Motion Picture Story Magazine (Aug 1911-Jan 1912)

THE BO 'SUN'S WATCH 125 "Me soul-mate," she softly answered. The valiant arm was about to be withdrawn, but she leaned heavily on it to keep it in place. The Bo 'sun's legs trembled. "I've f ollied the seas, ' ' he said, \ ' for a score of years, but divil take me if I've seen sich a mate." She tucked her head under the roomy coat and clutched its lapels firmly. "You will understan'," she whispered. "I'm not wantin' to," he said resolutely, "phat with new duties fallin' on a bo 'sun ivry day." ' ' I have the license, ' ' she said, from her shelter. He thought a moment. "An' ye '11 be wantin' a minister," he said finally. "He is waitin' for us," she said less softly. "An' the ring?" "McCann's will fit me agin," she said determinedly. The Bo 'sun decided to make the most of the inevitable. "Acushla! me darlin'," he said, with a breathtaking hug, "phat a head ye have for mathrimony ! ' ' " 'Tis me heart, Patrick," she said, unconvincingly, and straightforth came out from shelter to fling a shawl round her shoulders. "An' it is the Eiverind Dochter Daniels," she added, "who will perform th' ceremony, and be sure, darlin', ye hiv two dollars ready." She led the way as she spoke; the subdued Bo 'sun followed. Thus, if you are ever in love, and Cupid, the fatalist, poises his wings at the open window, throw wide the door and let him walk humbly back. It becomes us now, like a good shepherd, to gather all our sheep into their fold. Jack and the Captain's daughter, with joyous hearts, are seeking the minister's parlors; Bedelia and the Bo 'sun, with at least one youngish heart between them, are started in the same direction; it remains only to round up the boastful Captain, at his ease in the tavern. With the incoming of fresh cronies and the downgoing thereby of fresh liquor, his story must needs bear a retelling. Its repetition, like the old game of Scandal, brought forth entirely fresh situations. He had but discovered the lovers, to have the infuriated gilded youth fall upon him in the frenzy of attack. As he beat him back, his fainting child had fallen into the waters of the bay. Consequent to pulling her out, the Bo 'sun had fallen upon him with the fury of an ancient feud. He was, even now, locked in the cabin, with his daughter standing watch. By such slight digressions from the strict truth, the Captain's emotions became so topheavy that he decided to visit the scene of his triumph. A willing committee of skippers would have accompanied him, but he waved them off, as one who deserves the firstfruits of victory. Perhaps he kenned, too, that a dash of fiction is stranger than a bucketful of truth. With mixed feelings he groped down the wharf to the berth of the Evening Star. As far as he could see, everything was snug on board, and he hailed the tamed Bo 'sun to render a report. No answer broke the stillness, and he floundered onto the deck to arouse the slumberer. A quick inspection proved its emptiness, and he made a dash for the cabin with the deepest misgivings. That was empty, too ! The pair had flown ! On the table the Rev. Dr. Daniels' card gleamed, like a signboard, to the muddled man, and he picked it up to decipher its wordy message. His daughter gone — a minister 's address ! The deduction was evident. He flung out of the cabin, and with angry, sobering strides made in the direction of the pastor 's fold. It is now high time that we were introduced to this popular establishment. Jack Readyman and the Captain's daughter already had been seated in the roomy front parlor for the good part of an hour; waiting their turn, so busy was the splicer of knots.