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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8536f69 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #54103 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54103) diff --git a/old/54103-0.txt b/old/54103-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 85b50f5..0000000 --- a/old/54103-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3964 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of His Little World, by Samuel Merwin - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: His Little World - The Story of Hunch Badeau - -Author: Samuel Merwin - -Illustrator: Alonzo Kimball - -Release Date: February 3, 2017 [EBook #54103] -Last Updated: March 13, 2018 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HIS LITTLE WORLD *** - - - - -Produced by David Widger from page images generously -provided by Google Books - - - - - - - - - -HIS LITTLE WORLD - -The Story of Hunch Badeau - -By Samuel Merwin - -Illustrated by Alonzo Kimball - -New York: A. S. Barnes & Company - -1903 - -[Illustration: 0002] - -[Illustration: 0003] - -[Illustration: 0009] - -[Illustration: 0010] - - - - -HIS LITTLE WORLD - - - - -CHAPTER I--THE MEETING - -|THE life-saving crew were giving an exhibition drill. A number of -people, mostly women and children, were scattered about the beach (for -since the failure of the lumber and salt, that had expanded Liddington -into a city with four paved streets, the only important events were band -concerts and crew drills). Four girls in white-and-pink dresses, which -did not agree with their piled-up hats and fringed parasols, stood on -the sand. - -Hunch Badeau commanded a square-nosed lumber schooner, the _Ed. C. Dean_, -which was just big enough to carry her two masts. He had come in that -morning with a picked-up cargo of merchandise from Milwaukee, unloaded -it, and now leaving Billy, the boy, in charge of the schooner, was -lounging up the beach with Bruce Considine, who made up the rest of the -crew. Hunch had been christened John, after a long line of John, and, -earlier, Jean Badeau, the first of whom had probably appeared on -the Lakes in a birch canoe. Hunch showed few traces of his ancestry, -excepting his black hair and an easily aroused flash in his eyes. He was -big, and he stooped a little, as if doorways and cabin ceilings were too -low for him. - -“There she is,” said Bruce, pointing toward the white-and-pink group. -“That's her--the little one. She ain't bigger 'n a minute.” - -Badeau looked critically at the group, then walked toward them. - -“Hold on a minute, Hunch.” - -“What for? Come along. I ain't seen a girl in weeks.” - -“Don't go over yet. I ain't told her about you.” - -“That's nothing. I guess she knows who I am.” - -They stood near the girls, but fixed their eyes on the drill. After a -moment, Bruce glanced around at the little girl. She threw him a smile, -and he said, “Hello, Marne.” - -“Her father's boss of the bridge gang on the Pere Marquette,” he -confided to Badeau, who was edging closer to the group. - -“Wonder if they're going to do the upset drill,” Badeau said, in a loud -voice. - -The girls giggled, and one said boldly, “Won't it be fun if they upset -the boat?” After this sign of favor they blushed, Then for several -minutes each party carried on a conversation intended for the ears of -the other, meanwhile drawing nearer. At length Considine found himself -at Mamie's side. Her elbow brushed against his. - -“Who's your friend?” she asked. Considine stepped back, thus including -Badeau in the group. - -“Hunch Badeau,” he said, “shake hands with Marne Banks.” - -Mamie introduced them to the other girls, who were still giggling. Then -Badeau said to Mamie: - -“Let's get over to the pier before the crowd gets all the good places.” - -The party moved slowly toward the life-saving station, Considine walking -behind with the other three girls, and trying to show his freedom from -jealousy by jostling them playfully off the sidewalk. - -It took Badeau and Mamie some time to get into a conversation. Then they -talked about Considine. - -[Illustration: 0022] - -“He's a fine fellow,” said Badeau. “Best man I ever had. Reg'lar as New -Years.” This was not entirely true, but it seemed a nice thing to say. -He saw that it pleased her, so he went on, with a wink, “You like him -pretty well, don't you?” - -“Oh, I don't know's I do.” - -“Well, I guess he likes you, anyhow.” - -“Oh, no, he don't.” - -“How do you know he don't?” - -“'Cause I don't care one way or t' other.” - -“You don't, eh?” - -“No, I don't.” - -“Well, I guess there's lots of girls that does.” - -“Oh, I s'pose he's all right.” - -After a silence Mamie glanced shyly up at him. - -“Say, you're a friend of his, ain't you? You won't tell him what I say?” - -“Should say not!” said Badeau, feeling in advance a little embarrassed. -Mamie poked at the sand with her parasol as they walked. - -“Well--folks say he drinks.” - -“Who says so?” - -“Jess Bartlett's brother told Jess.” Badeau's eyes flashed. - -“He's a dam' liar!” - -“O--oh,” faltered Mamie. - -There was a long silence. Then Badeau said, “Excuse me,” and looked out -over the water with a scared face. The girls who had played a part in -his life had not objected to profanity. When he had gathered enough -courage to look again at her, there was an expression on her face that -puzzled him. He did not know that he had pleased as well as startled -her. Soon they were at the pier and were talking more easily. To sit by -her, and to watch her bright eyes and her fresh coloring, pleased Hunch -in a way that he did not try to understand. He had such a good time that -he forgot Bruce, who was struggling to make conversation with the other -girls. When at last he went back to the schooner, he was thoughtful. She -seemed too good for Bruce. - -In the afternoon Badeau took on a short cargo of hemlock cribbing, and -worked laboriously out of the sand-locked harbor and through the channel -between the long breakwaters. He could not afford a tug. - -The next morning they lay at the wharf in Manitowoc. They ate their -supper in silence, the three of them about the table in the dirty cabin. -When they had finished, and Billy was cleaning up the dishes, Badeau -lighted his pipe and stretched out in his bunk. Considine was changing -his clothes. - -“Where're you going?” - -“There's a dance up at the hall.” - -“You going?” - -“Thought I might.” - -“Say, Bruce, you got to quit drinking.” - -“Who's drinking?” - -“That's all right, you got to quit, right now. If you come back to-night -with a drop aboard, I'll knock it out of you.” - -Considine hurried out nervously. - -From ten till two that night Badeau sat on the rail and scanned the road -across the wharf. Billy was below asleep. It was a little after two -when three figures came down the street, arm in arm, singing a song -that could never be popular except in a lumber region. They stood on the -wharf for a long time, hugging one another and shaking hands. Then one -stumbled toward the schooner, calling out, “Goo' night! Goo' night!” - He came slowly across the wharf. He knew from past experience the -probability of a plunge overboard unless he aimed carefully at the -schooner. - -A dark figure sat on the rail. - -“Goo' night,” said Considine. He skillfully lowered himself to the -deck. “Say, ol' man, ain' mad, are you? Don' be mad.” He tried to touch -Badeau's shoulder, but missed it. Hunch rose, gripped his arm, and -jerked him clear of the deck. Considine fell on his back and looked up -vaguely. Then Hunch hammered him until he showed signs of returning -to his senses, and finished him off with a bucket of water. At last, -Considine, limp and crushed, sat on the cabin roof and breathed remorse. - -“That's all right,” said Hunch. “Told you I'd knock it out of you, and -I'll do it again, too. This is where you quit drinking. Understand?” And -he knocked him down the gangway, and sat out on the deck for a long -time alone. He was thinking, not of Bruce, but of the girl with the blue -eyes, who was startled when he swore. - - - - -CHAPTER II--ON THE BEACH - -|AT Manitowoc they picked up a load of laths and shingles, consigned to -Grand Haven, and from there they went down to St. Joe, so that it was -nearly a week before they returned to Liddington. During this time Bruce -slunk about, working hard and drinking water. - -On Saturday they lay ten miles off Liddington in a hazy calm. Billy, who -was usually overworked as a matter of course, stretched out forward -and went to sleep on the deck. Badeau sat on the rail by the wheel, -grumbling--as a man will who has no resources within himself to turn -idle hours to account. Bruce whittled a shingle. After a long time -Badeau spoke. - -“Look here, Bruce. What you going to do about that girl?” - -“I dunno.” - -“Don't be a fool. Do you want to marry her?” - -“She wouldn't have me.” - -“Say, look here. Why don't you ask her?” - -“I've been thinking, Hunch---” - -“We're going to lie up to-morrow.” - -“I can't do it soon as that.” - -“'Course you can.” - -Bruce hesitated, and snapped shavings with his thumb. - -“Say, Hunch, you know more about girls 'n I do. Don't you s'pose you -could kind of--talk to her just a little--” - -“No, I couldn't. You go round there to-morrow, understand.” - -“I ain't going to do that, Hunch----” - -“You tell me you ain't and I'll break your head!” Badeau stood over -Bruce, who was fumbling with his knife. “Who's captain of this schooner, -me or you? When I say, you got to do it, it ain't none of your business -whether you want to or not. Understand?” - -Toward noon, on Sunday, they slid in between the breakwaters, and beat -across the harbor to the wharf. Badeau kept a close watch on Bruce, -confining him to the schooner all day. At dusk, dressed in his -best, which included a rhinestone stud, Bruce started out. Hunch had -supervised every detail of the toilet, and had forced on Bruce his -own red tie, which he preferred to Bruce's checked one. Now he walked -sternly alongside. - -Mamie lived in a cottage a short distance from the freight yard. A rod -from the gate Bruce rebelled, but Hunch gripped his arm, and marched him -up the steps. Then he left him and stood outside the fence. Bruce laid -his hand on the bell-knob, but before ringing looked wildly around and -started to tiptoe away. Hunch made a motion, and he turned back and -rang. Then the door opened and he disappeared within. Hunch sat on the -horse-block. - -Half an hour later the door opened. Hunch retreated across the street. -Bruce and Mamie came out and walked slowly, arm in arm, toward the lake. -Hunch stole after, keeping in the shadows. - -They walked across the beach and sat on the sand. Hunch looked over -the ground, and, making sure that they could not get away without his -knowledge, he went back up the beach to the end of the sidewalk and -paced nervously up and down for an hour. Then he slipped behind the -willows and looked again. He saw first a single shadow on the sand, then -two people who were lost to all the material and earthly things of this -life. They sat in silence, her head pillowed on his shoulder, his arm -a black stripe across the back of her pink shirtwaist. Hunch walked -swiftly back to the schooner. - -He was in his bunk, pretending to be asleep, when Bruce came stamping -down the steps into the cabin. He watched Bruce as he lighted the lamp. -Bruce was grinning. After puttering about the table, he came over to -Hunch's bunk and stood looking down at him. Then he laughed out loud and -dug his fingers into Hunch's ribs. - -“Get out of here,” Hunch growled. - -“Say, Hunch, wake up! It's all right. We're going to be married next -month.” - -“Glad to hear it,” said Hunch, drowsily. Then he rolled over, feeling -less enthusiasm than he had expected. Bruce whistled while he was -undressing, and played catch with one of his shoes. Hunch could hear him -chuckling after he got to bed and the light was out. - -After that, whenever they touched at a city, Bruce would hurry up to -the post-office, and would usually have on his return a perfumed letter, -addressed in a slanting hand. He carried these in his pocket and re-read -them frequently. His spare time was spent in writing replies with a -stubby, chewed pencil. - - - - -CHAPTER III--THE CALL - -|TEN days before the wedding, they were lying at Manistee, waiting for -a load of salt. Bruce had been growing more restless and absent-minded. -The fault grew unchecked, because an instinctive fineness in Hunch held -back the reproof that would ordinarily have followed slipshod work. But -about the time of the Manistee trip, Bruce appeared in a new light. He -was growing self-confident and independent. The old meekness was giving -place to a certain animal pride. - -The last night at Manistee, Bruce went uptown to buy a present for -Mamie. He met an old friend on the street and told him of his luck. This -called for congratulations, and in the confidence of his new strength -Bruce followed his friend through a swinging, green baize door. He -returned at eleven o'clock. Hunch was in the cabin, wrestling with his -accounts. - -Bruce came slowly down the steps and balanced carefully at the bottom. - -“Hello, Hunch,” he said, slyly. - -Badeau looked up. Bruce walked across the cabin and sat on his bunk, -holding his head erect and looking straight before him. - -“Where you been?” - -“See a fren'.” - -Badeau looked at him. Bruce grew so nervous that he forgot his caution. - -“What's matter? What you lookin' me like that for? You're fren' o' mine, -Hunch. Shake han's, ol' man. Shake-----” - -Badeau struck him without a word. Bruce showed fight, and in a moment -they were rolling about the floor. Billy, up forward, heard the noise, -and, tiptoeing along the deck in his underclothes, peered down the open -gangway. He saw Bruce, his face red with drink and rage, break away from -Badeau and seize a knife from the rack on the bulkhead. Badeau sprang -forward. The table was jammed into the stove. Then the light went out. -There was a fall, then a silence. Billy groped cautiously down the -gangway. - -“That you, Billy?” came in Badeau's voice. “Get a match. Guess I smashed -him pretty hard.” - -As soon as he and Billy could get Bruce undressed and into his bunk, -Hunch ran for a doctor. Bruce finally went to sleep with a stitched-up -scalp, a purple eye, and a broken' rib. In the morning they got underway -for Liddington, Billy and Hunch doing all the work. Bruce was quiet -during the morning, but in the afternoon, and after they reached -Liddington, he started several times to blurt out an apology, which -Hunch each time cut short. At supper-time, Hunch propped him up with -blankets. - -“Say, Hunch, I s'pose you ain't got nothing to say to me.” - -“Guess not.” - -“Well, say, Hunch, I--got a date with her to-night; I ain't fit to -ever see her again, but--she'll wonder why I don't come. Say, you go up -there, Hunch. Come on. Tell her I'm sick.” - -So Hunch went. And when he sat stiffly in the parlor (in Bruce's checked -tie, for fear that she might recognize the red one), he wished himself -miles away, or dead and buried, and he wondered what he could say. But -after a while Mamie came in, blushing. His tongue tripped over her name, -and they both laughed. - -“S'pose you're s'prised to see me,” he said. - -“Why--I don't know. I'm always glad to see you, Mr. Badeau.” - -Hunch blushed. - -“Say, Bruce's sick.” - -“Oh--really?” - -“Yes--oh, it's all right. Nothing very bad. He'll be around in a day -or two. But I guess he thought you'd feel bad if you didn't know why he -didn't show up.” - -During the silence that followed Hunch winked at her knowingly, and she -blushed again. - -“'Most ready for the wedding,” he said, intending to cover her -confusion; but for some reason she grew more distressed. “Let's see,” he -went on, talking rapidly, “it's coming pretty soon now, ain't it? Next -Friday, eh? Well, say, we've got to be at Milwaukee Thursday morning, -but I told Bruce we'd get back here Friday afternoon if it took the -sticks clean out of the old _Dean._ And we will, too. Sorry I've got to -lose Bruce. He's going in with your old man, ain't he?” - -Already he was beginning to feel at ease. He liked to talk to this girl -who looked shyly at him, and who was pleased when he told her of Bruce. -This latter fact led him on until he found himself talking enormously -about Bruce's courage and resource and kindness of heart, telling her -in Bruce's name a large part of his own personal history. And at length, -when he paused for breath in a glow of falsehood, and saw the light -dancing in her eyes, and her eager smile, he felt a thousand times -repaid. - -It was after a very long stay that he rose to go. She followed him to -the door, and stood for the moment on the porch. - -“Mr. Badeau,” she said, “Bruce has told me about you; how kind you've -been to him. And I've wanted, to thank you myself. You'll be our friend, -won't you, after-” she said it bravely-“after we're married. And you'll -come and see us real often.” - -Then she suddenly reached up, far up on her tiptoes, and while he stood -looking down, she kissed him on the cheek and fled indoors. - - - - -CHAPTER IV--HUNCH'S WEDDING - -|THURSDAY morning, a day and a half before the hour set for the wedding, -they lay at a wharf in Milwaukee River, ready to sail. The sky was heavy -and a roaring wind blew from the lake. Half a dozen steamers and two -schooners had made the harbor since daybreak, and each had a story of -hard struggling with wind and sea, stories which spread rapidly along -the river, causing more than one outbound captain to shake his head, and -resolve to wait a few hours or a day longer. - -Hunch had gone out to the life-saving station at the pier, and now at -eight o'clock he stood looking at the tumbling white rollers that came -on squarely be tween the piers and ran far up into the channel before -they were spent. On the horizon a row of schooners, barges, and -freighters were holding their noses against the sea, until it should be -safe to run for the harbor. A little nearer a big whaleback was tossing -and rolling badly. One of the crew men watched her through a glass. -A few tugs hung about inside the basin, looking for a stray job at -advanced rates. - -Hunch, after looking it all over, chartered a tug, then returned to the -schooner, where Bruce and Billy were waiting. He and Bruce had not been -talkative of late. - -“Get everything tight, Bruce,” he said, jumping down upon the deck. -“We're going out in half an hour.” - -“How about it, Hunch? Can we make it, think?” - -Hunch did not trouble to reply, and Bruce, as he worked along the deck, -watched him nervously. - -Before the tug appeared, Hunch went ashore and crossed the wharf to a -saloon at the corner. He returned with a jug, which he put in his bunk -where the bedding would protect it when the schooner got to pitching. He -sometimes drank whisky to steady his nerves when fighting a heavy sea. -In a few minutes the tug came alongside. - -“Everything fast, Bruce?” - -Brace grunted, and Billy lifted the lines off the snubbin' posts and -followed them aboard. - -They went out in tow, on a long hawser and under bare poles. When they -were half a mile beyond the piers, wrenching and slapping through -the seas, and shipping a deck-load from every second wave, Bruce came -groping back to Hunch, who had the wheel. - -“How much farther are they going to take us, Hunch?” He had to shout to -get his voice over the wind. “They'll be sticking us for a big bill.” - -“None o' your business,” growled Hunch. - -“I'd like to know why not. We're going back on my account.” - -“Shut up! I'm paying for this tow. Go up forward where you belong. Send -Billy back.” - -When Billy appeared, working along the rail and bracing his feet when a -wave came over, he said, “Bring up that jug in my bunk.” Billy brought -it up and lashed it to the rail within Hunch's reach. Hunch began to -drink. - -After a time he shouted to Bruce, who, with Billy's help, set to work on -the sails. Both were cold from the duckings, and Bruce was in addition -too excited to be of much use. Between them they bungled until Hunch -lost his patience and, yelling to Bruce to take the wheel, he ran up -the heaving deck and throwing his weight on the halyards, raised the -foresail single-handed. Billy timidly watched him, expecting that he -would reef heavily, but when he saw everything but the topsails go up -flat, he looked around at the tug which was holding them up in the wind, -then at Hunch who was making fast the mainsail peak; and then Billy, -who was plucky enough on occasion, swallowed a lump in his throat, and -turning forward, crossed himself hurriedly as he stood clinging to the -weather-stays. - -They cut loose from the tug and swung off a few points, the schooner -shivering and straining as she caught the wind, then heeling over with a -rush. Hunch went storming back to the wheel. Bruce was wiping his mouth -on his sleeve, bracing the wheel with one knee. The cork was out of the -jug, and a little whiskey slopped out at each lurch of the schooner. -Hunch stood for a moment without support, swaying, then sprang on Bruce -and threw him against the closed gangway, where he lay clutching at the -cabin roof. - -“You--you--” Hunch was for once too angry to swear. “Get below there!” - he said finally, after he had steadied the schooner on her course. “Get -below, quick!” - -Bruce without looking around fumbled with the companion slide, and -ducking down between two waves, pulled it shut after him. After he -had disappeared, and the schooner was running more easily on the long -northwest tack that was to take her to the Liddington harbor, Hunch -slowly got his bearings, and for a long time he stood pouring out a -flood of profanity. This outburst came too late for Bruce's ears, but -not too late to act as a safety-valve to Hunch's temper. Then he took a -drink. - -He stood at the wheel all day and all night. At noon and at dusk he sent -Billy below to get up a rough meal, which he ate with one hand, washing -it down with the whiskey. At about nine o'clock, he called Billy back, -and told him to turn in. And when the dawn broke, and the bleak sand -hills of Michigan stretched out on the horizon, he was still at the -wheel, but his eyes were dimmer and his knees were weaker. Hunch was -drunk. He was quiet for the time, and he handled the schooner as she had -never been handled before, but the fact remained. Bruce had not appeared -at all. He was curled up in his bunk, waiting for the end, when the -madman at the wheel should reach the sleepy stage. - -Once or twice in the night, when the schooner was careering through some -especially hard blow, Bruce cried a little, like a girl, at the thought -of the wedding that might not be. He did not know that at this time it -was the thought of two blue eyes smiling at him, and of two lips pressed -to his cheek, that raised Hunch above the grasp of the whiskey. - -The morning had gone before they were within reach of the Liddington -harbor. They passed the breakwaters three times at noon and after, each -time a mile nearer than before. The wind had swung around during the -night closer to the south. Hunch was beating in from the northeast, -evidently planning to get close enough to run in during a lull. The -box of a lighthouse on the south breakwater grew larger. After a time, -Billy, who was forward, could see three white figures on the other -breakwater, waving their arms. He knew that they were members of the -life-saving crew, warning them not to make the attempt. - -Hunch took a look about the boat and up through the rigging. The -schooner was badly wrenched and strained, but was apparently good for -another effort. He looked over the long reach of breakers, sweeping up -on a slant from the south. He took a drink and called to Billy. - -“Come back here! Tell _him_ to come up on deck.” His manner was heavy -and surly. - -Bruce came up with a white face and rings under his eyes. - -“Sit down there,” growled Hunch, pointing to the low roof of the cabin. -“You too,” to Billy. - -When they were seated facing him, holding on to each other and to the -gangway slide, Hunch said: “D' y' know where you're goin'? You're goin' -to my weddin'. Bruce, he gets er girl, I get's er weddin'-un'erstan'? -Sit up straight there--like er gen'leman. You think we're goin' to er -weddin'? Mebbe we ain't. Mebbe we're goin' to hell. Why don't you -laugh? This's our weddin' day.” His mood suddenly changed and he paid -no attention to them, giving all his energy to the handling of the -schooner. Then he motioned to Billy to go forward. For a long time there -was silence, excepting that Hunch occasionally muttered, “We'll get -back. I tol' her we'd get back.” Bruce sat terrified on the cabin, -facing the stem, not seeing where the schooner was going. After a while -he could stand it no longer. He looked over his shoulder. They were -close to the breakwaters now, and a little to the south. The three -life-saving men were running back along the breakwater, evidently -in order to be ready at the station if the schooner should miss the -channel. Then he heard Hunch say, “Turn round there!” Hunch had his -revolver out and was pointing it at him with a grin. Bruce sat still, -for Hunch was careless when he was drunk. Hunch kept it in his hand, and -looked at Bruce from time to time with a cunning expression. - -The schooner came bounding up from the south, running nearly before the -wind. Hunch knew what to allow for wind, waves, and currents. Suddenly -he shouted to Billy and jammed the wheel over hard. With Billy at the -sheets, the bow came slowly about and headed direct for the lighthouse. -Billy quaked. But as she ploughed forward she fell off to the leeward -under the sweep of the waves, and slipped neatly between the breakwaters -and into the more quiet water of the channel. The lee rail scraped a -little, but nothing was started. - -Bruce sat motionless on the cabin with a face like a sheet. But Hunch -waved his revolver jovially at the life-savers on the dock, and all the -while they were creeping up the channel he sang profane songs at the top -of his voice, pausing now and then for a drink. When they were fast -to the dock, he floundered ashore and stood laughing at Billy, who was -still clinging to the weather-stays. Bruce stepped up to him. - -“Say, Hunch, don't you think you'd better quit drinking? The wedding's -tonight, you know.” - -“What right you got talkin' to me 'bout----” - -“You're coming to the wedding, Hunch, ain't you?” - -“I ain't goin' to no wedding. Get out o' here! Go on now.” - -Bruce walked steadily and rapidly up the deck, and disappeared around -the corner of a lumber-shed. - -A few hours later Hunch came plunging out of a saloon, with two men -who were afraid to decline his treats. It was dark, but when a certain -carriage passed, he could see by the corner light that one of the -occupants wore a white veil. So he went back into the saloon, and amused -himself shooting patterns through the stove until he fell asleep over a -box of sawdust. Then it was, and not before, that the discreet constable -had him carted away to sober up at the county's expense. - - - - -CHAPTER V--MAMIE'S DEVICE - -|CONSIDINE was married in May. For four months Badeau heard of him and -Mamie only in a roundabout way. One day, toward the dose of September, -the two men met on the road. - -“Hello, Hunch,” said Bruce, “how are you?” - -“All right. How's yourself?” - -“Fine. Why ain't you been round to see us. We're keeping house.” - -“I dunno. Ain't had much time.” - -“How're you getting along, anyhow, Hunch? How's the old Dean?” - -“First-class.” - -“Well, say, come up and see us. Come to-night. Mamie was asking about -you the other day.” - -Badeau spent a long evening at Bruce's cottage, and had a good time. A -week later he went again. Through the autumn, as the weather grew heavy, -and lake trips became more uncertain, he took to spending the evening -with them as often as he could. Mamie was prettier than ever, with a -new depth in her eyes, and Bruce appeared very well as the head of a -household. They played cards a good deal, and talked about old times. -After a while Hunch found it easy to drop in and take supper with them. - -One evening late in October, when he came in to supper, he missed the -usual cordiality. Mamie's eyes were red and Bruce's manner was strained. -He left early and Bruce walked out with him, saying that a little walk -would do him good. - -“Say, Hunch,” he said, when they reached the sidewalk, “I don't know -whether you heard about it, but----” - -“About what?” - -“Well, it ain't any of my feelings, Hunch, but you can't help people -talking. You see, there's some folks that don't understand things, and -they're talking a little, you know, about your being around to the house -so much--r-” They walked on, both silent. - -“Of course, Hunch, it ain't what I think, you see that.” - -Again he waited for a reply. - -“I'll tell you, Hunch, Maine and I've been talking it over. She's a good -friend of yours, and she says if you stop coming, just because people -talk, she'll never forgive you. She's right, too. And we was thinking, -mebbe we'd have one of the girls around. Say, ain't there nobody you -like pretty well, Hunch? There's Jess Bartlett, now. She's an awful nice -girl. And she's stuck on you, Hunch. She's Jim Bartlett's sister, you -know. He's on the life-saving crew. Marne's been talking with her, and -she says she'll come around with you tomorrow night, if you'll go get -her. Will you?” - -Hunch wanted to say no, but he looked around at Bruce, and some of his -anger left him when he saw how eager and friendly was Bruce's face. So -he replied: “Guess so.” - -Hunch spent a sleepless night, and arose with the determination never -to go to Bruce's again. He continued to decide the question all day from -different points of view. In the evening, however, a little earlier than -he was expected, he called at Jess Bartlett's house. - -Jess Bartlett was an attractive girl, full of health and spirits. She -admired Hunch's bigness and strength, and made such an effort to be -agreeable that before they had finished the long walk to Bruce's -house, they felt pretty well acquainted. The evening that followed was -different from those that Hunch had been spending at Bruce's. There was -more gaiety and brightness. Jess knew that she was in a sense on parade, -and, as Mamie confided to Hunch, she “kept things stirred up.” They -played some games that Jess explained to them, and then Mamie made -molasses candy, and an impromptu candy-pull took place in the kitchen. -Once Jess slipped Hunch's scarfpin from his tie, and Bruce and Mamie -laughed knowingly at Hunch's clumsy efforts to take it away from her. -Finally she fled into the corner and held the pin behind her with both -hands. He hesitated before her and Bruce called, “Oh, Hunch, you're -slow,” whereupon Mamie blushed and laughed, and Jess blushed and tossed -her head. So Hunch put both arms around her, but she struggled for some -time before he got the pin away from her. Then she dropped into a chair, -flushed and excited, her hair--a rich auburn--tumbling about her face; -and Mamie whispered to Hunch, “Ain't she pretty, though?” - -The night was dark, and on the way home Jess slipped her hand -through his arm. Now, that they were away from the others, Hunch was -embarrassed. - -“I never knew you were like this,” she said. - -“How do you mean?” - -“Why, I don't know. I've always heard that you didn't like girls; that -you were--you know--kind of horrid.” - -“I haven't liked very many