce his courage, stepped back into +the dining-room. Miss Pipkin walked over +and closed the door. This spurred the seaman +to action. He cautiously pushed the door +open again, and peeped through a narrow +crack.</p> +<p>“Clemmie, be you in there?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_214' name='page_214'></a>214</span></div> +<p>“Where else do you think I’d be, down +the well?”</p> +<p>“Can’t I talk to you, Clemmie?”</p> +<p>“No. I don’t want you to come sneaking +into my kitchen at this hour in the morning. +You ought to be in bed.”</p> +<p>A note of friendliness in her voice led him +to open the door a little wider.</p> +<p>“You’re up too early, Clemmie.”</p> +<p>“I’ve got a lot of work to do.”</p> +<p>“If you ain’t too busy, I’d like awful well +to speak to you about something.”</p> +<p>“Well, I am busy, leastwise too busy to be +bothered with your nonsense.”</p> +<p>“It ain’t foolishness this time.”</p> +<p>Something in his tone made her look up +into the face framed in the crack of the door.</p> +<p>“Josiah!” she cried at sight of the drawn +features.</p> +<p>He threw open the door and entered.</p> +<p>“Mr. McGowan ain’t sick this morning, is +he?” she asked.</p> +<p>“No. Leastwise he wa’n’t when I passed +the time of night or early morning with him +on my way to bed.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_215' name='page_215'></a>215</span></div> +<p>“Are you sick, Josiah?”</p> +<p>“What I got might be called that, Clemmie. +I’m sick of the hull damn round of life,” +he said, despondently.</p> +<p>“Josiah Pott! How you do talk! What +do you mean by it, anyhow?”</p> +<p>“Purty much as I say. I’m always bungling +things of late. I––well–––”</p> +<p>“Now, you set down in that chair, and +stop staring at me for all the world like an old +wood-owl, ’most scaring the wits out of me. +One would think you’d gone clean out of your +head. I never heard you talk so in all my +born days. If you ain’t sick, you’re in a heap +of trouble. Now, do as I tell you and set +down. Tell me what’s wrong, that is if that’s +what you come down for.”</p> +<p>“That’s why I come down, Clemmie,” he +said, slouching into one of the kitchen chairs. +“I heerd you come down-stairs, and I just +had to follow. Fust of all, I want to tell you +how bad I feel about them things I said yesterday +morning that hurt your feelings so.”</p> +<p>“For the lan’ sakes! Be that what’s ailing +you? I thought it was something that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216' name='page_216'></a>216</span> +amounted to something,” she declared, the +color rising into her faded cheeks.</p> +<p>“That does amount to something. It +means a lot to me. That ain’t all, but I +wanted to get it off my chest fust. I was +never intending less to hurt nobody than +when I said that to you. I thought ’twould +cheer you and Mack up a little; you was both +looking a mite blue. You’re a good woman, +Clemmie, and any man that’d insult you +would have me to settle with purty tolerable +quick. You know how much I think of +you.”</p> +<p>“Be you beginning to propose again?” +she asked, her arms akimbo. “If that’s +what’s ailing you, and you’re asking my pardon +just to get ready to ask me–––”</p> +<p>“Don’t get mad, Clemmie. No, I ain’t +going to get down on my old prayer-bones, +they’re a mite too squeaky, though I’d be willing +enough to do it if I thought it would do +any good. I ain’t going to pester you any +more about that. You know your mind, and +it ain’t right for me to be disturbing it at my +time of life.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_217' name='page_217'></a>217</span></div> +<p>“Then, Josiah, if you ain’t love-sick, what +is it?”</p> +<p>“Maybe that’s a part of what’s ailing me. +But what I want you to say this morning is +that you ain’t got nothing against me for +what I said yesterday about you taking to sea +in my dory.”</p> +<p>“Josiah, that was awful foolish in me. +You’d best forgive me, too, for the way I +acted.”</p> +<p>“Thanks, Clemmie. You’ve sartinly done +me many a good turn, and it would be a wonder +if I wa’n’t in love with you. You’ve +always been mighty good and kind to me. +But, there, don’t you get excited again, +I ain’t going to say nothing more about +it.”</p> +<p>“Tell me about your trouble, Josiah.”</p> +<p>The old seaman pulled hard at the ends of +his ragged moustache, and his voice grew +husky. “I felt just like I had to tell somebody. +I was going to tell Mack last night +when I see a light in his study, but when I +went in I see he had all he could tote, so I just +went on up to my room without telling him.... +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_218' name='page_218'></a>218</span> +You know I’ve been out of a job for +quite a spell.”</p> +<p>“It has been long for you,” nodded Miss +Pipkin as she drew another chair opposite. +“But you’ve got the church to look after.”</p> +<p>“That ain’t my trade, and it comes hard. +I feel all the time like I’d clumb onto the +wrong deck. I’d hoped to get a ship afore +now. Jim promised me one, and–––”</p> +<p>“Do you mean you’ve been expecting to +get a ship through Jim Fox? Why, Josiah +Pott! He’d not give you a splinter to hang +on if you was drowning. Depending on him! +Pooh! I thought you had more sense than +that.”</p> +<p>“But I ain’t. I’m just what I’ve told you +afore, an old fool. I cal’late I know how you +feel about Jim. I’d always felt that way, too, +till he come honeying round me this spring. +You called me once an old fool with good intentions. +I cal’late you ain’t far off in your +soundings.”</p> +<p>“I never said that!” she rejoined. “Anyhow, +I didn’t mean it like that.”</p> +<p>“You don’t need to excuse what you said. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_219' name='page_219'></a>219</span> +It’s God’s truth. That’s exactly what I +be.”</p> +<p>“You ain’t, neither, and I don’t see why +you want to talk that way. What I don’t see, +neither, is why you want to go hanging round, +waiting for that man to give you a ship. +There’s plenty of others that would be glad +to get you.”</p> +<p>“I ain’t sartin ’bout that last p’int. You +see, I ain’t so young no more. I’m getting +up in years, and ship-owners ain’t hiring none +but young men.”</p> +<p>“Nonsense! There you go again. As +long as you think and talk like Methuselah +there ain’t no owner going to take a chance on +you for fear you’d forget the name of the port +he’d ordered you to. You get that idea out +of your head along with the notion that Jim +Fox is going to help you, and you’ll get a +ship. The very best there is afloat, too.”</p> +<p>“It’s mighty kind of you to say that, Clemmie. +I cal’late the notion about Jim is purty +well shook out. That’s one thing I wanted to +talk to you about. You know the old place +here had been sort of run down for a good +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_220' name='page_220'></a>220</span> +many year. I’d always held to the idea that +some day I’d come back here after I’d got +rich, remodel the home, and get the best +woman in all the world to ship side by side +with me as best mate. I’ve told you all that +afore, many the time, Clemmie.”</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin barely nodded. The suggestion +of moisture gathered in her eyes as she +gazed at the tragic face before her.</p> +<p>“Well, I’m back, and it looks like it was +for good and all, but I ain’t got no money, and +I don’t see no way to get any unless I rob +somebody. And the law won’t let me do that. +The trouble is that I’m up to my gunwales in +debt.”</p> +<p>“In debt!” To Miss Pipkin’s mind there +was no greater calamity in the world than to +be in debt. She, too, had suffered a like fate +many years ago.</p> +<p>“Yes. In bad, too. Jim come up to my +house last spring just afore the minister took +up his new quarters here, and he says to me: +‘Here’s some money to repair your place +with. There’ll be no interest on it. It’s because +of my civic pride in the affairs of Little +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_221' name='page_221'></a>221</span> +River that I make you this liberal offer.’ +Well, it did look too good to be true, but I +couldn’t see nothing wrong, and he promised +me on his word to see that I got a ship, the +very next one his company was to send out. +I ain’t much up on them legal papers. I ain’t +had nothing to do with any kind of papers for +years ’cepting owners’ orders. I took his +word for ’em being straight. I wouldn’t have +took a cent of the money if them papers had +been straight as the Bible, but he promised me +so fair and square to place me that I fell for +him hard. You know he’s one of the owners +of the Atlantic Coastwise Trading Company. +Well, I went right down to the city next day, +and for several days I hung round. Then, +they told me another feller got in ahead of +me. When I was going out I see Jim in one +of them little glass rooms talking earnest-like +to some of his partners, and I heerd him +speak my name. I knew right off that there +was something up the mizzenmast. I come +home, and waited. It was then I found +Mack in the house. Mrs. Beaver put him in +here while I was away. I also found the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_222' name='page_222'></a>222</span> +painters all over the place. I knew right off +that Jim had me on the hip, but I couldn’t +make out what his game was. Yesterday the +thing come tumbling down on my head; a +lawyer brought it. Them papers I signed up +has turned out to be a mortgage on my old +home.”</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin gasped. “A mortgage and a +lawyer was here to see you yesterday?”</p> +<p>“They sure was. One of ’em brung the +other, and I had to meet ’em both alone. +They seemed real glad to see me, but I wa’n’t +none too friendly with either of ’em.”</p> +<p>“Josiah, stop your joking. You say there +was a lawyer here to see you, and he brought +a mortgage on your place?”</p> +<p>The old man looked away and cleared his +throat. “The feller come from the city. He +showed me how them papers called for a settlement +afore the fust of November. I ain’t +got a chance in the hull world to get hold of +any money afore then. He said something +about a foreclosure, too, and he said that +meant I was to lose my place. He see how +hard I took it, and was real kind. He said +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_223' name='page_223'></a>223</span> +he’d come all the way from the city just to +let me know.”</p> +<p>“Kind! Pooh! You’d better have showed +him the door like you told me you did Harry +Beaver.”</p> +<p>“It wa’n’t his fault, Clemmie. He was +real sorry. He was just doing his duty. He +offered to buy the place after I’d showed him +about. What he said he’d give wa’n’t what +it’s wuth by a heap, but it would pay Jim off +and leave me a mite.”</p> +<p>“Offered to buy it, did he? Well, you +didn’t tell him you’d sell, did you?”</p> +<p>“Not for sartin, I didn’t. I told him I’d +think it over a spell and let him know.”</p> +<p>“Let him know! Pooh! I should say you +will think it over, and for a purty long +spell, too. You ain’t going to sell a foot +of it! That feller wasn’t here for himself. +He was playing one of Jim Fox’s tricks on +you.”</p> +<p>“But, Clemmie,–––”</p> +<p>“Josiah, you mark my word, that lawyer +feller was here to buy this place for Jim Fox. +It’s as plain as the nose on your face, and I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_224' name='page_224'></a>224</span> +don’t need to look twice to see that. Don’t +you dare to sell one inch of this place.”</p> +<p>The Captain rubbed the organ to which +Miss Pipkin referred, and thought for some +time. “Suppose your guess is right, and he +did come for Jim, there ain’t nothing left for +me but to sell. That’s better than losing +everything.” He tried to clear his husky +voice. “It’s kind of hard. I’ve got you and +the minister here now, and I’m sort of obligated +to you both. It’s kind of hard.”</p> +<p>“Obligated, fiddlesticks! I ain’t so young +that I can’t take care of myself, nor so old, +neither. I’ll get on all right, and the minister, +too, for that matter.” Her voice dropped +with an unsteady quality. “But what you’re +going to do, I can’t see.”</p> +<p>He shook his head wearily. “I’ve been +trying to see some way all night long, but I +can’t, ’cepting to sell.”</p> +<p>“Josiah,”––she crossed over and laid her +hand on his shoulder,––“there’s a picture in +the setting-room that says beneath it something +like this: ‘Don’t Give Up the Ship.’ I +was looking at it yesterday after I’d been so +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_225' name='page_225'></a>225</span> +silly about what you said to me. I must have +been sent to the picture for a purpose in this +hour of our trial. We ain’t going to give up +the ship, not till we have to.”</p> +<p>“But he’s got the law on his side, and I +ain’t got nothing on mine.”</p> +<p>“You’ve got a clear conscience, and that’s +more than all the law with which he’s clothing +his guilty mind. And, then,”––she eyed him +closely,––“you’ve got me. Does that help? +We ain’t going to run up the white flag till we +have to, and I don’t care if he’s got the whole +creation on his side.”</p> +<p>He rose and laid his rough palm over the +bony fingers on his shoulder. “Do you mean +that you’re going to stick by me, Clemmie?”</p> +<p>She nodded.</p> +<p>“I cal’late that’ll help a heap, even if +things go dead against me. It’s purty nigh +three weeks afore he can close up on me,” he +faltered, as though he dared not hope even in +the presence of this unexpected aid that had +come to him. “What are we going to do?”</p> +<p>“The fust thing you’re going to do is to see +Jim Fox himself, and you’re going to tell him +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_226' name='page_226'></a>226</span> +that you’re going to see a good lawyer, the +best you can find. If them papers ain’t +straight he’ll show plain that he’s worried.” +She drew her hand from his. “Josiah, I’m +going to show you something I ain’t ever +showed to a living soul. It ain’t much, but it +might start you along the right way of finding +something out.”</p> +<p>She went to her room, and soon returned +with a piece of paper. It was yellow with +age, and had to be handled with care to keep +it from falling apart at the creases. She +handed it to the Captain, indicating a section +for him to read. He nearly tumbled from his +chair as the truth it conveyed concerning the +past life of Jim Fox flashed into his mind.</p> +<p>“Holy mackerel!”</p> +<p>The entrance of the minister prevented +further comment, except for the Captain to +whisper:</p> +<p>“Thanks, Clemmie. ’Twill help, I cal’late. +You’re a good woman,” he finished, taking +her hand between both of his. “You’re +smart, too. You’ve helped me more than you +know, and God bless you!”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_227' name='page_227'></a>227</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XII' id='CHAPTER_XII'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> +</div> +<p>That evening the Captain dropped the +brass knocker to the Elder’s front door with +a heavy thud. A servant opened the door.</p> +<p>“I want to see Mr. Fox.”</p> +<p>“He’s not in, sir. Will you leave any–––”</p> +<p>“Who is it, Debbs?” called a voice from +the top of the stair.</p> +<p>“Captain Pott, sir. I thought you was to +see no one to-night, sir.”</p> +<p>“That’s all right. Send him right up to +my room.”</p> +<p>The Elder’s den was across the hall from +his daughter’s room, in the most quiet part of +the house.</p> +<p>“Right in here, Josiah. We shall be more +private here than down-stairs.”</p> +<p>The Captain entered, and took the chair indicated +by the Elder.</p> +<p>“I was very busy, and told Debbs I was +not to be disturbed, but I recognized your +voice, and––er––wanted to see you. It has +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_228' name='page_228'></a>228</span> +been quite a long while since we have had a +friendly chat, Josiah. I wish you would come +more often. I get very lonesome in this big +place. Have a cigar? No? I shall, if you +don’t mind.”</p> +<p>“We ain’t been none too neighborly, as you +might say.”</p> +<p>“Why don’t you come up once in a +while?”</p> +<p>“Cal’late for the same reason you don’t get +over to the other end of the road. For one +thing, I’m too busy paying off debts.”</p> +<p>The Elder looked questioningly at the seaman +as he touched the lighted end of a match +to his cigar. “That is true. We––er––are +busy, too busy for our own good. We ought +to be more sociable here in Little River. We +need something to stir us up.”</p> +<p>“We’re too damn selfish, if you ask me. +As far as stirring goes, I cal’late we’ve got +as much of that as any town along this coast. +About all a feller can do is to set his teeth +against the hurricane and grin.”</p> +<p>The Elder laughed without restraint, and +his visitor began to show signs of uneasiness.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_229' name='page_229'></a>229</span></div> +<p>“You’d best be careful with them delicate +blood-vessels,” mildly suggested the Captain.</p> +<p>“True, Josiah. But that was a good joke, +a very good joke. One can take it in two +ways.”</p> +<p>“Not the way I mean it. There’s enough +gossip–––”</p> +<p>“Yes, we are too selfish,” broke in the +Elder, “and it is too bad. I often think of the +time we were kids together. We had our little +scraps, made up, and were ready to fight +for each other.”</p> +<p>The Captain could recall no occasion when +he had fought for Jim Fox.</p> +<p>“How long ago that all seems! Yet how––er––happy +were those days. No cares. No +sorrows. No troubles. No misunderstandings. +Excuse me, Josiah. I don’t know why +it is that I hark back like this when we get together. +But it does me a world of good.”</p> +<p>“Maybe you’ve got another fish to fry,” +suggested the Captain, wholly untouched by +the Elder’s memory picture. “That was the +way you done when you wanted us boys to do +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_230' name='page_230'></a>230</span> +something for you, and you ain’t got over it +with age.”</p> +<p>“I was quite a diplomat in those days, +wasn’t I? But we can’t bring them back. +No, sir, we can’t. They are––er––gone forever.”</p> +<p>“I ain’t sartin I want to fetch ’em back. +Leastwise, that wa’n’t my purpose in coming +here to-night. I come over to see you about +that mortgage you slipped over on me.”</p> +<p>“Mortgage?”</p> +<p>“Yes, mortgage.”</p> +<p>“Oh! You refer to that little loan I made +you some time ago? That was––er––real humor +calling it a mortgage.”</p> +<p>“It may be funny to you, but it ain’t to +me.”</p> +<p>“I hope that little matter isn’t bothering +you.”</p> +<p>“It ain’t, but a feller from the city is. He +told me you was intending to take my place.”</p> +<p>“I’m sorry he told you that. I do not +know what I should do with it if I had it.”</p> +<p>“I don’t know what I’d do without it, +Jim.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_231' name='page_231'></a>231</span></div> +<p>“I think it can be arranged without difficulty. +It is such a small matter.”</p> +<p>“It may look small to you, but it looks a +heap sight different to me.”</p> +<p>“I know, Josiah. It is very opportune +that you have come to me to-night. Not +more than an hour ago I was thinking of you, +and wishing I might––er––see you. I have +been thinking, too, of others, some who stood +by me in time of peril and poverty. I feel +greatly indebted to them, and since they were +members of your family, I must now show my +appreciation for their kindness.”</p> +<p>“I cal’late you’re referring to them you +served a dirty trick over in Australia.”</p> +<p>“Why, Josiah! I have told you a hundred +times that I was never in Australia,” declared +the other, paling slightly.</p> +<p>“That’s so, you have, Jim. Excuse me.”</p> +<p>“As I was saying,” he continued, showing +great relief, “I feel indebted to them, and I +want to pay back–––”</p> +<p>“Look here, Jim, you needn’t offer none of +your blood money. It don’t look good to +me.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_232' name='page_232'></a>232</span></div> +<p>It was a bold stroke, but it went home. +The color crept slowly from the Elder’s sanguine +face.</p> +<p>“I have no intention of offering you charity.”</p> +<p>“You know damn well you dasn’t. I’m +not speaking of charity, and you know that, +too, Jim. I’m speaking of blood money, and +I mean just what I say.”</p> +<p>“You are still the same doubting Thomas, +I see. Do you recall how you were always +the last one––er––to be won over to a new enterprise?” +The Elder tried to smile.</p> +<p>“I had good reason to go slow. A mite of +caution is a purty fair endowment of nature +where some people’s schemes is concerned. If +I’d used a little of it last spring I’d not be in +the fix I am to-day.”</p> +<p>“But that bump of caution on your head is +pretty hard on your friends.”</p> +<p>“I cal’late it won’t hurt my friends none. +We wa’n’t speaking of them just then. Anyhow, +it’s kept me with a clean conscience to +sleep with, and I’d a heap sight rather ship +with clear rigging than be ballasted with some +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_233' name='page_233'></a>233</span> +people’s money and have to make bedfellows +with their conscience.”</p> +<p>“Yes,––er––ahem––quite true,” was the +hasty reply. “What can I do for you, Josiah? +If I can be of the least service,––er––I +shall be only too glad.”</p> +<p>“It depends on what you’ve got to offer +me. The fust thing I’d like to suggest is that +you stop that there er-ing and hem-ing. +There ain’t no one here but me, and it don’t +make no impression. Being that you’re so +infernal anxious to get back to boyhood +days we might just as well go all-hog on +it. You didn’t try none of that foolishness +then.”</p> +<p>“What you say is quite true.” The Elder +stroked his chops thoughtfully.</p> +<p>“You didn’t have them things to pet, +neither. You might just as well stop that. +It makes me nervous.”</p> +<p>Elder Fox eyed him narrowly. He had a +mind to tell this man to leave his house at +once. He even entertained the thought that +it might be a good thing to call Debbs and +have him put out. But a certain fear, which +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_234' name='page_234'></a>234</span> +had for years haunted the Elder, laid a cold +restraining hand on his inclinations.</p> +<p>“Yes, Josiah, those are habits that I have +formed in business. Dealing with so many +different kinds of men makes us do odd things +at times, and if repeated often enough they +become habits. I have always tried to be +courteous even to men that bore me, and I +presume I took on those senseless little syllables +to temper my natural brusqueness.”</p> +<p>“Well, you don’t need ’em to-night, and +you can be as brusque as you like.”</p> +<p>“Before we speak of that little matter between +us, I have something else I want to say. +When we have finished, I trust there will be +no need to mention the other.”</p> +<p>“If it’s advice you’re wanting to give, I’ll +tell you right off that I’ve had enough of it. +What I need is time on that mortgage you +and your crooked lawyer put over on me.”</p> +<p>“There may be lots of money in what I +have to propose. In fact, there is, if you do +as I say. How badly do you want a ship to +man and command?”</p> +<p>“See here, Jim, I ain’t in no frame of mind +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_235' name='page_235'></a>235</span> +to be fooled with to-night. If you don’t +mean just what you’re going to say, you’d +best not say it.”</p> +<p>“I mean every word of it, but I shall expect +more consideration and respect from you +before I open my mouth again.”</p> +<p>“If you’re in dead earnest, Jim, I beg your +pardon. This damn mortgage has got on my +nerves purty bad. Heave over your proposition, +and get it off your chest.”</p> +<p>“I shall have to exact one promise from +you.”</p> +<p>The Captain took one step toward the +Elder’s chair, his swarthy old face alight with +anticipation and hope. One promise! He +would give a hundred, and keep them all. +The Captain was fine-looking at all times, +every span of him a man and a seaman. But +when his face was bright with eagerness, and +his muscular body tense with anticipation, he +was superb. To those less steeled against human +magnetism than Mr. Fox, he was irresistible +at such times. The Elder merely +waved him back to the vacated chair.