The Boston Globe from Boston, Massachusetts • 83

ff d-serat-criminal projick to tin he bent JV on have 'valuable that can be aal- "li WUM of value la left open to Lim willln' to hear carKo -tlmate-mentlonin' that If don't think well of himself no- ffljro'ul. up till thm, had not oarm much attention to the dls-Mr WincapaWs remarks, whoth-topk. were spiral oats or guardian "riu. It had (teemed garrulous Rut now that gleam in the tjt baleful suggestion In the '11 atatement caught his attention lrtT enough to make him gasp. He rjjii pregnant atare between the fLjTVrfm knaves of Lumbo and the toTdpm-yed land pirates of tufted uMtrtn'.

Are you trying to stand there Tme that this Is a holdup? I'll fJL tBe three of you In State's prison! a prisoner of me, hey, and tryln' rgnsom blood out of me? Why, Me that the court gives you 10 years forgery minute you hold me here." ur Wincapaw looked rather bored. Those are peculiar and romantic re-jirt f0r individual to make after his lips, "and we rart with complimm-tary estimate of a man that is prob'ly an ornament to society where he comes from." Again Cap'n Sproul surveyed the three Implacable Wlncapaws and the dog. One of the brothers was scurfflng the ears of the dog and was hissing sibilantly In the animal's ear. The dog showed signs of being awake to certain responsibilities In the matter. He growled and showed his teeth.

The futility of language Just then was plain to the cap'n. The dog. displaying great willingness to assist, strolled over and sat down on the cushion that one of the brothers tocsed Into the path that led to the dory. There wa no amiability in his demeanor for the stranger in their midst. "Five hundred dollars!" barked the unhappy cap'n.

"Do you think all I have to do Is lap my thumb, and sit down here, and give you an imitation of a national bank? I tell you I've only got HO in my pocket. Take that, you bloodsuckers! Set me acrost to the main and lU foot it home. I'll hoof it and beg grub! That's how bad I want to get shut of this gang!" With the tip of his finger Mr Wlncapaw scribbled in dumb show on his palm. "I'm only too glad to be a he volunteered. With attitude as forlorn as that of Napoleon at St Helena, Cap'n Sproul folded his arms, and turned to gaze across the sea toward the faint blue of the shore line.

For a few minutes he indulged In ponderlngs that the fallen hero of Waterloo could not have matched in helpless rancor. The desperate project of the instant massacre of three men and a dog was abandoned as impracticable, there being dearth of weapons, and it being unlikely that the Wincapaws would tamely submit to slaughter. At last he got his wrath under control so that he could put words together. "When you get five hundred dollars out of me," he gritted, "they'll be siftin" cinders in Tophet to get ten-dollar gold pieces out of the clinkers." He sat down on a rock, as one who was devoted to martyrdom. "That beln' business talk," said Mr Wincapaw, "things will now go onto a business basis.

Meals from now on will be charged for at ten dollars per meal, same to be added to salvage when the final reckonln' up comes. Three meals per day, whether et or not." Cap'n Sproul offered no comment on this arrangement for Summer board at the seashore. He was wholly occupied with his own thoughts. "This is the second Summer," he muttered bitterly, "that I've started out for a little peaceful rest and relaxation. If there's any grizzly bears left in the Rocky Mountains I reckon I'll go out there next year.

I want to get into more sociable company." Behind his back the triplets resume the work of baiting trawls. They were plainly possessed of sererfe confidence that their captive was ready money, with a time lock on it that was sure open a bit later. In fact, after an hour or so of statuesque endurance Cap'n Sproul surreptitiously began inditing a note to the treasurer of a certain seaport ba.k hi which he had funds. He declared to hlnuelf that he was writing the mK-sive simply to see how it would look on paper. He indulged in the rather fantastic; hope that the sight of an order for that amount, and the accompanying reflection that It was Mood money to be paid into the fists of the unspeakable Wincapaws, would strengthen his determination to endure and resist.

But the screed did not have the effect that he hoped for. By dint of gazing on it, as the afternoon waned, it aa-Bumed more attractive aspect as the magic key that would loose him from vile bondage. "It ain't the $500," he communed with himself. "It's the idea of those mangy hyenas gettin' it. But when you've used money for what it will buy, it ain't any use to bother yourself as to what some one else Is doln' with It.