girls.” - -“I'll tell you something, if you won't tell. You won't think it's funny, -will you?” - -“Sure not.” - -“Well, I used to be afraid of you.” - -“Ain't you now?” - -“No--that is, not very much.” - -“What makes you afraid of me?” - -“Oh, I don't know.” She danced a few steps before him on the walk. “Come -on, don't be so pokey. Can you dance?” - -“No, not very much.” - -“Oh, you've got to learn to dance, or I won't like you a bit. I'll -tell you, I'll teach you, some of the nights when we don't go over to -Marne's. That'll be fun--don't you think?” - -Hunch nodded, and caught her arm as she whirled by him, and they walked -home soberly, talking about Bruce and Mamie and how happy they seemed to -be. At the door Hunch said “goodnight,” and started away. She stood on -the steps. - -“Say,” she called softly, as he opened the gate, “you've got the key.” - -Hunch came back, a little confused, and took her key from his pocket. -He tried to unlock the door, and they both laughed when he got the key -stuck in the lock. - -“You're awful clumsy,” she said, and in trying to help him her hand -rested for a moment on his. - -“My, your hands are cold,” she said. - -He took hold of her hand and replied, “Mine ain't so cold as yours.” - -“Yes, it is.” She drew hers away slowly, and opened the door. They both -laughed. Jess leaned back against the door. - -“Say,” she said, “when are you coming around again?” - -“I dunno. When do you think?” - -“Marne asked me if you were coming there to-morrow night.” - -“What'd you tell her?” - -“Do you want to?” - -“Yes, if you do.” - -“All right, I'll be ready.” - -In a week it was generally known that Hunch Badeau was “going with Jess -Bartlett.” Bruce and Mamie poked fun at them, and looked mischievous -whenever they were mentioned. Mamie used to enjoy having them at the -house, and would sit at one side and laugh quietly all the evening at -Hunch's awkward ways and Jess's blushes and shy glances. Sometimes, if -they were left together in the living room, Bruce would make a great -noise outside the door before he came in, and would pretend not to see -their conscious glances, talking loudly all the while as if to cover -their embarrassment. And as Jess really liked Hunch and Hunch was -drifting blindly with the current, all these doings magnified their -common interest, and gradually made it easier for them to be alone -together, and to talk about themselves and their likings and hopes. -Hunch grew more careful about his appearance, and spent less time than -formerly with the wharf men and the elevator gang. - -One evening, about the middle of November, Hunch went around to the -Bartlett's as usual. Jess was a little embarrassed about something. When -Hunch said, “Shall we go down to Bruce's?” she hesitated. - -“Guess we hadn't better,” she said. “Marne isn't very well.” - -“All right. What'll we do?” - -“I don't care. Do you want to stay here? There's nobody home to-night. -I'll tell you, you can have a dancing lesson.” - -“Guess I won't be much good at it. I don't believe I can learn.” - -“Oh, yes, you can. You'll do beautifully. Now stand up.” - -“Hunch felt awkward as she showed him the steps, and then tried to guide -him about the room. - -“I'm an awful fool,” he said. - -“You ain't either. Here, you guide me.” - -Hunch hesitated and looked at her. “Take hold of my hand. Put your arm -around--oh, pshaw! it's just dancing; don't be so stupid. Not way -off there. Hold me closer or we can't dance at all. Oh, you don't -understand.” Hunch gripped her doggedly. She was leaning a little, -trying to watch his feet, and as they stood there, her hair brushing -against her shoulder and a slight blush on her forehead, he felt that he -was losing his self-control. Then he found that he did not care, and he -made no effort to hold himself in check. - -“Now, one, two, three--one, two, three. Not that way. Try it again. One, -two, three--you don't get it, somehow.” - -Hunch was standing still, holding her firmly. She was so small in his -grasp, he felt so strong and he could so easily lift her from the floor -with his one arm that he was almost tempted to try it. She was looking -down, and he could see the tip of an ear and a flushed cheek below -the tangle of hair. Then for a moment she went on rapidly with her -instructions, but her voice faltered, and stopped. They stood for a time -without moving, then Hunch drew her a little closer and grasped her hand -more firmly. She frowned and looked up, but she could not hide the -color on her face, and the smiling strength in Hunch's eyes overbore the -half-hearted disapproval in hers. - -Hunch, with his other arm, drew her head against his shoulder. He was -happy in a way that he had never before understood, for she trusted him, -and he was strong and would protect her. - - - - -CHAPTER VI--BRUCE CELEBRATES - -|MAMIE was sick. Hunch did not go to the house, but one night after -supper, while he was changing his clothes to go to the Bartlett's, Bruce -came in. - -“Hello, Bruce. Sit down.” - -“Can't stop but a minute. Where're you going?” - -“Up to see Jess.” - -“I ain't seen you to shake on that, have I, Hunch. Marne told me. She -says Jess's tickled to death. When're you going to be married?” - -“Dunno exactly. Guess not before spring.” - -“Did you hear about Marne, Hunch?” - -“Sick, you mean?” - -“Yes, I s'posed you knew what was the matter. Thought mebbe Jess told -you--but she couldn't though, could she? I'm awful worried. It's too -soon, you know. You see that's what I come to see you about. I've been -shaving it pretty close. Had to be up nights and it kind of knocked -my work. And the doctor's sticking me like everything. I didn't know -but--well, I'll tell you, Hunch, can you let me have fifty for a couple -of weeks? I don't get my salary till the end of the month, and I've got -to settle some things right away.” - -“Sure,” said Hunch. “I've got a little put by.” - -“I'm awful sorry, Hunch, but you see how it is----” - -“That's all right, Bruce. Any time 'll do.” - -“I'll give you my note. That's about all I can do.” - -“Not much you won't. You just take it, and pay when you can, and don't -you say nothing about it.” - -For a few days there was gloom at Bruce's cottage. Once Hunch went -around and was met at the door by Bruce, who looked worn. Hunch did not -know how to ask about Mamie, but Bruce came out and drew the door to -behind him. - -“She's pretty bad, Hunch. I don't know what I'll do if anything happens. -The doctor says we'll know one way or the other in a day or so.” - -Hunch gripped his hand and went away. - -That evening, when Hunch went around to see Jess, he was depressed. -The thought of Mamie's suffering stood in his way whenever he tried to -respond to Jess's sallies. As the evening went on, Hunch's mood grew -worse. Jess went into a sulk later; when he dropped a careless remark -that hurt her pride, she grew angry. - -“What's the matter, Jess?” Hunch said at last. - -“I guess you know.” - -“I don't believe you want me here.” - -“Oh, you can go if you want to.” - -Hunch looked at her, vaguely conscious that he had been unkind; but he -went away without kissing her good-night. - -One morning, a day or two later, he was dressing, when Bruce came in, -with disordered hair and excited eyes. - -“It's all right, Hunch; it's all right! Doctor says it's wonderful how -she come through it.” - -Hunch sat on the bed without speaking, but with an almost painful -expression of relief on his face. - -“It's a girl,” said Bruce, and he laughed. “Come on over, Hunch. It's a -fine little kid. Come along with me.” - -“No,” said Hunch, slowly. “I don't believe I can just now.” - -“What's the matter? Why can't you come?” - -“I've got a lot of work to do to-day.” - -“Don't talk to me about working. You're my best friend and I want you to -come first.” - -“No, I can't, Bruce.” - -“You make me tired, Hunch. You might as well be decent about it.” - -“There ain't no use of getting mad, Bruce. I'll get around before long.” - -“That's what I call----” - -“No, you don't, now, Bruce. You'd better go on back. I guess they need -you anyhow.” - -Bruce muttered as he went out. He did not know why Hunch refused to go, -and Hunch was not sure that he knew himself. - -All day Hunch alternated between a nervous buoyancy and a sense of -depression. After supper he went to Bartlett's. Jess was watching at the -window, and she hurried to open the door. He was wondering what to say, -to show her that he was sorry for his unkindness, when she closed the -door and flung her arms around his neck, and for a long time she cried -on his shoulder. This was the end of their quarrel. - -Finally, when they were in the parlor, Jess said, with lowered eyes: -“Have you been down to Marne's, John?” - -“No.” Hunch was embarrassed. - -“I--I went over this afternoon.” - -After a silence she went on. “Seems awful funny, don't it?” - -Hunch nodded. - -“She wants us to come down tonight. I didn't know whether you'd want -to.” - -“Sure.” - -“She's awful proud about it. I--I can't get over thinking about -it--about her and him. It's awfully little.” - -They walked to Bruce's and sat for an hour in the living room. Mamie was -too sick to see them, but Bruce opened the door into her room so that -she could hear their voices. Bruce was bubbling over with happiness. -When he finally brought out the baby, a sickly little thing, he was -laughing out loud. Jess took it in her arms. - -“My, ain't it light,” she said. - -“Six pounds,” said Bruce. - -“What's her name going to be?” - -“Dunno yet. Marne wants to name it after her mother.” - -“John,” said Jess, “take her just a minute. She's such a funny little -thing.” Hunch moved away and shook his head. This made Bruce and Jess -laugh. For the rest of the evening Hunch was thoughtful. His manner -subdued Jess, and they walked home with little to say. - -The following night, as Hunch was coming away from Bartlett's, he met -Jess's brother on the street. - -“Hello, Hunch,” said Jim. “Say, if you want to see a circus, you ought -to go down to Herve's place.” - -“Why, what's up?” - -“Bruce Considine's celebrating.” - -“What--drinking?” - -“Yes, he's got a peach of a jag already.” - -Hunch hurried down to the saloon. Bruce was sitting on one of the -tables, treating the crowd. - -“Hello, Hunch,” he said, waving his glass. “Have somethin' on me, ol' -man. All my fren's got to have somethin' on me to-night. I'm a father, -Hunch.” - -Hunch took his arm and jerked him to his feet. Bruce leaned against -Hunch, and a man laughed. - -“Shut up, there!” said Hunch. Then he led Bruce away and took him to his -own room. He needed to think. It was not such a simple matter as in the -other days, when Bruce was one of his crew. He sat by the bed until the -night was half gone. Bruce had gone to sleep. Hunch had been angry, but -after awhile he began to think of Mamie and the baby, and his expression -softened a little. Mamie was not in condition to bear a shock. The only -thing to do was to sober Bruce and get him home, so he took off his coat -and hammered him until he showed signs of consciousness. Finally he got -him aroused, and then ducked his head in the washbowl, and scrubbed his -face with soap and water. - -It was two o'clock in the morning before Bruce was fit to go home. Then -he sat on the bed and looked helplessly at Hunch. - -“What'll I do, Hunch? I can't go home now.” - -“You shut up and go along. Don't do any more talking about it.” - -“I can't, Hunch. Think of it! There ain't a thing I can tell Marne. I -went uptown to get some medicine and said I'd come right back.” - -“You'll go back all the same, if I have to take you myself.” - -“What can I tell her?” - -Hunch walked up and down the floor. - -“That's your business, Bruce. It ain't mine.” - -“Don't throw me up now, Hunch. Oh--everything's going to smash. What'll - -“What do you want to do, lie to her?” - -“It ain't that, Hunch; it ain't lying. I do! I can't tell her how it -was. It would kill her.” - -“All right, if you want to lie to her, you tell her I was drunk and -you brought me home. Now get out--go home, go somewhere, but get out of -here.” - -“I--I-don't you see, Hunch----” - -“Go on now!” - -Bruce went out talking to himself. - - - - -CHAPTER VII--A LIGHT GOES OUT - -|MAMIE grew slowly better, but the baby was kept alive only by constant -attention. Hunch did not go to the house at all. Jess suggested it once -or twice, but it made Hunch look so black that she began to avoid the -subject. For the rest of the time Hunch was in better spirits than -usual. After the night with Bruce, he had made up his mind to drop Bruce -and his family from his mind. He had no right to interfere in Bruce's -domestic matters. The decision brought relief, and Jess and he were -happier than at any time since the beginning of their engagement. They -spent their evenings going to entertainments, or sitting in the parlor, -talking, with the lamp turned low. - -One night Hunch came in a little earlier than usual, without knocking, -and found Jess bending over a paper with some sort of colored -illustrations. She slipped it into a drawer as he entered the room. - -“What you reading?” he asked. - -“Oh, nothing.” - -“Yes, you was. I saw it.” He laughed and started to open the drawer, but -she stood against it. - -“Please don't look.” - -“Don't you tell me all your secrets?” - -“Oh, well, look if you want to.” - -“I don't, unless you want me to, Jess.” - -She opened the drawer and drew out the paper. It was illustrated with -plans. “What's the matter with this?” he asked. “What you afraid of?” - -“Nothing. Sometimes I think it's kind of fun to pick out the houses I'd -like--just for fun, you know.” - -“Which one do you like?” - -“Oh, I don't know. I was just thinking that maybe some day we'd------” - -She stopped and turned away. Hunch thought she was joking, and he took -her shoulders and gently turned her around. She was crying. - -“Why--what's the matter, Jess?” - -She buried her face on his coat. Hunch could not follow her sudden -changes. Now he looked down at her hair, puzzled, waiting for her to -explain. Finally he said, “You've got to tell me what's the matter, -Jess.” - -“I was only thinking--one of the girls said--said you didn't love me, -John, she said---” Hunch tried to break in, but she went on, “you weren't -going to--that we'd never get married. And you--you never said anything -about getting married, John.” Hunch looked over her head at the wall. -He could not tell her that he had not allowed himself to think about it, -that he had been drifting steadily farther from the thought of it. “And -I thought maybe you'd speak about it, and we'd talk about a house--and I -wanted that--that one on the front page with the shingles on the front. -It's a beautiful house, John.” - -Hunch stood silent for a long time. - -“Why don't you say something? Oh, John, it isn't true, is it? You do -love me, John?” - -“No,” said Hunch, “it ain't true. We'll be married just as soon as -you're ready, Jess.” - -She did not look up for a long time. When she did, her eyes were still -wet. - -“Don't you think it would be kind of fun, John, to talk about the -house?” - -They went over the plans, sitting on the sofa by the front window, -and talked out every detail. Hunch agreed with nearly all of Jess's -suggestions, even to the grate in the front room, an expensive feature. - -When they were out in the entry, and Hunch was putting on his ulster, -Jess stood before him with her back against the door. - -“Say, do you want me to tell you something?” - -“Course.” - -“Oh, I--don't you laugh, John, it ain't funny. It's mean. It's what -somebody said. She said if a man really loves a girl, he gives her -something so folks 'll know--like a ring or something.” She laughed -nervously. “And I just told her that I wasn't engaged on her account, -and if she thought I ought to wear a ring she needn't look at me, that's -all. She was awful mad.” - -Hunch was silent. - -“Now, don't you be cross. I don't want a ring, John, anyway, -until--well, until we're married. It don't mean anything when two people -love each other like you and me do. Good-night, you old boy. Now, don't -go and be cross. And don't forget we're going to the dance to-morrow -night.” - -Hunch laughed a little and kissed her. Then he walked slowly down the -street. - -At noon on the following day, He went into the jewelry store near the -post-office and looked at rings. There was one large ring with two -diamonds set in a snake's head. - -“How much is it?” Hunch asked. - -“Ninety dollars. Best ring we've got. There ain't another like it this -side of Grand Rapids.” - -“That's the one I want then,” said Hunch. “Will you put it by for me?” - -“Take it right along, Mr. Badeau. There's no hurry about the money.” - -“No,” said Hunch, “I won't take it until I can pay for it.” - -“All right, Mr. Badeau, we'll set it aside for you.” - -By a second loan Hunch had let Bruce have nearly all his ready money, so -that he lacked a large part of the ninety dollars, but he was determined -to have the ring within a week or two. He was walking slowly down the -street when he met Jim Bartlett. - -“Hello, Hunch.” - -“Hello, Jim.” - -“Say, come into Herve's a minute. I want to see you.” - -When they were seated at one of the round tables, Jim said, “I s'pose -it ain't none of my business, Hunch; but when you've known a fellow all -your life, you can't help being kind of interested. I knew you was sort -of looking after Bruce Considine once in awhile. I know he used to work -for you, and it seemed to me lately that he's getting a little off the -track.” - -“What's the matter? What's Bruce done?” - -“Well, I hear about it from two or three places. You know Billy Riggs's -folks live next door to Bruce, and this morning Billy came up to the -lookout while I was on the watch, and told me a little about it. Billy's -always known Marne Banks, you know. I think he used to be kind of stuck -on her.” - -“What about it?” - -“Billy says Bruce is drinking right along not jagged, you know, but kind -of ugly. And he says, his little sister says, she saw him hit Marne last -night-'t weren't none of her business, of course. She heard 'em talking -and was looking through the window. Going on down the street?” - -“No,” said Hunch, after a silence, “I'll sit here awhile.” - -“All right. So long, Hunch.” - -Hunch did not work at all that afternoon. He went to the wharf and -watched the men at work on the foundation of the new grain elevator. -Once he started back uptown, thinking that he might find Bruce at -Herve's saloon. He got as far as the planing mill, and stopped, -wondering what he could say to Bruce if he should meet him. Then he went -back to the wharf. After supper he walked rapidly out to the eastern -limits of the town, where the pavement ends and the yellow sand begins. -He had forgotten about Jess and the dance. He went back to Herve's -and looked in at the door. Bruce was sitting at one of the rear tables -playing poker with some of the elevator men. Hunch stepped back and -stood outside on the corner. For the first time since he had known Bruce -he felt like leaving him to go to the bad. He wanted to do something -himself that would make Mamie's life easier. - -He suddenly turned and walked out to Bruce's house. He was excited when -he knocked on the door. He heard some one say, “Come in;” then he was -inside the door with his hat in his hands. Mamie was sitting by the -cradle rocking it with her foot. - -“How d'ye do, Mis' Considine. Is Bruce home?” - -“No, he's gone to the doctor's. Won't you sit down?” - -“Thanks, I dunno. Bruce, he ain't been very well lately, has he?” - -“Why, yes.” - -“I heard he wasn't. I been kind of worried about him. Say, it ain't -none of my business, but he was my man for a good while, and if he ain't -doing the right thing by you, why, I want to know it, and I'll learn him -he can't cut no monkey shines----” - -Mamie had stopped rocking and was looking at him. - -“Mebbe I ain't got much to say about him now--I dunno's I have anything -to say, but--there's some things a man can't do, and----” - -“What do you mean?” - -“I dunno just what I mean--I know Bruce, and I've heard that he ain't -doing the square thing.” - -“I don't understand.” - -“I hear he's hit you, and I just wanted you to know I ain't been your -friend and his friend for nothing----” Hunch was talking fast and -wildly, “and he's got to answer to me if he's doing anything like that.” - -Mamie was on her feet now. Her eyes were flashing. - -“Is this the way you talk about your friends? And a man who's been as -kind to you as Bruce has?” - -“Bruce----?” - -“Why don't you come when he's here? Why don't you wait and talk to him?” - -Hunch sat still, looking at her. He had nothing to say. - -“Why don't you go away? What makes you talk like this? Don't you -understand that he's my husband?” - -Hunch moved toward the door. - -“Yes,” he said, “he's your husband.” The meaning of that word seemed to -be coming slowly into his mind. - -“I'll tell you,” he said, with one hand on the door-knob, “I guess I -made a mistake. I----” - -“Yes, you have made a mistake.” She followed him toward the door. “Bruce -has never said anything mean about you. But I know where he was the -other night when he took care of you. And he wouldn't have told me if I -hadn't almost made him. And now you----” - -They stood at the door looking into each other's eyes--hers flashing, -his stupid. A choking sound came from the cradle. Mamie stepped softly -across the room and set the cradle rocking gently. Then she bent over -it, patting the little blanket and whispering. Hunch stood watching her. -She pressed her cheek to the face on the pillow, then suddenly stood up. -Her face grew white. She looked at Hunch, and he tiptoed across the room -and bent over the cradle. The baby's face was white. He touched the face -with his finger. It was cold. - -Mamie sank into a chair. She was still looking at him. He said -awkwardly, “I'll get Bruce.” - -His hat had dropped to the floor and he picked it up and tiptoed back to -the door. He opened it and turned. Mamie had thrown herself across the -cradle, and he went out without speaking. - -He found Bruce in Herve's saloon and sent him home. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII--SETTING A DAY - -|HUNCH took charge of the funeral. After it was over, and while the man -was closing the casket, he stepped to the front porch for a breath of -air. Jess Bartlett had lingered after the service, and now stood alone -on the steps. Hunch hesitated in the doorway. He had not thought of Jess -during the last few days, and now he did not know what to say. But she -was determined that he should speak first, so after an embarrassing -silence he said, “Hello, Jess.” - -She turned away. - -“Ain't you going to speak to me, Jess.” - -“I don't see as I ought to speak to you.” - -Hunch looked at her helplessly, and when, after a minute, she turned and -saw his expression, she partly relented. - -“When are you coming to see me again?” - -“You know why I ain't been 'round, Jess.” - -“I waited for you the other night. You said you were coming.” - -“I know it, Jess. I'm sorry. Can't I come to-night?” - -“I s'pose you can if you want to.” - -They could not say any more, for it was time to start the carriages. But -early in the evening Hunch went to her house, and they walked to the -lake? They found it hard to talk. Hunch finally blurted out, “I'm going -to get the ring next week. It's a pretty one, I think.” - -He felt her arm tremble, but she said nothing. - -“I guess you're mad at me, ain't you?” - -“No, I ain't mad.” - -“Why don't you say something, Jess?” - -She came closer to him as they walked. - -“John, I wish--I wish we could get married. Somehow I don't feel as if -you belonged to me. I know it's silly, but I can't help it.” - -“How soon can you get ready?” - -“I--I wasn't thinking of it just that way--I----” - -“Is next month too soon?” - -She looked up at him and laughed softly. Their eyes met and they -understood each other better. They walked down the beach and looked out -over the flat lake. - -“I'm afraid we'll have to live kind of simple for a while,” Hunch said. -“I ain't very rich, you know.” - -“Do you think I care about that, John? Don't you know I love you because -you're so strong and good, and you can do so much. Everybody knows -you're going to be rich some day. Jim, he says there ain't another man -in town that's got as much sand as you have, John.” - -So they talked all through the long evening, telling each other their -thoughts and plans and hopes; and her trust in him gave Hunch a sense of -strength and responsibility. When he left her, very late, at the front -steps, he had thought of a plan which he kept for the time to himself. - - - - -CHAPTER IX--THE STORM - -|IN the morning, directly after breakfast, Hunch went to see the foreman -of the elevator gang. “Where're you getting your timber, Murphy?” he -asked. - -“Getting most of it up at Manistee.” - -“Got it in yet?” - -“More'n half of it. The rest of it's a late order.” - -“How much is there to come?” - -“About fifty thousand.” - -“How's it delivered?” - -“F. O. B. on the dock here. Why, you looking for a job?” - -“Yes, wouldn't mind. I could get it down here cheaper'n the railroad, -and pretty near as quick.” - -“Navigation's closed, though. I don't know as the Manistee folks 'd want -to risk it.” - -“Yes, but look at that.” Hunch motioned toward the lake, which lay blue -and sparkling beyond the Buttersville sandspit. “Quiet as August and -it's a short run. There ain't hardly any ice either.” - -“Well, you might talk to 'em up at Manistee, Hunch. Of course, they can -deliver anyhow they like, but I can't run chances of delay.” - -So Hunch went over to the telegraph office in the railroad station, -and after a great deal of writing and rewriting made up the following -message: - -_To Wm. F. Jackson, Esq.,_ - -_Pres't Manistee Timber Co.:_ - -_Will deliver the Liddington elevator bill of fifty thousand feet by -Lake, One Hundred Dollars. If terms satisfactory, wire reply, so I can -deliver while weather holds fair._ - -_J. Badeau._ - -When this message reached Jackson, he was sitting at his desk, with the -railroad rate figured out on a sheet of paper before him. He promptly -laid the two offers side by side and looked from one to the other. There -was no doubt that the lake route would be cheaper. But, on the other -hand, it was now after the first of December, and navigation was -nominally closed on the great lakes. Insurance he could get, if at all, -only at a prohibitive rate. - -It was a question of judgment, and before deciding it, Mr. Jackson got -up and walked over to the window. The busy little city of Manistee shut -off his view of Lake Michigan, but he knew it was flat as a mirror. Not -many hours earlier he had stood by another window, in his big house on -the bluff, and as he shaved he had looked out over miles and miles of -blue water, as calm as in June. It was warm enough for mid-autumn; the -barometer promised continued dear weather. Altogether, Badeau's offer -had decidedly the best of it. So he sent a message to “J. Badeau, -Liddington,” asking him to bring up his schooner at once. - -Hunch, on receiving the message, went up to Herve's saloon, and while -standing at the bar, let his eyes rove about the room until they settled -on a lank, middle-aged man in the corner. - -“Hello, Herm Peabody.” - -“Hello, Hunch.” - -“What you doing in these parts?” - -“Come up to see my niece--Joe Cartier's wife.” - -“Busy nowadays?” - -“No, ain't picked up anything for the winter yet.” - -“What would you think of taking a trip with me?” - -“The Dean?” - -“Yes.” - -“A little late for schooners, ain't it?” - -“Not in this weather, no. It's only a little trip-up to Manistee.” - -“Well, this ain't been a very flush season, Hunch, and I s'pose I ought -to take it.” - -“Can you come right along? I'd like to overhaul her a little and run up -there this afternoon. If they're reasonable quick about loading, we can -get right back.” - -A few hours later Hunch ran her out between the piers, with Peabody up -forward, and pointed north-east-by-north to clear Big Point Sable. The -breeze was light, and it was not until six o'clock that evening that -the _Dean_ ran into the harbor at Manistee. Hunch promptly looked up the -lumberman. - -“How are you, Badeau. You came right up.” - -“Yes, I did.” - -“We'll put that timber aboard the first thing in the morning.” - -“You can't do it to-night, then?” - -“Oh, hardly.” Mr. Jackson glanced out at the starlit sky. “You don't -think there's any doubt about the weather, do you?” - -“Maybe not. But if I could get it aboard now, I'd start right back. We -know we're all right to-night.” - -The lumberman's supper awaited him; his men had scattered to their -homes. He glanced again at the sky, then said, “The morning 'll do, I -guess.” - -“Well, it's just this way, Mr. Jackson. I made you the offer to take -this load down, but I don't feel like running any more risk than I have -to.” - -“If you see anything to worry you in that sky, Badeau, you can just let -us run the risk.” - -The thermometer dropped twenty-five degrees during the night. A film of -ice formed in the harbor. The wind swung around to the northeast, and -brought a bank of innocent looking clouds that spread slowly over the -sky. Out on the lake front the shore ice grew higher and whiter as the -waves beat tirelessly over it, and formed blocks and cones and miniature -mountain ranges. - -When Jackson met Hunch on the wharf, he seemed to have forgotten what he -had said the evening before. “Well, Badeau, what do you make of it?” - -“Of what?” - -“The weather. Think you can make it?” - -“Yes, I think so.” - -“You ought to have gone out last night.” - -To this Hunch made no reply; he kept one eye on the work of the timber -shovers. - -“Still,” added Jackson, “you can run down in two or three hours with -this wind.” - -A little later Hunch joined Peabody by the wheel. “Do you know of a good -man here, Herm?” - -“For the schooner, you mean?” - -“Yes.” - -“Why--I'll see if I can pick up Duke Buckingham.” - -“Go ahead. Tell him we're short-handed.” - -When the _Dean_ finally fell away from the wharf, in tow of Jackson's -tug, it was well on toward noon. And none of the three men on board was -over-cheerful when he looked out at the lake and felt the keen wind of -the open water. Even on shore it was a day for heavy jackets and gloves; -out here it was bitter cold. - -“Set the tops'ls, Herm,” said Badeau, from the wheel. - -Peabody looked at Buckingham, and then, without a word, the two men set -to work. - -They ran nearly before the wind, that is, nearly southwest. Badeau kept -her up a few points to the westward in order to avoid the surf-currents -that bore down on Point Sable. The deck was piled so high with timber -that the schooner was unwieldy; her scuppers were nearly awash, and the -stem was down so low in the water that half the time the small boat, -hanging from the after davits, was afloat. When all sail was spread, -Hunch called his men aft and gave them a hand in hauling the boat aboard -and forward. - -Rapidly the piers and the bluffs of Manistee fell off astern. Steadily -the sky thickened, and fine, hard flakes of snow began to blow about -their ears. Badeau alone did not mind the cold; his coat was open, his -hands bare. - -“What do you think o' this business, Herm?” asked Buckingham. - -“Oh--well, it ain't but three hours in this wind.” - -“I don't like them tops'ls.” - -Peabody had no reply to this. - -“What the devil's he runnin' way out here for?” - -Peabody turned toward Point Sable; and then they both looked in silence. -They could see the white line of the surf, due south. On the bluff the -trees were tossing and bending. - -Buckingham was the first to turn away. “Look there!” he exclaimed, -gripping Peabody's arm. “Hi there, Hunch!” A black squall was sweeping -down from the north, as sharply defined on the water as if laid out -with a rule. Before the line were the leaden billows, behind it a black, -wrinkled surface, dotted with whitecaps. “Hi there, Hunch!” - -But Hunch's eyes had been long trained to take in a full circle at a -glance. “Ready about!” he was bellowing, “Ready about!” - -The wheel spun around, the jibs flapped, the schooner reeled as -she swung lazily up. The three men watched the squall. -Slowly--slowly--creaking angrily--Will she make it?