</p> +<p>“That one promise will bind us both,” he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_236' name='page_236'></a>236</span> +said coldly. “In fact, it is to your interest +as well as to mine to make it. You will not +see it at first, but time will prove that I am +right in asking it.”</p> +<p>“I’ll promise anything that’s reasonable if +you’ll only swing me the job of skipper.”</p> +<p>“Very well.” The Elder began to shuffle +some papers with deft fingers.</p> +<p>“But that there mortgage, Jim, is soon +due, and–––”</p> +<p>“We shall not speak of that for the present. +There are other ways of disposing of +mortgages than by paying them,” he remarked, +striking a match and holding it significantly +beneath a piece of paper which the +Captain recognized as the one displayed by +the lawyer yesterday.</p> +<p>Captain Pott did not take his eyes from the +face of the man across the table. A suspicion +was forcing its way into his mind, +and it was as unpleasant as it was unwelcome.</p> +<p>“How do I know that you’ll keep your end +of the promise, Jim?”</p> +<p>“You have my word.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_237' name='page_237'></a>237</span></div> +<p>“I had that afore, at the time you give +me that money, but it didn’t get me nothing.”</p> +<p>“I do not remember that I gave any definite +promise. I said I would do my best for +you, and I did.”</p> +<p>“Maybe you done your best, but–––”</p> +<p>“We’ll not quarrel about that. There is +nothing indefinite about the position I have to +offer you this time. I have the papers here +on my table, and the command is yours in less +than five minutes after you make the promise. +At the same time the note for my loan to you +goes into the fire.”</p> +<p>“Well, is there any special reason why you +should take so long to get this thing off your +chest?”</p> +<p>“I want you to realize the importance of +the request I have to make.” The Elder +threw aside what little mask he had been +wearing. An imperious note crept into his +voice, giving it a hard metallic ring. “It is +time for you to recognize, Josiah, that I have +you about where I want you. I can make or +ruin you in five minutes, and it all depends on +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_238' name='page_238'></a>238</span> +how you reply now. Think hard before you +answer.”</p> +<p>“That’s right, Jim, you’ve got me with a +purty tight hip-hold,” admitted the Captain. +“But I’m waiting just now for them orders +to see if I’m going to sign up.”</p> +<p>“You’ll sign up, I’m not afraid of that. +That is, if you really wish to keep your place. +The promise that you are to make to me +is concerning the man staying in your +house.”</p> +<p>Captain Pott stiffened, and threw up his +guard. He carefully concealed his rising anger, +however. He must be more certain of +his ground before he made any leap that +might prove dangerous.</p> +<p>“What in tarnation has he got to do with +this affair?”</p> +<p>“He has everything to do with it, so far as +you are concerned at this particular moment. +We must get that man out of this town. You +must believe me when I tell you that such action +is as much to your interest as mine. If +he is permitted to stay here–––”</p> +<p>“Heave to, there, Jim!” exploded the seaman. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_239' name='page_239'></a>239</span> +He leaned across the table and glared +at the man on the other side.</p> +<p>“There, now, sit down and compose yourself,” +soothed the Elder. “I was prepared +for you to take it this way at first. I don’t +mean anything against the man, so far as his +personal character is concerned, but his presence +here is a decided menace both to you and +me. If I dared to tell you the whole truth, +you, too, would see the sense of my request. +It is best that he go for his own good, too. +Some physical violence will certainly be done +him if he remains. You must see with me +that it is best on that one point that we remove +him quietly from the town. Sim Hicks has +sworn to do him harm. Now, you are the +logical man to go to Mr. McGowan, and show +him the sense of his leaving Little River. +You seem to be the only one who can influence +him in any degree.”</p> +<p>“By the Almighty, Jim Fox! If it wa’n’t +for your darter, I’d swipe up this floor with +your dirty carcass!”</p> +<p>“It will be best if you take this calmly, +Josiah, and stop your foolish raving. Just +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_240' name='page_240'></a>240</span> +listen to reason for once in your life. There +is a past in that man’s life known to a very +select few. I came across it accidentally. If +it became known it would create no end of +scandal and ruin our little church. That man +had no good intention in putting in his request +for the Little River pulpit. What is +more, he is not a real minister of the gospel. +He is using it merely as a pretext.”</p> +<p>The Captain caught his breath. “He ain’t +a minister? What do you mean by that?”</p> +<p>“Nothing more than what it conveys to +your mind. I cannot tell you more, just +now.”</p> +<p>“Jim, you’re lying to me!”</p> +<p>“Be careful, Josiah. You are making a +very serious charge, and I may decide to make +you prove it in court.”</p> +<p>The seaman reached into his coat-pocket +for the yellow bit of paper which Miss Pipkin +had given him that morning. But he quickly +withdrew his hand without the paper. The +thought flashed through his mind that he +could not prove with certainty the truth of the +message written thereon.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_241' name='page_241'></a>241</span></div> +<p>“I’ve got something here in my pocket +that’d interest you a heap, Jim. But I ain’t +able to prove it all, so it can wait for a spell. +But if it leads in the direction I think it does, +the Lord pity you!”</p> +<p>“I’d advise you to hold your tongue, as it +might get you into trouble. If you will drop +all that foolishness about getting even with +me for imaginary wrongs, we shall be able to +talk business. Here are the receipts for the +full amount I loaned you, and here are papers +waiting your signature and mine that will put +you in command of the best vessel put out by +our company in many years. It all depends +now on your willingness to help me get Mr. +McGowan out of our town.”</p> +<p>Mr. Fox shoved the papers temptingly +across the table, keeping one hand on the corner +of them. The Captain appeared to waver. +Of course, he acknowledged, it did seem +easy. But he did not touch the papers. He +rather drew back as though they were deadly +poison. He eyed the Elder narrowly.</p> +<p>“Well, what do you say?”</p> +<p>“Jim Fox,”––began the seaman slowly, his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_242' name='page_242'></a>242</span> +voice lowering with the rise of his anger,––“you’re +a white-livered coward! You’ve always +been getting others to do your dirty +work for you, and I’m sartin now that you’re +offering me a bribe to help stack your damn +cards against Mack. There ain’t money +enough in the world to make me do that. I +see your game just as plain as though you’d +written it out like you done them papers. +You mean to wreck Mack’s life, and you’re +asking me to sit in with you and the devil +while you do it. You mean to throw him out +of a job, and you mean to keep him from getting +another by working through that Means +hypocrite. Yes, I can see through you, as +plain as a slit canvas. There’s something +infernal back of all this, and that something is +your goat. You’re skeered that the minister +is going to get it, and that’s what is ailing you. +By God! I’ll be on deck to help him, whether +he’s a preacher or a detective from Australia +looking for crooks. You’ve been lying all +these years about where you made your +money. You’ve been telling that you got it +in Africa, trading in diamonds. I’ve got a +piece of paper in my pocket that blows up +your lies like dynamite. You was in Australia +all them years. By the Almighty! I’m +going to sign up with the preacher, and I +don’t care a tinker’s dam if you get the last +cent I have, and send me up Riverhead way +to the Poor Farm to eat off the county. +Foreclose on my property! That ain’t no +more than you’ve been doing to others all your +miserable life. It ain’t no more than you +done to Clemmie Pipkin years ago, leaving +her nothing to live on. But mine will be the +last you’ll foreclose on, and I’m going to see +one or two of the best lawyers in the city afore +you do that!”</p> +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_4' id='linki_4'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus-242.jpg' alt='' title='' width='313' height='469' /><br /> +<p class='caption'> +“<span class='smcap'>There ain’t money enough in the world to make me do that.</span>”––<i>Page 242.</i><br /> +</p> +</div> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_243' name='page_243'></a>243</span></div> +<p>The Captain strode from the room and +down the stair. Mr. Fox called feebly, begging +him to return. But the seaman was deaf +with rage, and he left the house without hearing +the mumbled petition of an apparently +penitent Elder.</p> +<p>Captain Pott half ran, half stumbled, down +to the wharf. He hurriedly untied his dory, +and rowed out to the <i>Jennie P.</i> A little later +he anchored his power-boat in the harbor of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_244' name='page_244'></a>244</span> +Little River where the railroad station was +located. He rowed ashore, secured his dory, +and ran to the depot. He climbed aboard the +city-bound train just as it began to move.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_245' name='page_245'></a>245</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIII' id='CHAPTER_XIII'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> +</div> +<p>Daylight was beginning to peep through +the morning darkness when the Captain +threaded his way along the crooked path to +the rear of his house. He drew off his boots +outside the kitchen door, and tiptoed to his +room. Without removing his clothing he +threw himself on the bed. The sunlight was +streaming through the eastern windows when +he awoke. He stretched himself off the bed, +and threw back the covers so that Miss Pipkin +would think he had slept there the night +through. He went down to the kitchen.</p> +<p>“Anything special to tell me this morning, +Josiah?” whispered the housekeeper as he entered. +“How pale you look! Ain’t been +seeing ghosts, have you? You look like one +yourself.”</p> +<p>“Maybe ’twas ghosts I see, but they looked +purty tolerable real to me. Yes, Clemmie, +I’ve sartin been looking on things what ain’t +good for a healthy man to see. One of ’em is +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_246' name='page_246'></a>246</span> +that I’m a ruined man, and there ain’t no help +for it.”</p> +<p>“Don’t talk such nonsense! Get out and +fill your lungs with fresh air. That cures the +blues quicker than anything I know.”</p> +<p>“It won’t cure this fit. If it would, I’d +had it cured long ago, ’cause that’s all I’ve +been doing for a good many weeks. If I’d +talked less and done more I’d been a heap +sight better off.”</p> +<p>“I thought from the way you was staying +up there last night that you was doing something. +I never heerd you come in at all.”</p> +<p>“Maybe I wa’n’t up there all that time. +The fact is, Clemmie, I went into the city last +night.”</p> +<p>“You went into New York last night? +What did you do that for?”</p> +<p>“I went in and pulled a lawyer friend of +mine out of bed for a little confab. I don’t +mind telling you who it was. It was Harold +Fox.... Clemmie, that feller that was +here to see me about that mortgage lied to me +about the date it was due. Harold says the +time is up on it next Saturday.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_247' name='page_247'></a>247</span></div> +<p>“Josiah!”</p> +<p>“I also talked with another friend of mine +who knew Jim purty well in his palmy days, +and he says what that letter of yours says is +so. He told me a lot more stuff, too.”</p> +<p>“What? About Jim or Adoniah?”</p> +<p>“Both. What would you do if there wa’n’t +no way to save my place excepting by ruination +of the other feller?”</p> +<p>“You’d see him stop for you, wouldn’t +you? I’d not give it a second thought, I’d +just–––”</p> +<p>“That ain’t it, Clemmie. There’s his darter, +the sweetest little thing that God ever +made. It would kill her, and I ain’t got no +right to hurt her just to save my own skin.”</p> +<p>“You’re right, Josiah.”</p> +<p>“But what I’m to do, I don’t know.”</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan entered with an armful of +wood, and as he stooped to drop it into the +box Miss Pipkin looked sorrowfully at the +Captain and shook her head.</p> +<p>“I’ve done my best,” said the seaman, +slowly.</p> +<p>“You’d think he was making his last will +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_248' name='page_248'></a>248</span> +and testament from the way he’s talking,” remarked +Miss Pipkin, trying hard to appear as +though she was without the least concern.</p> +<p>“Maybe I be, Clemmie. Maybe I be.”</p> +<p>“What’s the cause for all this dejection?” +asked the minister.</p> +<p>“Cause enough, Mack.... I’ll be +going back to the city to-morrow. I hate to +leave you to the wiles of the menagerie, for if +I ain’t terrible mistook they’re out for your +blood, and they think they’ve got a whiff of it. +But I cal’late they’ve got their ropes crossed. +They’ve got the idea they’re h’isting the +mains’l, but it ain’t nothing but the spanker. +If I was going to stay aboard I’d give ’em a +few lessons the next few days that they’d not +forget all the rest of their lives.”</p> +<p>“You’re certainly mixing your figures in +great shape this morning,” commented the +minister good-naturedly.</p> +<p>“Well, if mixing figures is like mixing +drinks, making ’em more elevating to the +thoughts, I cal’late I’d best do a little more +mixing. There’s going to be a squall right +soon that’ll test the ribs of the old salvation +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_249' name='page_249'></a>249</span> +ark to the cracking p’int. If I was you I’d +furl my sails a mite, and stand by, Mack.”</p> +<p>“We’re so accustomed to trouble now +that–––”</p> +<p>“Trouble? This is going to be hell, that +is, unless luck or Providence takes a hand +and steers her through. Your Elder thinks +he’s on the home stretch to winning his laurels, +but if I was going to hang round here he’d +wake up right sudden one of these fine mornings +to find his wreath missing.”</p> +<p>“Josiah, you’re as wicked as you can be this +morning. What on earth has come over +you?” exclaimed Miss Pipkin with deep concern.</p> +<p>“You’d feel wicked, too, if you was dealing +with that kind. But that there Elder puts +me in mind of a tramp printer that come to +work for Adoniah one time. Adoniah was a +brother of mine,” he explained in answer to a +quizzing look from the minister. “Adoniah +was managing a country paper down the line +then, and being short on help he took this +tramp printer on. He gave him something +to set up that the editor had writ,––you +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_250' name='page_250'></a>250</span> +couldn’t tell one of the letters of that editor +from t’other, hardly,––and that feller had a +time with it. The piece was about some chap +that was running for office, and it closed up +with something like this: ‘Dennis, my boy, +look well to your laurels.’ When that tramp +got through with it, it come back to the editor +like this: ‘Dammit, my boy, bark well at your +barrels.’”</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan laughed heartily, and Miss +Pipkin struggled against a like inclination, +doing her best to appear shocked.</p> +<p>“Josiah Pott!” she said at last. “I’d +think you’d be ashamed telling such things!”</p> +<p>“It ain’t nothing more than what Adoniah +told, and it happened just as I spun it. You +used to think what Adoniah said was all +right.”</p> +<p>The minister sobered instantly.</p> +<p>“But it ain’t right defaming the dead like +that.”</p> +<p>“I ain’t defaming no one. Don’t get mad, +Clemmie. Adoniah told the yarn himself.”</p> +<p>“Well, it ain’t to his credit, and I ain’t so +sure he told it with that bad word in it.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_251' name='page_251'></a>251</span></div> +<p>“He sartin did. That’s what makes it +funny.”</p> +<p>“If you wasn’t so anxious to use them +words you’d not be telling such stories, and, of +all people, to the minister.”</p> +<p>“He’s heerd me say lots worse ones than +that. I was telling it for illustration. You +see, Jim has got the idea that he’s looking to +his laurels, and he ain’t doing nothing but +barking at his barrels, and empty ones at +that.”</p> +<p>“You’d best not try to illustrate if you +can’t use words decent enough to listen to,” +answered Miss Pipkin as she left the room.</p> +<p>Late that evening Mr. McGowan drew the +Captain into his study. A cheery fire was +crackling in the fire-back. The minister +placed a chair before the grate and slid another +near. For some time the two men sat +looking into the fire. As Mr. McGowan +tossed in another stick of wood, he turned toward +the seaman.</p> +<p>“I did not know that you had a brother by +the name of Adoniah,” he said.</p> +<p>“It ain’t often I make mention of him. I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_252' name='page_252'></a>252</span> +wa’n’t over fond of him. He didn’t treat +Clemmie fair. Then, he wa’n’t nothing but a +half-brother.”</p> +<p>“Don’t tell me his last name was Phillips?”</p> +<p>“Sartin was.... What was that you +said, Mack?”</p> +<p>“I didn’t speak. I was just thinking.”</p> +<p>“I’d a heap sight rather you’d speak out +loud than grunt like that. What in tarnation +is the matter with you?”</p> +<p>“If you can throw any light on this man +Phillips, I wish you’d do it. I’ve heard his +name mentioned twice, by two different people, +with quite different effects.”</p> +<p>“What do you mean by me throwing light +on him?”</p> +<p>“Tell me about him, all you know, good +and bad. What does Miss Pipkin know +about him? Where is he?”</p> +<p>“Heave to, there, Mack! One at a time. +I don’t know if Clemmie has any idea where +he is now. She was purty thick with him +once, and heerd from him once or twice after +he went off to sea.”</p> +<p>“She was in love with him?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_253' name='page_253'></a>253</span></div> +<p>“That’s putting it purty tame. I cal’late––Say, +has she been speaking to you +about him?” asked the seaman eagerly.</p> +<p>The minister nodded. “I’m breaking a +promise to her by talking with you about it, +but–––”</p> +<p>“Breaking a promise you made to Clemmie? +How’s that?”</p> +<p>“She made me promise to say nothing to +you. But I must. This thing is getting too +interesting for me to keep my hands off any +longer.”</p> +<p>“You mean she made you say that you’d +not tell me that she was in love with Adoniah? +That’s funny, ain’t it? Why, I knew–––” +He broke off abruptly, a new light coming +into his tired eyes. He leaned forward and +whispered hoarsely: “Mack, it ain’t likely +she’s in love with––well,––with any other feller, +is it?”</p> +<p>“She didn’t–––”</p> +<p>“With me, for example,” broke in the seaman. +“You don’t think maybe that was the +reason she made you give that promise, do +you?” The Captain made no effort to hide +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_254' name='page_254'></a>254</span> +his eagerness. “I don’t mind telling you that +I love Clemmie. I loved her long afore Adoniah +come along and sp’iled it. He was +smarter than me, and went to school. He +was real bright and handsome. It wa’n’t +that Clemmie loved him, but she didn’t know +the difference. And I know right well he +didn’t love her. He had took a spite against +me because I was left the home place, and he +took it out on me by stealing my girl. You +don’t s’pose she sees now that he didn’t really +care–––” He slowly settled back into his +chair, and shook his head. “I cal’late that +ain’t possible. You heerd what she said about +his sacred memory this morning. Good Lord! +Why won’t she ever forget!”</p> +<p>“She may some day, Cap’n. No man can +predict to-day what a woman may do to-morrow.”</p> +<p>“The most of ’em are that way, but Clemmie’s +different from the common run. I +know I’m an old fool for wishing it, but it +ain’t easy to give up the woman you love, +even after long years of her saying no to +you.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_255' name='page_255'></a>255</span></div> +<p>“You’re right, Cap’n. It isn’t easy to +give up the woman you love.”</p> +<p>The minister gave the fire a vigorous poke, +sending a thick shower of sparks up the chimney. +The seaman glanced at him.</p> +<p>“Have you the slightest idea where your +brother is?”</p> +<p>“No. I ain’t heerd from him for more +than twenty years, and then it wa’n’t direct. +He left because he was ’feared Clemmie was +going to make him marry her, and he knew if +he took to sailing the seas she’d never foller +him. Damn him! He didn’t treat her +square. That’s why I don’t have much use +for him. If he’d told her out and out that he +wa’n’t going to marry her, I’d forgive him. +But–––”</p> +<p>“Did Mr. Fox know this half-brother?”</p> +<p>“About as well as he knew the rest of us +about town. He always was sort of h’ity-t’ity, +Jim was.”</p> +<p>“Did he know him better after they left +Little River?”</p> +<p>“Mack, I ain’t got your tack, yet. Mind +telling me where you’re heading?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_256' name='page_256'></a>256</span></div> +<p>“You asked me once if anything out of the +ordinary took place that night I dined at the +Fox home. Do you remember?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I rec’lect I did ask you something +like that. But–––”</p> +<p>“You may also recall that you suggested +that what happened to Mr. Fox took place in +his head instead of in his heart.”</p> +<p>“Yes, I said that, too. But, Mack–––”</p> +<p>“Just wait, and I’ll tell you what this is all +about. I had mentioned to Harold that I +was born in Australia–––”</p> +<p>“Mack!” The Captain was out of his +chair in one bound. “You born in Australia? +Why in tarnation didn’t you ever tell +me that afore?”</p> +<p>The minister looked puzzled. “My announcement +had a similar effect on the +Elder.”</p> +<p>“Go on, Mack. Don’t mind me. I’m a +mite narvous. All unstrung, I cal’late.”</p> +<p>“As I said I had just mentioned that fact +to Harold, and the conversation naturally +turned back to the days of the early traders +who went to that country. Harold then told +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_257' name='page_257'></a>257</span> +his father that the law firm, of which he has +recently been made a junior member, had put +him on a case which necessitated his going +over to Australia. It seems that they had +been trying to clear it up for a long time. +The case came from Sydney, and had been +referred to him because he had once spent +some time over there. It was when he mentioned +the name of the client that Mr. Fox +nearly fainted.”</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan gave the fire another vigorous +poke before continuing. The Captain +slid to the edge of his chair, holding on to the +sides.</p> +<p>“Do you know of all the movements +of Mr. Fox after he left here?” came the +disappointing question from near the fireplace.</p> +<p>“No, I don’t. But you was speaking of +the case from Sydney, Mack. Who was the +feller whose name hit Jim so hard?”</p> +<p>“Was Mr. Fox a sailor?”</p> +<p>“Lordie!” ejaculated the Captain. “Jim +Fox a sailor? Why, he couldn’t sail a tub in +a flooded cellar.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_258' name='page_258'></a>258</span></div> +<p>“You mean he never crossed the ocean as a +trader?”</p> +<p>“He done that, I cal’late, but as far as him +being a sailor–––” He sniffed a contemptuous +conclusion.</p> +<p>“How many years ago was it that he followed +the seas?”