And there's something I want to buy bad Just now. I'll swaller hard and buy it." He crossed one or two t's and tidied up his signature and arose with the paper In his hand. The Wincapaws looked up hopefully. They had been watching him through the hours os he wrestled with his wrathful obstinacy. He shook the paper at them.

He did not trust himself to speak just then. "Ah, the order on the bank?" Inquired the "petrel" blithsomely. "It ain't a pome on Spring!" snapped the cap'n. "But it's good for $500 when you pass it in at the bank. Now, I want an understandin' before I hand this over.

It's understood that you go and get back almighty quick, and that as soon as you land here with the money I get acrost to the main. That's it, is it?" "That's it. no ands, buts, or If," declared Mr Wincapaw. "When salvage is settled all claims on cargo are off, and you's find us just as square as bricks." He licked his tongue over his lips, and came forward for the paper. At that moment the practiced ear of Cap'n Sproul haard a sound that caused him to draw back his hand and cock his head to listen.

The sound was the regular thud of oars in rowlocks. Listening, he folded the paper and shoved it deep in his pocket. ''We'll just hold on a minute," he remarked grimly. "Mayte something is goin' to happen!" What did happen instantly was not so consolatory as he had hoped. A boat swept around the nearest point.

He recognized the yawl of the Saint's Delight. Two men were rowing. The sudden bellow of a mighfy voice started the Wincapaws. "There he is!" shouted a giant of a man in the stern of the yawl. He stood up and pointed at Cap'n.

Sproul. "There's the renegade. I knew where you were, you scoundrel. You couldn't hide from me." As the boat dashed nearer the giant leader of the Rollers took plain relish in this shouted preface of his revenge. ''I marked this island well.

I'm alyzed senses and motion for a moment. While he stood wavering. the guardian-spirit dog of the household set his teeth Into the calf of the elder's leg. Cap'n Sproul dashed down toward the yawl unhindered. The four men who were interested In him had suspended that interest for a time, being wholly occupied with each other.

"Say, look-a-here, you loafers, you ain't goin' to sit there In that boat, are you, and see them three land pirates mallyhack the eternal daylights out of your Saint Elijah, are you? They 11 have him killed In about 11 seconds. Get into the game, there!" The elder, sorely beset by three men armed with strange weapons and with a dog busily sampling various parts of his anatomy, made It known in no uncertain fashion that he needed help. The men scrambled out of the boat and ran to him, arming themselves with boathooks. Cap'n Sproul leaped Into the yawl, driving it off the shore by his momentum. "This ain't any place for a peaceful man," he said; "a man that's lookin' for rest and relaxation on a Summer vacation.

And bein' as how they're go taken up with the business they have in hand just now. one more or less hangin' around in the way don't matter. So I'll be passln' on." When he swung around the point of the Island, he saw the old brig standing well offshore, flapping in stays and plainly waiting. Cap'n Sproul was leaving nothing to chance this timo. When he passed the cove where the chief of the Wincapaws had left his dory he paused long enough to kick a good-sized hole in its rotten planks.

There was the usual mast and sprit-sail stowed In the yawl. Cap'n Sproul stepped It, and headed across the bay toward the main. The breeze was fresh, and he did not fear pursuit by the inefficient sailors of the brig. He was a good quarter of a mile on his way before he sighted the combatants. It was evident that the combat was over.

Six men and a dog were running about qpn the beach in vain pursuit of something that would flat them. "There are two things about this event that I've missed," mused the cap'n, after he had waved them a He set his knees against the tiller, and began to fill his pipe, feeling that a whiff of tobacco would comfort him. "I didn't see 'em sit trj and look at each other when it came to "em all of a sudden what they were fightin' about, and how I wasn't there the purse, as you might say, havin' disappeared. And I ain't near enough now to hear what they are sayin'. But with them two exceptions, this affair has turned out Into perfect success." Then he turned his back on Lumbo, and was wafted In toward the hospitable main under sunset skies.

(Copyright, by Smith's Magaiine.) NEXT SUNDAY. "LOOK, PURVEYOR OF SPORTS." back here to get you. We'll see whether the one who laughs last doesn't laugh best. Row stra'ght In at that beach there, men. I hanker to get my clutch on that traitor and thief.