--No--Yes--No---- - -“Struck, by----! Hold fast, boys! _Hold_ fast!” - -Over she went, till the booms dipped and the waters of Lake Michigan -ran from stem to stem along the rail. Hunch left the wheel and sprang -forward for the main sheet. Before he had it in his hand he was drenched -through. Cursing like a Northern Peninsula lumberman, he hauled away. -Peabody and Buckingham were together at the foresheet, with white faces -and blue lips. Over again! They got up to the weather-rail--it was like -climbing a gable roof--and still hauled away. For thirty endless seconds -they fought, then her bowsprit, scooping deep into every wave, swung -around and pointed into the wind. Hunch, shaking the water from his -eyes, looked up and about; both topsails were gone, and a thousand feet -or so of timber. - -They could breathe now. But only for a moment, for the storm was beating -them back toward the point. Another battle, and mainsail and foresail -were double reefed and the _Dean_ was slowly working up into the wind. -There was no thought now of rounding the point; it was a question of -getting sea room. Once Badeau thought of anchoring, but his judgment -warned him not to try. One fact was encouraging, they made a little -headway. By three o'clock in the afternoon they were back off the -Manistee piers, and three miles out. - -“What's that comin' down the harbor,” shouted Buckingham, “a tug?” - -“Looks like it. Yes, that's what it is.” - -“See there, she's whistlin'.” They could see the steam, though no sound -reached them. - -“She can't make it--hold fast, there!” The _Dean_ nosed deep into a -curling wave, struggled to rise, plunged on through, and the wave rushed -over them. When they could see again, a few more thousand feet of lumber -had disappeared. - -“That was a soaker. Hunch all right, Henn?” - -“Sure. See, she's putting back. Looks like the _Cecilia Smith_.” - -“That's what she is. I never did think much o' Bill Peters.” - -“Maybe he's right. He couldn't ever tow us in through that surf--say, -the boat's gone!” - -“The-----it is!” - -“Look for yourself.” - -“Lord, you're right! Kind o' rough on Hunch. He'll be lucky to come -through this without losin' a wad. There's sixty or eighty dollars worth -o' timber gone a'ready.” - -“Maybe he won't have to stand for that.” - -“Somebody'll have to. You can't get insurance now, you know.” - -“Look out, Duke--here comes another!” - -When this wave had passed, Peabody missed his companion, and looked -around for him. At length he saw him, wedged in between the foremast and -the timbers, grinning sheepishly; and stepping back he hauled him out. -“What's the matter with you, man? Didn't you see it.” - -“Oh, I saw it all right.” - -“You'd better get hold here. What's the matter with your hands?” - -“I dunno, sort o' numb, I guess.” - -“Makes me think o' the time Ryerson's house burned--just such a day as -this. Three or four of us got there early and pitched in to help the -firemen.” He had to shout to make himself heard. “I was up on the -ladder, next under the nozzleman, holding up the slack of the hose. -Well, sir, do you know the water kept dribbling down from the nozzle -around my fingers until they were just about froze stiff. Finally, they -let go--I couldn't help it, my fingers just straightened out. Then -the slack of the hose fell and jerked the nozzle right out of the -nozzleman's hands. Well, sir, I didn't hardly know what I was doing, -it come so quick; but when that nozzle was tumbling down by me, and the -stream swinging all around, I made a grab for it and caught it by the -handles. And there I stood, holding on for all there was in me, and the -crowd yelling. All to once it struck me the nozzleman was yelling too, -and I looked up, and there I was squirting a four-inch stream up under -his rubber coat, and he was hanging on to the ladder for life. Getting -colder, ain't it?” Buckingham, with lips bluer than ever, made no reply; -he looked down at his hands. Peabody's eyes roved shoreward. The lines -in his face deepened as he looked; for he saw that the _Dean_ was making -no headway. Half an hour later Badeau beckoned him aft. When he returned -he took Buckingham by the shoulder, and shook him a little. “Here, Duke, -what you thinking of! Brace up! Hunch says we'll throw off the deck -load. He can't manage her at all this way. Come along--it's just what -you need.” - -Through the afternoon, through the night, the storm sported with the -_Dean_. It swept down from the north and forced her nearer and nearer to -the breakers on Point Sable; it veered to the northeast, and blew her, -with a scurry of black water, out past the point and on--on, as if to -hurl her on the Wisconsin shore; it brought snow and sleet to blind -the tireless wheelman, whose hands never left the spokes; it ripped the -sails and set the shreds to flapping derisively; and still Badeau kept -the wheel, and still his crew held their places forward. There was no -talking now. There were no more yams of sea or shore; the two men up -forward were holding grimly to life, with fingers too stiffened to grip -firmly--with spirits that shivered and threatened to let go. - -[Illustration: 0009] - -Toward dawn Peabody groped aft. “I dunno what to do about Duke, Hunch.” - -“Hammer 'im.” - -“That don't help much. See any signs of it's letting up?” - -Badeau shook his head. - -“Do you know where we are?” - -“Must be pretty near the middle of the lake. I'm going to try to work -back. Stand by to come about.” - -For the twentieth time that night the _Bean_, under the jib and the -ruins of a foresail, pointed northeast. At Hunch's command, Peabody -climbed half-way up the shrouds and clung there. The dark began to fade, -the snow-flurries ceased. “Ho there! Hunch!--Ho there!” - -“Ho-o!” - -“Bray-ay-kers! Duke--Tell Hunch!” Buckingham crawled aft. “Hunch! -Bray-ay-kers!” - -“Breakers be----!” - -“Herm----” It was hard for Buckingham to hold his excitement, hard for -him to hold to anything. “Herm, he says---” - -Badeau's eyes rested on the pitiable object before him, then peered -into the dark ahead. A flash came into his drawn face. “Stand by to come -about!” Buckingham gazed stupidly. Hunch plunged forward and gave him a -kick that sent him stumbling forward. “Ready about!”-Peabody was sliding -down a stay-“Ready about!--Hard a lee!”--The men up forward could not -hear him, could hardly see him; but Buckingham was fumbling with the lee -jib-sheet. She swung a little way, wavered, then, caught in the rush of -the surf, missed stays and floundered broadside on a bar. And the waves -came pounding in over the rail. - -When the morning came they were lashed in the forerigging. The mainmast -was gone, the after-cabin was razed off flush with the deck, and the -seas flowed at will through the hold. - -“Can you make out where we are, Hunch?” - -“Off Clinton.” - -“They'll see us here then?” - -“The ------ they will. There ain't nobody lives there.” - -“Not in Clinton?” - -“Not a soul--. There's the Liddington piers, below.” - -“But there ain't nobody on watch.” - -“No--station's closed.” - -“Hold on though--what's that?” - -“Over the pier--little sails?” - -“Yes.” - -“That's the life-boat.” - -“No.” - -“Sure it is.” - -“Well, I'll be------!” murmured Peabody fervently. “The fools--they'll -never make it without a tug.” - -“Couldn't never get a tug out there.” - -“Here they come! Is it the surf-boat?” - -“Not much. It's the big English boat. Surf-boat don't carry any sail.” - -“They've cleared the piers! Must be a volunteer crew. What's the matter -with 'em?” - -“Too much sea--can't use the rudder. See there--rudder's up in the air.” - -“Duke--Hi, wake up! They're coming, Duke!” - -Buckingham groaned. - -“See' em turning 'round--they can't manage her!” - -Badeau shook his head. The life-boat, while they watched, was caught up -on the foaming crest of a wave, whirled around and jammed against the -end of the pier. She fell back with the wave, then, freed in some way -from her short masts, she rolled completely over on her high round -air-tanks, and righting, pitched about, buoyant as ever. - -“See that? Did you see, Hunch? She went over!” - -“Shut up, will you?” - -“Look there--they're throwing ropes. My nephew--I've got a nephew on -that crew, Hunch.” - -“He'd better look out for his uncle, then.” - -“See 'em bobbing around. Must be they've got cork jackets on.” - -By some unseen agency the boat was got back between the piers, and the -bobbing figures disappeared. The excitement passed; the beach, strewn -with wreckage and driftwood, and backed by sand hills and stunted pines, -looked bleaker than ever: the wind penetrated to their bones. - -“What do you think o' that, Hunch? What do you think 'll become----” - -“Oh, shut up!” - -An hour--two hours--and nothing but the roar of the surf, the endless -white beach, the low sky. - -Then Badeau reached up and shook Peabody's leg. “Wake up there, Herm! -Look down the beach.” - -“Wha--what's that? I don't see anything.” - -“What are your eyes for?” - -“Oh--team o' horses, eh. What's the crowd doing?” - -“Can't you see the beach cart?” - -“No--is it? Coming right along, ain't they.” - -The cart was hauled up at a spot opposite the _Dean_. Over the ice-cones -Badeau and Peabody could see the crew bustling about, until suddenly -the crowd fell back, and they caught the shine of a brass gun and saw a -projectile leap into the air trailing a line behind it. - -“Not by fifty yards! It'll take a bigger charge than that. -There--they're getting out another.” - -Another moment of preparation, and another projectile came spinning -toward them, passing high over their heads and directly between the -foremast and the stump of the mainmast. - -“How're we going to get 'er, Hunch? The topmast stays are down; I -couldn't ever get down to that deck. Couldn't trust my hands, you -see--all right except for my hands.” - -“You stay here, and keep still,” said Badeau. He drew out his knife -and cut the rope that lashed him to the shrouds; then worked his way -painfully down to the deck. Holding now to the rail, now to the loose -end of a stay, he fought through the waves, picked up the line, mounted -with it to the cross-trees, and unaided hauled the heavier line out -through the surf, and made the tackle fast to the foremast. The men on -shore fell to with a will and sent out the hawser; and in another moment -it was fast and taut, and the breeches buoy was dancing out to the -schooner. - -“Easy now,” said Hunch, as they lowered Buckingham into the canvas -breeches. - -“Lash 'im in, Hunch; lash 'im in! I'd do it--but my hands----” - -They watched him without a word as the buoy went shoreward. The line -sagged so low under his weight that half a dozen waves passed over him. - -“They'll drown 'im!” said Peabody. Badeau was silent. - -Buckingham was lifted to the beach, and the empty buoy came back. - -“You go next, Hunch.” - -“Get in--don't stop to talk!” - -“Well--you see how it is--I guess you're a little better off than I am. -You stand it better.” - -“For God's sake, get in!” - -Peabody snivelled a little as he swung off and went swinging down -the line, his legs dangling grotesquely. Hunch clung to the ratlines, -looking after him with a wild gleam in his eyes. When the buoy came back -for the last time he caught it with one hand, then hesitated. He glanced -down at the schooner's hull. Why should he go ashore at all? What was -the use now? He looked at the crowd. They were waving at him, probably -they were shouting. Then he found himself getting in and sliding off -toward the shore. - - - - -CHAPTER X--JIM BARTLETT CALLS - -|ALL the rest of the day Hunch paced up and down on the shore ice, -watching the schooner until the foremast went over and the timber was -strewn for a mile along the beach. - -At dusk two of the crew men came up and made Hunch go home. He spent the -evening stretched out on the bed, trying to think. Later he fell asleep, -and in the morning, when he awoke, his clothes felt heavy and stiff. -After breakfast he went up the beach. The _Dean_ was battered out of -shape. Two fragments of the foremast had been cast up on the ice, but -the mainmast had disappeared. He stayed until he was sure that the -schooner was a total loss, then he returned to his room. - -A year earlier in Hunch's life such a catastrophe would have set him -drinking; but now, while he thought of it for a moment, the idea of a -bout in Herve's bar-room with the old crowd of loafers, who would know -exactly why he had come, and would, before the night was over, probably -know all about his state of mind, did not appeal to him. He could not -bring himself to go to Bartlett's; he did not want Jess to see him when -he was weak and unable to help himself. But on the second evening after -the wreck, Jim Bartlett came up and found him lying on the bed with his -clothes on. - -“Good evening, Hunch,” he said. “Kind of hard luck; ain't it?” - -“Sit down,” said Hunch. - -“Thanks, can't stay but a minute. I just wanted to talk to you--you -see I've been talking with Jess. She's all broke up about the schooner. -'Most as bad as you are. She thinks a lot of you, Hunch. She says you -ain't been 'round.” - -“No, I ain't yet.” - -“She says she didn't know whether you was coming or not.” - -“I dunno's there's much good in seeing her.” - -“You mean things is different?” - -“It don't make much difference what I mean.” Jim's face was not very -sympathetic, and Hunch was not in a mood to open his heart. - -“Well--I'll be square, Hunch--it's as much what I think as what she -thinks--but she can't help thinking--well, you see how it is yourself, -Hunch. You ain't in just the position you was in before. It's -different--it can't help being different.” - -“What's she want to do?” - -“Now, don't take it mean, Hunch; but she don't see--and I must say I -don't either--that things ought to be just as they was.” - -“No, I don't s'pose so.” - -“But you'll come around and see us anyhow, Hunch, won't you, and talk it -over. Mebbe Jess won't feel this way.” - -“No,” said Hunch, “that ain't no use.” Bartlett stood at the door. “I'm -sorry you feel this way, Hunch, I--well, I guess there ain't much else -to say.” - -“No, I guess there ain't.” - -Bartlett went out and closed the door. Hunch lay still for a long time, -wondering over the turn of events. Now that it was settled, and in spite -of the hurt a strong man feels when the control of his actions is taken -away from him, he began to feel a slight sense of relief. Anyway, he had -his strength left, and he was free to begin again. - - - - -CHAPTER XI--STARTING FRESH - -|BADEAU lost his schooner before Christmas. The day after New Year's -he went to Manistee to see Mr. Jackson, whom he found sitting in his -office. - -“Well, Badeau,” he said. “What can I do for you?” - -“I want a job.” - -“What can you do?” - -“Anything.” - -“What's the matter? Up against it?” - -“You know my schooner's gone.” - -“Yes, I know.” And Mr. Jackson also knew that Hunch was a good man. -“Tell you what I'll do, Badeau; I'll make a place for you. How are you -on logs?” - -“I was boss of Dempsey's gang up to Cadillac four years ago.” - -“How much money do you want?” - -“'Nough to keep me going. You'll find out what I'm worth fast enough.” - Badeau went to work the next morning. He took a cheap room near the -lumber-yard, and found before the week was out that he could live on -two-thirds of his salary. At the beginning of the second week, Mr. -Jackson put him in charge of the river gang, driving logs. Hunch took -advantage of the mild weather to get all the logs in the river to the -mill before the river should freeze up solid for the winter. He got -along well with the men, excepting a fellow named McGuire, who was -inclined to grumble at hard work. But one noon at the mill, when the -men were matching their strength, Hunch lifted a six-hundred pound -pile-driver weight and swung it easily clear of the ground. That quieted -McGuire. - -One day toward the close of his second week, Badeau found Bruce -Considine hanging around, at closing time, outside the mill. - -“Hello, Bruce,” he said. “What you doing up here?” - -“Come up to see you, Hunch.” - -“What's the matter?” - -“The old man come down on me last week.” - -“Fire you?” - -“Yes. I'm sick of working for him anyhow. He'll never let a fellow -alone.” - -“What you going to do? You ain't likely to get another job like that.” - -“I don't know. I thought mebbe you'd know of something up here, Hunch.” - -“I just went on the job, myself.” - -“I know it, but I can't starve, Hunch, I ain't had any money for a -couple of days.” - -“How about--your----” - -“Marne? She's down at the house. I told her to go to the old man, but -he's kind of ugly and she wont do it. Guess she'll get over being proud -one of these days.” - -“What's she living on?” - -“I thought mebbe I could send her something, if I could get a job up -here.” - -“I dunno, Bruce. I'll ask the boss. Come around to-morrow noon.” - -The following afternoon Bruce joined Hunch's gang as a day-laborer. His -muscles were soft, and it was several days before he could do a man's -work. One day the gang were carrying heavy timbers at the mill, and -Hunch noticed that Bruce's partner on one of the double timber-hooks was -muttering. He kept an eye on the pair, and saw that Bruce's hands sagged -at every few steps. When the day's work was done he waited outside the -mill for Bruce. - -“Look here, Bruce,” he said, “I'm on to you.” - -“What you talking about?” - -“You know what I'm talking about. I seen you soldiering. I just want to -tell you that it won't go.” - -Bruce was silent for a moment. Then he said: - -“Think you've got me down, don't you.” - -“What I think ain't got nothing to do with it. I got you the job, but -I can't keep you if you don't take a brace. The boss wouldn't stand for -it. You got to earn your pay.” - -“It's easy for you to talk. You're getting good money. I'm working hard -enough for every cent I get.” - -“None o' your talk now, Bruce. You can't bluff me. You just quit loafing -and get down to business. You're going to do it, too, if I have to knock -it into you. Understand?” - -Bruce walked away in a surly mood, but for a few days Hunch saw a slight -improvement in his work. Then there came a slump. Hunch said nothing -until one noon he overheard Bruce and McGuire grumbling together. He -called Bruce away. - -“Look here, Bruce,” he said, “you know what I told you.” - -“What you got to kick about?” - -“None o' your lip. You just keep away from McGuire.” - -“I don't see what you got to say about a friend of mine.” - -“Friend of yours, eh? I s'pose you're bunking with him, too?” - -“Well, whose business is it if----” - -“You leave him tonight. Understand?” - -Bruce sulked for the rest of the day and avoided Hunch. After supper -Hunch went to McGuire's room in the square frame hotel by the tracks. No -one was there, but Bruce's patent-leather valise lay in the corner. Hunch -waited until they came in. - -“Hello,” said Bruce, a little startled. - -“Pack up your stuff and come along with me, Bruce.” - -“Bruce is rooming with me,” said McGuire, looking at Hunch out of the -corners of his eyes. - -“No, he ain't,” said Hunch, “he's rooming with me. Step lively, Bruce. I -been waiting half an hour.” - -Bruce and McGuire looked at each other, and Hunch sat grimly on the bed. -Then Bruce turned to the bureau and began nervously gathering his things -and throwing them into the valise. McGuire helped him without a word. -Then Bruce shook hands with McGuire, a little stiffly, and went away -with Hunch. - -Now, that he was directly under Hunch's eye, Bruce improved slightly. -He fell into the habit of confiding in Hunch, and relying, as in the old -days, upon his advice. But one day a letter came for Bruce, addressed -in a hand which Hunch recognized. Bruce was quiet and serious for hours, -and when Hunch asked him what was the matter, he tried to pass it over -with a laugh. It was not until after supper, when they were up in the -room together, that Bruce gave way. Hunch was shaving, and Bruce sat -watching him for some time, before he said: “Hunch, I--got a letter from -Marne.” Hunch could see him in the mirror leaning forward in his chair -with his elbows on his knees. - -“She--she's coming down kind of hard on me. I ain't had a chance to earn -anything yet. It's all I can do to take care of myself.” - -“Ain't you sent her anything?” - -“Why, how could I? You know what I'm getting, Hunch.” - -“What's the matter?” - -“She says they're sticking her for the house rent. I don't know what to -do. I wish she'd go back to her old man.” - -“How much are you stuck for?” - -“I don't know. You read it. Mebbe you can tell me what to do. Seems if -she ought to help a little, somehow.” Hunch leaned against the wall, -under the bracket lamp, and read the letter. Then he laid it on the -bureau and stood stropping his razor on the palm of his hand. Finally he -turned to the mirror and went on shaving. - -“What do you think, Hunch?” asked Bruce, after a long silence. - -“I dunno.” - -“Tell me something, Hunch. I got to do something.” - -“Shut up a while. Lemme think.” - -When he had finished shaving, Hunch said: - -“To-day's Thursday, ain't it?” - -“Guess so.” - -“Look here, Bruce, you write her a letter. Tell her I'm coming down -Sunday.” - -“You, Hunch----?” - -“Yes, I'm going down. Tell her, we'll see if we can't fix it up -somehow.” - -Bruce looked up at him. - -“Seems to me you're kind of anxious to see my wife.” - -Hunch turned on him. - -“Look here, Bruce. Do you want to know why I'm going?” - -Bruce nodded slowly. - -“It's 'cause if I gave you any money to go down there you'd blow it in -and make a fool of yourself. You ain't fit to have a wife, that's why. -You owe me money now that I give you for your wife and you soaked it in -on jags. Don't you talk to me. Understand?” Bruce stood by the window, -looking out into the dark. Hunch was bending over the washbowl and -splashing water on the floor. He groped for the towel. Bruce said: “What -you got mad about all of a sudden?” - -Hunch's face was buried in the towel. Bruce watched him. - -“What you going to say to her, Hunch?” - -“I dunno.” - -“Say, you ain't going to say nothing about me, are you?” - -Hunch glanced at him contemptuously, and began to hone his razor. Bruce -stood around for a while, then moved slowly toward the door. - -“Where're you going?” - -“I dunno. Thought I might go up town. Guess there ain't much of anything -going on.” - -“You come back.” - -Bruce laughed nervously. - -“Ain't mad, are you, Hunch?” - -“No, I ain't mad. Better write that letter, I guess.” - -“That's so. I was going to do that, wasn't I. I kind of forgot it.” He -sat at the table and took up the pen clumsily. “I don't know just what -to say, Hunch.” - -“That's your business.” - -“Don't be mean, Hunch.” - -“You shut up and write that letter. I don't care what you say.” - -When he had written it, and before sealing the envelope, Bruce hesitated -and looked around at Hunch. But Hunch had turned his back and was honing -without a word, so Bruce sealed it. - -“It's wrote, Hunch. I told her----” - -“Give it to me. I'll mail it in a minute. You be here now when I get -back.” - - - - -CHAPTER XII--HUNCH AND MAMIE - -|HUNCH went down to Liddington Sunday morning on the combination freight -and passenger train. Bruce had come to the station with him, and stood -looking after the train for a long time after it had pulled away. Hunch -saw him through the rear window. - -It was a crisp January morning. The snow had come and the train rattled -through a flat, white country, cut into strips as far as one could -see by the straight up and down lines of the black pine stumps. At -Liddington Hunch went up to the white brick hotel on the main street and -ate his dinner alone. He walked up and down for an hour after dinner, -trying to think clearly about Mamie and Bruce. Now, that he was on the -ground, he was not sure why he had come. But it drew near three o'clock, -and he walked out to Bruce's cottage. - -At first there was no answer to his knock. The curtains were down, and -the snow had not been cleared away from the steps. He knocked again and -rattled the knob. He heard some one moving. A little later an inside -door opened, and then, after some fumbling with the lock, Mamie opened -the door. She was pale and thin. A shawl was drawn over her head and -shoulders. - -“Oh!” she said, then smiled. “How do you do, Mister Badeau?” - -Hunch stepped in and closed the door. - -“What's the matter?” he said. “You ain't sick?” - -“No, just a little under the weather. Come in and sit down.” - -The front room was cold. - -“Ain't you got no fire?” Hunch asked. - -“Yes, I made a little fire in the kitchen this morning. I can sit out -there, you know. I don't need any in here. Guess we'd better go out -there anyhow, where it's warmer.” - -“You go ahead,” said Hunch; then, “Where's your wood? I'll make a fire -here.” - -“Oh, no, you mustn't?” - -“Now you just leave me be, Mis' Considine. You set down in the kitchen -and lemme fix you up. Where's the wood?” - -“It's out here in the box,” said Mamie, opening the kitchen door. - -Hunch saw why she was sparing of wood. There were only a few armfuls. -But he built a roaring fire in the front room, and then took the ax out -into the back yard and split up a heap of boards and timber waste that -lay under the snow. Mamie watched him through the window. After a few -strokes he grew warm from the exercise, and taking off his coat he -handed it through the door to Mamie, and said, “Warm weather, ain't it?” - Mamie was smiling when she reappeared at the window. Hunch filled the -wood box and laid a large pile on the floor at each end. Then he put on -his coat. - -“Well,” he said, “that's more like. Pull up a chair, Mis' Considine.” - -“You must be hungry, Mr. Badeau, after all that work. I'm going to make -you some coffee, anyway.” - -“Now, don't you do nothing of the sort. That ain't work? That's just -fun.” Unconsciously he expanded his chest as he spoke. In spite of his -bent shoulders, it was a deep, rounded chest, different from Bruce's. -Mamie did not know that there was admiration in her eyes as she watched -him. - -“Now, you've got to let me, Mr. Badeau. I don't have company very often. -You just sit still and let me work awhile. I'm not doing my share.” So -Hunch sat by the stove and watched her as she stepped about the kitchen. -Her manner had brightened, and there was a flush on her cheeks. She took -pains to keep the pantry door closed, but once Hunch caught a glimpse -inside and saw that the shelves were nearly bare. While drinking the -coffee they both felt a slight restraint. Occasionally when their eyes -met, Mamie would lower hers and laugh nervously. They talked of old -times, and Hunch recalled, somewhat awkwardly, the day he had first met -her on the beach by the life-saving station. - -Then there was a long pause, and Hunch said, “Look here, Mis' Considine, -there ain't no use trying to make me think things that ain't so is so. -I'm going down town and bring up something to eat.” - -Mamie flushed. - -“Now, don't say nothing. You just leave me be and we'll fix things up in -great shape.” - -Mamie tried to protest, but Hunch put on his ulster and started up the -street, saying over his shoulder as he went down the steps, “I'll be -back in no time.” - -He found Joe Cartier, who kept the grocery and meat market across from -the hotel, at his house, and made him open his store and put up a large -bundle of provisions. When he returned, Mamie was at the front window. -She hurried to open the door. - -“Come on and we'll have a blowout,” said Hunch, as he cut the string and -spread the packages over the kitchen table. “There's a good many of the -things that don't have to be cooked at all. I got some preserve--thought -you might like it. Do you? It's peach.” - -Mamie's eyes were hesitating between laughter and tears, but she nodded -quickly and the laugh triumphed. Then they both set to work. Hunch laid -the table-cloth, and puttered about clumsily, while Mamie prepared -the meal. Mamie laughed, at his awkwardness, and after a time grew so -cheerful that she joked him and made him blush through the bronze on -his face. And they sat facing each other across the table, with all the -lively chatter of two foolish young people. Afterward she washed the -dishes and he wiped them. - -But when it was finished and they sat before the stove in the front -room, the sense of restraint returned. For a long time neither spoke. -They looked at the two cracked mica windows in the stove door, which -glowed redly when the flames leaped up behind them. It was Mamie who -finally broke the silence. - -“Is--Bruce well?” - -“He's--he's pretty well. He didn't feel quite able to come down to-day. -You know we're bunking together. You see, I know about--now, you mustn't -think I'm poking my nose into none of my business. I and Bruce was -together a good while, and we come to know a good deal about each other, -o' course.” - -Mamie was looking at the stove windows. The wood in the stove had -fallen, sending up sparks and shoots of flame that danced grotesquely on -the mica. - -“You see, if there's anything I can do, 't aint 's if I was doing a -favor. It's just that mebbe I was lucky in getting a place that pays -a little more'n Bruce's. And you see he'd do just the same by me if it -come that I was kind of on my uppers.” - -Mamie was still silent. - -“Now, you just be sensible-'cause it's all sort of in the family, you -know--and tell me how it is about the rent, and mebbe we can kind of -patch things up, because three heads is better 'n two. Understand?” - -Mamie leaned back in her chair and rested her face in her hands. When -Hunch looked at her he saw that she was crying, and he waited till she -should speak. Finally she said, “I don't know just what we're going to -do. It--it's only that there's some one else wants the house and we--of -course----” - -“Yes, of course,” said Hunch. - -“I thought, maybe I ought to take a room somewhere.” - -“That's so. Something smaller. I dunno but what's like as not you'd feel -better anyhow. This is a pretty big house for a little bit of a thing -like you. Mebbe 's long as Bruce is working up to Manistee you could get -a room and sort of keep house for yourself. Be kind of snug, don't you -think so?” - -“Tell you what,” he said, after they had sat for several minutes without -talking, “I'll see what we can do.” He rose and put on his coat. Mamie -watched him, but seemed unable to reply, and let him go out without a -word. - -He returned an hour later. Mamie was still sitting by the stove. - -“It's all fixed up,” he said, shaking the snow from his coat. “You're -going over to Cartier's. They've got a big room for you, and he's going -to see that you get moved all right. You can take your meals right in -the house. And 'twon't cost you hardly anything. Now, you just drop them -blues and we'll see if we can't get you fatter 'n you ever was. You're -a-going to have a good time yet this winter. And Bruce 'll come down -Sundays. I've got to get the train. Guess I might's well start along.” - She got up slowly and followed him to the door. Neither knew what to -say. Hunch buttoned his ulster and drew on one of his big fur mittens. -He looked at his hand, big and freckled, with hard, knotted fingers and -broken nails. He held it out hurriedly and said, “Well--good-by.” - -She took his hand shyly. Suddenly she bent down and kissed it, and a -tear dropped on it. Hunch pulled his hand away. - -“Oh, don't do that----” - -She looked up into his face. She did not seem to care now if he saw her -crying. - -Hunch forgot that he had shaken hands and he took hers again, this time -with his mitten on. Then he opened the door and hurried out. She stood -at the window looking after him as he walked down the street, but he did -not turn around. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII--A DARK DAY AT LIDDINGTON - -|BRUCE came down to the station in the evening, and was standing on the -platform when Hunch stepped off the train. They walked up together and -were half-way to the room, before Bruce said, “Say, Hunch, how about -it?” - -“It's bad. She didn't have enough to eat or keep her warm. She's going -to live at Joe Cartier's place and take her meals there. It's a good -deal cheaper'n the other. I told her you was coming down Sundays.” - -“What'd you say to her, Hunch? What'd she say? Anything special? Tell me -about it.” - -“Guess there ain't nothing to tell.” - -“Seems to me it's kind of funny if a man can't find out nothing about -his own wife. You was down there and you see her all day. I don't see -why I ain't got a right to know about it.” - -“Oh, shut up. You ain't got a right to nothing from the way you've -treated her.” - -“Look here, Hunch Badeau, you've got to tell me.” - -“How long you been saying what I got to do and what I ain't got to do?” - -“That's all right, but----” - -“Yes, it's dead right.” - -Bruce stopped and took Hunch's arm. “Take your hand off me.” - -Bruce's hand dropped. - -“Now, don't get ugly, Hunch. I just wanted to know about her. I ain't -seen her for a good while.” - -“Well, do you think that's my fault? I'll tell you about her. She's -fixed up where she's got enough to eat and drink, she's got people to -talk to and chirp her up, and she's waiting for you to come down next -Sunday. If you're man enough to keep straight and go down there and do -the square thing, you won't find me in your way. If you ain't, you can -go to hell for all I care.” - -Bruce was silent, and they climbed to the room and went to bed. - -A day or two later Mr. Jackson sent for Hunch. - -“Badeau,” he said, “how about this man Considine?” - -“How do you mean?” - -“What kind of work is he doing?” - -“All right as far's I can see.” - -“He's a friend of yours, ain't he?” - -“Yes, he used to work for me when I had the schooner.” - -“I'll tell you, Badeau, I've had some complaints about him. You know I -don't want any man that can't do the work.” - -“I think he's doing pretty good, sir.” - -“Well, I'll count on you to keep an eye on him. If you catch him -loafing, don't waste any time on him.” - -Hunch went over the conversation in the evening with Bruce. It -frightened Bruce, and he made promises which he kept for the rest of the -week. - -They did not talk about Mamie until Saturday night, after they had been -sitting by the stove for a long time in silence. Bruce was nervous. - -“Say, Hunch,” he said, “would you go down if you was me?” - -“Where?” - -“You know--down to Marne's to-morrow.” - -“Would I go? What you talking about?” - -“I don't know. What do you s'pose she'll say?” - -“I guess you know what she ought to say, all right.” - -“Do you think she'll be mad?” - -“Oh, you shut up!” - -Bruce went to bed early, but Hunch heard him tossing until late. In the -morning he was moody. - -“Hunch,” he said, after breakfast, “what time does the train go down?” - -“'Bout half an hour.” - -“Say, I s'pose I might as well take it as the noon train.” - -“That's your business-'tain't mine.” - -“Well, I guess I will. Say, Hunch, I'll tell you--s'pose you come -along.” - -“Guess not.” - -“I don't mean nothing, Hunch, but you've been talking to her, and you -know how to kind of quiet her. I never could, somehow.” - -“Look here, Bruce, I ain't going today or any day. I ain't going at all. -Understand? You needn't tell her I said that, though.” - -“Guess I'd better be starting, eh, Hunch?” - -“Guess you had.” - -“Come on down to the depot. You ain't got nothing to do.” - -At the station, Hunch said: “Got any money?” - -“No, I ain't got much.” - -“Here's a little. No drinking, now.” - -“On my honor, Hunch, I won't drink a drop. Do you think a man would -drink when he's going down to see his own wife, Hunch? Do you think----” - -“You better get aboard.” - -“Good-by, Hunch, I'll get back tonight.” - -In the evening Hunch met the Liddington train. Bruce did not get off. - -Hunch looked for him Monday morning, but had no word of him. At noon he -was called to Mr. Jackson's office. - -“Badeau,” said his employer, “when that Considine gets back to work, you -send him to me for his time.” - -Hunch hesitated. “I'll tell you, Mr. Jackson, he went down yesterday to -see his wife. Their kid died a little while ago, and like's not she's -sick.” - -“Think so?” - -“My work is pretty light to-day. I thought mebbe I could get off for the -afternoon train and sort of look him up. I can get back to-night, you -know. You see, if he gets laid off it'll come kind of hard on his wife.” - -“All right, go ahead. But, say, Badeau, hold on a minute. We're not -running a charity hospital, you know. We can't give that man much rope.” - Hunch said, “Yes, sir,” and went out. - -He reached Liddington at supper time and picked up a hasty meal at the -hotel. Then he hurried over to Joe Cartier's house. Cartier let him in. - -“Hello, Joe,” said Hunch. “Bruce here?” - -Cartier hesitated. - -“Yes, I guess he's upstairs.” - -“I want to see him.” - -“Well; say, Hunch, come in the parlor a minute. I want to talk to you.” - -“What's the matter?” - -“Well, you know Bruce came down yesterday morning, and 'long about noon -I guess they quarrelled a little. Me and my wife, we didn't listen, but -we couldn't help hearing Bruce talk. And then Bruce went out----” - -“Oh,” said Hunch, “drunk?” - -“Not so bad as I've seen him, but he come in kind of ugly, and he's got -some up there--brought it back with him. Seems kind of too bad. I didn't -feel quite 's if I could do anything. You see 't ain't really none of my -business.” - -Hunch went upstairs and knocked at the door. There was a stir inside, -and he could hear Bruce grumbling and Mamie whispering. Then Mamie -opened the door a few inches. When she looked at Hunch, the color left -her face and she leaned against the door. - -“It's all right,” said Hunch, “I come for him.” - -“Oh,” faltered Mamie. - -“Who's there?” called Bruce. “Who you whispering to?” - -Mamie hesitated and looked at Hunch. He gently brushed her aside, -saying, “Lemme come in.” - -“Who is it?” said Bruce. He was lying on the bed, his clothing mussed, -his face red. Hunch stood by the bed and looked down at him. - -“What you doing here?” growled Bruce. “What right you got coming in a -man's house?” - -Hunch looked at his watch. - -“Come on,” he said, “we've got to get back on this train.” - -“Who's goin' back. I ain't goin' back. Go on out o' here, will you?” - -Hunch took his arm and pulled him up. Bruce sat oh the edge of the bed. - -“Come on, Bruce, get moving.” - -“Go 'way.” - -Hunch turned to Mamie. - -“Where's his hat, Mis' Considine?” Bruce stood up. - -“What's that? What you saying to my wife? Tha's my wife, Hunch Badeau. -She's a lady. You can't talk to my wife.” - -Mamie stood at the foot of the bed watching the two men nervously, - -“Bruce,” said Hunch, “shut up and come along.” - -“Don't you think you'd better go, dear?” said Mamie, timidly. - -“Wha's that? You want to get rid of me too, eh? Oh, I'm on to you -two. You can't fool me; you can't. You're pretty smart, Hunch Badeau, -sneaking down to see my wife----” - -Hunch gripped Bruce's arm and jerked him out of the room. They were at -the top of the stairs when Mamie came to the door. - -“Here's his hat,” she said. “You'd better take it, I guess.” - -“Thanks,” said Hunch, without looking at her, and he hurried Bruce down -the stairs. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV--CONSIDINE'S WORK IS ENDED - -|THE next morning Bruce was still in bed when Hunch went to work. -McGuire did not appear with the other men, and at noon his brass check -still hung on its nail in the timekeeper's shanty. Shortly after lunch -Bruce and McGuire, both a little the worse for drink, appeared and went -to work with the gang. Hunch had gone up to the mill, and did not see -them until his return; When he came near they were dawdling over their -work, chuckling together over some incident of the morning. - -“What you two doing here?” Hunch asked. - -Bruce started and moved away from McGuire. - -“Speak up.” - -McGuire muttered, “Guess we know what we're doing.” - -“Look here,” said Hunch, “you go to the office and get your time.” - -McGuire lowered his cant-hook. “What--what you say?” - -“Go on. Don't talk to me.” - -McGuire dropped his cant-hook and started away. - -“Come back here, McGuire. Pick that up.” - -McGuire muttered. - -“What's that you're saying?” - -“I ain't saying nothing.” - -Hunch started toward him, but checked himself. - -“Pick up that cant-hook, McGuire.” McGuire obeyed and walked slowly -away. Hunch turned to Bruce, who stood looking on with his mouth open. - -“What are you gaping there for, Considine. Go 'long.” - -“Where?” - -“Go and get your time. We're through with you.” - -Bruce stood still looking stupidly at Hunch. - -“What?” he said. “You ain't----” - -“Get off the job. Understand? You're laid off. We don't want you.” - -Bruce slowly lifted his cant-hook to his shoulder. He stared at Hunch -until Hunch turned away, then he walked over to where McGuire was -standing, and went away with him. - -Late in the afternoon they came back and hung around, watching the gang -at work. They had been drinking again, and McGuire had a bottle in -his pocket which he pulled out frequently. They were talking loud and -laughing. - -Their actions drew the attention of the men and annoyed Badeau, though -he said nothing for a long time. Finally, Bruce and McGuire began -calling at the men, growing bolder in their remarks. At last McGuire -called, “You fellows mus' like working for tha' dam' fool,” and Hunch -walked toward them. - -“You'll have to move away from here,” he said. “We can't have you -disturbing the work.” - -“Go 'way!” McGuire replied. “You can't touch us. We ain't on your job.” - -“Stop that, McGuire! Get out, quick, or I'll throw you out!” - -McGuire laughed. Hunch went to him and pulled him to his feet. - -“Le' go o' me!” said McGuire. “Take your hand off o' me!” - -Hunch began dragging him away. McGuire hung back protesting and -threatening. Bruce walked slowly after them, shaking his head and -talking to himself. McGuire braced his feet. Hunch gave him a wrench -that nearly threw him, and McGuire struck at him. Bruce watched the -struggle, the old drunken cunning in his eyes, then he ran forward and -jumped on Hunch's back, pounding him about the face and head. Hunch -staggered, but recovered and caught McGuire with his knuckles squarely -on the side of the jaw. McGuire staggered back. Bruce had both arms -around Hunch's neck and was trying to choke him. Hunch gripped Bruce's -wrists, and slowly pulled them forward, until their hold was loosened; -then he turned quickly, took hold of Bruce's shoulders, and threw him -against a pile of cut timber. Bruce struck hard and seemed for a moment -to be clinging to the pile, then he fell on his face. - -Some of the men were running toward them. One was calling: - -“I seen it, Hunch! It weren't your fault! I seen it!” - -Hunch stood panting as the men gathered around. - -“Better see if he's hurt,” he said. - -They rolled Bruce over. His face was covered with blood. One of the men -brought some water from the river in his hat, and washed it off. - -McGuire stood at one side, rubbing his cheek. Hunch ordered him away, -and he went without a word. The other men were crowding around Bruce. -One of them looked up and said: “I guess he's done for, Hunch.” - - - - -CHAPTER XV--THE LETTER - -|IT was a cold day in Manistee. The snow lay in high banks on each side -of the street-car tracks, with paths cut through at the crossings and -in front of the larger stores; underfoot it creaked and crunched. Men -walked briskly, keeping their hands in their pockets or holding them -over ears or noses, and pausing at the drug store on the corner to look -at the red thermometer. - -It was close to noon, and a number of men were coming down a flight of -stairs which reached the sidewalk a few doors beyond the drug store. -The last one was Hunch Badeau, with his ulster collar turned up, his cap -pulled down over his ears, and his fur mittens on. - -When they reached the street two of the other men turned and shook hands -with him; but he had nothing to say, and a moment later he was walking -alone, slowly, up the bridge approach. The examination was over and he -was free. His case had not reached a trial, for he had killed Considine -plainly in self-defense. - -A long row of schooners, steamers, and tugs lay along the docks on both -sides of the river. On most of the schooners a length of stovepipe came -out of a cabin window, and a few wisps of smoke, winding lazily out -to be snatched away by the wind, showed that many a sailor was lying -dormant during the winter months. Hunch lingered on the bridge. He had -once spent such a winter in Chicago on a big schooner, locked up snugly -in the North Branch near Goose Island, eating and sleeping, smoking and -swapping yams, and helping to drink up somebody's summer profits. That -was a long while ago; it seemed to Hunch a dim part of some past life, -before he had ever met a woman other than the rough girls of the Chicago -levee and the North Peninsula stockades. - -Mr. Jackson had told Hunch that he need not go back to work that day, -so he climbed to his room and sat on the chair by the window. Bruce's -things were lying about the room; his razor on the bureau, his Sunday -clothes over a chair in the closet, his shoes under the foot of the bed. -Hunch got up and began to get them together, without knowing exactly why -he was doing it. He packed what he could in the patent-leather valise, -and made up the rest into bundles, borrowing paper and string from the -landlady. Then he sat down again, but before long, too restless to stay -alone, he put on his coat and walked out to the mill. Mr. Jackson was -standing near the waste dump with a memorandum book in his hand. - -“Well, Badeau, what's the matter?” - -“Nothing. Guess I might's well get to work.” - -“Just as you like.” - -The men looked surprised when he joined them. He was nervous and he -worked both himself and them at a pace that wore them out in a few -hours. But at six o'clock, when the whistle blew, and he put on his coat -and went back to the boarding-house, he felt refreshed. - -On Sunday, after several days of hesitating over the best way to get -Bruce's things to Mamie, Hunch gathered up the bundles and the valise, -and took the noon train to Liddington. He sat for two hours in the -station before he could make up his mind to take them to Joe Cartier's -house. When he finally knocked at the door, Joe's wife opened it. - -“How d'ye do, Mr. Badeau? Come in, won't you?” - -“No, I can't,” said Hunch. “Hold on; yes, I will, too, just a minute. -Where's Joe?” - -“Here he is,” replied Joe himself, coming through the hall in his -shirt-sleeves. “Come in, and set down.” - -Hunch stepped in and dropped the bundles in the corner. - -“Can I speak to you a minute, Joe?” - -“Sure thing. Walk in the front room. Martha, I could swear Hunch ain't -had his dinner. Fetch out some of the chicken and potatoes. It ain't so -hot as it was, Hunch, but it's good, plain stuff--good enough for us, -ain't it, Martha?” - -“No, don't you, Mis' Cartier. I can't stay, honest. I had some grub, -anyhow.” - -But Joe's wife hurried out to the kitchen, leaving Joe and Hunch in the -front room. - -“Take off your coat, man,” said Joe. “What you getting so bashful about -all of a sudden?” - -Hunch unbuttoned his coat, nervously. - -“Is she staying here yet, Joe?” - -“Who's that you mean, Hunch? Bruce's wife? She's going up to her -father's tomorrow.” - -“How's that happen?” - -“Well, I'll tell you, Hunch--you won't say anything about it, of -course--but when Bruce--when he died, you know, and I knowed that girl -didn't have a cent anywheres, and worse'n that, if you count _his_ -debts, I just thought--kind of--that the old man, he didn't know quite -how things stood, or he wouldn't be so ugly. You see, don't you?” - -Hunch nodded. - -“And, of course, I couldn't say nothing to her, you know, 'cause she'd -think first thing I meant about the rent--she's a touchy little thing, -you know--so I says to Martha, 'Martha, you just take your work'-this -was Thursday-'Martha,' I says, 'you just take your work and go up to -Mis' Banks' and set down and have a good old jaw with the old lady. -She'll let you talk to her,' I says, ''cause she used to be your -Sunday-school teacher, and she's always took a shine to you. And you -just lay out the whole thing, and tell her that if she ain't wanting to -lose the respect of one grocer in this town, she'd better just leave go -of one of those missionary societies of hers, and watch out a little for -her own daughter.' Martha, she felt kind of delicate about going, but -she went down just the same, and tackled the old lady, and when she come -back, her eyes were like she'd been crying, so I know'd it was all right -and I didn't say nothing. And, sure enough, that night old Banks himself -come around and stood up stiff in the door and says, 'Is my daughter -here, Cartier?'-He always calls me 'Joe,' you know, and I calls him -'George'; but that ain't no matter.-I says, 'Yes,' and he goes upstairs, -and then Martha and I, we just keeps out of the way in the kitchen, -so's he could go out without running into any of us. But 'long about -half-past nine he comes out, and knocks on the kitchen door, and says, -'My daughter's coming to my house, Joe.' And I says, 'When?' and he -says, 'Monday, and let me know what the board 'll amount to?' And you -see, Hunch, I was kind of foolish myself, so I just says, 'All right, -George,' and then he goes out. So the girl's going to keep alive, -anyhow, and that's something.” - -Hunch rose and slowly buttoned his ulster. - -“You give her them things, won't you, Joe? I dunno as I'd say anything -about my bringing them down.” - -“Why, hold on, man; you ain't going now. Martha's out getting some -dinner for you.” - -“Sorry,” said Hunch. “I got to get back.” - -“Oh, pshaw, Hunch; this ain't right. Wait a minute, anyhow. I guess Mis' -Considine would like to see you. She's right upstairs.” - -“No,” said Hunch, slowly, “she don't want to see me.” Cartier looked at -him a little surprised, then suddenly grew embarrassed. - -“I forgot,” he said; “I clean forgot. No, I don't s'pose she does.” - -Hunch turned and felt for the doorknob. Mrs. Cartier was coming in from -the kitchen, and she hurried forward. - -“Don't let him go now, Joe. His dinner's all ready.” - -“That's right,” Joe urged. “You see, you can't go, Hunch.” - -“I'm sorry,” said Hunch. “Good day.” He hurried out, and left Joe and -his wife looking at each other. - -Hunch had been back in Manistee nearly a week, when one day he received -a letter in a perfumed envelope, like the ones Bruce used to get, when -they were together on the schooner. He carried it in his pocket all the -afternoon, and at night, wondering what she could have to say, and yet -not daring to open it and find out, he set it upon his bureau, taking -it up every few minutes and turning it over in his hands. In the morning -when he awoke and got out of bed to dress, it was there on the bureau -staring at him. He held it tip to the light several times, then tore off -the end of the envelope and drew out the letter. It was a stiffly worded -little note, thanking him for bringing Bruce's things, and was signed, -“Yours truly, Mary Considine.” Hunch could not tell why it made him -happy. He read it over and over--the first letter she had ever written -to him. He stood by the lamp, holding it in his hand. - -Then, suddenly, he thought of Bruce, and the letter dropped to the table -and lay there for a long time untouched, while he dressed with clumsy -fingers. But before he went out to work he put it away in his inside -pocket. It stayed there for a long time, and sometimes in the evenings, -long afterward, he would take it out and read it. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI--POP-CORN BALLS - -|HUNCH worked hard during the rest of the winter, so hard that he was -startled one day, after two weeks up country in the logging camp, to -find that March was only a week away. He had been sent to take charge of -the logging gang while the regular foreman was getting back on his -legs after an ax cut. When he returned to the mill, and reported at the -office, Mr. Jackson waved him to a chair. - -“Sit down a minute, Badeau. I want to talk to you. How do you like your -work, anyhow?” - -“It's all right, sir.” - -“How do you get along with the men? Have any trouble?” - -“Not lately.” - -“Would you like to go back on the lake?” - -“Wouldn't mind.” - -“You've had a good deal of experience, haven't you?” - -“Guess so.” - -“What have you done besides running that little schooner you had?” - -“Well, I was mate two years on one of Peters's coal schooners, and -before that I knocked around a good while getting on to the ropes.” - -“Now, I'll tell you, Badeau, we're going to put on a big schooner this -year. She's the _Robert James_.” - -“I know,” said Hunch, “a three sticker. Belongs to the Wilsons. Stud -Marble's been sailing her.” - -“That's the boat. Well, we've bought her, and she's going out March -eleventh with that Menominee bill. If you think you'd like to take her -out, say so, and you can have her. We've named her the _Lucy Jackson_.” - -Hunch looked down at his cap and then up at the yellow-and-red -lithograph, that hung over Mr. Jackson's desk, of Maud S., rounding into -the home stretch. He did not know what to say. - -“Speak up, Badeau. Do you want it?” - -“Yes, sir, I'll try it.” - -“We don't want you to try it; we want you to do it. There mustn't be any -doubt about it.” - -“There ain't any. I can do it.” - -“All right. Come in again some day this week, and we'll fix up the -details. You might be picking up a crew. And you'd better go down and -look her over. She's at Wilson's dock.” - -Hunch spent the day in going over the schooner, setting things to right -and taking an inventory of repairs. For the next two weeks he worked day -and night, eating and sleeping when he could. Then exactly on time, the -_Lucy Jackson_ was ready, and she sailed for Menominee with Hunch at the -wheel and a hundred and ten thousand feet of lumber on the deck. - -The spring and summer months slipped by. Hunch was kept so busy -delivering cargoes at nearly every port on the lake down to Chicago and -Michigan City, and once going around through the straits to Alpena, that -he kept little track of the time. He was usually at Liddington at least -once a month, but he stayed only a day or so at a time, and then kept -aboard the schooner as much as possible. - -It was in October, nine months after his talk with Joe Cartier, that he -met Mamie's father in the street in Liddington. Hunch had gone to the -post-office, expecting orders from Mr. Jackson, and was hurrying back to -the schooner to see about unloading her cargo. Banks was coming down the -steps from the bank. - -“Hello, Badeau,” he said, holding out his hand. “Where've you been all -this time?” - -“Busy,” said Hunch, taking the hand, and wishing that he could get away. - -“Where are you now? Up to Manistee?” - -“I s'pose I hail from there 's much as anywheres.” - -“On the lake again, ain't you. One of the boys told me you was getting -up in the world.” - -“Oh, I ain't very much yet.” - -“You're cap'n of a big schooner, I hear.” - -“Yes. How's all your folks?” - -“Pretty well. Mamie was sick for a while, but I guess she's all right -now. Let's see, it's most a year since I saw you. Don't you ever get -down here?” - -“Not very often.” - -“How long 're you here for?” - -“Guess I can get away to-morrow some time.” - -“You'll be around to-night, won't you? Mamie and the old lady 'll never -forgive you if you go away without seeing us.” - -“Why----” - -“Look here, now, Badeau, I'm going to send Frank down with the rig, and -fetch you up to supper.” - -“No--I can't get away. Honest, I can't. I've got a big load here----” - -“None of that now. You've got to come.” - -“I can't do it, Mr. Banks. I would if I could.” - -“Well, I s'pose you know. But Frank will be along for you right after -supper, anyhow.” - -Hunch walked quickly away. He was excited, and before returning to the -schooner he strode a few blocks away from the river. He did not want his -men to see him until he could get control of himself. - -After supper he got out his good clothes and brushed them carefully. -When young Banks drove down on the wharf and called to one of the men -forward, Hunch was standing before his square tilted mirror, giving a -last twist to his hair. - -[Illustration: 0188] - -Mr. and Mrs. Banks were cordial. Mamie came in a little later, and Hunch -was surprised to see how pretty she was. She had more flesh and color -and her eyes were brighter. She acted as if nothing had happened, and -before long Hunch was made to feel at home. When he rose to go, Mr. -Banks took his hat and followed him out, and Mamie looked a little -conscious when she said “Goodnight.” - -“You won't mind my telling you something, will you, Badeau?” said Banks, -when they were on the side-walk. “I couldn't help seeing to-day that you -didn't want to come around, and I------” - -“Oh, it ain't that------” - -“Hold on, now. I know just what it is. I ain't lived longer 'n you have -for nothing. I see how you feel, and I just want you to know that we -feel different. Of course, there's some things does make a difference, -some kind of things--there's no getting around that--but all the same, -we ain't holding anything against you. I'll tell you, Badeau--and I -ain't ashamed to say it--when I found out how you'd been keeping my girl -alive when I weren't man enough to do it myself, I--why--dam' it, man, I -want to shake hands with you, right now.” - -“Why,” said Hunch, when Banks had released his hand, “that ain't so. -I------” - -“Now, you don't fool me. I know about it. Joe Cartier, he told me some -of it, and Jim Bartlett and--by the way, there's a good friend of yours. -He and Jess ain't never got over the way they treated you. Lord knows -they'd be glad enough to crawl if you'd give 'em the chance. She's -a good girl, too. Made a mistake when she threw you down, but she's -suffered enough for that.” - -They walked for more than a block in silence. Finally Banks said, “Look -here, Badeau; you can't go to-morrow. You just can't do it. You plan -to get away the next morning, and come up tomorrow and set around, and -we'll try to have a good time. Just to show that there ain't no hard -feelings anywheres, and you can forget us if you want to, but you've got -to put in one more evening, anyhow. Sometimes--sometimes I wonder if 't -ain't all just as well. Bruce, he wouldn't have--well, it wasn't your -fault, anyhow.” - -When they parted a block further down the street, Banks said, “Mebbe -we'll have a little surprise for you when you come to-morrow night. I -can't say for sure, but it's more'n likely. And mebbe you won't be sorry -you come.” - -Hunch had no doubts about staying. It would have taken more than the -four Liddington tugs to have pulled him out of the harbor that next -day. He went up to Bank's house early in the evening, and found the old -gentleman alone in the front room in his shirt sleeves, popping com at -the stove. - -“Come right in, my boy. The women folks drove me out of the kitchen. We -thought we'd have some old-fashioned pop-corn balls. Hope you like 'em.” - Hunch grinned and sat on the sofa. “No setting around lazy. You've got -to get to work along with the rest of us. Here, you shell them ears -there, in the pan.” - -Hunch drew up a chair, and held the pan between his knees. - -“Where's all the folks?” he said, as he started on his second ear. - -“They're out in the kitchen, the whole lot of 'em. I told 'em we'd be -out as soon as the corn was popped.” - -Mr. Banks spoke without looking around and in a nervous manner. He -was watching the popper intently and he kept shaking it after the last -yellow kernel had burst into white bloom. When Hunch grew a little -impatient to go into the kitchen, Mr. Banks delayed and tried to keep up -a conversation. At last, however, the corn was ready. Mr. Banks led the -way to the kitchen door, opened it, and waited for Hunch to go through -first. Mrs. Banks was greasing pans at the table; Mamie was in the -pantry rattling the dishes. A tall girl stood at the stove stirring the -candy, her back to the door. Hunch stopped a moment and looked at her. -It was Jess Bartlett. - -“Step lively, Badeau. This is our busy day.” Mr. Banks brushed by him, -holding the pan of pop-corn high up on his hand like a negro waiter, and -trying to appear unconcerned. - -“Come on, Mr. Badeau,” called Mrs. Banks. “Just hold these pans a -minute. We're going to make you work too.” - -Mamie came out of the pantry, blushing, and looked saucily at Hunch. He -had not seen her look like that for more than a year. Then he knew that -Jess had turned around and was looking at him. He sat on the corner of -the table, and said, “Hello, Jess.” - -“Hello, John,” she replied, in a low voice. - -The others had turned away, but now Mr. Banks called out, “Pull up some -chairs, folks. This is where we all get busy. Move lively, my boy. We've -got to make the balls before it gets hard.” Hunch did not know how it -happened that he sat next to Jess at the table. He felt strange and -uncomfortable. But the others were full of mischief, and they joked -slyly and winked at each other, and misinterpreted Hunch's backward -manner, so that it was, after all, a lively evening. When it came time -to go, Jess said to Mrs. Banks, “Guess I'll have to go along,” and then -lingered, not knowing whether she would have to go alone. Finally Mr. -Banks said to Hunch, “I don't s'pose you'd mind just this once seeing -that Jess gets home all safe and sound, would you, now?” So Hunch put -on his coat, and he and Jess said “Good-night,” and when they got out -on the street, she timidly took his arm, and they walked along together -without a word. - -The silence continued until Hunch felt that he must say something. - -“How've you folks been all this time?” he asked. - -“We've been pretty well. Jim sprained his wrist, but it's all right -now.” - -Again they were silent, and though Hunch tried, he could think of -nothing more to say. They were on the last block of their walk, when -Jess, her hand trembling a little on his arm, said: - -“Haven't you ever forgiven me, John?” - -It was a relief to him that she had broken the ice. - -“Why, I dunno. I ain't got nothing special to forgive.” - -“Are you mad now?” - -“No, I ain't mad.” - -“You didn't come around. It's been a long time.” - -Hunch had no explanation. They stood at the gate, each waiting for the -other to go on. Jess turned half away and picked at a broken corner of -the gate-post. Hunch watched her. There was something attractive in the -poise of her figure, and even with her big hat on, enough of her hair -showed to give an impression of its richness. She looked up at him. - -“Ain't we ever going to be--friends, John?” - -“Yes, we're friends now, I reckon.” Hunch hesitated; he was making up -his mind to tell the truth. - -“What makes you act like you do?” - -“'Cause, well, 'cause there ain't no use patching up an old hull and -calling it a new boat, Jess. Things is changed. There's no good saying -I feel like I did, when I don't, Jess; and couldn't if I tried. You're -a fine girl, and you'll make some fellow happy, but I'm afraid I ain't -him.” - -She stood looking down. - -“Don't you see how 'tis, Jess? I'm just telling you the truth.” - -She nodded? He held out his hand, and she took it quickly, then ran into -the house. That was all. Hunch looked after her for a few moments, then -he walked slowly back to the schooner. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII--OLD TIES - -|THE next day Hunch was moody. The men were afraid of him, and it was -after a long time of bracing his courage, that the mate came up to where -Hunch was sitting on the rail. - -“Cap'n,” he said, “she's all ready.” - -“I know it.” - -“Will we get under way? There's the tug coming in fifteen minutes.” - -Hunch sat still, his fingers locked, looking out across the harbor. - -“Mike,” he said, abruptly, “skip up to the office and telephone over for -the tug to come to-morrow morning at seven o'clock.” - -“Not till to-morrow----?” - -“That's what I said.” - -The mate walked away, shaking his head. - -Hunch was in a bad temper all the afternoon. After supper he sat in -the cabin alone until after seven o'clock. Finally he got up and walked -swiftly across town to Mamie's house. Mr. Banks opened the door, his -coat on and his hat in his hand. - -“Hello, my boy. This is a big surprise. Step right in. We thought you -was up to Manistee by now.” - -“I thought I was going myself.” - -“Take off your coat--here, let me have it. How'd you manage it?” - -“I--I found I couldn't get away.” - -“Ain't that fine, though. Mother, here's Mr. Badeau.” Mrs. Banks was in -the front room straightening her bonnet. - -“How d'ye do?” she said, coming into the hall and shaking hands. “Glad -to see you. Father and I was just starting for prayer-meeting.” - -“Go right along, Mis' Banks. Don't stay on my account.” - -“All right, if you'll excuse us. We won't be gone long, and I guess -Mamie 'll take care of you all right. We can have our visit when we get -back. Mamie-! Where is that child?” - -“Here I am, mother,” said Mamie, coming in from the kitchen. She greeted -Hunch cordially. - -“Good-by,” said Mrs. Banks, “we'll be back 'fore long.” - -Mamie pulled up two chairs to the stove, Hunch helping her. - -“How'd you happen to stay over?” she asked. “We weren't expecting you.” - -“No, I just made up my mind this morning.” - -“Well, I'm sure we're glad you did. It seems just like old times to have -you back here.” - -“Don't it, though? I ain't had much chance to see my friends in the last -year. I have to keep a-going all the time, you know.” - -“But I should think you'd kind of like it. Father told me how well -you're doing. Isn't it fine.” - -“I dunno,” said Hunch. “I ain't always sure I care much one way or the -other.” - -“You mean about getting on? Oh, you mustn't talk like that. Of course -you care, and all your friends care, too. We like to see you get ahead. -Jess's brother told me when you got to be captain, and I was kind of -proud of you.” - -The mention of Jess bothered Hunch, though he replied, “Was you really?” - and tried to smile. - -Mamie was looking at him with a friendly expression in her eyes that he -did not quite understand. He thought at first that she was laughing at -him. But then she smiled, and said with a little hesitation: - -“I didn't know but what you mightn't like what--the little surprise we -had last night, you know.” - -“Oh, yes; I did all right.” - -“Well, but I thought afterward that maybe we oughtn't to have done it. -It was father's idea. He feels real bad about--about you and Jess. And -she's an awfully nice girl.” - -“Yes,” said Hunch, “there ain't no doubt about that.” - -Mamie hesitated again, and then, when Hunch did not speak, they both -became embarrassed. - -“I've wondered sometimes, if you knew,” she said at length, “if you -really thought Jess was the only one to blame. It was just as much her -folks--her brother, you know--he was worried about it, and he tried to -keep her from going on with you.” - -“Yes, I know. He told me that.” - -“And I--don't you see how it is? You've both of you been two of the best -friends I ever had, and I didn't like to see it--well, you know, don't -you?” - -She was looking into the fire as she spoke, and Hunch was watching her. -She was very much in earnest. - -“Don't you see?” she went on. “I couldn't help feeling kind of bad about -it. Why can't you make it all right?” She waited for him to answer, and -at last looked up at him with a half smile. “Why?” She asked again. - -Hunch looked at her, almost fiercely, until she lowered her eyes to the -stove. - -He got up, and walked to the window and back. - -“Did you think it was her?” he asked, in a strange voice. - -“Why--yes.” - -“Well, it wasn't. It was you.” - -Mamie lost a shade of her color and leaned back in her chair. Hunch -stood looking down at her and he said again, “It was you, Mamie.” - -Mamie spoke without looking up. - -“Oh, John,” she said, “I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.” - -Then Hunch sat down and talked wildly, eagerly. And Mamie leaned back -without a word, and looked at the brass ball on top of the stove and at -the patterns on the wallpaper. Hunch was talking when a key rattled -in the lock, and he sat stiff and constrained when Mamie's father and -mother came into the room. He tried to stay and talk, but could not; and -a few minutes later he said “Good-night,” and went out into the hall. -Mamie followed him, and without a word took down his ulster and helped -him to get it on. - -“Good-by,” he said. - -“Good-by, John. Don't be mad, will you? You know how much I care for -you; and we'll be good friends, won't we, John?” - -He bent down and whispered close to her ear, “I'm in for it now, Mamie. -I ain't going to lose you now. Next time I come down I ain't going back -without you.” - -Mamie smiled sadly, and shook her head. But she stood in the doorway -watching him until he had passed into the darkness beyond the lamp-post -on the corner. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII--THE HOUSE WITH THE SHINGLED FRONT - -|THE Fates kept Hunch from getting to Liddington again during the -autumn, so he took to writing letters. He could not write what he would -have said; his letters were stilted little notes, usually beginning -with a phrase he had picked up from the office correspondence, “Yours -of recent date is just at hand,” or “Replying to yours of recent date,” - etc. Mamie wrote as impersonally, and through the autumn and on into -the winter their letters told of nothing but incidental doings and -happenings; but both were conscious of the sentiment that lay behind the -effort of writing. - -On the first day of December, when navigation on the lakes was closed, -Hunch left the _Lucy Jackson_ in her berth at the lumber wharf. For some -weeks he had been thinking over a plan which he was now ready to carry -out. He got Mr. Jackson to take a walk with him at noon, and they went -up the river and looked at a piece of land. Mr. Jackson thought it would -do, and on the next day it belonged to Hunch. He paid cash for it. - -Through the winter months he was busy building a house. The plans came -from an old copy of an architect's journal. Mr. Jackson sold him the -lumber at inside rates, and Hunch rafted it up himself during a few -days of open water. Bill Anderson, a carpenter whom he had known on -the Liddington elevator, was hired, and together they built the house. -Later, Hunch had to hire a plumber and a plasterer, but even after these -expenses something was left of his year's earnings. - -When January had come, and Hunch had not gone down to Liddington, Mamie -could not help letting him see that she missed him. Once she wrote that -she “guessed he didn't remember old friends very well.” Hunch sat up -half of one night reading the letter, but gave her no hint except that -maybe he had a “little surprise” of his own. - -The house fronted on the river. It was a story-and-a-half high, with -four rooms and a hall on the ground floor and two small rooms upstairs. -There was a grate in the front room, big enough for chunks of wood. The -veranda extended the full width of the house. It would be a good place -to sit evenings, when it was not too cold. The big white sand-hill that -looked down on one side of the house may have been bleak enough, but -Hunch had been brought up among sand-hills, and he liked it. It had a -round bald top, and every morning during the summer the sun would strike -it early and make it glisten. Hunch thought that maybe he would set out -a few peach trees in the side yard some day. - -It was on the twenty-seventh of February, a Saturday, that Hunch and -Bill put the last brush of paint on the house. They sat down to rest on -a saw-buck in the front yard, where they could admire the wide veranda -and the shingled front. - -“Who's going to live here, now she's done?” asked Bill. - -“I am.” Hunch grinned. - -“All alone?” - -Hunch grew serious. The sense of achievement that had come with the -building of the house had overbalanced his doubt about Mamie. He grew -more serious, and paid no attention to Bill's questions. - -They were cleaning up the brushes out in the woodshed, when Hunch -suddenly pulled out his watch. - -“Bill,” he said, “you fix things up. I've got to go.” - -He caught a trolley car. At his room he hurriedly put on his good suit -and white shirt. Then he ran for the station. At six-thirty he was in -Liddington. - -After supper at the hotel he walked up to Mamie's house. He had started -out coolly, but suddenly, as he opened the gate, his strength seemed to -leave him. He had reached the great moment of his life, and he vaguely -knew it. He was so nervous that his hand was shaking when he knocked, -and the things about him looked unnatural. - -Mamie was nervous too; and though she talked easily enough for a while, -and scolded Hunch because he had not been to see her all winter, she -hardly knew what she was saying. Then came a time when neither had -anything to say, and they sat for a long time without a word. Hunch's -eyebrows were drawn together, almost fiercely. - -“Say,” he finally got out, “will you do something for me?” - -“Why--I'll do anything I can.” - -“Well, I guess you can, all right. I want you to come up to Manistee -with me to-morrow morning.” - -“Why--” she stammered, “I can't say now--it isn't----?” - -“No,” said Hunch, “you don't have to say nothing. I just want to show -you something. We can be back before night.” - -Mamie looked relieved. - -“What is it?” she asked slowly. - -“Nothing much--I ain't going to tell just yet. You'll come, won't you?” - -“Why, I don't know------” - -“Won't you?” - -Mamie looked at him, hesitated, then laughed nervously, and nodded. She -was a little frightened. Hunch grew almost boisterous in a sudden flow -of good spirits, and he went away without a word which would make her -understand. - -They took the morning train. Mamie was herself again, and they appeared -as quite a sober pair. Hunch, however, grew nervous as they came into -Manistee. He hurried her into a trolley car, and sat stiff and silent -while they skirted the flat shore of the lake and river. Finally, they -got out and walked across the sand to a newly painted cottage next to a -sand-hill. - -Hunch looked at the house, and then at Mamie. She was puzzled, - -“Well,” he said, “how do you like it?” - -“What?” she said, though her eyes showed that she was beginning to -understand. - -“That there--the house. It's yours. I made it for you.” He was so -excited that he was raising his voice. - -“S--sh,” said Mamie, “somebody'll hear you.” - -Then she looked for a long time at the house. Hunch watched her, but she -would not meet his eyes. She walked slowly up the yard, balancing on the -planks that were laid on the sand. She rested a foot on the first step, -and slowly looked around. There were tears in her eyes. - -Hunch gripped her hand tightly. - -“Oh, John,” she faltered; but this time she did not say that she was -sorry. - - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of His Little World, by Samuel Merwin - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HIS LITTLE WORLD *** - -***** This file should be named 54103-0.txt or 54103-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/1/0/54103/ - -Produced by David Widger from page images generously -provided by Google Books - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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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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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: His Little World - The Story of Hunch Badeau - -Author: Samuel Merwin - -Illustrator: Alonzo Kimball - -Release Date: February 3, 2017 [EBook #54103] -Last Updated: March 13, 2018 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HIS LITTLE WORLD *** - - - - -Produced by David Widger from page images generously -provided by Google Books - - - - - - -</pre> - - <div style="height: 8em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h1> - HIS LITTLE WORLD - </h1> - <h3> - The Story of Hunch Badeau - </h3> - <h2> - By Samuel Merwin - </h2> - <h3> - Illustrated by Alonzo Kimball - </h3> - <h4> - New York: A. S. Barnes & Company - </h4> - <h3> - 1903 - </h3> - <p> - <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0001" id="linkimage-0001"> </a> - </p> - <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> - <img src="images/0002.jpg" alt="0002 " width="100%" /><br /> - </div> - <h5> - <a href="images/0002.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> - </h5> - <p> - <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0002" id="linkimage-0002"> </a> - </p> - <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> - <img src="images/0003.jpg" alt="0003 " width="100%" /><br /> - </div> - <h5> - <a href="images/0003.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> - </h5> - <p> - <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0003" id="linkimage-0003"> </a> - </p> - <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> - <img src="images/0009.jpg" alt="0009 " width="100%" /><br /> - </div> - <h5> - <a href="images/0009.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> - </h5> - <p> - <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0004" id="linkimage-0004"> </a> - </p> - <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> - <img src="images/0010.jpg" alt="0010 " width="100%" /><br /> - </div> - <h5> - <a href="images/0010.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> - </h5> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <p> - <b>CONTENTS</b> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>HIS LITTLE WORLD</b> </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I—THE MEETING </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II—ON THE BEACH </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III—THE CALL </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV—HUNCH'S WEDDING </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V—MAMIE'S DEVICE </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI—BRUCE CELEBRATES </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII—A LIGHT GOES OUT </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII—SETTING A DAY </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX—THE STORM </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X—JIM BARTLETT CALLS </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI—STARTING FRESH </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII—HUNCH AND MAMIE </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII—A DARK DAY AT LIDDINGTON </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV—CONSIDINE'S WORK IS ENDED </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV—THE LETTER </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI—POP-CORN BALLS </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII—OLD TIES </a> - </p> - <p class="toc"> - <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII—THE HOUSE WITH THE SHINGLED - FRONT </a> - </p> - - <p> - <br /><br /> <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h1> - HIS LITTLE WORLD - </h1> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER I—THE MEETING - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>HE life-saving - crew were giving an exhibition drill. A number of people, mostly women and - children, were scattered about the beach (for since the failure of the - lumber and salt, that had expanded Liddington into a city with four paved - streets, the only important events were band concerts and crew drills). - Four girls in white-and-pink dresses, which did not agree with their - piled-up hats and fringed parasols, stood on the sand. - </p> - <p> - Hunch Badeau commanded a square-nosed lumber schooner, the <i>Ed. C. Dean</i>, - which was just big enough to carry her two masts. He had come in that - morning with a picked-up cargo of merchandise from Milwaukee, unloaded it, - and now leaving Billy, the boy, in charge of the schooner, was lounging up - the beach with Bruce Considine, who made up the rest of the crew. Hunch - had been christened John, after a long line of John, and, earlier, Jean - Badeau, the first of whom had probably appeared on the Lakes in a birch - canoe. Hunch showed few traces of his ancestry, excepting his black hair - and an easily aroused flash in his eyes. He was big, and he stooped a - little, as if doorways and cabin ceilings were too low for him. - </p> - <p> - “There she is,” said Bruce, pointing toward the white-and-pink group. - “That's her—the little one. She ain't bigger 'n a minute.” - </p> - <p> - Badeau looked critically at the group, then walked toward them. - </p> - <p> - “Hold on a minute, Hunch.” - </p> - <p> - “What for? Come along. I ain't seen a girl in weeks.” - </p> - <p> - “Don't go over yet. I ain't told her about you.” - </p> - <p> - “That's nothing. I guess she knows who I am.” - </p> - <p> - They stood near the girls, but fixed their eyes on the drill. After a - moment, Bruce glanced around at the little girl. She threw him a smile, - and he said, “Hello, Marne.” - </p> - <p> - “Her father's boss of the bridge gang on the Pere Marquette,” he confided - to Badeau, who was edging closer to the group. - </p> - <p> - “Wonder if they're going to do the upset drill,” Badeau said, in a loud - voice. - </p> - <p> - The girls giggled, and one said boldly, “Won't it be fun if they upset the - boat?” After this sign of favor they blushed, Then for several minutes - each party carried on a conversation intended for the ears of the other, - meanwhile drawing nearer. At length Considine found himself at Mamie's - side. Her elbow brushed against his. - </p> - <p> - “Who's your friend?” she asked. Considine stepped back, thus including - Badeau in the group. - </p> - <p> - “Hunch Badeau,” he said, “shake hands with Marne Banks.” - </p> - <p> - Mamie introduced them to the other girls, who were still giggling. Then - Badeau said to Mamie: - </p> - <p> - “Let's get over to the pier before the crowd gets all the good places.” - </p> - <p> - The party moved slowly toward the life-saving station, Considine walking - behind with the other three girls, and trying to show his freedom from - jealousy by jostling them playfully off the sidewalk. - </p> - <p> - It took Badeau and Mamie some time to get into a conversation. Then they - talked about Considine. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0005" id="linkimage-0005"> </a> - </p> - <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> - <img src="images/0022.jpg" alt="0022 " width="100%" /><br /> - </div> - <h5> - <a href="images/0022.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> - </h5> - <p> - “He's a fine fellow,” said Badeau. “Best man I ever had. Reg'lar as New - Years.” This was not entirely true, but it seemed a nice thing to say. He - saw that it pleased her, so he went on, with a wink, “You like him pretty - well, don't you?” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, I don't know's I do.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, I guess he likes you, anyhow.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, no, he don't.” - </p> - <p> - “How do you know he don't?” - </p> - <p> - “'Cause I don't care one way or t' other.” - </p> - <p> - “You don't, eh?” - </p> - <p> - “No, I don't.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, I guess there's lots of girls that does.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, I s'pose he's all right.” - </p> - <p> - After a silence Mamie glanced shyly up at him. - </p> - <p> - “Say, you're a friend of his, ain't you? You won't tell him what I say?” - </p> - <p> - “Should say not!” said Badeau, feeling in advance a little embarrassed. - Mamie poked at the sand with her parasol as they walked. - </p> - <p> - “Well—folks say he drinks.” - </p> - <p> - “Who says so?” - </p> - <p> - “Jess Bartlett's brother told Jess.” Badeau's eyes flashed. - </p> - <p> - “He's a dam' liar!” - </p> - <p> - “O—oh,” faltered Mamie. - </p> - <p> - There was a long silence. Then Badeau said, “Excuse me,” and looked out - over the water with a scared face. The girls who had played a part in his - life had not objected to profanity. When he had gathered enough courage to - look again at her, there was an expression on her face that puzzled him. - He did not know that he had pleased as well as startled her. Soon they - were at the pier and were talking more easily. To sit by her, and to watch - her bright eyes and her fresh coloring, pleased Hunch in a way that he did - not try to understand. He had such a good time that he forgot Bruce, who - was struggling to make conversation with the other girls. When at last he - went back to the schooner, he was thoughtful. She seemed too good for - Bruce. - </p> - <p> - In the afternoon Badeau took on a short cargo of hemlock cribbing, and - worked laboriously out of the sand-locked harbor and through the channel - between the long breakwaters. He could not afford a tug. - </p> - <p> - The next morning they lay at the wharf in Manitowoc. They ate their supper - in silence, the three of them about the table in the dirty cabin. When - they had finished, and Billy was cleaning up the dishes, Badeau lighted - his pipe and stretched out in his bunk. Considine was changing his - clothes. - </p> - <p> - “Where're you going?” - </p> - <p> - “There's a dance up at the hall.” - </p> - <p> - “You going?” - </p> - <p> - “Thought I might.” - </p> - <p> - “Say, Bruce, you got to quit drinking.” - </p> - <p> - “Who's drinking?” - </p> - <p> - “That's all right, you got to quit, right now. If you come back to-night - with a drop aboard, I'll knock it out of you.” - </p> - <p> - Considine hurried out nervously. - </p> - <p> - From ten till two that night Badeau sat on the rail and scanned the road - across the wharf. Billy was below asleep. It was a little after two when - three figures came down the street, arm in arm, singing a song that could - never be popular except in a lumber region. They stood on the wharf for a - long time, hugging one another and shaking hands. Then one stumbled toward - the schooner, calling out, “Goo' night! Goo' night!” He came slowly across - the wharf. He knew from past experience the probability of a plunge - overboard unless he aimed carefully at the schooner. - </p> - <p> - A dark figure sat on the rail. - </p> - <p> - “Goo' night,” said Considine. He skillfully lowered himself to the deck. - “Say, ol' man, ain' mad, are you? Don' be mad.” He tried to touch Badeau's - shoulder, but missed it. Hunch rose, gripped his arm, and jerked him clear - of the deck. Considine fell on his back and looked up vaguely. Then Hunch - hammered him until he showed signs of returning to his senses, and - finished him off with a bucket of water. At last, Considine, limp and - crushed, sat on the cabin roof and breathed remorse. - </p> - <p> - “That's all right,” said Hunch. “Told you I'd knock it out of you, and - I'll do it again, too. This is where you quit drinking. Understand?” And - he knocked him down the gangway, and sat out on the deck for a long time - alone. He was thinking, not of Bruce, but of the girl with the blue eyes, - who was startled when he swore. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER II—ON THE BEACH - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>T Manitowoc they - picked up a load of laths and shingles, consigned to Grand Haven, and from - there they went down to St. Joe, so that it was nearly a week before they - returned to Liddington. During this time Bruce slunk about, working hard - and drinking water. - </p> - <p> - On Saturday they lay ten miles off Liddington in a hazy calm. Billy, who - was usually overworked as a matter of course, stretched out forward and - went to sleep on the deck. Badeau sat on the rail by the wheel, grumbling—as - a man will who has no resources within himself to turn idle hours to - account. Bruce whittled a shingle. After a long time Badeau spoke. - </p> - <p> - “Look here, Bruce. What you going to do about that girl?” - </p> - <p> - “I dunno.” - </p> - <p> - “Don't be a fool. Do you want to marry her?” - </p> - <p> - “She wouldn't have me.” - </p> - <p> - “Say, look here. Why don't you ask her?” - </p> - <p> - “I've been thinking, Hunch—-” - </p> - <p> - “We're going to lie up to-morrow.” - </p> - <p> - “I can't do it soon as that.” - </p> - <p> - “'Course you can.” - </p> - <p> - Bruce hesitated, and snapped shavings with his thumb. - </p> - <p> - “Say, Hunch, you know more about girls 'n I do. Don't you s'pose you could - kind of—talk to her just a little—” - </p> - <p> - “No, I couldn't. You go round there to-morrow, understand.” - </p> - <p> - “I ain't going to do that, Hunch——” - </p> - <p> - “You tell me you ain't and I'll break your head!” Badeau stood over Bruce, - who was fumbling with his knife. “Who's captain of this schooner, me or - you? When I say, you got to do it, it ain't none of your business whether - you want to or not. Understand?” - </p> - <p> - Toward noon, on Sunday, they slid in between the breakwaters, and beat - across the harbor to the wharf. Badeau kept a close watch on Bruce, - confining him to the schooner all day. At dusk, dressed in his best, which - included a rhinestone stud, Bruce started out. Hunch had supervised every - detail of the toilet, and had forced on Bruce his own red tie, which he - preferred to Bruce's checked one. Now he walked sternly alongside. - </p> - <p> - Mamie lived in a cottage a short distance from the freight yard. A rod - from the gate Bruce rebelled, but Hunch gripped his arm, and marched him - up the steps. Then he left him and stood outside the fence. Bruce laid his - hand on the bell-knob, but before ringing looked wildly around and started - to tiptoe away. Hunch made a motion, and he turned back and rang. Then the - door opened and he disappeared within. Hunch sat on the horse-block. - </p> - <p> - Half an hour later the door opened. Hunch retreated across the street. - Bruce and Mamie came out and walked slowly, arm in arm, toward the lake. - Hunch stole after, keeping in the shadows. - </p> - <p> - They walked across the beach and sat on the sand. Hunch looked over the - ground, and, making sure that they could not get away without his - knowledge, he went back up the beach to the end of the sidewalk and paced - nervously up and down for an hour. Then he slipped behind the willows and - looked again. He saw first a single shadow on the sand, then two people - who were lost to all the material and earthly things of this life. They - sat in silence, her head pillowed on his shoulder, his arm a black stripe - across the back of her pink shirtwaist. Hunch walked swiftly back to the - schooner. - </p> - <p> - He was in his bunk, pretending to be asleep, when Bruce came stamping down - the steps into the cabin. He watched Bruce as he lighted the lamp. Bruce - was grinning. After puttering about the table, he came over to Hunch's - bunk and stood looking down at him. Then he laughed out loud and dug his - fingers into Hunch's ribs. - </p> - <p> - “Get out of here,” Hunch growled. - </p> - <p> - “Say, Hunch, wake up! It's all right. We're going to be married next - month.” - </p> - <p> - “Glad to hear it,” said Hunch, drowsily. Then he rolled over, feeling less - enthusiasm than he had expected. Bruce whistled while he was undressing, - and played catch with one of his shoes. Hunch could hear him chuckling - after he got to bed and the light was out. - </p> - <p> - After that, whenever they touched at a city, Bruce would hurry up to the - post-office, and would usually have on his return a perfumed letter, - addressed in a slanting hand. He carried these in his pocket and re-read - them frequently. His spare time was spent in writing replies with a - stubby, chewed pencil. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER III—THE CALL - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>EN days before the - wedding, they were lying at Manistee, waiting for a load of salt. Bruce - had been growing more restless and absent-minded. The fault grew - unchecked, because an instinctive fineness in Hunch held back the reproof - that would ordinarily have followed slipshod work. But about the time of - the Manistee trip, Bruce appeared in a new light. He was growing - self-confident and independent. The old meekness was giving place to a - certain animal pride. - </p> - <p> - The last night at Manistee, Bruce went uptown to buy a present for Mamie. - He met an old friend on the street and told him of his luck. This called - for congratulations, and in the confidence of his new strength Bruce - followed his friend through a swinging, green baize door. He returned at - eleven o'clock. Hunch was in the cabin, wrestling with his accounts. - </p> - <p> - Bruce came slowly down the steps and balanced carefully at the bottom. - </p> - <p> - “Hello, Hunch,” he said, slyly. - </p> - <p> - Badeau looked up. Bruce walked across the cabin and sat on his bunk, - holding his head erect and looking straight before him. - </p> - <p> - “Where you been?” - </p> - <p> - “See a fren'.” - </p> - <p> - Badeau looked at him. Bruce grew so nervous that he forgot his caution. - </p> - <p> - “What's matter? What you lookin' me like that for? You're fren' o' mine, - Hunch. Shake han's, ol' man. Shake——-” - </p> - <p> - Badeau struck him without a word. Bruce showed fight, and in a moment they - were rolling about the floor. Billy, up forward, heard the noise, and, - tiptoeing along the deck in his underclothes, peered down the open - gangway. He saw Bruce, his face red with drink and rage, break away from - Badeau and seize a knife from the rack on the bulkhead. Badeau sprang - forward. The table was jammed into the stove. Then the light went out. - There was a fall, then a silence. Billy groped cautiously down the - gangway. - </p> - <p> - “That you, Billy?” came in Badeau's voice. “Get a match. Guess I smashed - him pretty hard.” - </p> - <p> - As soon as he and Billy could get Bruce undressed and into his bunk, Hunch - ran for a doctor. Bruce finally went to sleep with a stitched-up scalp, a - purple eye, and a broken' rib. In the morning they got underway for - Liddington, Billy and Hunch doing all the work. Bruce was quiet during the - morning, but in the afternoon, and after they reached Liddington, he - started several times to blurt out an apology, which Hunch each time cut - short. At supper-time, Hunch propped him up with blankets. - </p> - <p> - “Say, Hunch, I s'pose you ain't got nothing to say to me.” - </p> - <p> - “Guess not.