</p> +<p>“I ain’t able to say, exactly, but it wa’n’t +long after Adoniah left home.”</p> +<p>“Cap’n Pott, Mr. Fox knew your half-brother +after they had both left this country.”</p> +<p>“How do you know that?”</p> +<p>“Just by putting two and two together.”</p> +<p>The seaman took the yellow bit of paper +from his pocket, and in his excitement crumpled +it into a wad. “But Adoniah went to +Australia, and Jim says he was in Africa,” he +said, testing out the other’s fund of information.</p> +<p>“I know all about that story, but I don’t +believe one word of it. Mr. Fox did not make +his money in Africa, and he knew your half-brother.”</p> +<p>“What’s all this got to do with that there +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_259' name='page_259'></a>259</span> +client Harold spoke of the last night you ate +up there?”</p> +<p>“Everything. The man he mentioned was +a trader in Sydney. He had married an only +daughter of an older trader, and then something +happened. The younger man disappeared +very suddenly. The old trader +searched for years, but in vain. Recently, he +died, leaving a large estate. His wife has +taken up the search for the lost daughter. It +was the name of the old trader’s son-in-law +that crumpled up Mr. Fox like an autumn +leaf. The young trader’s name was Adoniah +Phillips.”</p> +<p>Though he had been anticipating this, the +Captain fell back into his chair and stared +blankly at the minister. “But why did he +act like the devil toward you, Mack? That’s +what I want to know.”</p> +<p>“I don’t know. That is the thing that +puzzles me.”</p> +<p>“What more do you know?”</p> +<p>“Harold said that Mr. Phillips came over +to this country.”</p> +<p>The Captain again sprang from his chair as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_260' name='page_260'></a>260</span> +though hurled out by a strong spring. Mr. +McGowan rose to face him.</p> +<p>“My brother in America? Mack, it’s a lie! +He’d have looked me up!”</p> +<p>“Perhaps he had reasons for not wishing +you to know about him. He may have been +an outlaw.”</p> +<p>The minister then asked abruptly, “What +connection was there between him and Mr. +Fox? That is the thing we must find out.”</p> +<p>The Captain was trembling. “Have you +seen Harold since he come back?”</p> +<p>“Not yet. But I intend to.”</p> +<p>“No you don’t! For God’s sake, boy, +don’t do it!”</p> +<p>“But I must. I want to help you and +Miss Pipkin. Then, for some unknown reason, +I seem to be a part of all this mystery, +and I intend to ferret it out.”</p> +<p>“Mack, please don’t!”</p> +<p>“Is it because you fear disgrace to your +family name?”</p> +<p>“That’s it!” shouted the seaman, seizing +the minister by the arms with a crushing grip. +“I’ll tell you the hull miserable yarn some +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_261' name='page_261'></a>261</span> +day, when I get to the bottom of it. But +keep your hands off now! Them’s orders!”</p> +<p>“And if I break them?”</p> +<p>“Then, by the Lord Harry, I’ll break–––” +The Captain stopped abruptly. “Mack, +what be you doing in Little River?”</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin had been disturbed by the +noise, and now opened the study door. She +looked alarmed. The swarthy face of the +Captain was a sickly green where the white +reflected through the deep tan.</p> +<p>“Of all things!” exclaimed the housekeeper. +“I s’pose I should pity the two of +you if you feel the way you look. But, for +the lan’ sakes, Josiah, let go the minister’s +arms this very minute. You’re crushing +them.”</p> +<p>The Captain’s hands relaxed and fell +limply to his sides. The tense muscles of his +face eased into a silly grin.</p> +<p>“We was having a friendly little argument, +hey, Mack?”</p> +<p>The minister assented.</p> +<p>“Then, I’d hate to see you in a real fight. +Things must be going to your head, Josiah.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_262' name='page_262'></a>262</span></div> +<p>“That’s a fact, Clemmie, they be, but +they’re clearing it up.”</p> +<p>“You need some of that liniment. Your +worrying has put your stomach out. I’ll fix +up a dose for you.”</p> +<p>“No you won’t neither. It ain’t liniment +I want, it’s something for the outside.” He +started for his hat and coat.</p> +<p>“Josiah! You’re clean off in your head, +going out a night like this! It’s raining pitchforks, +and is past ten o’clock.”</p> +<p>“Don’t you worry, Clemmie. I ain’t crazy. +I’ve just got back what little sense I was born +with. I’m sailing my <i>Jennie P.</i> to the city. +Good-bye.” Before she could enter any protest, +he stooped and kissed her.</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin stood as one paralyzed while +the Captain snatched his rubber hat from the +nail behind the kitchen door, and slipped into +his slicker. He was out of the house before +the coat was fastened about his neck.</p> +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_5' id='linki_5'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus-262.jpg' alt='' title='' width='314' height='473' /><br /> +<p class='caption'> +<span class='smcap'>Miss Pipkin had been disturbed by the noise.</span>––<i>Page 261.</i><br /> +</p> +</div> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_263' name='page_263'></a>263</span></div> +<p>“Now, ain’t that a caution to saints! And +us a-standing here and not trying to stop him. +He’s gone plumb off in his head!” lamented +the housekeeper, dropping limply into a chair. +“What ever shall I do, Mr. McGowan? I +know he’s coming down with that terrible fever +again. I know it! I know it!” She +wept bitterly. “There ain’t been no one +so kind to me, and that cares for me like +him! And I ain’t never give him any +chance!”</p> +<p>“Do you really care for the Captain?”</p> +<p>She straightened, and dabbed her apron +into the corners of her eyes, attempting at the +same time to marshal a legion of denials. +But the legion refused to be marshaled. She +gave up, and admitted that she did care for +Captain Josiah, very much.</p> +<p>“Then, he’ll come back, have no fear. A +twenty-mule team couldn’t keep him away.”</p> +<p>“What good will it be if he does come back, +if he ain’t got his senses?”</p> +<p>“In my opinion he was never more sane +than he is to-night. He has not taken leave +of his senses; he is not a man so easily dethroned. +He has merely taken a leave of absence +from town, and all his five senses have +gone with him.”</p> +<p>After Miss Pipkin had gone to her room +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_264' name='page_264'></a>264</span> +somewhat comforted, Mr. McGowan spied +the yellow piece of paper which the Captain +had dropped. He stooped down, picked it +up, smoothed the crumpled page, and began +to read. His eyes widened with each additional +line.</p> +<blockquote> +<p>“Jim and I are going into partnership over +here in Sydney. It isn’t just what I’d like, +but there are certain advantages. He is a +keen fellow, and I’ll have to watch him pretty +close. There is an older man who has taken +us into his firm, so Jim can’t have his own +way. There is loads of money here, and I +mean to get my share of it.</p> +<p>“Jim and I are both fighting for the same +girl. She is the daughter of the old man who +heads up the firm. May the best man win, +providing I’m the best man. I’ll give him +some run for his money, anyway. I think +I’m on the inside track for the present.</p> +<p>“I guess you’d better not say anything +about Jim being over here. He isn’t using +his own name, and says he wants it kept a +dead secret. Just what his game is, I don’t +know. But there are lots just like him who +are hiding behind assumed names.</p> +<p>“I’m too harum-scarum a sailor for a quiet +home-loving woman like you, so just forget +me. Be good to–––”</p> +</blockquote> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_265' name='page_265'></a>265</span></div> +<p>Here the page ended, and the remainder of +the letter was in Miss Pipkin’s trunk.</p> +<p>Before he had finished reading, the chug-chug +from the Captain’s power-boat floated +in from the harbor, and the minister longed to +be with him.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_266' name='page_266'></a>266</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIV' id='CHAPTER_XIV'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> +</div> +<p>Elizabeth Fox was sitting alone in her +room when the familiar chug from the exhaust +of the <i>Jennie P.</i> fell on her ears. She raised +her window-curtain, and watched the dim +lights move out of the harbor in the direction +of the Sound. An unreasoning fear seized +her, and it steadily grew more and more acute +as the exhaust from the engine exploded less +and less distinctly. As the lights went out of +view into the rain-soaked night, resentment +replaced fear. The minister had doubtless +heard of the plans that were being laid by Sim +Hicks for his forceful ejection from Little +River, and rather than face further trouble +was slinking away like a coward under cover +of night and storm.</p> +<p>Her better judgment soon began to form +excuses for his action. The Athletic Club, +thoroughly reorganized, had been placed under +good leadership, and Mr. McGowan +doubtless thought that the members could get +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_267' name='page_267'></a>267</span> +on without his further aid. In all probability, +he feared that his presence might interfere +with the promised consummation of fellowship +between the club and the church, and +was leaving quietly so another man less aggressive +than he might accomplish the thing +he had so well begun. Had he remained, he +would have been compelled to fight his way +through by brute force. He had been forsaken +by all those who should have stood by +him. He was not a coward! He was taking +the most difficult course. His going was the +most heroic act of all.</p> +<p>Why had every man’s hand been against +him? Why had her father not so much as +lifted a finger to stay the persecutors? She +drew in her lip between her teeth, and mercilessly +bit the pretty Cupid’s arch. She +kicked her foot against a stool till the piece of +furniture lay beyond reach of her toe. Her +father had not made a single effort to prevent +one action of those who had set themselves +against the minister. Instead, he had aided +them, and in many instances had even led in +the opposition against the young man.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_268' name='page_268'></a>268</span></div> +<p>One thought at length inhibited all others. +She drew back from the window, and sinking +into a deep chair, covered her face with her +arm. Mack McGowan had gone out of her +life! Suddenly, she knew that she loved him, +loved him as passionately as he had declared +his love for her. Why had she been unable to +understand him that night on the beach? +Had she really tried? She classed herself with +all the others who had been so blind as to force +this man to leave their village.</p> +<p>She jerked the pins from her hair, letting +the fair mass fall over her shoulders. The +stand she had taken had been because of the +attitude of her father. He had no right to +come between her and the man she loved. +Why had he done it? Her fingers paused in +the act of delving for a buried hairpin, and +her arm fell limply over the wing of the chair. +A vision of her father’s face had come before +her, startling her imagination. She saw him +again as she had seen him that night when +Harold had announced his intended trip to +Australia. She recalled his ghostly features +on the night of Harold’s return from abroad. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_269' name='page_269'></a>269</span> +Could there be some unknown reason for her +father’s actions against the young minister? +And did that reason justify his action?</p> +<p>Her conjectures were cut short by the +sound of footfalls on the stair. The tread +was heavy, as though the climber were dragging +himself up by main force. On the top +landing he halted, and turned toward her +door.</p> +<p>What caprices emotion plays with judgment! +One moment judgment may map out +a course as clear as the noonday, and the next +moment emotion may lead judgment into a +blind alley. Thus did the emotions of Elizabeth +suddenly halt her judgment, leaving all +her reason deaf, dumb, and blind.</p> +<p>“Beth, are you asleep?” whispered a tired, +husky voice.</p> +<p>“No, Father. I haven’t retired yet. +Come in.”</p> +<p>She blindly felt that her father had need of +her, and although she could not understand +the meaning of the battle he had been called +upon to general, she must give him her aid.</p> +<p>Mr. Fox entered and felt his way across the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_270' name='page_270'></a>270</span> +dark room. He found a chair and dropped +into it.</p> +<p>“You’re in the dark, dear,” he observed.</p> +<p>“Yes, Father. I’ve been thinking here +since twilight. Lights always interfere with +my thoughts, and so I did not turn them +on.”</p> +<p>“Why, my dear, how long you have been +sitting like this! It is now nearly eleven +o’clock. Your thoughts must have been +pretty active.”</p> +<p>“I had no idea it was that late!” she exclaimed. +“I have been thinking a great +deal.”</p> +<p>He stirred uneasily. Since the Captain’s +visit the Elder had been on the verge of collapse.</p> +<p>“Pretty bad storm,” he commented, and +his voice trembled.</p> +<p>Elizabeth reached out into the darkness and +took his hand. As she pressed it to her lips +she felt it shake.</p> +<p>“Thank you, Beth.”</p> +<p>“Are you well, Father?”</p> +<p>“Not very. But it is nothing serious. At +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_271' name='page_271'></a>271</span> +least, the doctor so assures me. I presume he +ought to know.”</p> +<p>“Why don’t you go to the city and consult +a specialist? These country doctors may not +understand how to diagnose your case fully.”</p> +<p>“All the specialists in Christendom couldn’t +help me.”</p> +<p>“Father!”</p> +<p>“Don’t grow alarmed,” he said, with a +short nervous laugh. “The only thing any +doctor ever removes from his patient is what +is worth the doctor’s while. Present day +physicians get away with a lot that is no credit +to their profession. The main thing that interests +them is not the disease, but the sufferer’s +pocketbook. If they can remove the +latter, they will keep coaxing the former +along.”</p> +<p>“I suppose it is the spirit of the age to want +to get all the money one can. Others, besides +doctors, do that.”</p> +<p>“Yes. Yes. There are still others who are +grossly misjudged simply because they have +money, too.”</p> +<p>“Of course there are. But let’s forget +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_272' name='page_272'></a>272</span> +both those classes and talk about you. Please, +tell me all about your troubles. It hurts me +to see you suffering so, and I want to help +you. I’ll try very hard.”</p> +<p>“I can’t tell you everything, Beth.”</p> +<p>“Oh! Yes, you can. I’ll be your doctor, +and I’ll promise not to remove more of your +money than is absolutely necessary for a new +frock. Try me this once, and see how well +I’ll prescribe.”</p> +<p>“Money is not troubling me, and I’ll see +that you get all the new frocks you wish. But +I fear you would not understand if I should +tell you all.”</p> +<p>“I shall try most awfully hard, Father. +You have told me lots of times that for a girl +I have excellent ideas about business dealings. +Please, tell me. It will at least help you to +unburden your mind.”</p> +<p>“But I have told you already that what is +troubling me has nothing whatever to do with +business. I tried to talk with you the other +evening, and you failed to understand. We +must not quarrel again. That is harder for +me to bear than all else.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_273' name='page_273'></a>273</span></div> +<p>“I am very sorry for that, Daddy. I fear +I lost my head. I am ashamed of the way I +acted, and of what I said. Will you not forgive +me?”</p> +<p>“Yes, my dear. We were both pretty severe. +We are living too much on our nerves +of late.”</p> +<p>“Now, that the past is cleared up, tell me +what is troubling you to-night.”</p> +<p>“You say you have been sitting here for a +long while?”</p> +<p>“Since twilight. It didn’t seem so long, +though.”</p> +<p>“Did you see anything strange, or hear +anything familiar?”</p> +<p>“I saw Uncle Josiah’s boat leave the harbor.”</p> +<p>“Didn’t it strike you as being rather odd +that he should be going out this time of night, +and in such a storm? He went out last night, +too.”</p> +<p>“Yes, it did seem very strange to me.”</p> +<p>“Beth?” The Elder’s voice wavered.</p> +<p>“What is it, Father?”</p> +<p>“I know I’ve no right to worry you like +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_274' name='page_274'></a>274</span> +this, but I don’t stand reverses like I once +did.”</p> +<p>“Reverses! You told me it wasn’t money! +And, anyway, what does Uncle Josiah’s action +have to do with your reverses?” She +switched on the light at her desk. When she +saw her father’s face she gave a little cry.</p> +<p>“I have told you the truth, Beth. It isn’t +money. I wish to God it were nothing more +than that! There are reverses far harder to +bear than financial ones.”</p> +<p>Her father appeared older than she had +ever seen him. Dejection showed through +every line of his haggard face. The side-whiskers, +which to his daughter’s mind he had +worn with great distinction, now gave to his +worn features a grotesque expression.</p> +<p>“I feel pretty well worn out to-night, my +dear,”––weariness was in every word he uttered,––“and +as if I need some one to lean on. +If I did not need you to help me, I should +not be bothering you at this hour of the +night.”</p> +<p>The girl drew before her father’s chair the +footstool which earlier in the evening she had +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_275' name='page_275'></a>275</span> +kicked into a far corner. She sat at his knee, +and, taking his hand in hers, pressed it against +her cheek. For some time they sat thus in +silence. Her father broke in on the quietness +of the room with a peculiar question.</p> +<p>“The Bible tells us that we should love our +enemies, doesn’t it, Beth?”</p> +<p>“But, Father, you have no enemies worth +worrying about! Why should you ask such a +question?”</p> +<p>“They may not be worth worrying about, +but as I said before I don’t seem able to fight +off worry as I once could.”</p> +<p>“Nonsense! When all this blows over you +will see where you have been very foolish to +have worried in the least bit. You are not +strong, and everything appears worse than it +really is.”</p> +<p>“I don’t know about that, my dear. I’m +not so certain, either, that my enemies are not +worth worrying about.”</p> +<p>“Of course they’re not. Just think how +all the people have honored you for what you +have done for Little River. Your gifts will +not be so quickly forgotten that a total +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_276' name='page_276'></a>276</span> +stranger can change the feeling of respect for +you among your lifelong friends.”</p> +<p>“I’m aware of all that, and I appreciate +it.”</p> +<p>“What has all this to do about Uncle Josiah’s +leaving town?”</p> +<p>“I’m coming to that. Suppose one of +those you called my lifelong friends proved to +be just the opposite?”</p> +<p>“That can’t be true about Uncle Josiah!”</p> +<p>“Public expressions of gratitude can never +atone for the knife which a supposedly close +friend drives into one’s heart.”</p> +<p>Elizabeth unconsciously drew away. The +movement was slight, but her father noticed +it.</p> +<p>“Beth, Josiah has gone to the city to-night +for no good purpose.”</p> +<p>“Do you think he went alone?” With a +savage leap the question got beyond the +bounds of her lips.</p> +<p>“I doubt it. Just what part the other will +play, I don’t know. But of one thing I’m +certain, Josiah is bent on ill.”</p> +<p>Elizabeth felt that her old friend was being +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_277' name='page_277'></a>277</span> +weighed in the balances. She could not trust +her words to the emotion she felt.</p> +<p>“Do you think you are in a position to understand +what I’m trying to tell you?”</p> +<p>“Father,” she said, speaking slowly that +she might not lose control of herself, “if you +were not so serious about this, I should be +tempted to laugh at your little melodramatic +farce. It is the most ridiculous thing in all +the world for you to imagine that Uncle Josiah +would play double with us! He is too +good-hearted for even one evil suggestion to +get into his mind.”</p> +<p>“I did not want to tell you the fact, but I +fear I must. Of late he has been openly hostile +to every suggestion I have made. I presume +he thinks I should have secured a boat +for him. That may account for his action.”</p> +<p>“What dreadful thing has he done? I +can’t imagine–––”</p> +<p>“Crookedness comes from the most unexpected +sources,” cut in her father, curtly.</p> +<p>“But such a thing would not be unexpected +from Uncle Josiah, it would be impossible.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_278' name='page_278'></a>278</span></div> +<p>The Elder lowered his eyes to meet those +peering at him from the tangle of fair hair. +“As I have already suggested, you might not +understand me. It seems that you are determined +not to understand. It would be very +hard for me to have another falling out with +my little girl. Maybe I should say nothing +further.”</p> +<p>“If you are intending to say something +against Uncle Josiah, perhaps you had better +not say it. I’m afraid I wouldn’t understand.”</p> +<p>She turned from her father and tried to +gaze through the window. The beating +storm, and the light from within, made the +pane opaque. She stared against this till her +eyes ached.</p> +<p>“Beth!” There was a note of command +in his tone.</p> +<p>She turned to face her father.</p> +<p>“Come here,” he ordered.</p> +<p>“Uncle Josiah untrue to us!” she said, +without moving from her place at the window. +“I cannot believe it. There must be some +mistake.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_279' name='page_279'></a>279</span></div> +<p>“There is absolutely no mistake about it. +I should like to believe it more than you. I +have even tried to make myself believe that +my imagination was getting the better of me. +But he was up here only last night, and confirmed +all my fears.”</p> +<p>“Uncle Josiah untrue! He could not be +after all you have done for him. You loaned +him money, and helped him fix up his place. +Why, Father,–––”</p> +<p>“That is the thing that makes it hurt so,” +broke in the Elder. “He seems ungrateful +for all I have done. I don’t care half as much +for the praises of people inspired by a crowd +as I do for one kind word from an individual +whom I have helped.”</p> +<p>“Some one has influenced Uncle Josiah, if +he has taken this attitude against you.”</p> +<p>“I have had the same fear. But even that +would not excuse him for cursing me and +threatening me with violence under my own +roof.”</p> +<p>Elizabeth looked doubtful.</p> +<p>“It amounts to that, my dear. The things +he said to me last night are too vulgar to repeat. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_280' name='page_280'></a>280</span> +He swore vengeance against me. I +am compelled to take a certain action against +him, and naturally he is not able to see–––”</p> +<p>“Father!” cried the girl. “Then, it is +you who are threatening to do something +against him.”</p> +<p>“So it seems to him on the face of the action +I must take. But at bottom it is an act +of true friendship. He does not know the +particulars, and I am in no position to explain.”</p> +<p>“What is it you are going to do?” she +asked, drawing farther into the corner near +the window.</p> +<p>“I must request that you ask me no questions. +You are not familiar enough with the +law to comprehend.”</p> +<p>Her gaze was fixed on him, and the Elder +hitched sidewise in his chair, vainly trying to +avoid her eyes. Failing in this, he attempted +to meet her look squarely. His eyes shifted +unsteadily, and he looked above her head. +But the eyes of his child continued to bore +into his guilty soul.