Steal my brig, will and abandon her?" Perspiration of honest fear stood out on Cap'n Sprout's forehead. From the first he had decided that the leader of the Rollers wa madman. His ravings were now demoniac. The cap'n ran to the Wincapaws. "You fellers goin' to see a good five hundred dollar? of yours picked up and sac ked off by that howling hooroosheer?" he demanded.

"If he takes me he takes the cash!" Mr Wincapaw's fingers were still working the paper had been so near! "Pretty easy pickin'. jou three chaps will be, to let a crazy old belltrer come only your own island and pick $500 right out of your pockets," insisted the cap'n desperately. The elder did not wait till the yawl was beached. He leaped Into the shallow water, and came floundering ashore alone. His men remained with the boat, polling it to the sand with their oars.

They evidently thought their gigantic leader needed ro assistance In retaking the recreant sailing master. "Three able-bodied men never tossed $500 overboard in any more foolish style! You're goin' to let one man walk right up, are you, and take fifty nice, new, crinkly $10 bills right away from you? That's what goes when he takes me back on board that brig!" He slid around behind them, provoking them still more, whispering and entreating. The elder was near at hand. "I ain't goin' to be robbed of what's my own, and what Ive worked hard to earn and accumulate!" cried the Wincapaw, to whom had been delegated authority. He leaped and pulled the stump of an oar from under the shack.

Then he ran forward and brandished this weapon under the nose of the elder. "Hold up!" he commanded. "You're on Lumbo, now, and the Wincapaws boss this place." "Out of my path, insect!" roared the giant. He dealt Mr Wincapaw a cuff that staggered him. He strode on toward the cap'n, barricaded behind the other brothers.

"There's three of us yet," the anxious quarry Counseled them. "Land on him!" The elder was an Insolent antagonist. He did not even gratn "the petrel" the compliment of turning around to see what had become of him. Mr Wincapaw took full advantage of this neglect. He grasped his club In both hands arid hurtled it between the shoulder blades of the man who had buffeted him.

It was a wicked thwack, and the elder whirled on his assistant with a howl of pain. The defenders of Lumbo had hidden possible weapons from their captives. They hastened to produce them now. When the giant turned, one of the brothers swung a lobster-pot buoy at the end of its cord, and caught him under the ear with a blow that pir- 00 dividual forcea nimseu into my Iggk Insisted on commg onto island tnovn as Lumbo, and owned by the Wincapaw brothers and their dog go much for one side. Other side Ut a man who saves a cargo is en-, tied to honest salvage." worth something to me to get and get away quick, from thfs omblnatlon of crooks, cod livers, and fondness, includin your guardeen writ." the cap'n declared, with infinite d'fjKuat.

"I've got MO in my pocket, and 1 II live $25 of It if you'll start me now tor that mainland. And when I come down that much ready and you can ee that I don't relish your com- rr" But Mr Wlncapaw did not seem to be impressed- "On a salvage basis of 50 percent, that jnljr makes you worth, as human beln'. kninM4 man nipinhpr tf En. -y and mainstay of a happy family, a mean 150, and far be it from the Hincapaw brothers to send you away on a basis that would give you a thought to haunt you all the rest of your life. So, sir, we're more thoughtful of your feelin's than that.

There you'd be, back in the proud circles in which you move, and you'd say to yourself, right in some moment of triumph: 'No, no matter what the world thinko. ain't what I There was once three philosophers that didn't estimate me higher than 50. I the man I'm estimated to be!" "That Idea would stay with you. You couldn't shake it off. Of course you're more or less of a stranger to us.

We have put away desperate criminal suspicion out of compliment to you. But we ain't men, on the other hand, that flatter anybody. Now, It ain't goln' to be (lattery to Bay that we estimate you, considered as valuable cargo, worth an eten $1000. And it makes easy figurln' to say that the court usually allows SO percent. Five hundred pays the bill," laid Mr Wlncapaw, gustfully smacking By JOHN TRENT EBENEZER DORR'S CLERK i EP.KNEZER DORR looked Vl over the top of his eyeglasses at the demure little form on the other side of the counter.

"Er-hom. what can I do for you, misa?" he inquired. A beautiful blush waved across Lucie Moore's pale face, and her fingers tightened on her thin pocketbook. an looking for work," she said resolutely. "I thought perhaps you would like some help in the store." Mr Dorr looked rather helplessly up and down the long, rambling store, vhose assorted wares were disarranged in a manner which had been handed down from his father, who had also kept the Keystone Drygoods Store.