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, say, Hunch, I—got a date with her to-night; I ain't fit to - ever see her again, but—she'll wonder why I don't come. Say, you go - up there, Hunch. Come on. Tell her I'm sick.” - </p> - <p> - So Hunch went. And when he sat stiffly in the parlor (in Bruce's checked - tie, for fear that she might recognize the red one), he wished himself - miles away, or dead and buried, and he wondered what he could say. But - after a while Mamie came in, blushing. His tongue tripped over her name, - and they both laughed. - </p> - <p> - “S'pose you're s'prised to see me,” he said. - </p> - <p> - “Why—I don't know. I'm always glad to see you, Mr. Badeau.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch blushed. - </p> - <p> - “Say, Bruce's sick.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh—really?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes—oh, it's all right. Nothing very bad. He'll be around in a day - or two. But I guess he thought you'd feel bad if you didn't know why he - didn't show up.” - </p> - <p> - During the silence that followed Hunch winked at her knowingly, and she - blushed again. - </p> - <p> - “'Most ready for the wedding,” he said, intending to cover her confusion; - but for some reason she grew more distressed. “Let's see,” he went on, - talking rapidly, “it's coming pretty soon now, ain't it? Next Friday, eh? - Well, say, we've got to be at Milwaukee Thursday morning, but I told Bruce - we'd get back here Friday afternoon if it took the sticks clean out of the - old <i>Dean.</i> And we will, too. Sorry I've got to lose Bruce. He's - going in with your old man, ain't he?” - </p> - <p> - Already he was beginning to feel at ease. He liked to talk to this girl - who looked shyly at him, and who was pleased when he told her of Bruce. - This latter fact led him on until he found himself talking enormously - about Bruce's courage and resource and kindness of heart, telling her in - Bruce's name a large part of his own personal history. And at length, when - he paused for breath in a glow of falsehood, and saw the light dancing in - her eyes, and her eager smile, he felt a thousand times repaid. - </p> - <p> - It was after a very long stay that he rose to go. She followed him to the - door, and stood for the moment on the porch. - </p> - <p> - “Mr. Badeau,” she said, “Bruce has told me about you; how kind you've been - to him. And I've wanted, to thank you myself. You'll be our friend, won't - you, after-” she said it bravely-“after we're married. And you'll come and - see us real often.” - </p> - <p> - Then she suddenly reached up, far up on her tiptoes, and while he stood - looking down, she kissed him on the cheek and fled indoors. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER IV—HUNCH'S WEDDING - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>HURSDAY morning, a - day and a half before the hour set for the wedding, they lay at a wharf in - Milwaukee River, ready to sail. The sky was heavy and a roaring wind blew - from the lake. Half a dozen steamers and two schooners had made the harbor - since daybreak, and each had a story of hard struggling with wind and sea, - stories which spread rapidly along the river, causing more than one - outbound captain to shake his head, and resolve to wait a few hours or a - day longer. - </p> - <p> - Hunch had gone out to the life-saving station at the pier, and now at - eight o'clock he stood looking at the tumbling white rollers that came on - squarely be tween the piers and ran far up into the channel before they - were spent. On the horizon a row of schooners, barges, and freighters were - holding their noses against the sea, until it should be safe to run for - the harbor. A little nearer a big whaleback was tossing and rolling badly. - One of the crew men watched her through a glass. A few tugs hung about - inside the basin, looking for a stray job at advanced rates. - </p> - <p> - Hunch, after looking it all over, chartered a tug, then returned to the - schooner, where Bruce and Billy were waiting. He and Bruce had not been - talkative of late. - </p> - <p> - “Get everything tight, Bruce,” he said, jumping down upon the deck. “We're - going out in half an hour.” - </p> - <p> - “How about it, Hunch? Can we make it, think?” - </p> - <p> - Hunch did not trouble to reply, and Bruce, as he worked along the deck, - watched him nervously. - </p> - <p> - Before the tug appeared, Hunch went ashore and crossed the wharf to a - saloon at the corner. He returned with a jug, which he put in his bunk - where the bedding would protect it when the schooner got to pitching. He - sometimes drank whisky to steady his nerves when fighting a heavy sea. In - a few minutes the tug came alongside. - </p> - <p> - “Everything fast, Bruce?” - </p> - <p> - Brace grunted, and Billy lifted the lines off the snubbin' posts and - followed them aboard. - </p> - <p> - They went out in tow, on a long hawser and under bare poles. When they - were half a mile beyond the piers, wrenching and slapping through the - seas, and shipping a deck-load from every second wave, Bruce came groping - back to Hunch, who had the wheel. - </p> - <p> - “How much farther are they going to take us, Hunch?” He had to shout to - get his voice over the wind. “They'll be sticking us for a big bill.” - </p> - <p> - “None o' your business,” growled Hunch. - </p> - <p> - “I'd like to know why not. We're going back on my account.” - </p> - <p> - “Shut up! I'm paying for this tow. Go up forward where you belong. Send - Billy back.” - </p> - <p> - When Billy appeared, working along the rail and bracing his feet when a - wave came over, he said, “Bring up that jug in my bunk.” Billy brought it - up and lashed it to the rail within Hunch's reach. Hunch began to drink. - </p> - <p> - After a time he shouted to Bruce, who, with Billy's help, set to work on - the sails. Both were cold from the duckings, and Bruce was in addition too - excited to be of much use. Between them they bungled until Hunch lost his - patience and, yelling to Bruce to take the wheel, he ran up the heaving - deck and throwing his weight on the halyards, raised the foresail - single-handed. Billy timidly watched him, expecting that he would reef - heavily, but when he saw everything but the topsails go up flat, he looked - around at the tug which was holding them up in the wind, then at Hunch who - was making fast the mainsail peak; and then Billy, who was plucky enough - on occasion, swallowed a lump in his throat, and turning forward, crossed - himself hurriedly as he stood clinging to the weather-stays. - </p> - <p> - They cut loose from the tug and swung off a few points, the schooner - shivering and straining as she caught the wind, then heeling over with a - rush. Hunch went storming back to the wheel. Bruce was wiping his mouth on - his sleeve, bracing the wheel with one knee. The cork was out of the jug, - and a little whiskey slopped out at each lurch of the schooner. Hunch - stood for a moment without support, swaying, then sprang on Bruce and - threw him against the closed gangway, where he lay clutching at the cabin - roof. - </p> - <p> - “You—you—” Hunch was for once too angry to swear. “Get below - there!” he said finally, after he had steadied the schooner on her course. - “Get below, quick!” - </p> - <p> - Bruce without looking around fumbled with the companion slide, and ducking - down between two waves, pulled it shut after him. After he had - disappeared, and the schooner was running more easily on the long - northwest tack that was to take her to the Liddington harbor, Hunch slowly - got his bearings, and for a long time he stood pouring out a flood of - profanity. This outburst came too late for Bruce's ears, but not too late - to act as a safety-valve to Hunch's temper. Then he took a drink. - </p> - <p> - He stood at the wheel all day and all night. At noon and at dusk he sent - Billy below to get up a rough meal, which he ate with one hand, washing it - down with the whiskey. At about nine o'clock, he called Billy back, and - told him to turn in. And when the dawn broke, and the bleak sand hills of - Michigan stretched out on the horizon, he was still at the wheel, but his - eyes were dimmer and his knees were weaker. Hunch was drunk. He was quiet - for the time, and he handled the schooner as she had never been handled - before, but the fact remained. Bruce had not appeared at all. He was - curled up in his bunk, waiting for the end, when the madman at the wheel - should reach the sleepy stage. - </p> - <p> - Once or twice in the night, when the schooner was careering through some - especially hard blow, Bruce cried a little, like a girl, at the thought of - the wedding that might not be. He did not know that at this time it was - the thought of two blue eyes smiling at him, and of two lips pressed to - his cheek, that raised Hunch above the grasp of the whiskey. - </p> - <p> - The morning had gone before they were within reach of the Liddington - harbor. They passed the breakwaters three times at noon and after, each - time a mile nearer than before. The wind had swung around during the night - closer to the south. Hunch was beating in from the northeast, evidently - planning to get close enough to run in during a lull. The box of a - lighthouse on the south breakwater grew larger. After a time, Billy, who - was forward, could see three white figures on the other breakwater, waving - their arms. He knew that they were members of the life-saving crew, - warning them not to make the attempt. - </p> - <p> - Hunch took a look about the boat and up through the rigging. The schooner - was badly wrenched and strained, but was apparently good for another - effort. He looked over the long reach of breakers, sweeping up on a slant - from the south. He took a drink and called to Billy. - </p> - <p> - “Come back here! Tell <i>him</i> to come up on deck.” His manner was heavy - and surly. - </p> - <p> - Bruce came up with a white face and rings under his eyes. - </p> - <p> - “Sit down there,” growled Hunch, pointing to the low roof of the cabin. - “You too,” to Billy. - </p> - <p> - When they were seated facing him, holding on to each other and to the - gangway slide, Hunch said: “D' y' know where you're goin'? You're goin' to - my weddin'. Bruce, he gets er girl, I get's er weddin'-un'erstan'? Sit up - straight there—like er gen'leman. You think we're goin' to er - weddin'? Mebbe we ain't. Mebbe we're goin' to hell. Why don't you laugh? - This's our weddin' day.” His mood suddenly changed and he paid no - attention to them, giving all his energy to the handling of the schooner. - Then he motioned to Billy to go forward. For a long time there was - silence, excepting that Hunch occasionally muttered, “We'll get back. I - tol' her we'd get back.” Bruce sat terrified on the cabin, facing the - stem, not seeing where the schooner was going. After a while he could - stand it no longer. He looked over his shoulder. They were close to the - breakwaters now, and a little to the south. The three life-saving men were - running back along the breakwater, evidently in order to be ready at the - station if the schooner should miss the channel. Then he heard Hunch say, - “Turn round there!” Hunch had his revolver out and was pointing it at him - with a grin. Bruce sat still, for Hunch was careless when he was drunk. - Hunch kept it in his hand, and looked at Bruce from time to time with a - cunning expression. - </p> - <p> - The schooner came bounding up from the south, running nearly before the - wind. Hunch knew what to allow for wind, waves, and currents. Suddenly he - shouted to Billy and jammed the wheel over hard. With Billy at the sheets, - the bow came slowly about and headed direct for the lighthouse. Billy - quaked. But as she ploughed forward she fell off to the leeward under the - sweep of the waves, and slipped neatly between the breakwaters and into - the more quiet water of the channel. The lee rail scraped a little, but - nothing was started. - </p> - <p> - Bruce sat motionless on the cabin with a face like a sheet. But Hunch - waved his revolver jovially at the life-savers on the dock, and all the - while they were creeping up the channel he sang profane songs at the top - of his voice, pausing now and then for a drink. When they were fast to the - dock, he floundered ashore and stood laughing at Billy, who was still - clinging to the weather-stays. Bruce stepped up to him. - </p> - <p> - “Say, Hunch, don't you think you'd better quit drinking? The wedding's - tonight, you know.” - </p> - <p> - “What right you got talkin' to me 'bout——” - </p> - <p> - “You're coming to the wedding, Hunch, ain't you?” - </p> - <p> - “I ain't goin' to no wedding. Get out o' here! Go on now.” - </p> - <p> - Bruce walked steadily and rapidly up the deck, and disappeared around the - corner of a lumber-shed. - </p> - <p> - A few hours later Hunch came plunging out of a saloon, with two men who - were afraid to decline his treats. It was dark, but when a certain - carriage passed, he could see by the corner light that one of the - occupants wore a white veil. So he went back into the saloon, and amused - himself shooting patterns through the stove until he fell asleep over a - box of sawdust. Then it was, and not before, that the discreet constable - had him carted away to sober up at the county's expense. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER V—MAMIE'S DEVICE - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">C</span>ONSIDINE was - married in May. For four months Badeau heard of him and Mamie only in a - roundabout way. One day, toward the dose of September, the two men met on - the road. - </p> - <p> - “Hello, Hunch,” said Bruce, “how are you?” - </p> - <p> - “All right. How's yourself?” - </p> - <p> - “Fine. Why ain't you been round to see us. We're keeping house.” - </p> - <p> - “I dunno. Ain't had much time.” - </p> - <p> - “How're you getting along, anyhow, Hunch? How's the old Dean?” - </p> - <p> - “First-class.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, say, come up and see us. Come to-night. Mamie was asking about you - the other day.” - </p> - <p> - Badeau spent a long evening at Bruce's cottage, and had a good time. A - week later he went again. Through the autumn, as the weather grew heavy, - and lake trips became more uncertain, he took to spending the evening with - them as often as he could. Mamie was prettier than ever, with a new depth - in her eyes, and Bruce appeared very well as the head of a household. They - played cards a good deal, and talked about old times. After a while Hunch - found it easy to drop in and take supper with them. - </p> - <p> - One evening late in October, when he came in to supper, he missed the - usual cordiality. Mamie's eyes were red and Bruce's manner was strained. - He left early and Bruce walked out with him, saying that a little walk - would do him good. - </p> - <p> - “Say, Hunch,” he said, when they reached the sidewalk, “I don't know - whether you heard about it, but——” - </p> - <p> - “About what?” - </p> - <p> - “Well, it ain't any of my feelings, Hunch, but you can't help people - talking. You see, there's some folks that don't understand things, and - they're talking a little, you know, about your being around to the house - so much—r-” They walked on, both silent. - </p> - <p> - “Of course, Hunch, it ain't what I think, you see that.” - </p> - <p> - Again he waited for a reply. - </p> - <p> - “I'll tell you, Hunch, Maine and I've been talking it over. She's a good - friend of yours, and she says if you stop coming, just because people - talk, she'll never forgive you. She's right, too. And we was thinking, - mebbe we'd have one of the girls around. Say, ain't there nobody you like - pretty well, Hunch? There's Jess Bartlett, now. She's an awful nice girl. - And she's stuck on you, Hunch. She's Jim Bartlett's sister, you know. He's - on the life-saving crew. Marne's been talking with her, and she says - she'll come around with you tomorrow night, if you'll go get her. Will - you?” - </p> - <p> - Hunch wanted to say no, but he looked around at Bruce, and some of his - anger left him when he saw how eager and friendly was Bruce's face. So he - replied: “Guess so.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch spent a sleepless night, and arose with the determination never to - go to Bruce's again. He continued to decide the question all day from - different points of view. In the evening, however, a little earlier than - he was expected, he called at Jess Bartlett's house. - </p> - <p> - Jess Bartlett was an attractive girl, full of health and spirits. She - admired Hunch's bigness and strength, and made such an effort to be - agreeable that before they had finished the long walk to Bruce's house, - they felt pretty well acquainted. The evening that followed was different - from those that Hunch had been spending at Bruce's. There was more gaiety - and brightness. Jess knew that she was in a sense on parade, and, as Mamie - confided to Hunch, she “kept things stirred up.” They played some games - that Jess explained to them, and then Mamie made molasses candy, and an - impromptu candy-pull took place in the kitchen. Once Jess slipped Hunch's - scarfpin from his tie, and Bruce and Mamie laughed knowingly at Hunch's - clumsy efforts to take it away from her. Finally she fled into the corner - and held the pin behind her with both hands. He hesitated before her and - Bruce called, “Oh, Hunch, you're slow,” whereupon Mamie blushed and - laughed, and Jess blushed and tossed her head. So Hunch put both arms - around her, but she struggled for some time before he got the pin away - from her. Then she dropped into a chair, flushed and excited, her hair—a - rich auburn—tumbling about her face; and Mamie whispered to Hunch, - “Ain't she pretty, though?” - </p> - <p> - The night was dark, and on the way home Jess slipped her hand through his - arm. Now, that they were away from the others, Hunch was embarrassed. - </p> - <p> - “I never knew you were like this,” she said. - </p> - <p> - “How do you mean?” - </p> - <p> - “Why, I don't know. I've always heard that you didn't like girls; that you - were—you know—kind of horrid.” - </p> - <p> - “I haven't liked very many girls.” - </p> - <p> - “I'll tell you something, if you won't tell. You won't think it's funny, - will you?” - </p> - <p> - “Sure not.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, I used to be afraid of you.” - </p> - <p> - “Ain't you now?” - </p> - <p> - “No—that is, not very much.” - </p> - <p> - “What makes you afraid of me?” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, I don't know.” She danced a few steps before him on the walk. “Come - on, don't be so pokey. Can you dance?” - </p> - <p> - “No, not very much.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, you've got to learn to dance, or I won't like you a bit. I'll tell - you, I'll teach you, some of the nights when we don't go over to Marne's. - That'll be fun—don't you think?” - </p> - <p> - Hunch nodded, and caught her arm as she whirled by him, and they walked - home soberly, talking about Bruce and Mamie and how happy they seemed to - be. At the door Hunch said “goodnight,” and started away. She stood on the - steps. - </p> - <p> - “Say,” she called softly, as he opened the gate, “you've got the key.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch came back, a little confused, and took her key from his pocket. He - tried to unlock the door, and they both laughed when he got the key stuck - in the lock. - </p> - <p> - “You're awful clumsy,” she said, and in trying to help him her hand rested - for a moment on his. - </p> - <p> - “My, your hands are cold,” she said. - </p> - <p> - He took hold of her hand and replied, “Mine ain't so cold as yours.” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, it is.” She drew hers away slowly, and opened the door. They both - laughed. Jess leaned back against the door. - </p> - <p> - “Say,” she said, “when are you coming around again?” - </p> - <p> - “I dunno. When do you think?” - </p> - <p> - “Marne asked me if you were coming there to-morrow night.” - </p> - <p> - “What'd you tell her?” - </p> - <p> - “Do you want to?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, if you do.” - </p> - <p> - “All right, I'll be ready.” - </p> - <p> - In a week it was generally known that Hunch Badeau was “going with Jess - Bartlett.” Bruce and Mamie poked fun at them, and looked mischievous - whenever they were mentioned. Mamie used to enjoy having them at the - house, and would sit at one side and laugh quietly all the evening at - Hunch's awkward ways and Jess's blushes and shy glances. Sometimes, if - they were left together in the living room, Bruce would make a great noise - outside the door before he came in, and would pretend not to see their - conscious glances, talking loudly all the while as if to cover their - embarrassment. And as Jess really liked Hunch and Hunch was drifting - blindly with the current, all these doings magnified their common - interest, and gradually made it easier for them to be alone together, and - to talk about themselves and their likings and hopes. Hunch grew more - careful about his appearance, and spent less time than formerly with the - wharf men and the elevator gang. - </p> - <p> - One evening, about the middle of November, Hunch went around to the - Bartlett's as usual. Jess was a little embarrassed about something. When - Hunch said, “Shall we go down to Bruce's?” she hesitated. - </p> - <p> - “Guess we hadn't better,” she said. “Marne isn't very well.” - </p> - <p> - “All right. What'll we do?” - </p> - <p> - “I don't care. Do you want to stay here? There's nobody home to-night. - I'll tell you, you can have a dancing lesson.” - </p> - <p> - “Guess I won't be much good at it. I don't believe I can learn.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, yes, you can. You'll do beautifully. Now stand up.” - </p> - <p> - “Hunch felt awkward as she showed him the steps, and then tried to guide - him about the room. - </p> - <p> - “I'm an awful fool,” he said. - </p> - <p> - “You ain't either. Here, you guide me.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch hesitated and looked at her. “Take hold of my hand. Put your arm - around—oh, pshaw! it's just dancing; don't be so stupid. Not way off - there. Hold me closer or we can't dance at all. Oh, you don't understand.” - Hunch gripped her doggedly. She was leaning a little, trying to watch his - feet, and as they stood there, her hair brushing against her shoulder and - a slight blush on her forehead, he felt that he was losing his - self-control. Then he found that he did not care, and he made no effort to - hold himself in check. - </p> - <p> - “Now, one, two, three—one, two, three. Not that way. Try it again. - One, two, three—you don't get it, somehow.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch was standing still, holding her firmly. She was so small in his - grasp, he felt so strong and he could so easily lift her from the floor - with his one arm that he was almost tempted to try it. She was looking - down, and he could see the tip of an ear and a flushed cheek below the - tangle of hair. Then for a moment she went on rapidly with her - instructions, but her voice faltered, and stopped. They stood for a time - without moving, then Hunch drew her a little closer and grasped her hand - more firmly. She frowned and looked up, but she could not hide the color - on her face, and the smiling strength in Hunch's eyes overbore the - half-hearted disapproval in hers. - </p> - <p> - Hunch, with his other arm, drew her head against his shoulder. He was - happy in a way that he had never before understood, for she trusted him, - and he was strong and would protect her. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER VI—BRUCE CELEBRATES - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">M</span>AMIE was sick. - Hunch did not go to the house, but one night after supper, while he was - changing his clothes to go to the Bartlett's, Bruce came in. - </p> - <p> - “Hello, Bruce. Sit down.” - </p> - <p> - “Can't stop but a minute. Where're you going?” - </p> - <p> - “Up to see Jess.” - </p> - <p> - “I ain't seen you to shake on that, have I, Hunch. Marne told me. She says - Jess's tickled to death. When're you going to be married?” - </p> - <p> - “Dunno exactly. Guess not before spring.” - </p> - <p> - “Did you hear about Marne, Hunch?” - </p> - <p> - “Sick, you mean?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, I s'posed you knew what was the matter. Thought mebbe Jess told you—but - she couldn't though, could she? I'm awful worried. It's too soon, you - know. You see that's what I come to see you about. I've been shaving it - pretty close. Had to be up nights and it kind of knocked my work. And the - doctor's sticking me like everything. I didn't know but—well, I'll - tell you, Hunch, can you let me have fifty for a couple of weeks? I don't - get my salary till the end of the month, and I've got to settle some - things right away.” - </p> - <p> - “Sure,” said Hunch. “I've got a little put by.” - </p> - <p> - “I'm awful sorry, Hunch, but you see how it is——” - </p> - <p> - “That's all right, Bruce. Any time 'll do.” - </p> - <p> - “I'll give you my note. That's about all I can do.” - </p> - <p> - “Not much you won't. You just take it, and pay when you can, and don't you - say nothing about it.” - </p> - <p> - For a few days there was gloom at Bruce's cottage. Once Hunch went around - and was met at the door by Bruce, who looked worn. Hunch did not know how - to ask about Mamie, but Bruce came out and drew the door to behind him. - </p> - <p> - “She's pretty bad, Hunch. I don't know what I'll do if anything happens. - The doctor says we'll know one way or the other in a day or so.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch gripped his hand and went away. - </p> - <p> - That evening, when Hunch went around to see Jess, he was depressed. The - thought of Mamie's suffering stood in his way whenever he tried to respond - to Jess's sallies. As the evening went on, Hunch's mood grew worse. Jess - went into a sulk later; when he dropped a careless remark that hurt her - pride, she grew angry. - </p> - <p> - “What's the matter, Jess?” Hunch said at last. - </p> - <p> - “I guess you know.” - </p> - <p> - “I don't believe you want me here.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, you can go if you want to.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch looked at her, vaguely conscious that he had been unkind; but he - went away without kissing her good-night. - </p> - <p> - One morning, a day or two later, he was dressing, when Bruce came in, with - disordered hair and excited eyes. - </p> - <p> - “It's all right, Hunch; it's all right! Doctor says it's wonderful how she - come through it.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch sat on the bed without speaking, but with an almost painful - expression of relief on his face. - </p> - <p> - “It's a girl,” said Bruce, and he laughed. “Come on over, Hunch. It's a - fine little kid. Come along with me.” - </p> - <p> - “No,” said Hunch, slowly. “I don't believe I can just now.” - </p> - <p> - “What's the matter? Why can't you come?” - </p> - <p> - “I've got a lot of work to do to-day.” - </p> - <p> - “Don't talk to me about working. You're my best friend and I want you to - come first.” - </p> - <p> - “No, I can't, Bruce.” - </p> - <p> - “You make me tired, Hunch. You might as well be decent about it.” - </p> - <p> - “There ain't no use of getting mad, Bruce. I'll get around before long.” - </p> - <p> - “That's what I call——” - </p> - <p> - “No, you don't, now, Bruce. You'd better go on back. I guess they need you - anyhow.” - </p> - <p> - Bruce muttered as he went out. He did not know why Hunch refused to go, - and Hunch was not sure that he knew himself. - </p> - <p> - All day Hunch alternated between a nervous buoyancy and a sense of - depression. After supper he went to Bartlett's. Jess was watching at the - window, and she hurried to open the door. He was wondering what to say, to - show her that he was sorry for his unkindness, when she closed the door - and flung her arms around his neck, and for a long time she cried on his - shoulder. This was the end of their quarrel. - </p> - <p> - Finally, when they were in the parlor, Jess said, with lowered eyes: “Have - you been down to Marne's, John?” - </p> - <p> - “No.” Hunch was embarrassed. - </p> - <p> - “I—I went over this afternoon.” - </p> - <p> - After a silence she went on. “Seems awful funny, don't it?” - </p> - <p> - Hunch nodded. - </p> - <p> - “She wants us to come down tonight. I didn't know whether you'd want to.” - </p> - <p> - “Sure.” - </p> - <p> - “She's awful proud about it. I—I can't get over thinking about it—about - her and him. It's awfully little.” - </p> - <p> - They walked to Bruce's and sat for an hour in the living room. Mamie was - too sick to see them, but Bruce opened the door into her room so that she - could hear their voices. Bruce was bubbling over with happiness. When he - finally brought out the baby, a sickly little thing, he was laughing out - loud. Jess took it in her arms. - </p> - <p> - “My, ain't it light,” she said. - </p> - <p> - “Six pounds,” said Bruce. - </p> - <p> - “What's her name going to be?” - </p> - <p> - “Dunno yet. Marne wants to name it after her mother.” - </p> - <p> - “John,” said Jess, “take her just a minute. She's such a funny little - thing.” Hunch moved away and shook his head. This made Bruce and Jess - laugh. For the rest of the evening Hunch was thoughtful. His manner - subdued Jess, and they walked home with little to say. - </p> - <p> - The following night, as Hunch was coming away from Bartlett's, he met - Jess's brother on the street. - </p> - <p> - “Hello, Hunch,” said Jim. “Say, if you want to see a circus, you ought to - go down to Herve's place.” - </p> - <p> - “Why, what's up?” - </p> - <p> - “Bruce Considine's celebrating.” - </p> - <p> - “What—drinking?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, he's got a peach of a jag already.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch hurried down to the saloon. Bruce was sitting on one of the tables, - treating the crowd. - </p> - <p> - “Hello, Hunch,” he said, waving his glass. “Have somethin' on me, ol' man. - All my fren's got to have somethin' on me to-night. I'm a father, Hunch.