</p> +<p>“Why do you stare at me in that manner, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_281' name='page_281'></a>281</span> +Beth?” he questioned, motioning her to his +side.</p> +<p>“I don’t know.” She gave no evidence +that she saw his effort to draw her near him.</p> +<p>“Then, stop glaring like that. How many +times have I told you that it is unladylike?”</p> +<p>“You’re going to take his place from him +because he cannot pay that loan!” she whispered. +“How can you be so cruel?”</p> +<p>Mr. Fox was left without excuse or reply. +When he spoke, his voice was harsh, and his +words were sharp.</p> +<p>“I see, I have been unwise in telling you.”</p> +<p>“You didn’t tell me, but I could not help +guessing the truth.”</p> +<p>“I’m doing it for his good, and unless you +believe me,–––”</p> +<p>“For his good! You can’t mean that! +You shall not stoop–––”</p> +<p>“Stoop!” He caught up the word with a +hiss. But he soon controlled his anger, and +dropped his pale face into trembling hands. +“God help me! They that hurt me are even +of my own household!”</p> +<p>“Father, I don’t want to hurt you. I’m +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_282' name='page_282'></a>282</span> +not your enemy!” she cried. “I’m only your +little Beth trying so hard to see why you must +do this terrible thing.”</p> +<p>“Come to me,” he begged.</p> +<p>She took her place on the footstool, and +took his hand.</p> +<p>“I shall try to tell you all about it, if you +will listen. I didn’t intend to, but it is more +than I can bear to have my own daughter +question my honesty and integrity. Harold’s +unjust insinuations are almost more than I +can bear. Now, if you–––”</p> +<p>“Don’t say it, Father! I have not doubted +your word yet. I don’t want to now. I +won’t doubt you. Tell me all, and I’ll try to +see this from your point of view.”</p> +<p>“You guessed rightly about what I have to +do. The mortgage on Josiah’s place–––”</p> +<p>“You can certainly extend that, if only for +six months. You don’t need the money.”</p> +<p>“Don’t interrupt me again, please. It’s a +far more serious thing than the small loan I +made to Josiah to repair his place with. The +old homestead was willed to Josiah’s half-brother, +providing he should outlive Josiah. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_283' name='page_283'></a>283</span> +Josiah knew nothing about that fact, and +when he was so informed by his friends years +ago, refused to listen to any of us. The half-brother +left the country rather than quarrel +with him over the estate. Later, this half-brother +was in serious financial trouble, and I +happened to come across him when he was in +dire need of money. Knowing of the will, I +loaned him all he needed, and took out a first +mortgage on his property. Owing to peculiar +circumstances, I put in a provision that there +was to be no foreclosure so long as the interest +was paid. I even went beyond the request +which the man made, by including another +clause which prevents me or my heirs from +foreclosing before the expiration of two years +after the last payment of interest. Have you +followed me closely?”</p> +<p>She nodded.</p> +<p>“Well, each year the interest has been paid +in full up to the last two. As long as it was +forthcoming I said nothing. I have not mentioned +a word of this transaction between the +half-brother and me, for I knew his hot temper +would get the better of him. He thinks the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_284' name='page_284'></a>284</span> +man was drowned at sea, and it is best that +he continue to think so. I have misled him +into the belief that I was foreclosing because +of the small loan I made last spring, and I +trusted to his usual secrecy and apparent +ignorance to say nothing about it to any one. +But from the arrogant manner he maintained +toward me last night I fear he has said more +than is good for him. And I have every reason +to think that the meddler is the minister. +I doubt not but that is the reason why he has +gone to the city to-night, and I don’t think he +has gone alone.”</p> +<p>“When must that interest be paid?”</p> +<p>“Before midday, Saturday. The other +loan does not come due for more than two +weeks, but the time was so near that I did not +think of Josiah questioning it.”</p> +<p>“Who has been paying the interest on the +other loan?”</p> +<p>“I do not know, but it has doubtless been +coming from some estate of the father-in-law +of Josiah’s brother.”</p> +<p>“Why was it dropped?”</p> +<p>“That I cannot tell you. I should have +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_285' name='page_285'></a>285</span> +done nothing even now had I not learned that +this half-brother has come into that estate +through the death of the wife’s father. I have +every reason to believe that he could pay not +alone the interest, but the principal as well, if +he so desired.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps this half-brother does not know +about the inheritance.”</p> +<p>“That is absurd. He does know, or should. +The fact is, he is an <a name='TC_9'></a><ins class="tnchg" title="Was "outaw"">outlaw</ins> and is hiding from +justice.”</p> +<p>“But why should you make Uncle Josiah +suffer for what his half-brother did?”</p> +<p>“That is the very thing I am trying not to +do. Can’t you see where it would place him if +I told him the truth?”</p> +<p>“Yes. But I see no reason why you can’t +let things go on as they have, and forget the +unpaid interest.”</p> +<p>“I have no power to do that. I put the +matter in the hands of my lawyers in order to +force the hidden rascal to take action.”</p> +<p>“I think it would be best to tell Uncle +Josiah all about it, and let him help you find +the one who should pay.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_286' name='page_286'></a>286</span></div> +<p>“Such action would be senseless for two +reasons: it would give Josiah grief and pain, +and he would be unable to meet the obligation. +It was larger than what the place would +cover when first made, and with the deterioration +in the value of the property it now far +exceeds its worth. Then, there is the interest +for two years.”</p> +<p>“Why don’t you offer to buy the place, +even paying more than the mortgage calls +for? It would be a kindness.”</p> +<p>“I made such an offer through my lawyer, +but Josiah refused.”</p> +<p>“Then, why not cancel it altogether?”</p> +<p>“That would be very unbusiness-like,” he +declared curtly. “But even if I so desired, +it would be impossible now. I have permitted +my lawyers to use the foreclosure as a threat, +and I’m duty bound to see it through.”</p> +<p>“If it is absolutely necessary to go through +with this, I don’t see that it would make it +any more terrible if we should tell Uncle +Josiah the whole story. It would, at least, +save his thinking ill of us. Then, there is the +chance that he might suggest something.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_287' name='page_287'></a>287</span></div> +<p>“Beth, I’m bound by my word to say nothing. +That was the one promise I made to +Adoniah.”</p> +<p>“Adoniah!” exclaimed the girl, her eyes +growing wide.</p> +<p>“Yes. I did not mean to speak his name, +but it can do no harm.”</p> +<p>“Why,––that was the first name–––Is +he the same man Harold is trying to find?”</p> +<p>“I’m sorry to say that he is.”</p> +<p>“The one whose last name was Phillips?”</p> +<p>“Yes. But why do you take such interest +in him?”</p> +<p>“And he is a brother of Uncle Josiah?”</p> +<p>“A half-brother,” he replied, showing that +he was becoming nettled.</p> +<p>Elizabeth rose from her stool, and crossed +over to the door that led into the hall. She +did not seem to sense just what she was doing +till her hand touched the cold knob. With +a start, as though wakened from a bad dream, +she turned about and faced her father.</p> +<p>“Father,”––her breath came in short +gasps,––“you have no right to keep your +word to such a man as you say this Phillips +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_288' name='page_288'></a>288</span> +person is. There is but one thing for us to +do: go at once to Uncle Josiah. I’m certain +he can get enough money to pay the interest, +if that is what you want.”</p> +<p>“But, Beth, I cannot do that. My business +honor is at stake, and I must permit the +law to take its course.”</p> +<p>“You may be right about the legal part. +But how about the moral side? Is there not +something at stake there, too?”</p> +<p>“It does seem a moral injustice, but I cannot +help that. It is hard, for Josiah will see +only the moral side of it, and the people of +the village will think it unjust. Josiah may +find out the facts, that is, enough of them to +prove to his mind that I can’t foreclose on his +property because of the little loan. What +more he may discover, I cannot even guess. +It will depend somewhat on the lawyer who +advises him. But no matter what he discovers, +my conscience will be clear in that I did +not break faith with his renegade brother.”</p> +<p>“What right have you to keep faith with +him?”</p> +<p>“My little Beth, please do not question +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_289' name='page_289'></a>289</span> +my action,” he entreated. “It will all be +clear to you some day. I’m willing to wait +for my vindication, but I must know that my +little girl trusts her daddy to do what is right. +If you don’t, it will kill me!”</p> +<p>There was such deep pathos in his voice +that she recrossed the room. She laid her +hand on the arm of her father’s chair.</p> +<p>“After all, Father, I am only a girl, and +know very little of law and business. Forgive +me if I have hurt you. I don’t see why +you feel as you do about carrying this thing +through at so great a sacrifice of lifelong +friendships. But I believe that you must be +doing the best you can as you see your duty.”</p> +<p>“I can hope for no more than that, my +dear.”</p> +<p>Suddenly she shook the hair from her shining +eyes.</p> +<p>“Father!”</p> +<p>“Yes?”</p> +<p>“I tell you what I’m going to do!” she +cried. “I’m going to Uncle Josiah just as +soon as he gets back, and tell him as much as +I think he ought to know. May I?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_290' name='page_290'></a>290</span></div> +<p>“Certainly, if you wish. I’ll trust to your +discretion. He will listen to you. I think +you know what must not be said, from our +conversation this evening.”</p> +<p>“I’ll do it!” she exclaimed eagerly, and +stooped above the chair to kiss her father’s +forehead. “Now, you go right to bed. That +is my first remedy. My second is like unto it: +don’t do one single bit of worrying. Remember! +Good night.”</p> +<p>The Elder rose and smiled benignly on his +daughter. At the door he paused, and turned +back.</p> +<p>“Beth, this may affect the minister.”</p> +<p>“Affect the minister? Affect Mr. McGowan? +How can it do that?”</p> +<p>“He has doubtless urged Josiah to take +this rash step to consult a lawyer, and when +all the facts come out he may be forced to +leave Little River. As you know, his popularity +is quite dubious as matters stand at +present.”</p> +<p>“But I hardly see–––”</p> +<p>“We’ll say nothing more about that. +Good night, my dear.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_291' name='page_291'></a>291</span></div> +<p>Her door closed, and her father crossed the +hall. She was no sooner alone than a rush +of unbidden thoughts and emotions swept +over her, carrying all her promises like chaff +before a hurricane. While her father had been +in the room she had thought herself quite determined +to take the hard step of explaining +to Uncle Josiah just enough to remove the +blame from the one she loved to the half-brother. +But now that the Elder had gone +her will to explain seemed gone, too. Again +he rose before her imagination, a white trembling +figure. She heard Harold speak the +name of Adoniah Phillips, and saw her father +stagger from the table. Had these two things +been a mere coincidence? Doubts began to +rise. Why must the mortgage be foreclosed +on Uncle Josiah’s place? Why had her father +acted so on the evening when Harold had +spoken his client’s name? Had her father +told her all? Why should all this involve the +minister, even though he had advised the Captain +to seek the counsel of a lawyer?</p> +<p>Long into the night she puzzled her brain +in seeking for answers to her many questions. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_292' name='page_292'></a>292</span> +Of one thing she felt sure, Mr. McGowan +would not leave Little River. Just between +waking and sleeping she at length recalled +the words of love which he had spoken to her +on the beach, spoken as she had never heard +them before, and they carried her along +dreamy paths into a happy visionary future.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_293' name='page_293'></a>293</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XV' id='CHAPTER_XV'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> +</div> +<table summary=''><tr><td> +<p class='cg'>“Heigh-ho! Heigh-ho! Heigh-ho!<br /> +Ships may come and ships may go,<br /> +<span class='indent4'> </span>But I sail on forever!”</p> +</td></tr></table> +<p>Certainly, no audience would be moved to +tears, either by the quality of the voice, or +by the ditty that was thus rendered. And yet, +there was a blue-eyed, fair-haired girl, seated +on the rocks below her father’s place, whose +eyes filled with tears as she listened. Elizabeth +thought she was prepared to fulfill the +promise made to her father three days ago, +but, now that the opportunity was upon her, +she felt her resolution slipping away. She +loved her dear old friend as never in all her +life.</p> +<p>The singer rounded a projection of sandy +beach just beyond the rock-pile where the girl +was sitting. He was hurrying up the shore in +the direction of his home, his dejected figure +revealing his utter loneliness, despite the +lightness of his song. His brow was puckered, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_294' name='page_294'></a>294</span> +more with furrows of perplexity than +with lines of anger, as he made his way with +labored difficulty up the steep incline from the +beach.</p> +<p>“Oh, Uncle Josiah!” involuntarily cried +the girl as she caught a glimpse of the haggard +face.</p> +<p>The old man stopped, turned about, and +looked up.</p> +<p>“Now, ain’t this surprising good luck to +find you here!” he exclaimed. “I was just +thinking about you, Beth.”</p> +<p>“Do your thoughts of me always make you +sing like that?”</p> +<p>“That there song ain’t got much music, +and I cal’late it don’t improve to speak of +with my voice,” he answered, his swarthy face +breaking into a broad smile. “It must sound +funny for an old fish like me to be serenading +a young lady like you. Glad you liked the entertainment, +Beth.”</p> +<p>“I didn’t say I liked it. It made me feel +very bad,” she said, loosening a stone with +the point of her shoe and sending it rolling to +the water’s edge.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_295' name='page_295'></a>295</span></div> +<p>“Well, I don’t just rec’lect that you spoke +favorable on that p’int. I honest didn’t know +you was about else I’d tried something more +fitting to the occasion. Fact is, Beth, I was +singing to keep my spirits up.”</p> +<p>“You should be happier than you look, +then, for your singing is better than a vaudeville +show.”</p> +<p>“You ain’t none too partic’lar about classing +me, be you?”</p> +<p>“Singing isn’t in your line, and if I were +you I’d not try it.”</p> +<p>“Beth, what’s wrong? You don’t seem +real glad to see me.”</p> +<p>“Of course, I’m glad to see you, my dear +old sailor Uncle,” she said, rising and putting +her arms about his neck.</p> +<p>“Thanks, Beth.” He choked out the +words, for as he looked down he saw the sign +of tears in her eyes. “I’ve been cruising +round nigh onto three days, and that’s a purty +long spell for the land-lubber I’m getting to +be.”</p> +<p>“Your return was as sudden as your departure, +wasn’t it?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_296' name='page_296'></a>296</span></div> +<p>“Sudden? What do you mean by that?”</p> +<p>“Just what I say. I was looking for the +<i>Jennie P.</i> to come into the harbor. Perhaps +she came as she went, like the ships that pass +in the night.”</p> +<p>“You see me go out, did you, Beth?”</p> +<p>She nodded. “But I did not see you return.”</p> +<p>“I did sort of sneak out. What did you +think of me for doing a thing like that?”</p> +<p>“I didn’t think very highly of you, if you +want the honest truth,” she declared, releasing +her arms from about his neck.</p> +<p>“You ain’t mad, are you, Beth?”</p> +<p>“Don’t you think I have a perfect right to +get angry? It was the first time you ever left +home without telling me good-bye. Should I +like that?”</p> +<p>“I never thought of that. But this here +cruise was like the proposing to the old maid: +unexpected-like. For that reason I wa’n’t prepared +for saying good-byes.” His eyes clouded +as he slowly continued, “It’s a fact, +I never went off afore without telling you +good-bye. I don’t–––”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_297' name='page_297'></a>297</span></div> +<p>He stopped and looked down at the girl. +She was no longer the child who had clung to +him on the eve of departures for long cruises, +asking, “Take me ’long, Unca Josi?” She +had grown to womanhood! He wondered +that the thought had not occurred to him before. +And yet, as he continued to gaze, he +saw the eager child staring up into his face +from the big eyes.</p> +<p>“I cal’late I ain’t got no right to expect +them partings no more,” he faltered.</p> +<p>“Why, Uncle Josiah Pott! I don’t like +that one little bit.”</p> +<p>“You seem so growed up, Beth, and I +cal’late you’re getting too big–––”</p> +<p>“For you to love me?”</p> +<p>“No!” he said vehemently.</p> +<p>“Then, just what do you mean?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know.” He drew awkwardly +back as she approached him, and fumbled his +hat till it fell from his fingers. “You’re getting +to be quite a woman,” he observed.</p> +<p>“And you’re getting very foolish! Now, +you kiss me before I get angry.”</p> +<p>He stooped, kissed her hastily, and wiped +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_298' name='page_298'></a>298</span> +his lips with the back of his coat-sleeve. He +picked up his hat, and began to rub it vigorously +with his finger-tips.</p> +<p>“If ever you talk like that again I’ll punish +you by never giving you another kiss.”</p> +<p>“I ain’t got no right to expect it, anyway, +Beth.”</p> +<p>“Uncle Josiah, don’t let me hear that +again. I want to hear all about your voyage,” +she demanded as she settled herself on the +rocks, and motioned him near her.</p> +<p>“There wa’n’t none, that is, none to speak +of.”</p> +<p>“Oh! But there was, and it must have +been the most mysterious of all. You went in +the night, and you came in the night. Did you +do all your trading in the night, too, slipping +about through the streets in some unknown +country with moccasins on your feet, like you +once told me about the Chinese?”</p> +<p>She laughed, but the Captain did not catch +the restrained note and manner.</p> +<p>“There, now! That’s more like it!” he declared, +joining in with a cracked laugh. “It +seemed afore like I was talking to a young +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_299' name='page_299'></a>299</span> +lady I’d never seen. Feel more like I’d got +back home with you laughing like that.”</p> +<p>“I haven’t been indulging much since you +went away.”</p> +<p>“You ain’t?”</p> +<p>“But tell me about your trip.”</p> +<p>“You was right on most p’ints, excepting I +didn’t cruise back in the night.”</p> +<p>“Then how did you slip into town so +quietly and unseen? I’ve been sitting on +these cold stones for two days looking for +you.”</p> +<p>“I come back by railroad, and just now +was walking over from the station.”</p> +<p>“But where did you leave the <i>Jennie P.</i>? +Why didn’t you come back with her?”</p> +<p>“I run her into dry-dock down to the city +for repairs,” he said quietly.</p> +<p>The girl noticed a slight catch in his voice.</p> +<p>“I thought you did all your own repairing.”</p> +<p>“I do when there ain’t nothing bad +wrong.”</p> +<p>“You sailed the <i>Jennie P.</i> all the way into +the city and left it there?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_300' name='page_300'></a>300</span></div> +<p>“Something went wrong with the engine, +and I didn’t have no time to tinker with her +afore I had to come back. Them there gas +engines is worse than a team of mules when +they get to bucking and balking. They–––”</p> +<p>“Captain Pott! Tell me the truth. Why +did you leave your boat in the city docks?”</p> +<p>“For the reason I told you.” He was +looking away from her.</p> +<p>“Look at me, Uncle Josiah.”</p> +<p>“Can’t just now, Beth. I’m watching–––”</p> +<p>“Oh, please tell me all about it!”</p> +<p>“There ain’t nothing more to tell.”</p> +<p>“You did not leave the <i>Jennie P.</i> in dry-dock +for repairs!” she cried with apprehension.</p> +<p>He did not reply, but tightly gripped the +hand which had been slipped into his.</p> +<p>“Tell me, please!” she implored. “You +said a little while ago that you were singing +to keep up your spirits. Something dreadful +has happened. Did you wreck your boat?”</p> +<p>“Hey? Me wreck the <i>Jennie P.</i>? I tell +you honest, Beth, there ain’t nothing–––”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_301' name='page_301'></a>301</span></div> +<p>Elizabeth lifted her hand and turned his +face toward her. He looked down and gave +up.</p> +<p>“There ain’t no use pretending to you. I +sold her.”</p> +<p>“You sold the <i>Jennie P.</i>?”</p> +<p>“I sold the <i>Jennie P.</i>,” he repeated slowly, +as though it were hard for him to comprehend +that fact. “You see, I didn’t have no more +real need for her, and ’twas kind of expensive +to keep her afloat.”</p> +<p>“Nonsense!” exclaimed the girl.</p> +<p>“It was a mite expensive, honest, Beth.”</p> +<p>“Uncle Josiah! Why didn’t you come to +me if you were in need of money?”</p> +<p>“I owe your father more now than I’d +otter.”</p> +<p>“But I love you so!”</p> +<p>The big shoulders gave a decided heave. +“That’s wuth more to me than all the money +in the world.”</p> +<p>“Then, why didn’t you come to me?”</p> +<p>“I didn’t think of doing that.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Uncle Josiah!”</p> +<p>“Yes, I sold my boat. There wa’n’t no +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_302' name='page_302'></a>302</span> +wonder I was singing, was there?” he asked, +passing his hand across his face as if to clear +his vision. “I cal’late that song wa’n’t much +like music to you, but I just naturally had +to do something to keep my feelings afloat, +didn’t I, Beth?”</p> +<p>“Yes.”</p> +<p>“I sold her,” he said, speaking as though +his thoughts were coming by way of his +tongue. “It wa’n’t easy. Just like parting +with an old friend. It sort of pulled on me. +Odd, ain’t it, how an old boat like that can +get a hold on a feller?”</p> +<p>“No, it is not odd. Some of the happiest +moments of my life were spent on board the +<i>Jennie P.</i>”</p> +<p>“Do you honest feel that way about her?”</p> +<p>“Yes.”</p> +<p>“I’m mighty glad, Beth,” he said, his eyes +gleaming with pride. “She sartin was a +worthy craft.”</p> +<p>“Who bought your boat?”</p> +<p>“Feller by the name of Peters, who runs a +fish business down on East River near Brooklyn +bridge. I knew him years ago. His +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_303' name='page_303'></a>303</span> +wife’s name is Jennie, and I named my boat +after her ’cause he was the first man to help +me sail her.”</p> +<p>“Why did you go to him without first telling +me?”</p> +<p>“There wa’n’t no time to tell no one. +You’d not likely–––”</p> +<p>“Oh, you men! You treat us women as if +we were numskulls. If you had given me the +slightest idea that you intended to sell I +should have put in my bid along with others.”</p> +<p>“Do you mean you would have bought my +<i>Jennie P.</i>?”</p> +<p>“Why not, pray tell? Haven’t I as much +right to own a boat as any man you know?”</p> +<p>“I do believe you’d have bought her, sartin +as death!”</p> +<p>“Of course I should. If–––” Her eyes +suddenly widened. “Why did you sell?”