"Why er really, miss, I've never hired any one to help. Business doesn't warrant It. Sometimes at Christmas rrfy eoualn Jemima Nettle comes in and tvlrrn nut fcnl TTinttv -er cet for you and only by the merest chance did I get a clew that you were here working in a little village store! Now, this won't do at all! Emma, here, has thought matters over and there's a home with us as long as you like!" He smiled kindly at Lucie's sensitive face with the color coming and going. "That's very kind of you, uncle," said Lucie, slowly, "and I thank you both, but I am very happy and very independent here. I think I better remain." "But suppose something happens to your position the store may fail you might be sick," urged Mr Beebe.

"Excuse me a moment, please," said Lucie, and she hurried to Ebenezer Dorr's desk, where his sleek head was bent over his books just as if he had not heard every word of the conversation near the door. "Mr Dorr, tell me what to do," pleaded Lucie. "My uncle and his wife have asked me to return to them and make my home there, but my life is very-pleasant and very independent right here. They suggest that the store may go out of business and Ebenezer laid his lean hand over Lucie's small fingers. "I'll tell y-ou what to do, Lucie," he said in a new voice with a note in it that stirred Lucie through and through.

"Just marry me and stay right here you needn't work in the store, but you can make a home for me in my lonely house. I can't let you go I can't!" Lucie went white and then rose under the fire of his glance and the passion In his voice. This gray store that had meant bread and butter to her at first, now offered her unexpected happiness rosy clouds seemed to float about the prosaically-laden shelves as she went back tothe door. "I'm sorry, uncle, that I cannot come," she said, with a radiant smile, "but I've promised to marry Mr Dorr and you see my place is right here!" Miss Calista Steele sniffed scornfully when she heard the news. "I predicted It," she said sourly; "I can always tell when a man's been nibbling at designing bait, and I knew that very first day Lucie Moore was in the store that Eb Dorr was in love with her he didn't know it himself." wearing these "improvers" antedated the age of many of the village girls.

But this is merely an instance to show what powers of salesmanship Lucie Moore possessed. Ebenezer Dorr opened a separate account for the credit of sales from thfs forgotten and apparently worthless stock that cluttered his shelves and his storeroom. One day it was a sale of pea green hosiery that some unscrupulous salesman had unloaded upon him; they went like hot cakes at seven cents a pair, and for months thereafter the ladies of Keystone flashed around in green stockings as they accomplished the prosaic daily tasks. Another time It was laces, again It was men's neckties and shirts, until there came a day when all the surplus stock was sold out and the freshly painted white shelves were neatly arranged with fresh stock carefully selected by Lucie Moore herself. And the rearrangement of the store was much appreciated by the shoppers of the village.

Heretofore when one wanted buttons she searched until she found the heap of button boxes where Mr Dorr had made his last sale and, having conveyed them to a fresh place, the customer would make a choice, and the next button hunter would find the buttons in a fresh location. Now, all was changed. When one wanted buttons she went to the "button tsock," as Lucie called It crisply; and so on with other goods. Trade in creased and Ebenezer found himself paying a goodly slice off the mortgage that cumbered the store building. He a'so doubled Lucie Moore's wages.

One day there entered the store a very prosperous looking couple, a middle-asred man and a young woman, rather showily dressed. Ebenezer Dorr was standing near the door and they addressed him at onge. "I want to see Miss Lucie Moore," said the man pompously. "Miss Moore!" Ebenezer slightly raised his voice and then drew away as Lucie came down the store, her mild brown eyes wide with amazement. "Uncle Philemon!" she exclaimed; 'and how do you do, Mrs Beebe?" sho inquired politely.

"See here, Lucie," said Mr Beebe, hurriedly, "I've had the greatest launt are 25 cents each Miss Moore here, says she's seen some in New York for 50 cents that ain't a mite better." Mrs Mills transferred her attention to tht clerk from New York who advised, explained, and sold several jabots to the customer who had merely sauntered la to look around. "It certainly looks as if you'd make the store pay, Eb, remarked Calista Steele as she turned toward the door. "It's always paid enough for me," mattered Ebenezer guiltily. "That's as it may be, but you ought to had that mortgage paid off long ago," faid Calista serenely. "Maybe you can it now!" "Shouldn't wonder If I could!" assented Ebenezer with unexpected enthusiasm.