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch took his arm and jerked him to his feet. Bruce leaned against Hunch, - and a man laughed. - </p> - <p> - “Shut up, there!” said Hunch. Then he led Bruce away and took him to his - own room. He needed to think. It was not such a simple matter as in the - other days, when Bruce was one of his crew. He sat by the bed until the - night was half gone. Bruce had gone to sleep. Hunch had been angry, but - after awhile he began to think of Mamie and the baby, and his expression - softened a little. Mamie was not in condition to bear a shock. The only - thing to do was to sober Bruce and get him home, so he took off his coat - and hammered him until he showed signs of consciousness. Finally he got - him aroused, and then ducked his head in the washbowl, and scrubbed his - face with soap and water. - </p> - <p> - It was two o'clock in the morning before Bruce was fit to go home. Then he - sat on the bed and looked helplessly at Hunch. - </p> - <p> - “What'll I do, Hunch? I can't go home now.” - </p> - <p> - “You shut up and go along. Don't do any more talking about it.” - </p> - <p> - “I can't, Hunch. Think of it! There ain't a thing I can tell Marne. I went - uptown to get some medicine and said I'd come right back.” - </p> - <p> - “You'll go back all the same, if I have to take you myself.” - </p> - <p> - “What can I tell her?” - </p> - <p> - Hunch walked up and down the floor. - </p> - <p> - “That's your business, Bruce. It ain't mine.” - </p> - <p> - “Don't throw me up now, Hunch. Oh—everything's going to smash. - What'll - </p> - <p> - “What do you want to do, lie to her?” - </p> - <p> - “It ain't that, Hunch; it ain't lying. I do! I can't tell her how it was. - It would kill her.” - </p> - <p> - “All right, if you want to lie to her, you tell her I was drunk and you - brought me home. Now get out—go home, go somewhere, but get out of - here.” - </p> - <p> - “I—I-don't you see, Hunch——” - </p> - <p> - “Go on now!” - </p> - <p> - Bruce went out talking to himself. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER VII—A LIGHT GOES OUT - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">M</span>AMIE grew slowly - better, but the baby was kept alive only by constant attention. Hunch did - not go to the house at all. Jess suggested it once or twice, but it made - Hunch look so black that she began to avoid the subject. For the rest of - the time Hunch was in better spirits than usual. After the night with - Bruce, he had made up his mind to drop Bruce and his family from his mind. - He had no right to interfere in Bruce's domestic matters. The decision - brought relief, and Jess and he were happier than at any time since the - beginning of their engagement. They spent their evenings going to - entertainments, or sitting in the parlor, talking, with the lamp turned - low. - </p> - <p> - One night Hunch came in a little earlier than usual, without knocking, and - found Jess bending over a paper with some sort of colored illustrations. - She slipped it into a drawer as he entered the room. - </p> - <p> - “What you reading?” he asked. - </p> - <p> - “Oh, nothing.” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, you was. I saw it.” He laughed and started to open the drawer, but - she stood against it. - </p> - <p> - “Please don't look.” - </p> - <p> - “Don't you tell me all your secrets?” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, well, look if you want to.” - </p> - <p> - “I don't, unless you want me to, Jess.” - </p> - <p> - She opened the drawer and drew out the paper. It was illustrated with - plans. “What's the matter with this?” he asked. “What you afraid of?” - </p> - <p> - “Nothing. Sometimes I think it's kind of fun to pick out the houses I'd - like—just for fun, you know.” - </p> - <p> - “Which one do you like?” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, I don't know. I was just thinking that maybe some day we'd———” - </p> - <p> - She stopped and turned away. Hunch thought she was joking, and he took her - shoulders and gently turned her around. She was crying. - </p> - <p> - “Why—what's the matter, Jess?” - </p> - <p> - She buried her face on his coat. Hunch could not follow her sudden - changes. Now he looked down at her hair, puzzled, waiting for her to - explain. Finally he said, “You've got to tell me what's the matter, Jess.” - </p> - <p> - “I was only thinking—one of the girls said—said you didn't - love me, John, she said—-” Hunch tried to break in, but she went on, - “you weren't going to—that we'd never get married. And you—you - never said anything about getting married, John.” Hunch looked over her - head at the wall. He could not tell her that he had not allowed himself to - think about it, that he had been drifting steadily farther from the - thought of it. “And I thought maybe you'd speak about it, and we'd talk - about a house—and I wanted that—that one on the front page - with the shingles on the front. It's a beautiful house, John.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch stood silent for a long time. - </p> - <p> - “Why don't you say something? Oh, John, it isn't true, is it? You do love - me, John?” - </p> - <p> - “No,” said Hunch, “it ain't true. We'll be married just as soon as you're - ready, Jess.” - </p> - <p> - She did not look up for a long time. When she did, her eyes were still - wet. - </p> - <p> - “Don't you think it would be kind of fun, John, to talk about the house?” - </p> - <p> - They went over the plans, sitting on the sofa by the front window, and - talked out every detail. Hunch agreed with nearly all of Jess's - suggestions, even to the grate in the front room, an expensive feature. - </p> - <p> - When they were out in the entry, and Hunch was putting on his ulster, Jess - stood before him with her back against the door. - </p> - <p> - “Say, do you want me to tell you something?” - </p> - <p> - “Course.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, I—don't you laugh, John, it ain't funny. It's mean. It's what - somebody said. She said if a man really loves a girl, he gives her - something so folks 'll know—like a ring or something.” She laughed - nervously. “And I just told her that I wasn't engaged on her account, and - if she thought I ought to wear a ring she needn't look at me, that's all. - She was awful mad.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch was silent. - </p> - <p> - “Now, don't you be cross. I don't want a ring, John, anyway, until—well, - until we're married. It don't mean anything when two people love each - other like you and me do. Good-night, you old boy. Now, don't go and be - cross. And don't forget we're going to the dance to-morrow night.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch laughed a little and kissed her. Then he walked slowly down the - street. - </p> - <p> - At noon on the following day, He went into the jewelry store near the - post-office and looked at rings. There was one large ring with two - diamonds set in a snake's head. - </p> - <p> - “How much is it?” Hunch asked. - </p> - <p> - “Ninety dollars. Best ring we've got. There ain't another like it this - side of Grand Rapids.” - </p> - <p> - “That's the one I want then,” said Hunch. “Will you put it by for me?” - </p> - <p> - “Take it right along, Mr. Badeau. There's no hurry about the money.” - </p> - <p> - “No,” said Hunch, “I won't take it until I can pay for it.” - </p> - <p> - “All right, Mr. Badeau, we'll set it aside for you.” - </p> - <p> - By a second loan Hunch had let Bruce have nearly all his ready money, so - that he lacked a large part of the ninety dollars, but he was determined - to have the ring within a week or two. He was walking slowly down the - street when he met Jim Bartlett. - </p> - <p> - “Hello, Hunch.” - </p> - <p> - “Hello, Jim.” - </p> - <p> - “Say, come into Herve's a minute. I want to see you.” - </p> - <p> - When they were seated at one of the round tables, Jim said, “I s'pose it - ain't none of my business, Hunch; but when you've known a fellow all your - life, you can't help being kind of interested. I knew you was sort of - looking after Bruce Considine once in awhile. I know he used to work for - you, and it seemed to me lately that he's getting a little off the track.” - </p> - <p> - “What's the matter? What's Bruce done?” - </p> - <p> - “Well, I hear about it from two or three places. You know Billy Riggs's - folks live next door to Bruce, and this morning Billy came up to the - lookout while I was on the watch, and told me a little about it. Billy's - always known Marne Banks, you know. I think he used to be kind of stuck on - her.” - </p> - <p> - “What about it?” - </p> - <p> - “Billy says Bruce is drinking right along not jagged, you know, but kind - of ugly. And he says, his little sister says, she saw him hit Marne last - night-'t weren't none of her business, of course. She heard 'em talking - and was looking through the window. Going on down the street?” - </p> - <p> - “No,” said Hunch, after a silence, “I'll sit here awhile.” - </p> - <p> - “All right. So long, Hunch.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch did not work at all that afternoon. He went to the wharf and watched - the men at work on the foundation of the new grain elevator. Once he - started back uptown, thinking that he might find Bruce at Herve's saloon. - He got as far as the planing mill, and stopped, wondering what he could - say to Bruce if he should meet him. Then he went back to the wharf. After - supper he walked rapidly out to the eastern limits of the town, where the - pavement ends and the yellow sand begins. He had forgotten about Jess and - the dance. He went back to Herve's and looked in at the door. Bruce was - sitting at one of the rear tables playing poker with some of the elevator - men. Hunch stepped back and stood outside on the corner. For the first - time since he had known Bruce he felt like leaving him to go to the bad. - He wanted to do something himself that would make Mamie's life easier. - </p> - <p> - He suddenly turned and walked out to Bruce's house. He was excited when he - knocked on the door. He heard some one say, “Come in;” then he was inside - the door with his hat in his hands. Mamie was sitting by the cradle - rocking it with her foot. - </p> - <p> - “How d'ye do, Mis' Considine. Is Bruce home?” - </p> - <p> - “No, he's gone to the doctor's. Won't you sit down?” - </p> - <p> - “Thanks, I dunno. Bruce, he ain't been very well lately, has he?” - </p> - <p> - “Why, yes.” - </p> - <p> - “I heard he wasn't. I been kind of worried about him. Say, it ain't none - of my business, but he was my man for a good while, and if he ain't doing - the right thing by you, why, I want to know it, and I'll learn him he - can't cut no monkey shines——” - </p> - <p> - Mamie had stopped rocking and was looking at him. - </p> - <p> - “Mebbe I ain't got much to say about him now—I dunno's I have - anything to say, but—there's some things a man can't do, and——” - </p> - <p> - “What do you mean?” - </p> - <p> - “I dunno just what I mean—I know Bruce, and I've heard that he ain't - doing the square thing.” - </p> - <p> - “I don't understand.” - </p> - <p> - “I hear he's hit you, and I just wanted you to know I ain't been your - friend and his friend for nothing——” Hunch was talking fast - and wildly, “and he's got to answer to me if he's doing anything like - that.” - </p> - <p> - Mamie was on her feet now. Her eyes were flashing. - </p> - <p> - “Is this the way you talk about your friends? And a man who's been as kind - to you as Bruce has?” - </p> - <p> - “Bruce——?” - </p> - <p> - “Why don't you come when he's here? Why don't you wait and talk to him?” - </p> - <p> - Hunch sat still, looking at her. He had nothing to say. - </p> - <p> - “Why don't you go away? What makes you talk like this? Don't you - understand that he's my husband?” - </p> - <p> - Hunch moved toward the door. - </p> - <p> - “Yes,” he said, “he's your husband.” The meaning of that word seemed to be - coming slowly into his mind. - </p> - <p> - “I'll tell you,” he said, with one hand on the door-knob, “I guess I made - a mistake. I——” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, you have made a mistake.” She followed him toward the door. “Bruce - has never said anything mean about you. But I know where he was the other - night when he took care of you. And he wouldn't have told me if I hadn't - almost made him. And now you——” - </p> - <p> - They stood at the door looking into each other's eyes—hers flashing, - his stupid. A choking sound came from the cradle. Mamie stepped softly - across the room and set the cradle rocking gently. Then she bent over it, - patting the little blanket and whispering. Hunch stood watching her. She - pressed her cheek to the face on the pillow, then suddenly stood up. Her - face grew white. She looked at Hunch, and he tiptoed across the room and - bent over the cradle. The baby's face was white. He touched the face with - his finger. It was cold. - </p> - <p> - Mamie sank into a chair. She was still looking at him. He said awkwardly, - “I'll get Bruce.” - </p> - <p> - His hat had dropped to the floor and he picked it up and tiptoed back to - the door. He opened it and turned. Mamie had thrown herself across the - cradle, and he went out without speaking. - </p> - <p> - He found Bruce in Herve's saloon and sent him home. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER VIII—SETTING A DAY - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">H</span>UNCH took charge - of the funeral. After it was over, and while the man was closing the - casket, he stepped to the front porch for a breath of air. Jess Bartlett - had lingered after the service, and now stood alone on the steps. Hunch - hesitated in the doorway. He had not thought of Jess during the last few - days, and now he did not know what to say. But she was determined that he - should speak first, so after an embarrassing silence he said, “Hello, - Jess.” - </p> - <p> - She turned away. - </p> - <p> - “Ain't you going to speak to me, Jess.” - </p> - <p> - “I don't see as I ought to speak to you.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch looked at her helplessly, and when, after a minute, she turned and - saw his expression, she partly relented. - </p> - <p> - “When are you coming to see me again?” - </p> - <p> - “You know why I ain't been 'round, Jess.” - </p> - <p> - “I waited for you the other night. You said you were coming.” - </p> - <p> - “I know it, Jess. I'm sorry. Can't I come to-night?” - </p> - <p> - “I s'pose you can if you want to.” - </p> - <p> - They could not say any more, for it was time to start the carriages. But - early in the evening Hunch went to her house, and they walked to the lake? - They found it hard to talk. Hunch finally blurted out, “I'm going to get - the ring next week. It's a pretty one, I think.” - </p> - <p> - He felt her arm tremble, but she said nothing. - </p> - <p> - “I guess you're mad at me, ain't you?” - </p> - <p> - “No, I ain't mad.” - </p> - <p> - “Why don't you say something, Jess?” - </p> - <p> - She came closer to him as they walked. - </p> - <p> - “John, I wish—I wish we could get married. Somehow I don't feel as - if you belonged to me. I know it's silly, but I can't help it.” - </p> - <p> - “How soon can you get ready?” - </p> - <p> - “I—I wasn't thinking of it just that way—I——” - </p> - <p> - “Is next month too soon?” - </p> - <p> - She looked up at him and laughed softly. Their eyes met and they - understood each other better. They walked down the beach and looked out - over the flat lake. - </p> - <p> - “I'm afraid we'll have to live kind of simple for a while,” Hunch said. “I - ain't very rich, you know.” - </p> - <p> - “Do you think I care about that, John? Don't you know I love you because - you're so strong and good, and you can do so much. Everybody knows you're - going to be rich some day. Jim, he says there ain't another man in town - that's got as much sand as you have, John.” - </p> - <p> - So they talked all through the long evening, telling each other their - thoughts and plans and hopes; and her trust in him gave Hunch a sense of - strength and responsibility. When he left her, very late, at the front - steps, he had thought of a plan which he kept for the time to himself. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER IX—THE STORM - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>N the morning, - directly after breakfast, Hunch went to see the foreman of the elevator - gang. “Where're you getting your timber, Murphy?” he asked. - </p> - <p> - “Getting most of it up at Manistee.” - </p> - <p> - “Got it in yet?” - </p> - <p> - “More'n half of it. The rest of it's a late order.” - </p> - <p> - “How much is there to come?” - </p> - <p> - “About fifty thousand.” - </p> - <p> - “How's it delivered?” - </p> - <p> - “F. O. B. on the dock here. Why, you looking for a job?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, wouldn't mind. I could get it down here cheaper'n the railroad, and - pretty near as quick.” - </p> - <p> - “Navigation's closed, though. I don't know as the Manistee folks 'd want - to risk it.” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, but look at that.” Hunch motioned toward the lake, which lay blue - and sparkling beyond the Buttersville sandspit. “Quiet as August and it's - a short run. There ain't hardly any ice either.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, you might talk to 'em up at Manistee, Hunch. Of course, they can - deliver anyhow they like, but I can't run chances of delay.” - </p> - <p> - So Hunch went over to the telegraph office in the railroad station, and - after a great deal of writing and rewriting made up the following message: - </p> - <p> - <i>To Wm. F. Jackson, Esq.,</i> - </p> - <p> - <i>Pres't Manistee Timber Co.:</i> - </p> - <p> - <i>Will deliver the Liddington elevator bill of fifty thousand feet by - Lake, One Hundred Dollars. If terms satisfactory, wire reply, so I can - deliver while weather holds fair.</i> - </p> - <p> - <i>J. Badeau.</i> - </p> - <p> - When this message reached Jackson, he was sitting at his desk, with the - railroad rate figured out on a sheet of paper before him. He promptly laid - the two offers side by side and looked from one to the other. There was no - doubt that the lake route would be cheaper. But, on the other hand, it was - now after the first of December, and navigation was nominally closed on - the great lakes. Insurance he could get, if at all, only at a prohibitive - rate. - </p> - <p> - It was a question of judgment, and before deciding it, Mr. Jackson got up - and walked over to the window. The busy little city of Manistee shut off - his view of Lake Michigan, but he knew it was flat as a mirror. Not many - hours earlier he had stood by another window, in his big house on the - bluff, and as he shaved he had looked out over miles and miles of blue - water, as calm as in June. It was warm enough for mid-autumn; the - barometer promised continued dear weather. Altogether, Badeau's offer had - decidedly the best of it. So he sent a message to “J. Badeau, Liddington,” - asking him to bring up his schooner at once. - </p> - <p> - Hunch, on receiving the message, went up to Herve's saloon, and while - standing at the bar, let his eyes rove about the room until they settled - on a lank, middle-aged man in the corner. - </p> - <p> - “Hello, Herm Peabody.” - </p> - <p> - “Hello, Hunch.” - </p> - <p> - “What you doing in these parts?” - </p> - <p> - “Come up to see my niece—Joe Cartier's wife.” - </p> - <p> - “Busy nowadays?” - </p> - <p> - “No, ain't picked up anything for the winter yet.” - </p> - <p> - “What would you think of taking a trip with me?” - </p> - <p> - “The Dean?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes.” - </p> - <p> - “A little late for schooners, ain't it?” - </p> - <p> - “Not in this weather, no. It's only a little trip-up to Manistee.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, this ain't been a very flush season, Hunch, and I s'pose I ought to - take it.” - </p> - <p> - “Can you come right along? I'd like to overhaul her a little and run up - there this afternoon. If they're reasonable quick about loading, we can - get right back.” - </p> - <p> - A few hours later Hunch ran her out between the piers, with Peabody up - forward, and pointed north-east-by-north to clear Big Point Sable. The - breeze was light, and it was not until six o'clock that evening that the - <i>Dean</i> ran into the harbor at Manistee. Hunch promptly looked up the - lumberman. - </p> - <p> - “How are you, Badeau. You came right up.” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, I did.” - </p> - <p> - “We'll put that timber aboard the first thing in the morning.” - </p> - <p> - “You can't do it to-night, then?” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, hardly.” Mr. Jackson glanced out at the starlit sky. “You don't think - there's any doubt about the weather, do you?” - </p> - <p> - “Maybe not. But if I could get it aboard now, I'd start right back. We - know we're all right to-night.” - </p> - <p> - The lumberman's supper awaited him; his men had scattered to their homes. - He glanced again at the sky, then said, “The morning 'll do, I guess.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, it's just this way, Mr. Jackson. I made you the offer to take this - load down, but I don't feel like running any more risk than I have to.” - </p> - <p> - “If you see anything to worry you in that sky, Badeau, you can just let us - run the risk.” - </p> - <p> - The thermometer dropped twenty-five degrees during the night. A film of - ice formed in the harbor. The wind swung around to the northeast, and - brought a bank of innocent looking clouds that spread slowly over the sky. - Out on the lake front the shore ice grew higher and whiter as the waves - beat tirelessly over it, and formed blocks and cones and miniature - mountain ranges. - </p> - <p> - When Jackson met Hunch on the wharf, he seemed to have forgotten what he - had said the evening before. “Well, Badeau, what do you make of it?” - </p> - <p> - “Of what?” - </p> - <p> - “The weather. Think you can make it?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, I think so.” - </p> - <p> - “You ought to have gone out last night.” - </p> - <p> - To this Hunch made no reply; he kept one eye on the work of the timber - shovers. - </p> - <p> - “Still,” added Jackson, “you can run down in two or three hours with this - wind.” - </p> - <p> - A little later Hunch joined Peabody by the wheel. “Do you know of a good - man here, Herm?” - </p> - <p> - “For the schooner, you mean?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes.” - </p> - <p> - “Why—I'll see if I can pick up Duke Buckingham.” - </p> - <p> - “Go ahead. Tell him we're short-handed.” - </p> - <p> - When the <i>Dean</i> finally fell away from the wharf, in tow of Jackson's - tug, it was well on toward noon. And none of the three men on board was - over-cheerful when he looked out at the lake and felt the keen wind of the - open water. Even on shore it was a day for heavy jackets and gloves; out - here it was bitter cold. - </p> - <p> - “Set the tops'ls, Herm,” said Badeau, from the wheel. - </p> - <p> - Peabody looked at Buckingham, and then, without a word, the two men set to - work. - </p> - <p> - They ran nearly before the wind, that is, nearly southwest. Badeau kept - her up a few points to the westward in order to avoid the surf-currents - that bore down on Point Sable. The deck was piled so high with timber that - the schooner was unwieldy; her scuppers were nearly awash, and the stem - was down so low in the water that half the time the small boat, hanging - from the after davits, was afloat. When all sail was spread, Hunch called - his men aft and gave them a hand in hauling the boat aboard and forward. - </p> - <p> - Rapidly the piers and the bluffs of Manistee fell off astern. Steadily the - sky thickened, and fine, hard flakes of snow began to blow about their - ears. Badeau alone did not mind the cold; his coat was open, his hands - bare. - </p> - <p> - “What do you think o' this business, Herm?” asked Buckingham. - </p> - <p> - “Oh—well, it ain't but three hours in this wind.” - </p> - <p> - “I don't like them tops'ls.” - </p> - <p> - Peabody had no reply to this. - </p> - <p> - “What the devil's he runnin' way out here for?” - </p> - <p> - Peabody turned toward Point Sable; and then they both looked in silence. - They could see the white line of the surf, due south. On the bluff the - trees were tossing and bending. - </p> - <p> - Buckingham was the first to turn away. “Look there!” he exclaimed, - gripping Peabody's arm. “Hi there, Hunch!” A black squall was sweeping - down from the north, as sharply defined on the water as if laid out with a - rule. Before the line were the leaden billows, behind it a black, wrinkled - surface, dotted with whitecaps. “Hi there, Hunch!” - </p> - <p> - But Hunch's eyes had been long trained to take in a full circle at a - glance. “Ready about!” he was bellowing, “Ready about!” - </p> - <p> - The wheel spun around, the jibs flapped, the schooner reeled as she swung - lazily up. The three men watched the squall. Slowly—slowly—creaking - angrily—Will she make it?—No—Yes—No—— - </p> - <p> - “Struck, by——! Hold fast, boys! <i>Hold</i> fast!” - </p> - <p> - Over she went, till the booms dipped and the waters of Lake Michigan ran - from stem to stem along the rail. Hunch left the wheel and sprang forward - for the main sheet. Before he had it in his hand he was drenched through. - Cursing like a Northern Peninsula lumberman, he hauled away. Peabody and - Buckingham were together at the foresheet, with white faces and blue lips. - Over again! They got up to the weather-rail—it was like climbing a - gable roof—and still hauled away. For thirty endless seconds they - fought, then her bowsprit, scooping deep into every wave, swung around and - pointed into the wind. Hunch, shaking the water from his eyes, looked up - and about; both topsails were gone, and a thousand feet or so of timber. - </p> - <p> - They could breathe now. But only for a moment, for the storm was beating - them back toward the point. Another battle, and mainsail and foresail were - double reefed and the <i>Dean</i> was slowly working up into the wind. - There was no thought now of rounding the point; it was a question of - getting sea room. Once Badeau thought of anchoring, but his judgment - warned him not to try. One fact was encouraging, they made a little - headway. By three o'clock in the afternoon they were back off the Manistee - piers, and three miles out. - </p> - <p> - “What's that comin' down the harbor,” shouted Buckingham, “a tug?” - </p> - <p> - “Looks like it. Yes, that's what it is.” - </p> - <p> - “See there, she's whistlin'.” They could see the steam, though no sound - reached them. - </p> - <p> - “She can't make it—hold fast, there!” The <i>Dean</i> nosed deep - into a curling wave, struggled to rise, plunged on through, and the wave - rushed over them. When they could see again, a few more thousand feet of - lumber had disappeared. - </p> - <p> - “That was a soaker. Hunch all right, Henn?” - </p> - <p> - “Sure. See, she's putting back. Looks like the <i>Cecilia Smith</i>.” - </p> - <p> - “That's what she is. I never did think much o' Bill Peters.” - </p> - <p> - “Maybe he's right. He couldn't ever tow us in through that surf—say, - the boat's gone!” - </p> - <p> - “The——-it is!” - </p> - <p> - “Look for yourself.” - </p> - <p> - “Lord, you're right! Kind o' rough on Hunch. He'll be lucky to come - through this without losin' a wad. There's sixty or eighty dollars worth - o' timber gone a'ready.” - </p> - <p> - “Maybe he won't have to stand for that.” - </p> - <p> - “Somebody'll have to. You can't get insurance now, you know.” - </p> - <p> - “Look out, Duke—here comes another!” - </p> - <p> - When this wave had passed, Peabody missed his companion, and looked around - for him. At length he saw him, wedged in between the foremast and the - timbers, grinning sheepishly; and stepping back he hauled him out. “What's - the matter with you, man? Didn't you see it.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, I saw it all right.” - </p> - <p> - “You'd better get hold here. What's the matter with your hands?” - </p> - <p> - “I dunno, sort o' numb, I guess.” - </p> - <p> - “Makes me think o' the time Ryerson's house burned—just such a day - as this. Three or four of us got there early and pitched in to help the - firemen.” He had to shout to make himself heard. “I was up on the ladder, - next under the nozzleman, holding up the slack of the hose. Well, sir, do - you know the water kept dribbling down from the nozzle around my fingers - until they were just about froze stiff. Finally, they let go—I - couldn't help it, my fingers just straightened out. Then the slack of the - hose fell and jerked the nozzle right out of the nozzleman's hands. Well, - sir, I didn't hardly know what I was doing, it come so quick; but when - that nozzle was tumbling down by me, and the stream swinging all around, I - made a grab for it and caught it by the handles. And there I stood, - holding on for all there was in me, and the crowd yelling. All to once it - struck me the nozzleman was yelling too, and I looked up, and there I was - squirting a four-inch stream up under his rubber coat, and he was hanging - on to the ladder for life. Getting colder, ain't it?” Buckingham, with - lips bluer than ever, made no reply; he looked down at his hands. - Peabody's eyes roved shoreward. The lines in his face deepened as he - looked; for he saw that the <i>Dean</i> was making no headway. Half an - hour later Badeau beckoned him aft. When he returned he took Buckingham by - the shoulder, and shook him a little. “Here, Duke, what you thinking of! - Brace up! Hunch says we'll throw off the deck load. He can't manage her at - all this way. Come along—it's just what you need.” - </p> - <p> - Through the afternoon, through the night, the storm sported with the <i>Dean</i>. - It swept down from the north and forced her nearer and nearer to the - breakers on Point Sable; it veered to the northeast, and blew her, with a - scurry of black water, out past the point and on—on, as if to hurl - her on the Wisconsin shore; it brought snow and sleet to blind the - tireless wheelman, whose hands never left the spokes; it ripped the sails - and set the shreds to flapping derisively; and still Badeau kept the - wheel, and still his crew held their places forward. There was no talking - now. There were no more yams of sea or shore; the two men up forward were - holding grimly to life, with fingers too stiffened to grip firmly—with - spirits that shivered and threatened to let go. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0006" id="linkimage-0006"> </a> - </p> - <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> - <img src="images/0009.jpg" alt="0009 " width="100%" /><br /> - </div> - <h5> - <a href="images/0009.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> - </h5> - <p> - Toward dawn Peabody groped aft. “I dunno what to do about Duke, Hunch.” - </p> - <p> - “Hammer 'im.” - </p> - <p> - “That don't help much. See any signs of it's letting up?” - </p> - <p> - Badeau shook his head. - </p> - <p> - “Do you know where we are?” - </p> - <p> - “Must be pretty near the middle of the lake. I'm going to try to work - back. Stand by to come about.” - </p> - <p> - For the twentieth time that night the <i>Bean</i>, under the jib and the - ruins of a foresail, pointed northeast. At Hunch's command, Peabody - climbed half-way up the shrouds and clung there. The dark began to fade, - the snow-flurries ceased. “Ho there! Hunch!