</p> +<p>“Same as I said afore, I didn’t have no +need of her, and she was getting expensive to +keep up.” His face darkened, and an expression +of pain shot through the shadows.</p> +<p>“You said you were not going to pretend +to me. Tell me the real reason.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_304' name='page_304'></a>304</span></div> +<p>“I can’t.”</p> +<p>“In other words, that is the secret of your +mysterious trip to the city.”</p> +<p>“Yes, that’s my secret.”</p> +<p>“My dear old Uncle!” she cried. “I +know your secret! You sold your boat to get +money with which to pay Father. You’ve +sold your one little luxury to pay a debt you +can never pay.”</p> +<p>“You’re mistook. I can pay your father +every cent I got from him to overhaul my +place.”</p> +<p>“But that isn’t all!”</p> +<p>“It ain’t all?”</p> +<p>“I thought I could tell you all about it, but +I can’t!”</p> +<p>“Do you mean you’ve something you +want to say to me, Beth?”</p> +<p>“I can’t! I can’t! It is so–––”</p> +<p>She broke down and cried without restraint. +The old seaman put his arm about +her.</p> +<p>“There! There! Don’t cry like that. +She ain’t wuth it.”</p> +<p>“But you are!” she sobbed.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_305' name='page_305'></a>305</span></div> +<p>“All that there flood sartinly ain’t for an +old feller like me! Tut! Tut! I sartinly ain’t +wuth it. I’m nothing but a leaky old ark +what had otter been towed in long ago, safe +and high to some dry-dock.”</p> +<p>“Uncle Josiah, you are the only uncle I’ve +ever had. I love you next to my father. +You are the only man who has ever understood +me. I have many times come to you +before going to my own father. And, now, +that you are in trouble, and I might have +helped you–––”</p> +<p>“Tush. Tush. Don’t cry over an old salt +like me. I tell you I ain’t wuth it, not one +precious drop.”</p> +<p>“If you only knew!”</p> +<p>“Maybe I ain’t so deep in the fog as you +think. I took another trip while I was in the +city to see a lawyer, and I found out some +mighty interesting things.”</p> +<p>“But he couldn’t tell you everything.”</p> +<p>“Beth, is there something you’d otter tell +me?”</p> +<p>“There is––there was––but I guess–––Did +you see a good lawyer?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_306' name='page_306'></a>306</span></div> +<p>“The best I could find.”</p> +<p>“Then, why did you sacrifice your boat? +It was so needless.”</p> +<p>“I had to have that much money right off, +and there wa’n’t no time to look about. I +didn’t think you’d take it like this or I’d sartin +never done it.”</p> +<p>“If you had only come to me I could have +let you have that much without you having to +sell your boat.”</p> +<p>“It would have been a mite queer to borrow +from you to pay your dad, wouldn’t +it?”</p> +<p>“What does that matter?”</p> +<p>“Nothing, much.... But you was +going to tell me something.”</p> +<p>She lifted her tear-stained face, and slowly +shook her head. “Not now. I might cry +again, and I’ve been silly enough for one +day.”</p> +<p>“You ain’t been silly, not one mite. I had +no right to make you cry by telling you +things that don’t consarn you.”</p> +<p>“Indeed, you should have told me, and it +does concern, far more than you think,” she +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_307' name='page_307'></a>307</span> +replied, drying her eyes and cheeks. “I +know I must look frightful.”</p> +<p>“You don’t look nothing of the sort. You +couldn’t if you tried to.”</p> +<p>“Will you be home to-night, Uncle +Josiah?” she asked, looking at her wrist-watch. +It was half-past ten o’clock.</p> +<p>“Cal’late to be.”</p> +<p>“May I come to see you?”</p> +<p>“That’s a funny question. I should say +you can come. Clemmie will be real glad to +see you, and so will the minister.”</p> +<p>“I’m coming to see you,” she said, coloring. +“I’m going home now. Good-bye.”</p> +<p>She hurriedly kissed him, and before he had +time to speak she was half-way up the hill. +At the rear gate she waved, then disappeared +behind the mass of shrubbery that lined her +father’s place.</p> +<p>Ten minutes later the Captain heard the +roar of the open exhaust from the girl’s +motor. Like a red streak the car shot down +the hill of the Fox estate and into County +Road. The Captain gasped as he watched a +cloud of dust engulf the flying car.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_308' name='page_308'></a>308</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVI' id='CHAPTER_XVI'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> +</div> +<p>All those who saw the flying car stood +and stared after it. Hank Simpson, who was +on his way over from the Little River railroad +station with a load of merchandise, heard +the roar, and sprang from his wagon-seat. +He ran to his horses’ heads. But no sooner +had he seized the bits of the frightened animals +than he let go. He recognized the girl +who sped past him. He clambered back into +his wagon and whipped his team into a dead +run. He drew rein on the racing horses before +a group of gaping men in front of the +general store.</p> +<p>“Did you see anything down yon way, +Hank?” asked Jud Johnson.</p> +<p>“See!” exclaimed Hank, rubbing the dust +from his eyes. “See! Good God! Boys, +that damn thing was running away! Hear +me? It was running like hell! What are you +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_309' name='page_309'></a>309</span> +gaping fools standing here for, looking like a +passel of brainless idiots! ’Phone!” he +screamed.</p> +<p>“’Phone what? Who to?” asked Jud with +exasperating calm.</p> +<p>“Everything! Everybody!” was the +doubly illuminating reply. “She’ll be killed! +Do you hear me?”</p> +<p>“We’d have to be deaf as nails not to hear +you,” said Jud as he spat a mouthful of tobacco +juice against the front wheel of the +wagon. “All the ’phoning in creation won’t +stop her. If she ain’t of a mind to pull that +thing up to a halt from the inside, it ain’t +likely that a fellow could do it by getting in +its path and yelling whoa, even if he’d holler +as loud as you’ve been doing at us. Why +didn’t you try it when you see her coming?”</p> +<p>“But they’ve got to stop it! The constables–––”</p> +<p>“How?”</p> +<p>“How’d you suppose I know? Get out of +my way and let me get at the ’phone!”</p> +<p>“You ain’t going to do nothing of the +kind,” replied Jud as he stepped in front of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_310' name='page_310'></a>310</span> +the belligerent Hank. “There’s some reason +for driving like that. I don’t know what’s up, +but the first feller to interfere with her joy +ride is going to get hurt. I was in the cellar +of her dad’s place doing an odd job of plumbing +for him when she come to me, and said: +‘Jud, I’m going for a drive.’ I ’lowed that +was real nice, wondering why she’d be telling +me that. ‘I may have to drive pretty fast, +and I want you to telephone ahead as far as +you can to have the road clear. Tell the policemen +my name, and ask that they don’t +stop me.’”</p> +<p>“But her dad–––”</p> +<p>“Her dad ain’t home. He went over +Riverhead way more than an hour ago.”</p> +<p>“But, Jud–––”</p> +<p>“Dry up that butting, Hank, or we’ll lead +you out in the alley behind your store and feed +you tin cans.”</p> +<p>Hank climbed back to his wagon-seat, and +Jud, noticing the determined expression in +the storekeeper’s eyes, deputized two men to +keep watch of him while he went inside and +did some telephoning.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_311' name='page_311'></a>311</span></div> +<p>Elizabeth Fox reached the city limits without +being molested. She then looked at her +watch, and slowed down her car. She kept +the speedometer needle wavering within the +speed law till she set her brakes before the +building where the law firm of Starr and Jordan +maintained their offices. Harold was so +surprised to see his sister that he gave her the +name of the Trust Company for which she +asked before he realized what he was doing. +She glanced at the clock, hastily scribbled the +address on a card, and ran from the room. +Harold stood still in dumb amazement. He +walked to the window and looked down into +the street below. He recognized her red +motor-car as it glided through the traffic at +an alarming rate. A mild oath escaped him +as it dawned upon him that the name of the +bank was that of the firm through which the +interest payments had been made on the +Phillips loan. What on earth could she be +up to?</p> +<p>It was far past the noon hour when Elizabeth +returned. The office was empty, the +force having gone home for the Saturday +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_312' name='page_312'></a>312</span> +half-holiday. She turned from the locked +door, but it flew open, and Harold called to +her.</p> +<p>“I thought you’d come back, Sis. In fact, +I meant to tell you that I wanted you to take +dinner with me, but you blew in and out so +suddenly that I didn’t have time to collect +my thoughts. What are you up to, anyway?”</p> +<p>“Oh, nothing much.”</p> +<p>“How did you learn of this Phillips affair? +I take it that that was what all your hurry +was about.”</p> +<p>She only laughed in reply, her eyes dancing.</p> +<p>“I didn’t know that you were on the inside +of this, and I don’t know yet how much +you really know.”</p> +<p>“I know a lot.”</p> +<p>“How did you find out?”</p> +<p>“Everybody has told me a little, and I +have been piecing it together for several days. +But can’t we sit down, or go out to lunch? +I’m really very tired, now that it’s over, and +awfully hungry.”</p> +<p>“How did you know that I had the name +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_313' name='page_313'></a>313</span> +and address of the firm which has been +paying Father the interest on the Phillips +loan?”</p> +<p>“Why, you told me.”</p> +<p>“In my sleep?”</p> +<p>“Indeed, no. You were quite awake.”</p> +<p>“Sis, have you been eavesdropping?”</p> +<p>“Harold Fox! The very idea!” she said +indignantly. “I don’t like you one bit for +saying that. No, sir, I have not.”</p> +<p>“I honestly didn’t think it of you, but I +couldn’t imagine any other way you could get +the notion in your head.”</p> +<p>“You never told me a word till to-day.”</p> +<p>“You didn’t know that I had that name in +my possession till you blew in here and asked +for it?”</p> +<p>“Not really and truly, I didn’t. But I +took a chance. And you are such a poor actor +that I was certain you’d tell me. Of course, +I knew that you went over to Australia to find +out about the man.”</p> +<p>“The treats are certainly on me.”</p> +<p>“Make it a good big lunch, please,” she +said smiling and starting for the door.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_314' name='page_314'></a>314</span></div> +<p>“Wait, Bets. What did you do over there +at the George Henry Trust Company?”</p> +<p>“Must I tell, just now?”</p> +<p>“Of course not, but I’d like to know if you +care to tell. It may save me from something +very unpleasant.”</p> +<p>“You mean you will force me to tell?”</p> +<p>“Mercy me! No. I am better acquainted +with you than to try a thing like that.”</p> +<p>“Will you keep a secret, without giving +away one little word of it?”</p> +<p>“A client’s counsel seldom repeats a confidential +business transaction.”</p> +<p>“I paid the two years of interest just a few +minutes before that horrid old mortgage was +due, so Uncle Josiah would not have to lose +his place.”</p> +<p>“Gosh!” was the inelegant reply. +“You’re a brick!”</p> +<p>His brow puckered.</p> +<p>“Won’t that save him?” she asked with +concern.</p> +<p>“Sure. But how did you know that Uncle +Josiah was a party to this mix-up?”</p> +<p>“Father told me that.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_315' name='page_315'></a>315</span></div> +<p>“You should have been the lawyer of this +family. I never saw any one like you for +finding things out.” Still apparently worried, +he added: “But your check will give you +away. What if that happens to fall into +Dad’s hands?”</p> +<p>“I didn’t use my check. I went to our +bank first, and drew out all my money. I +didn’t have enough left to put back, so I––well, +I didn’t put it back.”</p> +<p>“What under heaven did you do with +it?”</p> +<p>“I went down to an East River fish wharf, +and–––”</p> +<p>“Took a corner on fish?”</p> +<p>“Harold, don’t think me foolish. Uncle +Josiah had sold his boat, thinking to pay Father +off and save his place. I–––”</p> +<p>“You bought back the old fellow’s boat!”</p> +<p>She nodded.</p> +<p>Harold did not laugh. Instead, he turned +toward his desk and busily fumbled papers. +When he spoke there was a note of tenderness +in his voice. “You’re the best little sport in +seventeen States.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_316' name='page_316'></a>316</span></div> +<p>“Well, that doesn’t keep me from starving.”</p> +<p>“You didn’t come for anything else?”</p> +<p>“No, except that I did want to talk with +you. We can do that while we eat.”</p> +<p>“I’d rather you would ask me any questions +before we go out. State secrets have +been known to leak out from restaurant +tables.”</p> +<p>“Tell me where this Adoniah Phillips +lives.”</p> +<p>“Whew! You don’t pick the easy ones, do +you? You certainly go right after what you +want, Bets. But why do you ask?”</p> +<p>“Because I want to know.”</p> +<p>“You’ll have to think up a better reason +than that.”</p> +<p>“If he is one of your clients, why don’t you +make him pay that interest?”</p> +<p>“Lawyers may advise, but they can’t drive +unless they hold the reins of litigation.”</p> +<p>“You are just as exasperating as all lawyers,” +she said with a show of impatience. +“Do you know that your client has fallen heir +to a very large fortune? And do you know +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_317' name='page_317'></a>317</span> +that he could pay the principal as well as the +interest?”</p> +<p>“Good Lord, Sis! You’re a wonder! +How on earth did you ferret all this mess +out?”</p> +<p>“That doesn’t matter. The thing that +matters is what Father and that Phillips person +are trying to do to Uncle Josiah. We +must stop them. If you know the truth about +the transaction between Father and Mr. +Phillips you have no right to allow this thing +to go on.”</p> +<p>Harold’s eyes narrowed. “Trying to trap +me again, Bets?”</p> +<p>“Of course I’m not. I’m just trying to get +you to look at things from Uncle Josiah’s position.”</p> +<p>“How many of the facts do you know +about this case?” asked Harold in deep seriousness.</p> +<p>“I know enough to form pretty good +conclusions of the injustice of the whole +thing.”</p> +<p>“Do you think you know everything?”</p> +<p>“No-o, not when you look at me like that,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_318' name='page_318'></a>318</span> +she said, surprised by the earnestness of his +voice and manner.</p> +<p>“Has any one beside Father talked with +you?”</p> +<p>She hesitated, then slowly shook her head. +“You must not ask me that.”</p> +<p>“Have you talked with Mr. McGowan?”</p> +<p>“I can’t tell you,” she answered, quickly +checking the look of surprise that leaped into +her eyes at the unexpected question.</p> +<p>“I don’t know just how far Mr. McGowan’s +information may have led him into this matter, +but I have feared all along that he is not +half so ignorant as he appears. Come in here, +Bets,” he requested, pushing open a door to +an inner office. “I have some things I want +to show you.”</p> +<p>“Mercy, Bud! How mysterious you can +be!”</p> +<p>“An ounce of precaution is worth a pound +of lawsuits, and I don’t want the slightest +possibility of a leak,” he said as he locked the +door.</p> +<p>“My sakes! I had no idea you could be +so serious. Is this the way you act with all +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_319' name='page_319'></a>319</span> +your clients? I’d think you’d frighten them +all away. You almost do me. It reminds me +of the way you would lock me up in the hall +closet to scare me when we were children.”</p> +<p>“For once in my life I am serious, Sis. +We are no longer children, and this is far +from play. I wish to God it were nothing +more than that!”</p> +<p>“Why, Harold!”</p> +<p>“Bets, you’ve got a close tongue and loads +of good sense. I’ve carried this thing just +about as long as I can without breaking under +it. I’ve got to let off steam. You know +I’ve tried to be on the square since my little +fling, and even then I was straight, but Dad +has never believed it. I’m tempted now to go +wrong, and–––”</p> +<p>“Why on earth are you talking like this? +Has some one been accusing you of doing +wrong? Oh, Harold! You didn’t fall into +trouble after all over in Australia, did you?”</p> +<p>“No, nor in love either,” he replied, trying +to smile.</p> +<p>Elizabeth blushed.</p> +<p>“I see that doesn’t apply to all our family.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_320' name='page_320'></a>320</span></div> +<p>“I don’t think you’re nice to say that. +And I don’t care–––”</p> +<p>“Why, Bets, are you really in love with +him?”</p> +<p>“You have no right to jest about such +things.”</p> +<p>“I’m not jesting, honestly. I’ve never +been so far from it in my whole life. I don’t +blame you for liking that minister.”</p> +<p>“Then, you were not making fun?”</p> +<p>“No! I’ve had all the fun-making knocked +out of me.”</p> +<p>“Harold,” she said, coming nearer, “I’ve +made him hate me.”</p> +<p>“Hate you? There isn’t a man living who +could do that. No one was ever blessed with +a more wonderful sister than I’ve been.”</p> +<p>Elizabeth stared at her brother. Never had +she heard him make such a sentimental statement. +He had turned from her, and was +looking into the street below. With a sharp +swing he faced about.</p> +<p>“Come, tell me all you know about Phillips +and the estate.”</p> +<p>“I guess I really don’t know very much +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_321' name='page_321'></a>321</span> +more than I’ve told you. I know the man is a +half-brother of Uncle Josiah, and that he +mortgaged the old homestead to Father, and +that he married some trader’s daughter in +Australia, and that the trader died, leaving a +large fortune. That’s all.”</p> +<p>“Read those,” said Harold, handing her +some papers which he had brought with him +from his own desk. “And keep your nerve. +There are more.”</p> +<p>Elizabeth read the papers through. One +was the original document of the trader’s will; +the other was an Australian Government paper, +exonerating Mr. Adoniah Phillips. A +postscript to the will stated that Mr. Phillips +had left Australia for America.</p> +<p>“I knew all that,” said the girl as she returned +the papers. “But they do help to +make matters clearer. I wasn’t really certain +he had come over here. Have you found +him?”</p> +<p>“No. I’ve never seen the man. What is +more, not one penny of that vast estate has +yet come into the possession of Adoniah Phillips.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_322' name='page_322'></a>322</span></div> +<p>“Why, Harold! Do you mean to tell me +that you know where this man is, and that you +have not looked him up? You say he has not +received his inheritance? What are you trying +to tell me?”</p> +<p>“I know what I’m saying. Neither he nor +his heir has received one cent.”</p> +<p>“And yet you know where they are?”</p> +<p>“I didn’t say I knew of their whereabouts. +But I will say that I know where to find the +heir, a son.”</p> +<p>“You should go to him at once, then, and +give him the opportunity to pay off that mortgage +on Uncle Josiah’s home.”</p> +<p>“Yes, I can do that. But it isn’t so simple. +Right there is where I’ve struck the +snag that has nearly driven me insane. How +to do it–––”</p> +<p>“How? A lawyer saying a thing like +that? Just go to him and explain how it +all came about. If he is half a man he +will do what is right without any litigation. +That is so very simple that I wonder at +you.”</p> +<p>“Read that,” he said, drawing from an inside +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_323' name='page_323'></a>323</span> +pocket another paper, and handing it to +her.</p> +<p>In the upper right-hand corner was an +Australian stamp.</p> +<p>At the end of the first line the letters began +to dance before her eyes, and to crowd into +one another. Elizabeth turned to her brother, +wild-eyed.</p> +<p>“Harold, this is false! Tell me it is false!”</p> +<p>“I wish to God it were, Bets. But you +must keep your feelings under better control +if you are to help me out of this miserable +state of affairs.”</p> +<p>“You know it is false!” she implored. “I +shall tell everybody it’s a lie! No one can +know him and believe that.”</p> +<p>“You must remember that this all happened +years ago, before you and I were born.”</p> +<p>“But, his life now! Oh, Harold, you don’t +believe this! Tell me it isn’t true!”</p> +<p>“I’ve been almost sweating blood over it +since I discovered the truth. I’ve tried to find +some other explanation or solution, but there +is none other. Father is guilty of the crime +for which Adoniah Phillips was made to suffer. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_324' name='page_324'></a>324</span> +I don’t know how they got hold of his +true name, for he was going under an assumed +one over there. But they did, and the +worst of it is, the old trader’s wife is here in +the city right now. She is on Father’s track. +I’ve been staving her off, but she smells a rat +in the fact that I bear his name, and I can’t +hold her much longer from locating him.”</p> +<p>“No! No! You shall not tell me that Father +is a criminal! You must take back that +awful word about him!”</p> +<p>Harold groaned, and settled back into his +chair. The girl fell back into hers, and covered +her face with trembling hands. She +sprang suddenly to her feet and to her brother’s +side.</p> +<p>“Father was never in Australia! He +made his money trading in Africa. We’ve +heard him say that many times, and I believe +him. I shall not believe those papers. They +are blackmail.”</p> +<p>“Then, I must go on alone. My temptation +was to cover this up, but, Bets, I can’t. I +had hoped that you’d go through it with me, +for it’s going to be a mighty dirty mess to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_325' name='page_325'></a>325</span> +clean up. But if you persist in believing Father’s +story instead of mine–––”</p> +<p>“I do believe you, too! But can’t there be +some mistake?”</p> +<p>“If there had been the slightest chance I +should have discovered it before now, but +there isn’t. It is God’s truth. All these years +Father has been safe only because Adoniah +Phillips refused years ago to disclose his +identity. It’s awful, Sis, but true.”</p> +<p>“It’s too awful to be true! It seems like +a horrible dream.”</p> +<p>“You have no idea what agony it has cost +me. Do you think you can go through it +with me?”</p> +<p>“I’ll try, Harold. But, oh, it’s hard!”</p> +<p>“Yes.”</p> +<p>“Don’t you think that Father might clear +the whole matter up if we should tell him +all we know? Maybe he could explain +things–––”</p> +<p>“That was the first thought that occurred +to me. But the longer I worked on the case, +and the more I discovered of the truth, the +more impossible I saw that to be. I’m not so +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_326' name='page_326'></a>326</span> +sure that we’d want him to save his skin, anyway. +He ought to face the music for his +wrong just the same as any other man.”</p> +<p>Elizabeth did not once take her gaze from +her brother’s face, while she spoke slowly and +distinctly: “Father will not be afraid to face +the truth, even though it may mean financial +ruin. He is brave, and he is honest now. I +shall tell him all.”</p> +<p>“Don’t be too hasty, Bets. I admire your +spunk. But answer me this: did it strike you +as strange the way Father acted that night +when I announced my contemplated trip to +Australia to look up Phillips?”</p> +<p>She nodded ever so slightly.</p> +<p>“And did it strike you as strange the way +he treated Mr. McGowan when he offered to +help him to his room?”</p> +<p>“But why do you bring Mr. McGowan +into this?”