"Don't be surprised at anything you hear. Calista." "1 won't short of you're get'ting married," retorted the spinster archly. "Seems to me, Eb," she added, "if vou was going to hire help you imglx have picked out home talent. There's plenty in Keystone would like this job." "Yes, I reckon there are, but there's mighty few that are willing to work to hold it down," retorted Ebenezer grimly. "There wasn't any job till th's lady came and asked for one and I promised to give her a trial." Calista Steel sniffed scornfully.

"I shan't be surprised at anything I hear, Ebenezer not even the news that you've married a designing female." "Impossible!" cried Ebenezer, but the door had closed on Calista. After the first morning Ebenezer Dorr's trade increased; people came in to buy a spool of thread merely to note what an astonishing change had taken place in the store during the past 12 hours. Lucy Moore worked like a bee, digging out old boxes of forgotten stock and arranging them tastefully In the windows or on the central counters of the store. It was wonderful the things that Lucie could dispose of at alluring bargain prices. One day she disposed of two dozen wire bustles at a penny each bought eagerly by crowding women for no earthly reason save that one never saw bustles at such a reduction in price! In fact, some of the purchasers never had seen bustles, for the fashion of ing house for him ever since his wfe died," Went on Lucie.

"He was married last week and his bride has made It very plain that I am no longer welcome thfreBO 1 packed my trunks and came here." Her voice dropped suddenly and she leaned heavily against the counter. "Hum!" muttered Ebenezer, rubbing his glasses violently and replacing them on his straight nose. "I couldn't afford to pay very much not more than $4 a veek, and that wouldn't keep body and soul together in these hard times." Lucie smiled eagerly. "I could get along," she said confidently. "Old Mrs Bean on the corner has offered to take me to board for $3 a week and I can get along nicely.

I've got plenty of clothes and a tiny bit of money saved for a rainy day I do hope you're going to say yes!" Kbenezer smiled kindly. "Do you want to begin tomorrow morning?" he asked. "Thank you, 1 will be here whenever you say." "Eight o'clock, then and I forgot to ask your name," he added, a little diffidently. "Lucie Moore," she said simply. "Thank you very much, Mr Dorr.

Good afternoon." "Good afternoon," said Ebenezer, in a dazed tone. When he was alone he stared helplessly up and down the store and then made a mad rush toward the door as if to recall his new clerk, but Lucie's feet were bearing her rapidly to the home of the Widow Bean. Keystone chattered away in the habit of country villages, when Lucie Moore's sweet face appeared behind the counter of Ebenezer Dorr's store. That first morning trade Increased with astonishing bounds. It kept Ebenezer and Lucie running here and there waiting on the good housewives of Key-Stone who had momentarily deserted the more up-to-date store of Klein Eenziger on the hotel block.

Business must be picking up. volunteered Miss Callsta Steele, rubbing her bony chin thoughtfully. "If I'd known you was going to put in help I'd have bespoke .1 place for my niece." "The idea came to me suddenly," explained Ebenezer. wiping his moist pink forehead. "Yts, Mrs Mills, those jabota along somehow! I'm sorry," he added regretfully as l.ucie's fingers tightened desperately on the counter.

"Yes, I know, but you must have some one when you're out of town," she insisted. "What do you do then?" "I always close the store," he said simply. Lucl looked wistfully around at the Untidy shelves. I'd Just love to get In here and put things straight," she murmured. "I wouldn't ask very large wages and you ould sell heaps of things why, we could have bargain days, really we tould!" Ebenezer rubbed his neat gray head.

"Of course that would be very nice," he Mid doubtfully. "Perhaps I better think I ever and you come In again say tomorrow. Where do you live? I thought maybe you were Mrs Gilbert Fenn's alece-you look like her." l-ncle shook her head, am a Granger here In the village at least I no one remembers me, but once heh I was a very little girl I came tare and visited my great aunt. Miss Rebecca Otis. She has been dead a feat many years, but when I found It Siesaary to leave home and go to work I thought of this sleepy little village and I came here." 1 ant to know?" ejaculated Eben-er rather dazedly.

"I used to knew used to run errands for her 35 aa a lad. lTtwen living with my uncle, keep.