</p> +<p>“Bets, if I had known one grain of the +truth that night I’d have flatly refused the +appointment to this case at the risk of losing +my position in the firm. Father was afraid +that night. Here is one more paper I wish +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_327' name='page_327'></a>327</span> +you to read. I had it copied in Washington +last week.”</p> +<p>Elizabeth unfolded the paper, and read: +“Be it known that one Adoniah Phillips, +after due application, and upon his own request, +for reasons herein stated, is authorized +to change his name to–––”</p> +<p>The paper fell to the floor. The room began +to swim. The furniture violently rocked. +Elizabeth reached out and clutched her brother’s +arm.</p> +<p>“Mack McGowan!” she whispered faintly. +“Oh, what am I saying? Why am I saying +that name? What has happened to me?”</p> +<p>“Poor little girl! I thought my little sister +was stronger than that. I’ve been a fool +for letting you read all those papers after the +strain you’ve been through.”</p> +<p>“Mack McGowan!” she repeated. She +seized the paper which her brother had lifted +from the floor. “Oh, it’s in that paper, and +it’s <i>his</i> name! Harold, what does it mean?”</p> +<p>“You must brace up, Beth. The man you +are in love with is the son of Adoniah Phillips. +He bears his father’s new name.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_328' name='page_328'></a>328</span></div> +<p>She was suddenly weary. She felt just one +desire: to get back home. She took Harold’s +arm and led him toward the door.</p> +<p>“I want to go home, and I need you to +drive the car.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_329' name='page_329'></a>329</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVII' id='CHAPTER_XVII'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> +</div> +<p>During the homeward trip Elizabeth was +as one in a stupor. When they reached the +brow of the hill above the village, Harold +stopped the car. Elizabeth half turned about +in her seat, resting her elbow on the back +above and lifting her hand to her eyes to +shade them from the light. She gazed upon +the glory of the western sky where the sun +was dropping into a bed of gold, lavishly +splashing the low-hanging clouds with a radiance +that seemed to drip from their edges. A +shock suddenly brought her back to reality +with a pain at her heart. Silhouetted against +the gold of the sky-line, his head bared, his +shoulders thrown back, was a tall figure: the +son of Adoniah Phillips!</p> +<p>“That’s a good view for sore hearts, Bets,” +commented her brother.</p> +<p>She caught her breath in quick gasps. +“Yes. But, oh, Harold, it’s so hard!”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_330' name='page_330'></a>330</span></div> +<p>“I know,” he agreed, taking her hand. +“Have you thought out a line of action? +Where shall we begin?”</p> +<p>The girl did not answer. Harold followed +with his eyes the direction of her gaze. His +hand tightened in hers. The minister had +just recognized them, and was waving his cap +high over his head in welcome. Elizabeth +lifted her handkerchief and permitted the +light breeze to flutter it. Harold answered +with a swing of his arm. Mr. McGowan +started toward them.</p> +<p>“Drive me home, Harold. I can’t see him +now.”</p> +<p>“But, Sis, this may be our only time together. +Tell me what to do. I’m lost. I +don’t know which way to turn.”</p> +<p>“I must see Uncle Josiah first. He has +had time to think a lot, and he may know +how to help us. I’m going to his place to-night.”</p> +<p>“By George! You’re right. I hadn’t +thought of going to him. He does know +something about this. He was in my office +the other day, and asked a host of questions. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_331' name='page_331'></a>331</span> +He’ll help us if he can. Why not stop there +now?”</p> +<p>“Not now. I’m not decent to see any one, +or be seen. Please, take me home.”</p> +<p>He threw in the clutch and the car shot +down the hill, past a curious crowd in front +of the general store, and on up the knoll into +the Fox estate.</p> +<p>Mr. Fox had not yet returned from Riverhead. +He had telephoned that he might get +home for dinner. But the dinner hour came +and went, and still he did not return. After +the silent, and all but untasted, meal, Elizabeth +left the house by the rear entrance. She +hurried along the walk, out through the +wicket gate at the back, and down to the +beach. From here she turned into the path +that zigzagged across town-lots, over sand-dunes, +through brush heaps, to the rear of the +Captain’s place.</p> +<p>She walked round the house to the side +door. She lifted the heavy knocker, and held +it tightly as though fearing to let it drop +against the rusty iron plate. What if Uncle +Josiah had forgotten his engagement, and was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_332' name='page_332'></a>332</span> +not home? But Uncle Josiah had never yet +forgotten a promise he had made her. She let +the piece of iron fall. The sound echoed +through the house. It frightened her, and she +poised as though of a mind to run. Instead +of the usual hearty boom for her to “Come +in,” the door swung wide, and she stood face +to face with the minister.</p> +<p>“Oh!” she cried, stepping back into the +shadows.</p> +<p>“I’ve been expecting you, Miss Fox. Will +you come in?” he cordially invited.</p> +<p>“You were expecting me? But I–––”</p> +<p>Hardly knowing what she did, and certainly +not realizing why she did it, she accepted +the invitation and entered. Her eyes +slowly widened as he closed the door. She +stood poised like a wild thing ready for flight +at the slightest warning.</p> +<p>“I trust that your father isn’t ill again?” +said the minister solicitously.</p> +<p>“No-o. That is, not yet. He’s quite well, +thank you. He isn’t home, or wasn’t when I +left.”</p> +<p>“I’m glad.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_333' name='page_333'></a>333</span></div> +<p>“I beg your pardon?”</p> +<p>“I’m glad your father isn’t ill,” he explained, +growing quite as embarrassed as she.</p> +<p>“Oh! Yes. Thank you.”</p> +<p>“Miss Fox, something must be wrong. +May I help you?”</p> +<p>“No. Really, no. That is, not bad wrong, +yet,” she stammered. “Only he promised to +be home, and––well, he isn’t.”</p> +<p>“The Captain will be back soon. He asked +me to entertain you till his return. I fear I’m +not doing it very well.”</p> +<p>“Indeed, you are. That is, I guess you +are. Is the Captain far away?”</p> +<p>“He took Miss Pipkin over to Miss +Splinter’s. Miss Splinter is very ill. Won’t +you be seated?”</p> +<p>“Yes, thank you. No, I think I’ll stand. +Dear me! What can be the matter with me? +I’m acting quite stupid and silly, am I not?”</p> +<p>She tried to laugh, but her dry throat gave +a cracked sound. Mr. McGowan noticed, +and did not complete the smile that was beginning +to form about his own lips.</p> +<p>“Really, I think I’ll be going, and come +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_334' name='page_334'></a>334</span> +back again. I feel so very queerly, and––uncomfortable +with––with–––”</p> +<p>“With me in the room?” he finished with +a sad smile. “I’m sorry. I’ll step into my +study. If you need anything, please call.”</p> +<p>He had reached the door and the knob had +turned under his hand when she gave a cry, +between a sob and a plea. He swung quickly +about.</p> +<p>“Don’t leave me, please!” she pleaded. +“I mean, don’t go on my account.”</p> +<p>“But I seem to be disturbing you, and I +don’t wish to do that,” he said kindly.</p> +<p>She broke down completely. “Oh, I do +need you so much! Please stay! I’m afraid, +afraid of everything, afraid of myself! You +said one should keep a cool head, but I can’t! +I can’t! I’ve tried so hard. Oh, Mack––Mr. +McGowan, please help me!”</p> +<p>She finished her broken plea in muffled sobs +in the folds of his coat. He drew her against +him till his arms ached. She knew now that +she could make of her love for this man no +voluntary offering in order to save her father +humiliation. All afternoon and evening she +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_335' name='page_335'></a>335</span> +had been forming that resolution. But this +love that had come to her, pure and undefiled +from the hand of God, could not be denied for +the sins of one man, even though that man be +her own father. She felt herself being swept +out into an engulfing current, nor did she wish +to stay its overwhelming power. For the first +time that afternoon she was conscious of real +strength.</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan tried to lift her face from +his shoulder, but she clung the closer.</p> +<p>“I want to look at you,” he said jubilantly.</p> +<p>“Not just yet!” she sobbed. “I want to +get used to this.”</p> +<p>“Then, let me hear you say you love me!” +entreated the man.</p> +<p>“Mack McGowan, I love you!” She drew +back a pace. “Now, you may look at me just +once, though I don’t look like much with my +eyes all swelled up and red.”</p> +<p>He drank in the beauty of the face before +him. “Thank God! You do love me! It +isn’t just pity.”</p> +<p>She nodded her head so vigorously that the +wisps of fair hair fell about her large blue +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_336' name='page_336'></a>336</span> +eyes. “Yes, I love you, Mack. There, now, +you’ve looked long enough. Kiss me, please.” +She lifted her face.</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan was unstintingly obeying +the command when a loud knock jarred the +side door. They started and sprang apart.</p> +<p>“Who can that be knocking like that?” +asked the girl, hastily tucking away the stray +locks of hair.</p> +<p>“It must be the Captain. But I wonder–––”</p> +<p>Elizabeth laughed, and pointed toward a +window where the curtain was above the lower +sash. The Captain had seen them!</p> +<p>“I don’t care if he did see. Let me go to +the door.”</p> +<p>She had taken one step in that direction +when the door flew back and in came Mr. +James Fox.</p> +<p>“Father! You!”</p> +<p>Without replying, Mr. Fox glared ferociously +at the minister. His hand trembled +on the head of his walking-stick. The blood +surged into his face. Elizabeth, growing +alarmed, started toward her father. But the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_337' name='page_337'></a>337</span> +Elder waved her back. Mr. McGowan broke +the awful silence.</p> +<p>“We can’t help it, Mr. Fox. I’m very +sorry that this has come against your will.”</p> +<p>“So it is true. God help me!” The +Elder’s words came with surprising calm, but +his tone was harsh and hard. “So it is as I +was warned. It is hard to believe that my +little Beth has proven untrue to me.” He was +breathing hard. Pointing his stick in the direction +of the minister, he finished with savage +calm, “My little girl here alone, and with a +man like you! God help me!”</p> +<p>“Be careful!” ordered Mr. McGowan. +His words were sharp, as with blazing eyes +he met the glare of the Elder.</p> +<p>“Father, you must not talk and look like +that.”</p> +<p>“Alone with him!” repeated Mr. Fox. +“I saw the whole shameless proceeding +through that window, and it is needless for +you to deny what has happened.”</p> +<p>“We are not trying to deny it, Father. +I’m proud of it. We tried so hard not to love +each other, too, when we found out how set +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_338' name='page_338'></a>338</span> +you were against it. But we couldn’t help it. +We did try, didn’t we, Mack?”</p> +<p>“You tried!” sneered her father. “I suppose +this man forced you to steal from your +home under cover of night, and come to him, +over paths that were dark and out of the way, +against your will. Do you expect me to believe +that?”</p> +<p>Elizabeth came between the men as the +minister took a step toward the Elder.</p> +<p>“I’ve done nothing to be ashamed of. I +came here of my own accord, and you have +no right to spy on me through those who are +willing to do such vulgar things because you +pay them. I came here to see Uncle Josiah. +He wasn’t in, and Mr. McGowan was––well, +he was entertaining me.”</p> +<p>“That will do! You shall not add perjury +to your sin. You knew perfectly well that +Pott was not home. You knew he was in the +city. Your stories don’t hang together.”</p> +<p>“Father, you must not talk to me like that. +Uncle Josiah came home this morning, and +I made arrangements to meet him here to-night.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_339' name='page_339'></a>339</span></div> +<p>“And he was conveniently out, I suppose, +so you might meet this fellow here +alone.”</p> +<p>“If you refuse to listen to reason, you may +think what you like. I love that man you’ve +been maligning!” she cried, her eyes filling +with angry tears.</p> +<p>“You love him? Are you brazen enough +to stand there and say that to my face?” he +shouted, losing his self-control. “Him! +You! I’ve a mind–––Why, you silly little +sentimental fool. You go so far as to +flaunt–––”</p> +<p>“Mr. Fox, allow me to explain,” interrupted +the minister.</p> +<p>The Elder did not heed the note of warning +in the steady voice, but clutching his walking-stick +with nervous fingers he started toward +his daughter.</p> +<p>“Stand back!”</p> +<p>Mr. Fox stood back, almost falling against +the wall. The minister’s voice was as hard as +his own.</p> +<p>“It seems that the time has come for a +reckoning,” said Mr. McGowan. “You have +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_340' name='page_340'></a>340</span> +stood in my way long enough. Elizabeth, +will you kindly step into my study?”</p> +<p>“I prefer to remain here, Mack. You may +need me.”</p> +<p>“What I say may be quite unpleasant.”</p> +<p>“I may need to add to what you say. I’ll +stay.”</p> +<p>“Very well. Mr. Fox, our strained relations +must come to an end. If you can show +any just cause why I’m at fault, I shall do all +in my power to rectify it. I do not know the +slightest reason for your attitude against me, +but–––”</p> +<p>“You lie, sir!”</p> +<p>The minister’s lips tightened. “Only your +age protects you in the use of that word to me. +I repeat what I have said,––and it will be as +well for you not to question my integrity +again,––I do not know why you have treated +me as you have. I now demand an explanation.”</p> +<p>“If you will favor us with a little of your +family history first,” said the Elder with a +sneering laugh, “there will be no need of any +further explanation on my part.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_341' name='page_341'></a>341</span></div> +<p>“You seem to think me a vagabond, or +something quite as bad if not worse. Well, +I’m not. My family history is nothing to +brag about, but the record is clean. If you’ll +be seated I’ll be glad to furnish you with such +bits as may be of interest to you. It isn’t +so difficult to hold one’s temper while sitting.”</p> +<p>Elizabeth lifted an imploring face to the +minister. “Please, dear, don’t say anything +more! For my sake, don’t. Wait till you +both have had time to think over how foolish +this all is.”</p> +<p>“Foolish, you think! He need not speak, so +far as I’m concerned,” declared Mr. Fox, refusing +the proffered chair. “I know his +whole miserable story. I knew his parents. I +take back my request. You doubtless would +not tell the truth. What I wish my daughter +to know, I shall tell her in the privacy of our +own home.”</p> +<p>Elizabeth looked as if she could not trust +her own ears for what she had just heard +from her father’s lips.</p> +<p>“Mr. Fox, Elizabeth shall know my story +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_342' name='page_342'></a>342</span> +now, and from my own lips. I have absolutely +nothing to hide or be ashamed of. My +father and mother were honest people. If it +be a crime to be poor, then, they were guilty +beyond redemption. They came to this country +from Australia when I was little more than +an infant. My father took ill and died shortly +after our arrival. Mother said his death was +the result of confining work he had done in +Australia. I can remember my mother quite +well, but she died before I was five. I was +taken into a neighboring family, almost as +poor as mine had been. As I grew up I +worked hard, and saved every penny. My +mother had left me one heritage that was +priceless, a craving for knowledge. The people +who brought me up sacrificed to help me +along till I reached high school. I worked +my way up through four hard years, into college, +and then on into the seminary.</p> +<p>“That is about all there is to my uninteresting +history. I came here as a candidate +for this church. For the first time in my +whole life I was beginning to taste real happiness. +But no sooner had I taken my first +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_343' name='page_343'></a>343</span> +breath of independence than I saw I must +fight to hold the ground I had gained. I +gloried in the opportunity. I was glad that +I could do for your town what no other minister +had been able to do. I took special delight +in getting hold of those lads and men at +the Inn. Hicks and his crowd didn’t trouble +me one bit, or even alter one plan I had for +the members of the club. I didn’t even grow +discouraged when the opposition came from +you, for I kept hoping that you’d see your +mistake and come over to my aid. But time +went on, and you did not. I sought reasons +for your injustice. I concluded at last that +you had discovered my love for your daughter, +and that you did not consider my family +connections to be sufficiently strong to permit +any such union. I did all in my power to argue +myself out of that love. But I soon discovered +that a man cannot argue a cyclone out +of his heart any more than he can argue one +out of God’s sky.</p> +<p>“If there is no other reason for your actions, +sir, than my love for Elizabeth your +opposition may as well be withdrawn right +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_344' name='page_344'></a>344</span> +here and now. Otherwise, I shall marry +Elizabeth against your will.”</p> +<p>“It seems to me, young man, that you are +quite sure of yourself about something you +can’t do. I admire your nerve,”––the Elder +was pulling out each word with violent tugs +at the side-whiskers,––“but we’ll see, sir, who +holds the trumps.”</p> +<p>“You mean that you offer me no other alternative +than to fight this through to a finish?” +asked the minister.</p> +<p>“I offer you no alternative whatsoever. I +command you to remain away from my +daughter.”</p> +<p>“And I refuse to obey any such order +unless you give some just and adequate +reason.”</p> +<p>“I shall give you reason enough. Why +did you stop with that little bit of family history +where you did?”</p> +<p>“I had nothing to add of any importance.”</p> +<p>“You do not think it of importance to tell +us what that confining work was your father +did in Australia?”</p> +<p>“I haven’t the slightest idea. If Mother +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_345' name='page_345'></a>345</span> +ever told me I was so very young that I have +forgotten.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps your mother wished to spare you. +If so, I do not intend to tell you at this late +hour in your life. But what he did is sufficient +reason for my forbidding you to carry +your attentions any further.”</p> +<p>“Father, this is getting really ridiculous,” +declared his daughter. “We love each other, +and that fact is greater than all else. Not +one word which you may say against Mack’s +people will make the slightest difference with +me.”</p> +<p>“My dear child, if I dared tell you one-tenth +of the truth,––but I dare not.”</p> +<p>“You shall not talk like this any longer. +It’s silly.”</p> +<p>“Since when has my child taken to giving +her father orders? You are forcing me to +speak. I’d rather cut off my right arm than +do it, but I must save my little girl from–––”</p> +<p>“I shall not listen to another word!” broke +in the girl.</p> +<p>“Be still! I shall speak, and you shall listen.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_346' name='page_346'></a>346</span></div> +<p>“Father! You dare not. I love him, +and–––”</p> +<p>“You’ll blush at the thought of having +used that word in connection with that man +before I have finished.”</p> +<p>“It doesn’t matter what you say, you can +never change–––”</p> +<p>“Beth, I must ask you to stop interrupting +me. This man’s father is an out–––”</p> +<p>“You’d better not say that, Father!” cried +Elizabeth. “You’ll wish you hadn’t when it +is too late.”</p> +<p>The Elder’s face grew livid. His hands +trembled violently as he steadied himself to +deliver his final blow. Elizabeth drew close +to Mr. McGowan as though to shield him, and +shot a defiant glance at her father.</p> +<p>“I shall tell the truth, and you shall hear +it. That man’s father is an outlaw. He is a +fugitive from justice. All this prattle about +him being dead is a hoax.”</p> +<p>The Elder now stood back to watch the result +of his bomb. But what he saw was far +more mystifying than satisfying. It was Mr. +McGowan who drew back as the girl threw +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_347' name='page_347'></a>347</span> +her arms about his neck. Elizabeth entreated +him not to believe one word which her father +had just uttered. Mr. Fox stood dumbfounded. +Mr. McGowan did nothing but +stare blankly across the room.</p> +<p>“Come here at once!” ordered the Elder. +“Beth, do you hear me? Come away from +that man. Don’t you see he recognizes the +truth? Are you entirely mad?”</p> +<p>For answer Elizabeth slipped her hands +further over her lover’s shoulders and locked +her fingers behind. Mr. McGowan did not +seem to realize the utter surrender with which +she did this. He saw only the figure across +the room and heard a faint whisper from out +the past. It came from out his childhood, +shortly after his father’s death. It had made +no definite impression on his young mind, but +like a haunting shadow had stuck to him all +these years. In a husky voice he demanded +that the Elder explain.</p> +<p>“There is nothing more to explain, sir. +You know to what I refer as well as I. If +you are any kind of a man you will stop right +where you are, and release my daughter from +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_348' name='page_348'></a>348</span> +her foolish promise. Beth, if you love this +man as you say you do you will come from +him at once, for I’ll ruin him if you persist in +your sentimental infatuation. If you show a +willingness to comply with my wishes, I shall +let the matter drop, providing he leaves our +town.”</p> +<p>Mr. McGowan tried to push the girl from +him, but she only tightened her grip.</p> +<p>“You dare not carry out your threat!” she +shot at her father. Then without warning +she released the minister, and turned about. +The fire of indignation and anger leaped from +those eyes that had only given her father love +and kindness.</p> +<p>“I shall not threaten longer, I shall act. I +shall apply for deportation papers for this man +as an undesirable citizen.”</p> +<p>“He is not that, Father!” cried the girl, +making her last appeal.</p> +<p>“I shall have him deported if–––”</p> +<p>She gave a dry hysterical laugh. “Try it, +if you dare! I know his story. I know yours, +too. Don’t you touch me!” she cried, as her +father started toward her. She fled again to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_349' name='page_349'></a>349</span> +the minister. “Don’t let him touch me, +Mack!”</p> +<p>Mr. Fox stopped abruptly. He dropped +the papers which he had taken from his +pocket. “Beth,––my dear,––have you lost +all your senses? What were you saying?” +he barely gasped.</p> +<p>The outer door opened, and Captain Pott +entered his house.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_350' name='page_350'></a>350</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVIII' id='CHAPTER_XVIII'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> +</div> +<p>Captain Pott paused on the threshold. +He looked from one to the other of the occupants +of the room. He crossed over and +picked up the paper which the Elder had +dropped. He slowly read the contents.</p> +<p>“Ain’t breaking in on an experience meeting, +be I?” he asked.</p> +<p>“Oh! Uncle Josiah! Tell Father it isn’t +true!” entreated the girl.</p> +<p>“I’d say ’twas purty likely, according to +all the signs.” He chuckled.</p> +<p>“Please don’t laugh. I can’t stand it. +Tell Father about–––”</p> +<p>“There now, Beth, you and the parson set +sail for a little cruise down the beach. I’ve +something private to say to your dad.”</p> +<p>“What you have to say to me, sir, will be +said in the presence of my daughter,” replied +the Elder, making a pathetic attempt at stiffness.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_351' name='page_351'></a>351</span></div> +<p>“You’re mistook on that p’int, Jim. I’m +skipper aboard here, and them’s orders.”</p> +<p>The Elder’s hands shook uncontrollably as +he gripped the head of his walking-stick.</p> +<p>“You’re all wasting good time,” observed +the seaman. “You’d best heave to, and obey +orders. Mutiny won’t be allowed.”</p> +<p>“I intend to remain right here till this mystery +concerning me is cleared up,” declared +the minister.</p> +<p>“Mystery about you?” exclaimed the Captain. +“Why, Mack, there ain’t nothing like +that about you. You’re as clear as an open +sky. What I’ve got to say is just ’twixt Jim +and me. You couldn’t get in on it to save +your soul. Now, you and Beth clear out.”</p> +<p>“Josiah Pott, I recognize no right that permits +you to intrude into my family affairs. If +what you have to say is concerning the mortgage +you had better speak at once. There is +nothing about that which is confidential.”</p> +<p>“That’s according to the way you look at +it. I’d a heap sight rather say it in private, +Jim. It may prove embarrassing–––”</p> +<p>“Then, <a name='TC_10'></a><ins class="tnchg" title=""spelling standardized"">good night</ins>. Come, Beth.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_352' name='page_352'></a>352</span></div> +<p>“There ain’t no use of you going off mad, +Jim. I only wanted a word with you about +something that does consarn us both a mite. +You ain’t got no objection to that, have +you?”</p> +<p>The show of apparent humility on the part +of the Captain made it possible for the Elder +to remain, providing the conference should be +made brief.</p> +<p>“You ain’t no more anxious to get it over +than I be. We’ll step right in here in Mack’s +cabin, if you don’t mind.”</p> +<p>The Elder balked. “I prefer witnesses,” +he said. “Otherwise, you may come to my +home to-morrow evening. I did not seek this +unpleasant interview, and since I leave it to +my lawyers to carry on my business affairs, I +do not intend to hound my debtors personally.”</p> +<p>“You ain’t been hounding me personally, +Jim, but there’s some things that you can’t +leave even to crooked lawyers. You’d best +handle this personally. If that shyster tries +to get in on this his neck won’t be wuth the +skin that covers it.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_353' name='page_353'></a>353</span></div> +<p>“You still persist in trying to threaten me, +I see.”</p> +<p>“No, Jim, this ain’t a threat. If you want +the witness part after I get through I’ll accommodate +you with plenty of ’em. But I +cal’late we’d best talk it over private-like fust. +I happened onto a feller the other day by the +name of John Peters, and he spun me the +likeliest yarn I ever heard about Australia. +I thought you’d like to hear it, but I don’t +want to take your valuable time. Good +night.”</p> +<p>“Hold on, Josiah! I did not catch that +name. Who was it you saw?”</p> +<p>But the Captain did not hold on to anything +except to his news concerning John +Peters. He entered the minister’s study and +closed the door.</p> +<p>A little later the side door opened and closed +quietly. The seaman thought the Fox had +run for his hole. But the study door soon +opened. The Captain turned his back, drew +out his pipe, and with slow deliberation began +to pack the bowl with shavings from a black +plug of tobacco.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_354' name='page_354'></a>354</span></div> +<p>“I think I can spare you a few minutes, +Josiah,” barely whispered the Elder. “I +don’t want to seem arrogant and high-handed +in the matter of that small loan. And if there +is anything–––”</p> +<p>“That’s all right, Jim, about that loan. +Come right in, and set down. Thought you’d +gone hum.”</p> +<p>“That was the preacher going out with my +daughter. He shall see the day when he’ll +pay for his impudence.”</p> +<p>“Most of us get caught afore we’re through +life, Jim.”</p> +<p>“I don’t know why I’m doing this little +service for you to-night, except it be for the +sake of our boyhood friendship. I am willing +to suffer this inconvenience–––”</p> +<p>“It’s mighty kind of you,” cut in the Captain +sharply. “But for once that boyhood +rot ain’t going to help you none. It ain’t +going to let you turn any more of them tricks +of a black rascal simply because you pose as a +shining martyr. The way you’ve treated +Mack McGowan–––”</p> +<p>“If this conversation is to be about the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_355' name='page_355'></a>355</span> +minister, I shall save you the trouble of speaking +by going at once.”</p> +<p>“It ain’t no trouble for me to speak. What +I’ve got to say does consarn Mack a heap, and +you’d best listen. When I finish you’ll see +that it’s best for him to stay right here in this +church, if he wants to, after all the mean low-down +tricks you’ve served him.”</p> +<p>“I shall not allow you to pick a quarrel. +I regret that you are so much inclined that +way.”</p> +<p>“You can keep all your regretting till +later, you’ll likely need it. What I want to +make plain to you is that Mack is going to +stay right here in Little River, perviding he +wants to.”</p> +<p>“Indeed? You surprise me. I usually +get my way about church matters. Permit +me to say that you shall not interfere in these +affairs any more than in those of my own +home.”</p> +<p>“That’s been the trouble with you all these +years, Jim. You’ve been getting your own +way too long. I’m not going to interfere one +mite, I’m just going to dictate for this once. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_356' name='page_356'></a>356</span> +If I ain’t way off in my soundings, you’ll be +mighty glad to have him as a son-in-law, too.”</p> +<p>Mr. Fox rose and lifted his cane. He +tapped the corner of the desk. He opened +his mouth, but his anger choked him.</p> +<p>“You make me nervous, Jim. Set down +and set still. I ain’t going to speak of the +parson right off. Ain’t you going to set +down? There, that’s better.”</p> +<p>The Elder’s face was livid.</p> +<p>“I cal’late I’ll talk better if I get this thing +going,” observed the seaman, lighting his pipe. +“Now, Jim, I ain’t sartin why I’m going to +talk to you in private like this, but–––”</p> +<p>“By God! It’s time you’re finding out! +Your impudence has got beyond all bounds.”</p> +<p>“I wouldn’t swear like that. It ain’t becoming +to one of your position in the church. +Them black scowls and blue cuss-words ain’t +going to get you nothing.”</p> +<p>“You impudent dog! I thought you were +intending to pay me that little debt, or I +should never have entered this room. Your +insults are–––”</p> +<p>“Sartin sure. ’Most forgot that.” The +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_357' name='page_357'></a>357</span> +Captain drew out a bank-draft and handed it +over to the surprised Elder. “Thanks for +reminding me. It’s best to clear all decks +afore manœuvers are begun in earnest.”</p> +<p>“I shall be going now. But I cannot take +that draft. You will learn more about that +later.”</p> +<p>“Suit yourself on both p’ints, Jim,” replied +the seaman studying the tips of his heavy +boots. “You’d best take this money, though. +It pays off all I owe you. Anyway, I’d stay +if I was you. You’d sure enjoy Peters’ +yarn.”</p> +<p>The two men eyed each other like a pair of +wild animals. The Elder at length rose.</p> +<p>“Pott, I’ll not listen to more of your insane +talk. I fear all your trouble has gone to your +head. I’m sorry if that is the case. You +would do well to consult some brain specialist.”</p> +<p>“No, it ain’t my head it’s gone to. It’s my +heart.” His words were gentle, but his eyes +were as hard as flint. “I’ve been itching to +get hold of you for some time, Jim, but I ain’t +seen any handle till now. Since you made me +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_358' name='page_358'></a>358</span> +that offer up to your house t’other night I’ve +been wanting to choke you. Yes, to choke +you till your lying old pipe of a gullet would +shut off your wind for good and all. But the +law won’t allow me that pleasure.” He continued +with intense bitterness: “I s’pose +you’re wondering where I got that money to +pay off your filthy loan.”</p> +<p>“So this is the gratitude you offer for my +kindness?”</p> +<p>“It’s a fat lot you’ve ever done for me! +You’ve just told me this ain’t no good.”</p> +<p>“The fact of the matter is, my lawyers +probably foreclosed on the real mortgage at +noon to-day.”</p> +<p>“Then, that lawyer feller I see wa’n’t far +off his course, after all,” replied the Captain, +laying the draft on the table. “Now, Jim, +show your hand and be damn quick afore I +call your turn on the deal,” demanded the seaman +as though certain that a prior conclusion +had proven correct.</p> +<p>“I have nothing to show at this time.”</p> +<p>“By the Almighty, then, look out! I sold +my <i>Jennie P.</i> to get you that money. It was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_359' name='page_359'></a>359</span> +purty hard to see her go, but it wa’n’t all loss, +not by a heap. John Peters bought her. I +told him why I was selling her. He was real +sorry, and then he spun me the yarn about +your crookedness in Australia. I got the +rest of the story by installments, about the +way you treated Adoniah. John give me +some mighty interesting news about an old +Mrs. Rogers, who was the mother of Adoniah’s +wife. She’s here right now looking for +heirs and crooks.”</p> +<p>The Elder had risen again, but the name +spoken by the Captain struck him like a shot. +He dropped back, his head fell forward, and +his hands locked over the head of his stick.</p> +<p>“After that I seen Harold, and he told me +where the woman was staying. I looked her +up, and she told me the whole enduring yarn. +It was Clemmie’s last letter from Adoniah +that set me going on your trail, and the old +woman cleared up the fog. I had that letter +in my pocket up to your place that night, but +Providence or something kept me from showing +it to you. That old lady had a picture of +her darter Emmie, and it nearly knocked me +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_360' name='page_360'></a>360</span> +over when she showed it to me. It was the +same that Mack has here in this frame of his +own mother. Take a look at that picture.” +He opened a drawer, lifted out a gilt-frame, +and passed a small daguerreotype across to +the Elder. “Mack has showed me this often, +and I see that he was a chip off the old block +on his mother’s side. But I never dreamed +the truth, because of his name.” The Captain’s +eyes narrowed. “I’ve been wondering, +Jim, if that wa’n’t what went to your head +that night he had dinner up there,––seeing the +likeness, all of a sudden, to his mother.”</p> +<p>He paused to give the Elder time to study +the picture.</p> +<p>“Josiah, what on earth has all this nonsense +to do with me? Just what are you accusing +me of?”</p> +<p>“Nothing yet. I’m coming to that part. +I looked up that feller who was with you over +there, and I dragged your damned sin out of +him. When it comes right down to it, I hate +like time to take away your chart and compass +this way, but you’ve been doing it to others +for so long that I cal’late it’s coming to you. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_361' name='page_361'></a>361</span> +I’d have let the old lady tear out your side-whiskers +if it hadn’t been for them children of +yours. It was for them that I asked you in +here.”</p> +<p>The Elder roused and made a pathetic effort +to straighten his drooping figure. “I +think,––er,––Josiah, I see your game at last. +You purpose to frighten me with these wild +tales from some old witch. I shall compel +you to offer proof, for all your insinuations, +in court.”</p> +<p>“Insinuations! Proof! Lord, Jim!” cried +the Captain, aiming a powerful finger in +the direction of the Elder. “I’ve got proof +enough to lock you up in the London Towers, +or wherever it was you let Adoniah suffer for +your infernal wickedness. Proof! Hell! You +ain’t that big a fool. Set still and hear me. +You never see the shores of Africa. It was +in Australia that you and Adoniah got in with +that trader Rogers,––Emmie’s father,––and +you was getting rich trading in opals. Then, +the both of you fell in love with Emmie, and +Adoniah beat you out and married her. It +wa’n’t long after that when Adoniah took +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_362' name='page_362'></a>362</span> +down with a fever. God, man! When I +think what you done to him when he couldn’t +fight back, I could kill you! You got trapped +in a bad deal, and while Adoniah was raving +with a fever you took all the money there was +and skipped. You was careful to ship all the +blame for your dirty work on Adoniah afore +you sneaked out a rich man.”</p> +<p>“Pott, that is enough. There is not a +court in all this country that would believe +your wild tale. Try it, and see how quickly +they would lock you up in a madhouse.”</p> +<p>“They won’t believe what I say?”</p> +<p>“I dare you to go into any court and try it. +I’m too well known.”</p> +<p>“Jim, don’t toss me that old line, it’s a mite +too green and slimy to look tasty.”</p> +<p>“I’m through with this stuff and nonsense, +sir!” shouted the Elder. He started for the +door.</p> +<p>“Well, I ain’t through with you. I’m +only just begun.” The Captain intercepted +him. “You set there, or I’ll set you. This +trader, Rogers, got onto your little game +afore you set sail, and tried to get you arrested. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_363' name='page_363'></a>363</span> +But you’d covered your dirty tracks. +He caught you, though, and made you sign +something–––”</p> +<p>“That would not stand in court. I can +prove that I was forced to sign a false statement +at the point of a gun.”</p> +<p>“Thanks, Jim. I’m glad I ain’t got to +prove to you that you done the signing.” +Carefully choosing his words, the Captain +continued. “That feller you had hiding with +you that night done some signing, too. I got +hold both them papers. I found that other +feller and made him dance the devil’s tune. +He done some purty things for a missionary +of the Son of God. His name was Means.</p> +<p>“You know the rest of the yarn, how Adoniah +was taken off on one of them floating +hells, called a convict-ship. The thing was +nearly wrecked, and he was making his escape +after swimming to land when he turned into a +mission place for a bite to eat. He come face +to face with that fat missionary who got you +out of the country. Instead of feeding him, +and giving him decent clothing, like a Christian +ought to do, he took him to the officers. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_364' name='page_364'></a>364</span> +They put him in a dungeon. For nigh onto +two years he was kept there. Then this +Rogers feller got hold of a lawyer with as +much heart as brains, and they got him out. +The old lady said he wa’n’t much to look at +when he come out. They sent ’em over here, +thinking it would be good for Adoniah’s +health. But he was all wore out, and couldn’t +hold a job. He was a heap too proud to beg +or ask help. Not wanting to disgrace his +family name with the damned record you give +him, he changed his. The old lady said it was +about then that they lost track of ’em. I got +the rest of the story from Harold on my way +home to-night from Edna’s place. That’s +why I was late.</p> +<p>“Adoniah and his family lived in them dirty +streets of lower East Side. He was a wreck, +and Emmie tried to work to keep things up. +Both of ’em died, starved to death, while you +and that damn missionary was getting fat on +the money you stole. You had busted up the +firm so Rogers couldn’t help none then, even +if he’d found ’em. The little boy they left +was found by some neighbors. He was ’most +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_365' name='page_365'></a>365</span> +starved and nearly froze. He was living with +an old janitor woman, and she was sending +him out on the streets to sell papers! Think +of that, Jim Fox! A little boy, five years old, +peddling papers to pay your bills with! Them +folks found him one morning in a doorway, +asleep!”</p> +<p>The old seaman’s voice choked. He slowly +refilled his pipe. When he resumed his narrative, +his breath was coming heavily. “This +Rogers feller lost all track of ’em. He made +money fast after he got on his feet, but all his +searching got him nothing. The old lady +said they kept paying some interest or other +on a debt Adoniah owed to you in order to +save some property of his. I didn’t tumble +just then what ’twas she meant. But I found +out to-night. When the old man died, Mrs. +Rogers shut down on that paying business +and began in real earnest to look for her darter.”</p> +<p>The Elder had slouched forward in his +chair.</p> +<p>“You thought you was hid, and so you +come back to this town to stick your head in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_366' name='page_366'></a>366</span> +one of its sand-heaps. I tell you, Jim, I ain’t +been very strong on the p’int of a Providence +directing our ways. It’s always seemed to +me like a blind force pushing us from behind. +But I’m getting converted. When that there +missionary showed up at the installing meeting, +the devil come right forward and asked +for his pay. Means wa’n’t long in seeing the +mother’s face in Mack.</p> +<p>“It was Mack who sold them papers. It +was that low-down missionary of a Means +who was working in a mission down on the +East Side after coming back who put him in +with that janitor woman. You both done all +the dirt you could to his dad by stealing all he +had, and now because you’ve been scared that +he’d squeal on you, the both of you are trying +to steal his right to live as a man. I suppose +if you’d have known that he was as ignorant +as a babe about all this, you’d done nothing +against him. But Providence come in by +way of your own home. Harold got that +woman over here afore he knew where the +scent was going, but he can’t stop her now. +Beth found it all out to-day, too.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_367' name='page_367'></a>367</span></div> +<p>The expected blast of hot denial and bitter +denunciation did not follow. Instead, the +Elder merely bent his head and acknowledged +it all. He did not bewail his misfortune. He +seemed beyond that.</p> +<p>“It’s a mighty bad thing, Jim, when a feller +lets the furniture of his house get more +important than himself, ain’t it? It leaves +him kind of bare when it’s all moved out.”</p> +<p>“Josiah, you’re right. It’s even worse +when the furniture has been stolen,” remarked +the man. He raised his head and looked at +the little gilt-framed picture on the desk. He +covered his face. With a dry sob he folded +his arms across the picture, and dropped his +head upon them. “My God! I didn’t mean +to do it when I began. I must have been insane. +It seemed so easy at the time. I’ve +suffered a thousand hells all these years!”</p> +<p>“I know. You just went along the way +that seemed easy-like. At fust it ain’t hard +to go with the greedy crowd, but the turning’s +mighty hard. You sartin went the easiest +way for yourself, Jim, but them you done +wrong to, died in awful poverty.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_368' name='page_368'></a>368</span></div> +<p>“I can’t stand any more!”</p> +<p>“John told me that Adoniah was going to +get your hide after he got back here, but when +he see you was married and had a little +baby–––”</p> +<p>“Stop it, Josiah! Do with me as you like, +but don’t tell me any more. I’ll go insane!”</p> +<p>“I cal’late what you said about suffering +your share is as nigh the truth as you’ve come +in many a year. If I’d been intending to +give you up to that old woman, do you cal’late +I’d brought you in here?”</p> +<p>“Josiah, do you mean that you do not intend +to give me up?” asked the crumpled man +incredulously. He raised his head and peered +across the room.</p> +<p>“Not if you’re willing to obey orders. +Others have been suffering, and that’s got to +stop.”</p> +<p>“I’ll do anything you say.”</p> +<p>“The fust thing, that Sim Hicks and his +gang has got to be choked off.”</p> +<p>“I don’t know what you refer to, but–––”</p> +<p>“Jim, I thought we’d cut out that old +green line of pretending. I ain’t going to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_369' name='page_369'></a>369</span> +nibble, so just stop casting it at me. I mean +his booze-selling to them boys.”</p> +<p>“That can be arranged,” hurriedly agreed +the Elder.</p> +<p>“Thought it likely could. The second little +matter is that Mr. McGowan is going to +stay right here in this church as minister.”</p> +<p>“I’ll do my best–––Yes, I shall see to +that.”</p> +<p>“Now, about that money you stole from his +dad. That goes back to Mack with interest.”</p> +<p>“But, Josiah, I can’t do that. It would +ruin me. I wouldn’t mind for myself, but +my family–––”</p> +<p>“I know, that’s the hard part of paying off +old debts, the innocent has got to suffer. But +that can be fixed so it won’t bother you much. +It might do you good to take a taste of your +own medicine.”</p> +<p>“Can this be done without the village finding +it out?”</p> +<p>“It’s purty hard to give up your position +as village hero, ain’t it, Jim? I cal’late it’s +going to be purty tolerable hard to dress a +hypocrite up like a saint without people finding +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_370' name='page_370'></a>370</span> +it out sooner or later, but we’ll try it for a +spell. Harold said to-night that he’d draw +up papers for you. We’re going to try to +keep this a sort of family skeleton.”</p> +<p>“How can I ever thank you!”</p> +<p>“You’d best give them thanks to the Almighty.”</p> +<p>“I do, most heartily.”</p> +<p>“Just touch a match to this paper you +dropped. Here ’tis. I cal’late you wa’n’t +intending for no one to see this but Beth.”</p> +<p>“That is true, Josiah. I wished to keep +her from going any further with Mr. McGowan.” +With trembling fingers he set fire +to that piece of paper.</p> +<p>“One word more about money. What are +you going to do about the loan on this place?”</p> +<p>“You may keep that, Josiah, as a token of +my appreciation for what you have done.”</p> +<p>“Not this one,” said the Captain. “That’s +honest enough to pass. I mean that one the +interest has been paid on all these years.”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid that my lawyers foreclosed on +that at noon–––”</p> +<p>“From what Harold said, I cal’late you’ll +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_371' name='page_371'></a>371</span> +find the interest was paid afore they had a +chance to foreclose. If I was you, Jim, I’d +just cancel that mortgage. The interest has +more than paid it back these years. Mack’s +estate otter be clear.”</p> +<p>The man before whom great ones had been +made to tremble because of financial power, +now meekly nodded assent to a sea captain.</p> +<p>“And we’ll just include everything you owe +Mack in the papers Harold is going to draw +up?”</p> +<p>“I’ll be only too glad to do as you say. +But how about this Rogers woman?”</p> +<p>“I’ll see to her. She’d never recognize +you as the dude who beat her son-in-law. +You’ve changed consider’ble since then. +You’ve even changed a mite to-night.”</p> +<p>The Captain took up his pipe from the +table, shook off the ash, and relighted it.</p> +<p>“Is that all, Josiah?”</p> +<p>“Yes. I cal’late you’d best be going.” +He handed the Elder his hat, and lifted his +walking-stick from the floor.</p> +<p>“Thanks, Josiah. You have been very +kind to me. More than I deserve.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_372' name='page_372'></a>372</span></div> +<p>“There ain’t no room for argument on that +p’int.”</p> +<p>As the Elder reached the door the Captain +halted him.</p> +<p>“If I was you, Jim, I’d keep my oar out of +that love affair of Mack and Beth.”</p> +<p>“Quite right, Josiah. Good night.”</p> +<p>The Elder got out of the house and into the +road in a stumbling fashion. He climbed the +knoll to his estate, a saddened and broken old +man, but with a relief of mind and heart that +he had not known for years.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_373' name='page_373'></a>373</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIX' id='CHAPTER_XIX'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> +</div> +<p>“Now, ain’t you a pair to look at, and you +to give your sermon this morning, Mr. McGowan! +You look a heap sight worse than +Edna Splinter, and she’s been raving with a +fever all night.”</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin made this observation while +the three of them sat at breakfast Sunday +morning.</p> +<p>The minister absent-mindedly asked concerning +the condition of Miss Splinter.</p> +<p>“She ’peared to be a trifle easier this morning. +But what’s ailing the both of you? +Look as if you’d been setting up all night like +two owls.”</p> +<p>“Cal’late we’re on our uppers, Clemmie. +But we’ll be fit as fiddles when we get some +of them cakes stowed amidships, and ballast +’em down with a few swallers of that coffee. +There ain’t everybody that can b’ile coffee like +you, Clemmie.”</p> +<p>“Don’t be foolish, Josiah.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_374' name='page_374'></a>374</span></div> +<p>After a very light breakfast, Mr. McGowan +excused himself from the table, saying +he must do some work on his sermon before +the church hour. As the door to the study +closed the Captain pushed back his plate and +chair. He slid the latter round the end of the +table, and placed it by Miss Pipkin.</p> +<p>“For the lan’ sakes, Josiah! You ain’t going +to make love to me this morning, be you?”</p> +<p>“I ain’t sartin, Clemmie. It depends on +your partic’lar frame of mind,” he replied +slowly, a quiet kindness in his old eyes.</p> +<p>“I don’t know as I feel like being made +love-sick,” she said, but without the old spirit +of stubbornness.</p> +<p>“All right, Clemmie,” he said resignedly. +“I cal’late you know best. I’m going to spin +you a yarn about what took place round these +premises last night. That is, if you’re willing +to listen.”</p> +<p>“Why, of course I’m willing to listen. +Did that lawyer show up here again with his +old mortgage?”</p> +<p>“No, you bet he didn’t. And what’s more, +he won’t come prowling round again, either.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_375' name='page_375'></a>375</span></div> +<p>The Captain told his housekeeper the whole +story. He passed as lightly as he could over +the part where Adoniah had married the +trader’s daughter. Miss Pipkin gave no sign +that she cared in the least, or that the news +had shocked her. But when the Captain rehearsed +the treachery of Mr. James Fox, she +grew rigid. She dabbed her apron into the +corners of her eyes as he unfolded the story of +the suffering of the little family. The old +man paused to wipe the tears from his own +eyes as he recounted the finding of the lad in +the doorway with a pile of morning papers in +his lap. For some time after he had finished +neither spoke. The Captain dangled his bandanna +at the end of his nose, and Miss Pipkin +dabbed her checked apron against her wet +cheeks.</p> +<p>“Josiah,” she whispered eagerly, “have +you found the boy yet? Is he still alive?”</p> +<p>“Yes.” A prolonged blow followed.</p> +<p>She laid her hand in his. “Where is he? +Do you think I could see him?”</p> +<p>“He’s in there.” He pointed toward the +study door.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_376' name='page_376'></a>376</span></div> +<p>“In that study with Mr. McGowan? Is +that what you said?”</p> +<p>He nodded.</p> +<p>“You brought him here from the city yesterday?”</p> +<p>The seaman shook his head. “He come +long afore that.”</p> +<p>“Where’ve you been keeping him? Ain’t +you going to fetch him out?” she cried, rising. +“I’ll go get him.”</p> +<p>“Wait, Clemmie. It’s been nigh onto +twenty-five year since he was born, so he ain’t +a baby. Let Mack fetch him. Mack!” called +the Captain sharply. A slight twinkle in his +eyes offset the assumed severity of his command.</p> +<p>The door opened and Mr. McGowan stood +on the threshold. Miss Pipkin stared from +the one to the other.</p> +<p>“Be the both of you clean crazy?” she demanded, +as the men grinned rather foolishly +at each other.</p> +<p>“No, Clemmie. We’ve just woke up to +our senses, that’s all.”</p> +<p>“If you think this a good joke,–––”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_377' name='page_377'></a>377</span></div> +<p>“It ain’t no joke,” said the Captain, motioning +Mr. McGowan to come nearer. “I +give you my word, it ain’t, Clemmie. There’s +Adoniah Phillips’ son.”</p> +<p>With a smothered exclamation Miss Pipkin +dropped back against the table. “You––you–––” +But she ended with a gasp for +breath and words.</p> +<p>“The Cap’n is telling you the truth,” confirmed +the minister.</p> +<p>“You––and you let me tell you all that +nonsense about him and me!”</p> +<p>“You’re doing me an injustice, Miss Pipkin. +I did not know one thing about all this +till last night.”</p> +<p>Captain Pott had risen. In his eagerness +he stretched out his arms to the confused +housekeeper. She turned from staring at the +minister, and like a bewildered animal fled +blindly in the direction of the kitchen. She +found herself, instead, in the seaman’s arms. +Here she stuck, and with hysterical sobs clung +to the old man. Mr. McGowan came nearer. +At sight of him she fled to his arms. For the +next few minutes the practical, every-day +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_378' name='page_378'></a>378</span> +Miss Pipkin did things of which no one had +ever imagined her capable. The Captain’s +voice roused her.</p> +<p>“Here, young feller, you go loving where +you’re wanted. I’ve been waiting for this too +many years to be cheated out by a young rascal +like you.” He seized the not unwilling +Miss Pipkin, and pushed the minister in the +direction of the kitchen.</p> +<p>“Clemmie, ain’t this grand?” asked the old +man.</p> +<p>“It’s really been you all these years, Josiah.”</p> +<p>“Been me? You mean you’ve loved me +all the time, Clemmie?”</p> +<p>“Um-hm,” she nodded vigorously. “But +I was that stubborn that I wouldn’t give in. +I always looked forward to your proposing. +You ain’t proposed to me for a long time, Josiah.”</p> +<p>“But, Clemmie, are you sartin sure it’ll be +all right now? If you get your rest, are you +sartin you won’t feel different? Don’t you +think you’d otter wait?”</p> +<p>“Josiah, ask me right now, so I can’t back +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_379' name='page_379'></a>379</span> +out, or get on another stubborn streak. I +thought it all out ’longside Edna’s bed last +night. She was raving, and calling for some +one, poor thing, who she’d refused to marry +when she was young. I said then and there +that I wasn’t going to my grave with that +kind of thing hanging over me. That is, if +you ever asked me again.”</p> +<p>“You say you made up your mind last +night, Clemmie? You sure it wa’n’t what I +told you about Adoniah being married?”</p> +<p>“That had nothing to do with my decision.”</p> +<p>“Then, you mean we’re going to get married?”</p> +<p>“You ain’t asked me yet.”</p> +<p>“Miss Clemmie Pipkin,” he began, bending +his knees in the direction of the floor, and +upsetting the table as he went down with a +thud, “will you ship aboard this here old craft +as fust mate with a rough old skipper like +me?”</p> +<p>“Lan’ sakes! Get up off that floor. You +look awful silly. Get up this minute, or I’ll +say no.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_380' name='page_380'></a>380</span></div> +<p>The Captain got up with more alacrity +than he had gone down.</p> +<p>“Will you marry me, honest, Clemmie?”</p> +<p>“Yes. You see, I kind of wanted to hear +myself say it, because I’d made up my mind +that way.”</p> +<p>An exclamation from the kitchen interrupted +what the seaman was doing. The +minister had retired thither to clear the mist +from his eyes which had gathered there at +signs of spring-time in the fall of these dear +old lives. He now stood in the door, holding +a dripping coffee-pot.</p> +<p>“Oh, my coffee!” cried the housekeeper. +“It’s boiled all over the place.”</p> +<p>“Drat the coffee. Let her b’ile!”</p> +<p>Boil it certainly had, over the stove, on to +the floor, and had collected in a puddle at the +threshold.</p> +<p>“That’s what comes of not attending to +your cooking,” observed the practical Miss +Pipkin. The other Miss Pipkin, who had +been sleeping for years in the living sepulcher +of her heart, was saying and doing many +things quite different.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_381' name='page_381'></a>381</span></div> +<p>From the cross-roads came the sound of the +church-bell, calling the people of Little River +Parish to worship.</p> +<p>“There’s the bell!” exclaimed Miss Pipkin. +“It’s only a half-hour before service. +If you’ll excuse me, Mack, I don’t think I’ll +go this morning. You don’t mind if I call +you Mack here at home, do you?”</p> +<p>“I want you to call me that, Aunt Clemmie.” +He gave her a hurried kiss, and +started toward his room. At the corner of +the upset table he paused. “If I didn’t +have to preach this morning I’d stay home, +too.”</p> +<p>“You mean you’d go walking down ’long +the beach,” corrected the Captain.</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin looked oddly at her lover. +“Be they engaged?”</p> +<p>“They was, but I guess they ain’t.”</p> +<p>“What do you mean?”</p> +<p>“Jim came nigh sp’iling things last night. +Mack said they’d call it all off till he found +out more about his people. He was ’feared +from what Jim had said to him that he had no +right to love Beth. I cal’late he see that it +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_382' name='page_382'></a>382</span> +was right enough to go ahead afore I got +through with him this morning.”</p> +<p>“Josiah, he’ll marry us, won’t he?”</p> +<p>“You just bet he will!”</p> +<p>“Ain’t it funny he never said nothing about +being glad we was engaged?”</p> +<p>“We ain’t told him.”</p> +<p>“But he saw.”</p> +<p>“Script’re says something about having +eyes and seeing not, and having ears and +hearing not. Mack’s as nigh to obeying +the sayings of Script’re as any one I +know.”</p> +<p>“That’s so, Josiah. He is so good without +trying to be,” declared Miss Pipkin. She +lifted a hand to each of the old man’s shoulders, +and he put his arms about her. “Do +you believe in the care of Providence, Josiah, +and in the guiding hand of God?”</p> +<p>The Captain tightened his embrace, and +one of the bony hands of the housekeeper +slipped into the knotty fingers about her +waist.</p> +<p>“I’m larning to, Clemmie, but I’m going +to need a heap of help. I ain’t used to these +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_383' name='page_383'></a>383</span> +religious channels, and I cal’late you’ll have to +take the helm right often.”</p> +<p>They had not heard the sound of footsteps +in the outer room. It was Mrs. Beaver’s voice +that caused them to start.</p> +<p>“I thought I’d come over to borrow +some–––”</p> +<p>Mrs. Beaver stopped short on the threshold, +looked at the Captain and the housekeeper, +and began to retreat. The practical Miss +Pipkin was the first to recover speech.</p> +<p>“Come on right in, Mrs. Beaver. That’s a +silly thing for me to say, seeing you’re already +in. But what is it you’d like to borrow?”</p> +<p>Mrs. Beaver continued to retreat and stare. +She saw the puddle of coffee on the floor. +She eyed with interest the upset table. She +saw that the Captain was undetermined what +he ought to do with his hands. She watched +him as he stumbled backward into the cupboard. +Her face was a study.</p> +<p>“What was it you was going to ask for, +Eadie?” asked the seaman, trying to appear +unconcerned in his decided embarrassment.</p> +<p>“Well, I never!” exclaimed Mrs. Beaver.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_384' name='page_384'></a>384</span></div> +<p>“We’re engaged,” announced Miss Pipkin +in matter-of-fact tones.</p> +<p>“Engaged! You and–––”</p> +<p>“Yes, she and me,” finished the Captain +eagerly.</p> +<p>Mrs. Beaver’s hands dropped helplessly to +her sides.</p> +<p>“Is there anything more you’d like to +know?” asked Miss Pipkin kindly, as she +crossed the room and put an arm about the +spare figure of her neighbor. “We’re that +happy that I wanted you to know, and I’m +real glad you come over when you did.”</p> +<p>“Anything else I want to know?” she +asked. “I should say there is. What has +happened to Harry? He come home last +night all different, talking for the minister till +I couldn’t get a word in edgewise. It was +awful late, too. And he told me that Sim +Hicks had left town, or was going this morning.”</p> +<p>“I cal’late some one’s clothed Harry in his +right mind. You know, Eadie, that’s Script’re. +Sim has took a trip for his health.”</p> +<p>“And Harry tells me that Mr. Fox is for +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_385' name='page_385'></a>385</span> +the minister, too. Something must have happened.”</p> +<p>“Yes, something has happened. Eadie, +you rec’lect that time when you fust spoke to +me about the minister staying in my house you +said I’d be in the way of the Lord if I’d do it. +I wa’n’t very pleasant to you for going +ahead and doing it while I was away, but you +sartin did what Providence wanted that +time.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Beaver did not attempt to reply.</p> +<p>“What was it you wanted to borrow?”</p> +<p>She looked from the one to the other, and +made this comment: “I’m mighty glad for +the both of you. You’re good, and you both +deserve what you’ve got.” She kissed Miss +Pipkin on the cheek, and turned toward the +door.</p> +<p>“Eadie, what was it you come for?” asked +the housekeeper in a strange voice.</p> +<p>“I come over for a pinch of salt, but–––”</p> +<p>“Give her the hull sack, dear,” ordered the +Captain.</p> +<p>“I guess––I think–––I really don’t +need the salt,” stammered Mrs. Beaver.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_386' name='page_386'></a>386</span></div> +<p>“Here, Eadie, don’t go off mad. I didn’t +mean anything by what I said. I’d give +half what I own this morning to a hobo if he’d +ask for a crust of bread.”</p> +<p>“Thanks, Josiah. But I guess I got what +I really come for. God bless you both!”</p> +<p>With that she was gone.</p> +<p>“Now, ain’t that the strangest you ever +see?” observed the Captain.</p> +<p>He was cut short by the sound of a familiar +toot out in the harbor. He stared at the +housekeeper in dumb amazement.</p> +<p>“Clemmie, did you hear that? What in +tarnation was it?”</p> +<p>“It sounded like your power-boat.”</p> +<p>“But it ain’t round here.”</p> +<p>Together they went outside. Together +they stood on the stoop and watched a boat +nose its way to the old mooring of the +<i>Jennie P.</i></p> +<p>“It’s her!” whispered the seaman hoarsely. +“It’s my <i>Jennie P.</i>!”</p> +<p>He did not move from his place beside Miss +Pipkin, but held tightly to her hand as John +Peters came up from the wharf.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_387' name='page_387'></a>387</span></div> +<p>“Here’s a paper for you, Josiah. A girl +come into my place about noon yesterday and +made me sign it.”</p> +<p>Captain Pott was too surprised to even +reach out for the piece of paper offered him.</p> +<p>Miss Pipkin took it, and unfolded it carefully.</p> +<p>“Read it for me, Clemmie.”</p> +<p>“It only says that the <i>Jennie P.</i> was +bought back by Josiah Pott.”</p> +<p>“But I never–––”</p> +<p>“That girl said she’d come to represent +you, and paid cash.”</p> +<p>Without a word the three went down to the +wharf, and John Peters rowed the dory, with +two passengers aboard, out to the <i>Jennie P.</i></p> +<hr class='tb' /> +<p>It was late in the afternoon when Mr. McGowan +left the house. Fall permeated the +air with an invigorating twang. Here and +there the landscape showed the touch of frost. +The marsh grass was turning brown. Among +the trees and shrubbery color ran riot. The +Fox knoll was a blend of beauty. As the +minister passed the estate he sought for a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_388' name='page_388'></a>388</span> +glimpse of the Elder’s daughter among the +trees, or in the garden. But she was not to +be seen.</p> +<p>For a long way he kept his course up the +beach. He was thinking. How could he explain +to Elizabeth the meaning of his actions +last night? Would she listen after he had refused +to give heed to her explanation?</p> +<p>Suddenly, he became aware that he stood +on the spot where he had turned his ankle the +night she had come to him from the water’s +edge, and his thoughts were choked in the furrows +of his brain. He seemed to hear her +voice again as she had spoken that night of +the impossibility of his love. He looked +about. Far up the peninsula he recognized +her. She was coming to him as straight as +the line of the beach permitted. He started +in her direction. She waved him back. He +waited. On she came. Neither attempted +to speak till she had reached his side.</p> +<p>“I’ve been waiting for you,” she said. “I +thought you would never come.”</p> +<p>“You still want to see me after the way I +treated you last night?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_389' name='page_389'></a>389</span></div> +<p>“Please, don’t speak of that. I knew +Uncle Josiah would tell you everything.”</p> +<p>“He did tell me all. I want you to forgive +me for not taking your word that there +was nothing in my past which would prevent +our love, or mar it. I didn’t realize that you +knew what you were saying. I feared that I +had no right to love you after your father had +spoken as he did of my parentage.”</p> +<p>With intense anticipation he held out his +hands, but she drew away.</p> +<p>“Not now. I did not understand what +Father’s obligation to you would involve.”</p> +<p>“Elizabeth, dear, do you mean you won’t +forgive me?”</p> +<p>“I have nothing to forgive in you, Mack.” +In her eyes was a return of the warmth of love +she felt, but her attitude was one of firm resolve. +“I have come to you to-day because +I want to tell you that just for the present we +must be only good friends. I’ve been thinking +all night long about you, and now that +you know who you are, and what my father +has done against your father–––”</p> +<p>“But that is all past!”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_390' name='page_390'></a>390</span></div> +<p>“Not for me. Father ruined your father, +and has grown rich on your money. Not till +every cent of that is paid back can I think of +marrying you.” There was the weight of +dead finality in every word.</p> +<p>“But, Elizabeth–––”</p> +<p>“Please, Mack, don’t make it harder for +me than you must. This is not easy, but you +will see where it is best, when you have taken +time to think it over.”</p> +<p>“You have not talked this over with your +father, or with Harold?”</p> +<p>“No. Father was ill last night, and Harold +was so tired that he has been sleeping all +day. It would make no difference what either +of them might say. I am doing this because +it is right.”</p> +<p>“You do not know of the arrangements +that are to be made?”</p> +<p>“All I know is that Father owes you the +money, and that it is yours and must be paid +back to you.”</p> +<p>“Elizabeth, there are papers to be drawn +up, and–––”</p> +<p>“Mack, please don’t! I’m tired, and can’t +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_391' name='page_391'></a>391</span> +stand much. Don’t try to change my decision.”</p> +<p>“But those papers which Harold is to draw +up must alter that decision. That is the only +ground on which I shall accept the terms. +Your father is to be given all the time he needs +to pay me back. At first I flatly refused. I +didn’t want to take any of his money. But +Uncle Josiah made me see that it was the only +thing to do.”</p> +<p>“Of course, it is the only thing to do. +You are going to let Harold draft those papers +because Father must give up what does +not belong to him.”</p> +<p>“I’ll not permit one stroke of the pen unless–––”</p> +<p>“But, Mack, you must! This is your duty +to make Father–––”</p> +<p>“Elizabeth, dear, it is not your father’s +money I want. All that means nothing to +me. I am consenting to the arrangement +simply because I believe it will be best for him +to pay it back. It’s you I want!”</p> +<p>She turned from him to look out over Long +Island Sound. The sun was completing its +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_392' name='page_392'></a>392</span> +daily journey by tossing up glorious hues of +gold, splashing the western sky without stint +from its unseen pot of blending colors. Her +face seemed to catch and hold the glory of the +sky.</p> +<p>“Beth, we must not sacrifice the love which +God has given us. That is something which +all the money in the world cannot buy.”</p> +<p>She turned about to face him. Her eyes +were filled with the reflection of the fire that +glowed on the inner shrine of her heart.</p> +<p>“You are right, Mack. Our love is God’s +gift.”</p> +<p style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;'>THE END</p> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div class="trnote"> +<p><span style='font-weight:bold'>Transcriber’s Notes:</span></p> +Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved as printed in the original book except as indicated in this text with a dotted grey line under the change. Hover the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins class="tnchg" title="like this">appear</ins>. +<p>One period/comma and one single-quote/double-quote transpositions were silently corrected. Ending punctuation was added to the List of Illustrations. Otherwise, punctuation has not been changed to comply with modern conventions.</p> +<hr class='invis2' /> +<p><span style='font-weight:bold'>The following changes were made to the text.</span></p> +<p><a href='#TC_1'>Page 25</a>: “spelling standardized” (but because some of your <span style='font-weight:bold'>church members</span> would not try to understand them)</p> +<p><a href='#TC_2'>Page 43</a>: “hyphenation standardized” (Very gently stroking his <span style='font-weight:bold'>side-whiskers</span>, he continued:)</p> +<p><a href='#TC_3'>Page 46</a>: Was “exclaimd” (Some <span style='font-weight:bold'>exclaimed</span> for, and others declaimed against, the candidate.)</p> +<p><a href='#TC_4'>Page 56</a>: Was “Baalam’s” (here he was, the king of them all, a genuine descendant of <span style='font-weight:bold'>Balaam’s</span> mount)</p> +<p><a href='#TC_5'>Page 103</a>: Was “medding” (“Are you ready to call quits and stop your damned <span style='font-weight:bold'>meddling</span> in my affairs?”)</p> +<p><a href='#TC_6'>Page 159</a>: “spelling standardized” (The time has come when the church must cut the <span style='font-weight:bold'>shore lines</span> that have been binding us to the past.)</p> +<p><a href='#TC_7'>Page 186</a>: Was “Pipin” (“You must have hit your funny-bone, or something,” hinted Miss <span style='font-weight:bold'>Pipkin</span>.)</p> +<p><a href='#TC_8'>Page 212</a>: “spelling standardized” (He was roused at last by the opening of his <span style='font-weight:bold'>study door</span>.)</p> +<p><a href='#TC_9'>Page 285</a>: Was “outaw” (The fact is, he is an <span style='font-weight:bold'>outlaw</span> and is hiding from justice.)</p> +<p><a href='#TC_10'>Page 351</a>: “spelling standardized” (“Then, <span style='font-weight:bold'>good night</span>. Come, Beth.”)</p> +</div> + +<!-- generated by ppg.rb version: 3.14 --> +<!-- timestamp: Sat Dec 19 08:35:22 -0800 2009 --> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Captain Pott's Minister, by Francis L. Cooper + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAPTAIN POTT'S MINISTER *** + +***** This file should be named 30713-h.htm or 30713-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/0/7/1/30713/ + +Produced by Darleen Dove, Roger Frank and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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