—Ho there!” - </p> - <p> - “Ho-o!” - </p> - <p> - “Bray-ay-kers! Duke—Tell Hunch!” Buckingham crawled aft. “Hunch! - Bray-ay-kers!” - </p> - <p> - “Breakers be——!” - </p> - <p> - “Herm——” It was hard for Buckingham to hold his excitement, - hard for him to hold to anything. “Herm, he says—-” - </p> - <p> - Badeau's eyes rested on the pitiable object before him, then peered into - the dark ahead. A flash came into his drawn face. “Stand by to come - about!” Buckingham gazed stupidly. Hunch plunged forward and gave him a - kick that sent him stumbling forward. “Ready about!”-Peabody was sliding - down a stay-“Ready about!—Hard a lee!”—The men up forward - could not hear him, could hardly see him; but Buckingham was fumbling with - the lee jib-sheet. She swung a little way, wavered, then, caught in the - rush of the surf, missed stays and floundered broadside on a bar. And the - waves came pounding in over the rail. - </p> - <p> - When the morning came they were lashed in the forerigging. The mainmast - was gone, the after-cabin was razed off flush with the deck, and the seas - flowed at will through the hold. - </p> - <p> - “Can you make out where we are, Hunch?” - </p> - <p> - “Off Clinton.” - </p> - <p> - “They'll see us here then?” - </p> - <p> - “The ——— they will. There ain't nobody lives there.” - </p> - <p> - “Not in Clinton?” - </p> - <p> - “Not a soul—. There's the Liddington piers, below.” - </p> - <p> - “But there ain't nobody on watch.” - </p> - <p> - “No—station's closed.” - </p> - <p> - “Hold on though—what's that?” - </p> - <p> - “Over the pier—little sails?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes.” - </p> - <p> - “That's the life-boat.” - </p> - <p> - “No.” - </p> - <p> - “Sure it is.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, I'll be———!” murmured Peabody fervently. “The - fools—they'll never make it without a tug.” - </p> - <p> - “Couldn't never get a tug out there.” - </p> - <p> - “Here they come! Is it the surf-boat?” - </p> - <p> - “Not much. It's the big English boat. Surf-boat don't carry any sail.” - </p> - <p> - “They've cleared the piers! Must be a volunteer crew. What's the matter - with 'em?” - </p> - <p> - “Too much sea—can't use the rudder. See there—rudder's up in - the air.” - </p> - <p> - “Duke—Hi, wake up! They're coming, Duke!” - </p> - <p> - Buckingham groaned. - </p> - <p> - “See' em turning 'round—they can't manage her!” - </p> - <p> - Badeau shook his head. The life-boat, while they watched, was caught up on - the foaming crest of a wave, whirled around and jammed against the end of - the pier. She fell back with the wave, then, freed in some way from her - short masts, she rolled completely over on her high round air-tanks, and - righting, pitched about, buoyant as ever. - </p> - <p> - “See that? Did you see, Hunch? She went over!” - </p> - <p> - “Shut up, will you?” - </p> - <p> - “Look there—they're throwing ropes. My nephew—I've got a - nephew on that crew, Hunch.” - </p> - <p> - “He'd better look out for his uncle, then.” - </p> - <p> - “See 'em bobbing around. Must be they've got cork jackets on.” - </p> - <p> - By some unseen agency the boat was got back between the piers, and the - bobbing figures disappeared. The excitement passed; the beach, strewn with - wreckage and driftwood, and backed by sand hills and stunted pines, looked - bleaker than ever: the wind penetrated to their bones. - </p> - <p> - “What do you think o' that, Hunch? What do you think 'll become——” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, shut up!” - </p> - <p> - An hour—two hours—and nothing but the roar of the surf, the - endless white beach, the low sky. - </p> - <p> - Then Badeau reached up and shook Peabody's leg. “Wake up there, Herm! Look - down the beach.” - </p> - <p> - “Wha—what's that? I don't see anything.” - </p> - <p> - “What are your eyes for?” - </p> - <p> - “Oh—team o' horses, eh. What's the crowd doing?” - </p> - <p> - “Can't you see the beach cart?” - </p> - <p> - “No—is it? Coming right along, ain't they.” - </p> - <p> - The cart was hauled up at a spot opposite the <i>Dean</i>. Over the - ice-cones Badeau and Peabody could see the crew bustling about, until - suddenly the crowd fell back, and they caught the shine of a brass gun and - saw a projectile leap into the air trailing a line behind it. - </p> - <p> - “Not by fifty yards! It'll take a bigger charge than that. There—they're - getting out another.” - </p> - <p> - Another moment of preparation, and another projectile came spinning toward - them, passing high over their heads and directly between the foremast and - the stump of the mainmast. - </p> - <p> - “How're we going to get 'er, Hunch? The topmast stays are down; I couldn't - ever get down to that deck. Couldn't trust my hands, you see—all - right except for my hands.” - </p> - <p> - “You stay here, and keep still,” said Badeau. He drew out his knife and - cut the rope that lashed him to the shrouds; then worked his way painfully - down to the deck. Holding now to the rail, now to the loose end of a stay, - he fought through the waves, picked up the line, mounted with it to the - cross-trees, and unaided hauled the heavier line out through the surf, and - made the tackle fast to the foremast. The men on shore fell to with a will - and sent out the hawser; and in another moment it was fast and taut, and - the breeches buoy was dancing out to the schooner. - </p> - <p> - “Easy now,” said Hunch, as they lowered Buckingham into the canvas - breeches. - </p> - <p> - “Lash 'im in, Hunch; lash 'im in! I'd do it—but my hands——” - </p> - <p> - They watched him without a word as the buoy went shoreward. The line - sagged so low under his weight that half a dozen waves passed over him. - </p> - <p> - “They'll drown 'im!” said Peabody. Badeau was silent. - </p> - <p> - Buckingham was lifted to the beach, and the empty buoy came back. - </p> - <p> - “You go next, Hunch.” - </p> - <p> - “Get in—don't stop to talk!” - </p> - <p> - “Well—you see how it is—I guess you're a little better off - than I am. You stand it better.” - </p> - <p> - “For God's sake, get in!” - </p> - <p> - Peabody snivelled a little as he swung off and went swinging down the - line, his legs dangling grotesquely. Hunch clung to the ratlines, looking - after him with a wild gleam in his eyes. When the buoy came back for the - last time he caught it with one hand, then hesitated. He glanced down at - the schooner's hull. Why should he go ashore at all? What was the use now? - He looked at the crowd. They were waving at him, probably they were - shouting. Then he found himself getting in and sliding off toward the - shore. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER X—JIM BARTLETT CALLS - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>LL the rest of the - day Hunch paced up and down on the shore ice, watching the schooner until - the foremast went over and the timber was strewn for a mile along the - beach. - </p> - <p> - At dusk two of the crew men came up and made Hunch go home. He spent the - evening stretched out on the bed, trying to think. Later he fell asleep, - and in the morning, when he awoke, his clothes felt heavy and stiff. After - breakfast he went up the beach. The <i>Dean</i> was battered out of shape. - Two fragments of the foremast had been cast up on the ice, but the - mainmast had disappeared. He stayed until he was sure that the schooner - was a total loss, then he returned to his room. - </p> - <p> - A year earlier in Hunch's life such a catastrophe would have set him - drinking; but now, while he thought of it for a moment, the idea of a bout - in Herve's bar-room with the old crowd of loafers, who would know exactly - why he had come, and would, before the night was over, probably know all - about his state of mind, did not appeal to him. He could not bring himself - to go to Bartlett's; he did not want Jess to see him when he was weak and - unable to help himself. But on the second evening after the wreck, Jim - Bartlett came up and found him lying on the bed with his clothes on. - </p> - <p> - “Good evening, Hunch,” he said. “Kind of hard luck; ain't it?” - </p> - <p> - “Sit down,” said Hunch. - </p> - <p> - “Thanks, can't stay but a minute. I just wanted to talk to you—you - see I've been talking with Jess. She's all broke up about the schooner. - 'Most as bad as you are. She thinks a lot of you, Hunch. She says you - ain't been 'round.” - </p> - <p> - “No, I ain't yet.” - </p> - <p> - “She says she didn't know whether you was coming or not.” - </p> - <p> - “I dunno's there's much good in seeing her.” - </p> - <p> - “You mean things is different?” - </p> - <p> - “It don't make much difference what I mean.” Jim's face was not very - sympathetic, and Hunch was not in a mood to open his heart. - </p> - <p> - “Well—I'll be square, Hunch—it's as much what I think as what - she thinks—but she can't help thinking—well, you see how it is - yourself, Hunch. You ain't in just the position you was in before. It's - different—it can't help being different.” - </p> - <p> - “What's she want to do?” - </p> - <p> - “Now, don't take it mean, Hunch; but she don't see—and I must say I - don't either—that things ought to be just as they was.” - </p> - <p> - “No, I don't s'pose so.” - </p> - <p> - “But you'll come around and see us anyhow, Hunch, won't you, and talk it - over. Mebbe Jess won't feel this way.” - </p> - <p> - “No,” said Hunch, “that ain't no use.” Bartlett stood at the door. “I'm - sorry you feel this way, Hunch, I—well, I guess there ain't much - else to say.” - </p> - <p> - “No, I guess there ain't.” - </p> - <p> - Bartlett went out and closed the door. Hunch lay still for a long time, - wondering over the turn of events. Now that it was settled, and in spite - of the hurt a strong man feels when the control of his actions is taken - away from him, he began to feel a slight sense of relief. Anyway, he had - his strength left, and he was free to begin again. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XI—STARTING FRESH - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">B</span>ADEAU lost his - schooner before Christmas. The day after New Year's he went to Manistee to - see Mr. Jackson, whom he found sitting in his office. - </p> - <p> - “Well, Badeau,” he said. “What can I do for you?” - </p> - <p> - “I want a job.” - </p> - <p> - “What can you do?” - </p> - <p> - “Anything.” - </p> - <p> - “What's the matter? Up against it?” - </p> - <p> - “You know my schooner's gone.” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, I know.” And Mr. Jackson also knew that Hunch was a good man. “Tell - you what I'll do, Badeau; I'll make a place for you. How are you on logs?” - </p> - <p> - “I was boss of Dempsey's gang up to Cadillac four years ago.” - </p> - <p> - “How much money do you want?” - </p> - <p> - “'Nough to keep me going. You'll find out what I'm worth fast enough.” - Badeau went to work the next morning. He took a cheap room near the - lumber-yard, and found before the week was out that he could live on - two-thirds of his salary. At the beginning of the second week, Mr. Jackson - put him in charge of the river gang, driving logs. Hunch took advantage of - the mild weather to get all the logs in the river to the mill before the - river should freeze up solid for the winter. He got along well with the - men, excepting a fellow named McGuire, who was inclined to grumble at hard - work. But one noon at the mill, when the men were matching their strength, - Hunch lifted a six-hundred pound pile-driver weight and swung it easily - clear of the ground. That quieted McGuire. - </p> - <p> - One day toward the close of his second week, Badeau found Bruce Considine - hanging around, at closing time, outside the mill. - </p> - <p> - “Hello, Bruce,” he said. “What you doing up here?” - </p> - <p> - “Come up to see you, Hunch.” - </p> - <p> - “What's the matter?” - </p> - <p> - “The old man come down on me last week.” - </p> - <p> - “Fire you?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes. I'm sick of working for him anyhow. He'll never let a fellow alone.” - </p> - <p> - “What you going to do? You ain't likely to get another job like that.” - </p> - <p> - “I don't know. I thought mebbe you'd know of something up here, Hunch.” - </p> - <p> - “I just went on the job, myself.” - </p> - <p> - “I know it, but I can't starve, Hunch, I ain't had any money for a couple - of days.” - </p> - <p> - “How about—your——” - </p> - <p> - “Marne? She's down at the house. I told her to go to the old man, but he's - kind of ugly and she wont do it. Guess she'll get over being proud one of - these days.” - </p> - <p> - “What's she living on?” - </p> - <p> - “I thought mebbe I could send her something, if I could get a job up - here.” - </p> - <p> - “I dunno, Bruce. I'll ask the boss. Come around to-morrow noon.” - </p> - <p> - The following afternoon Bruce joined Hunch's gang as a day-laborer. His - muscles were soft, and it was several days before he could do a man's - work. One day the gang were carrying heavy timbers at the mill, and Hunch - noticed that Bruce's partner on one of the double timber-hooks was - muttering. He kept an eye on the pair, and saw that Bruce's hands sagged - at every few steps. When the day's work was done he waited outside the - mill for Bruce. - </p> - <p> - “Look here, Bruce,” he said, “I'm on to you.” - </p> - <p> - “What you talking about?” - </p> - <p> - “You know what I'm talking about. I seen you soldiering. I just want to - tell you that it won't go.” - </p> - <p> - Bruce was silent for a moment. Then he said: - </p> - <p> - “Think you've got me down, don't you.” - </p> - <p> - “What I think ain't got nothing to do with it. I got you the job, but I - can't keep you if you don't take a brace. The boss wouldn't stand for it. - You got to earn your pay.” - </p> - <p> - “It's easy for you to talk. You're getting good money. I'm working hard - enough for every cent I get.” - </p> - <p> - “None o' your talk now, Bruce. You can't bluff me. You just quit loafing - and get down to business. You're going to do it, too, if I have to knock - it into you. Understand?” - </p> - <p> - Bruce walked away in a surly mood, but for a few days Hunch saw a slight - improvement in his work. Then there came a slump. Hunch said nothing until - one noon he overheard Bruce and McGuire grumbling together. He called - Bruce away. - </p> - <p> - “Look here, Bruce,” he said, “you know what I told you.” - </p> - <p> - “What you got to kick about?” - </p> - <p> - “None o' your lip. You just keep away from McGuire.” - </p> - <p> - “I don't see what you got to say about a friend of mine.” - </p> - <p> - “Friend of yours, eh? I s'pose you're bunking with him, too?” - </p> - <p> - “Well, whose business is it if——” - </p> - <p> - “You leave him tonight. Understand?” - </p> - <p> - Bruce sulked for the rest of the day and avoided Hunch. After supper Hunch - went to McGuire's room in the square frame hotel by the tracks. No one was - there, but Bruce's patent-leather valise lay in the corner. Hunch waited - until they came in. - </p> - <p> - “Hello,” said Bruce, a little startled. - </p> - <p> - “Pack up your stuff and come along with me, Bruce.” - </p> - <p> - “Bruce is rooming with me,” said McGuire, looking at Hunch out of the - corners of his eyes. - </p> - <p> - “No, he ain't,” said Hunch, “he's rooming with me. Step lively, Bruce. I - been waiting half an hour.” - </p> - <p> - Bruce and McGuire looked at each other, and Hunch sat grimly on the bed. - Then Bruce turned to the bureau and began nervously gathering his things - and throwing them into the valise. McGuire helped him without a word. Then - Bruce shook hands with McGuire, a little stiffly, and went away with - Hunch. - </p> - <p> - Now, that he was directly under Hunch's eye, Bruce improved slightly. He - fell into the habit of confiding in Hunch, and relying, as in the old - days, upon his advice. But one day a letter came for Bruce, addressed in a - hand which Hunch recognized. Bruce was quiet and serious for hours, and - when Hunch asked him what was the matter, he tried to pass it over with a - laugh. It was not until after supper, when they were up in the room - together, that Bruce gave way. Hunch was shaving, and Bruce sat watching - him for some time, before he said: “Hunch, I—got a letter from - Marne.” Hunch could see him in the mirror leaning forward in his chair - with his elbows on his knees. - </p> - <p> - “She—she's coming down kind of hard on me. I ain't had a chance to - earn anything yet. It's all I can do to take care of myself.” - </p> - <p> - “Ain't you sent her anything?” - </p> - <p> - “Why, how could I? You know what I'm getting, Hunch.” - </p> - <p> - “What's the matter?” - </p> - <p> - “She says they're sticking her for the house rent. I don't know what to - do. I wish she'd go back to her old man.” - </p> - <p> - “How much are you stuck for?” - </p> - <p> - “I don't know. You read it. Mebbe you can tell me what to do. Seems if she - ought to help a little, somehow.” Hunch leaned against the wall, under the - bracket lamp, and read the letter. Then he laid it on the bureau and stood - stropping his razor on the palm of his hand. Finally he turned to the - mirror and went on shaving. - </p> - <p> - “What do you think, Hunch?” asked Bruce, after a long silence. - </p> - <p> - “I dunno.” - </p> - <p> - “Tell me something, Hunch. I got to do something.” - </p> - <p> - “Shut up a while. Lemme think.” - </p> - <p> - When he had finished shaving, Hunch said: - </p> - <p> - “To-day's Thursday, ain't it?” - </p> - <p> - “Guess so.” - </p> - <p> - “Look here, Bruce, you write her a letter. Tell her I'm coming down - Sunday.” - </p> - <p> - “You, Hunch——?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, I'm going down. Tell her, we'll see if we can't fix it up somehow.” - </p> - <p> - Bruce looked up at him. - </p> - <p> - “Seems to me you're kind of anxious to see my wife.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch turned on him. - </p> - <p> - “Look here, Bruce. Do you want to know why I'm going?” - </p> - <p> - Bruce nodded slowly. - </p> - <p> - “It's 'cause if I gave you any money to go down there you'd blow it in and - make a fool of yourself. You ain't fit to have a wife, that's why. You owe - me money now that I give you for your wife and you soaked it in on jags. - Don't you talk to me. Understand?” Bruce stood by the window, looking out - into the dark. Hunch was bending over the washbowl and splashing water on - the floor. He groped for the towel. Bruce said: “What you got mad about - all of a sudden?” - </p> - <p> - Hunch's face was buried in the towel. Bruce watched him. - </p> - <p> - “What you going to say to her, Hunch?” - </p> - <p> - “I dunno.” - </p> - <p> - “Say, you ain't going to say nothing about me, are you?” - </p> - <p> - Hunch glanced at him contemptuously, and began to hone his razor. Bruce - stood around for a while, then moved slowly toward the door. - </p> - <p> - “Where're you going?” - </p> - <p> - “I dunno. Thought I might go up town. Guess there ain't much of anything - going on.” - </p> - <p> - “You come back.” - </p> - <p> - Bruce laughed nervously. - </p> - <p> - “Ain't mad, are you, Hunch?” - </p> - <p> - “No, I ain't mad. Better write that letter, I guess.” - </p> - <p> - “That's so. I was going to do that, wasn't I. I kind of forgot it.” He sat - at the table and took up the pen clumsily. “I don't know just what to say, - Hunch.” - </p> - <p> - “That's your business.” - </p> - <p> - “Don't be mean, Hunch.” - </p> - <p> - “You shut up and write that letter. I don't care what you say.” - </p> - <p> - When he had written it, and before sealing the envelope, Bruce hesitated - and looked around at Hunch. But Hunch had turned his back and was honing - without a word, so Bruce sealed it. - </p> - <p> - “It's wrote, Hunch. I told her——” - </p> - <p> - “Give it to me. I'll mail it in a minute. You be here now when I get - back.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XII—HUNCH AND MAMIE - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">H</span>UNCH went down to - Liddington Sunday morning on the combination freight and passenger train. - Bruce had come to the station with him, and stood looking after the train - for a long time after it had pulled away. Hunch saw him through the rear - window. - </p> - <p> - It was a crisp January morning. The snow had come and the train rattled - through a flat, white country, cut into strips as far as one could see by - the straight up and down lines of the black pine stumps. At Liddington - Hunch went up to the white brick hotel on the main street and ate his - dinner alone. He walked up and down for an hour after dinner, trying to - think clearly about Mamie and Bruce. Now, that he was on the ground, he - was not sure why he had come. But it drew near three o'clock, and he - walked out to Bruce's cottage. - </p> - <p> - At first there was no answer to his knock. The curtains were down, and the - snow had not been cleared away from the steps. He knocked again and - rattled the knob. He heard some one moving. A little later an inside door - opened, and then, after some fumbling with the lock, Mamie opened the - door. She was pale and thin. A shawl was drawn over her head and - shoulders. - </p> - <p> - “Oh!” she said, then smiled. “How do you do, Mister Badeau?” - </p> - <p> - Hunch stepped in and closed the door. - </p> - <p> - “What's the matter?” he said. “You ain't sick?” - </p> - <p> - “No, just a little under the weather. Come in and sit down.” - </p> - <p> - The front room was cold. - </p> - <p> - “Ain't you got no fire?” Hunch asked. - </p> - <p> - “Yes, I made a little fire in the kitchen this morning. I can sit out - there, you know. I don't need any in here. Guess we'd better go out there - anyhow, where it's warmer.” - </p> - <p> - “You go ahead,” said Hunch; then, “Where's your wood? I'll make a fire - here.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, no, you mustn't?” - </p> - <p> - “Now you just leave me be, Mis' Considine. You set down in the kitchen and - lemme fix you up. Where's the wood?” - </p> - <p> - “It's out here in the box,” said Mamie, opening the kitchen door. - </p> - <p> - Hunch saw why she was sparing of wood. There were only a few armfuls. But - he built a roaring fire in the front room, and then took the ax out into - the back yard and split up a heap of boards and timber waste that lay - under the snow. Mamie watched him through the window. After a few strokes - he grew warm from the exercise, and taking off his coat he handed it - through the door to Mamie, and said, “Warm weather, ain't it?” Mamie was - smiling when she reappeared at the window. Hunch filled the wood box and - laid a large pile on the floor at each end. Then he put on his coat. - </p> - <p> - “Well,” he said, “that's more like. Pull up a chair, Mis' Considine.” - </p> - <p> - “You must be hungry, Mr. Badeau, after all that work. I'm going to make - you some coffee, anyway.” - </p> - <p> - “Now, don't you do nothing of the sort. That ain't work? That's just fun.” - Unconsciously he expanded his chest as he spoke. In spite of his bent - shoulders, it was a deep, rounded chest, different from Bruce's. Mamie did - not know that there was admiration in her eyes as she watched him. - </p> - <p> - “Now, you've got to let me, Mr. Badeau. I don't have company very often. - You just sit still and let me work awhile. I'm not doing my share.” So - Hunch sat by the stove and watched her as she stepped about the kitchen. - Her manner had brightened, and there was a flush on her cheeks. She took - pains to keep the pantry door closed, but once Hunch caught a glimpse - inside and saw that the shelves were nearly bare. While drinking the - coffee they both felt a slight restraint. Occasionally when their eyes - met, Mamie would lower hers and laugh nervously. They talked of old times, - and Hunch recalled, somewhat awkwardly, the day he had first met her on - the beach by the life-saving station. - </p> - <p> - Then there was a long pause, and Hunch said, “Look here, Mis' Considine, - there ain't no use trying to make me think things that ain't so is so. I'm - going down town and bring up something to eat.” - </p> - <p> - Mamie flushed. - </p> - <p> - “Now, don't say nothing. You just leave me be and we'll fix things up in - great shape.” - </p> - <p> - Mamie tried to protest, but Hunch put on his ulster and started up the - street, saying over his shoulder as he went down the steps, “I'll be back - in no time.” - </p> - <p> - He found Joe Cartier, who kept the grocery and meat market across from the - hotel, at his house, and made him open his store and put up a large bundle - of provisions. When he returned, Mamie was at the front window. She - hurried to open the door. - </p> - <p> - “Come on and we'll have a blowout,” said Hunch, as he cut the string and - spread the packages over the kitchen table. “There's a good many of the - things that don't have to be cooked at all. I got some preserve—thought - you might like it. Do you? It's peach.” - </p> - <p> - Mamie's eyes were hesitating between laughter and tears, but she nodded - quickly and the laugh triumphed. Then they both set to work. Hunch laid - the table-cloth, and puttered about clumsily, while Mamie prepared the - meal. Mamie laughed, at his awkwardness, and after a time grew so cheerful - that she joked him and made him blush through the bronze on his face. And - they sat facing each other across the table, with all the lively chatter - of two foolish young people. Afterward she washed the dishes and he wiped - them. - </p> - <p> - But when it was finished and they sat before the stove in the front room, - the sense of restraint returned. For a long time neither spoke. They - looked at the two cracked mica windows in the stove door, which glowed - redly when the flames leaped up behind them. It was Mamie who finally - broke the silence. - </p> - <p> - “Is—Bruce well?” - </p> - <p> - “He's—he's pretty well. He didn't feel quite able to come down - to-day. You know we're bunking together. You see, I know about—now, - you mustn't think I'm poking my nose into none of my business. I and Bruce - was together a good while, and we come to know a good deal about each - other, o' course.” - </p> - <p> - Mamie was looking at the stove windows. The wood in the stove had fallen, - sending up sparks and shoots of flame that danced grotesquely on the mica. - </p> - <p> - “You see, if there's anything I can do, 't aint 's if I was doing a favor. - It's just that mebbe I was lucky in getting a place that pays a little - more'n Bruce's. And you see he'd do just the same by me if it come that I - was kind of on my uppers.” - </p> - <p> - Mamie was still silent. - </p> - <p> - “Now, you just be sensible-'cause it's all sort of in the family, you know—and - tell me how it is about the rent, and mebbe we can kind of patch things - up, because three heads is better 'n two. Understand?” - </p> - <p> - Mamie leaned back in her chair and rested her face in her hands. When - Hunch looked at her he saw that she was crying, and he waited till she - should speak. Finally she said, “I don't know just what we're going to do. - It—it's only that there's some one else wants the house and we—of - course——” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, of course,” said Hunch. - </p> - <p> - “I thought, maybe I ought to take a room somewhere.” - </p> - <p> - “That's so. Something smaller. I dunno but what's like as not you'd feel - better anyhow. This is a pretty big house for a little bit of a thing like - you. Mebbe 's long as Bruce is working up to Manistee you could get a room - and sort of keep house for yourself. Be kind of snug, don't you think so?” - </p> - <p> - “Tell you what,” he said, after they had sat for several minutes without - talking, “I'll see what we can do.” He rose and put on his coat. Mamie - watched him, but seemed unable to reply, and let him go out without a - word. - </p> - <p> - He returned an hour later. Mamie was still sitting by the stove. - </p> - <p> - “It's all fixed up,” he said, shaking the snow from his coat. “You're - going over to Cartier's. They've got a big room for you, and he's going to - see that you get moved all right. You can take your meals right in the - house. And 'twon't cost you hardly anything. Now, you just drop them blues - and we'll see if we can't get you fatter 'n you ever was. You're a-going - to have a good time yet this winter. And Bruce 'll come down Sundays. I've - got to get the train. Guess I might's well start along.” She got up slowly - and followed him to the door. Neither knew what to say. Hunch buttoned his - ulster and drew on one of his big fur mittens. He looked at his hand, big - and freckled, with hard, knotted fingers and broken nails. He held it out - hurriedly and said, “Well—good-by.” - </p> - <p> - She took his hand shyly. Suddenly she bent down and kissed it, and a tear - dropped on it. Hunch pulled his hand away. - </p> - <p> - “Oh, don't do that——” - </p> - <p> - She looked up into his face. She did not seem to care now if he saw her - crying. - </p> - <p> - Hunch forgot that he had shaken hands and he took hers again, this time - with his mitten on. Then he opened the door and hurried out. She stood at - the window looking after him as he walked down the street, but he did not - turn around. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XIII—A DARK DAY AT LIDDINGTON - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">B</span>RUCE came down to - the station in the evening, and was standing on the platform when Hunch - stepped off the train. They walked up together and were half-way to the - room, before Bruce said, “Say, Hunch, how about it?” - </p> - <p> - “It's bad. She didn't have enough to eat or keep her warm. She's going to - live at Joe Cartier's place and take her meals there. It's a good deal - cheaper'n the other. I told her you was coming down Sundays.” - </p> - <p> - “What'd you say to her, Hunch? What'd she say? Anything special? Tell me - about it.” - </p> - <p> - “Guess there ain't nothing to tell.” - </p> - <p> - “Seems to me it's kind of funny if a man can't find out nothing about his - own wife. You was down there and you see her all day. I don't see why I - ain't got a right to know about it.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, shut up. You ain't got a right to nothing from the way you've treated - her.” - </p> - <p> - “Look here, Hunch Badeau, you've got to tell me.” - </p> - <p> - “How long you been saying what I got to do and what I ain't got to do?” - </p> - <p> - “That's all right, but——” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, it's dead right.” - </p> - <p> - Bruce stopped and took Hunch's arm. “Take your hand off me.” - </p> - <p> - Bruce's hand dropped. - </p> - <p> - “Now, don't get ugly, Hunch. I just wanted to know about her. I ain't seen - her for a good while.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, do you think that's my fault? I'll tell you about her. She's fixed - up where she's got enough to eat and drink, she's got people to talk to - and chirp her up, and she's waiting for you to come down next Sunday. If - you're man enough to keep straight and go down there and do the square - thing, you won't find me in your way. If you ain't, you can go to hell for - all I care.” - </p> - <p> - Bruce was silent, and they climbed to the room and went to bed. - </p> - <p> - A day or two later Mr. Jackson sent for Hunch. - </p> - <p> - “Badeau,” he said, “how about this man Considine?” - </p> - <p> - “How do you mean?” - </p> - <p> - “What kind of work is he doing?” - </p> - <p> - “All right as far's I can see.” - </p> - <p> - “He's a friend of yours, ain't he?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, he used to work for me when I had the schooner.” - </p> - <p> - “I'll tell you, Badeau, I've had some complaints about him. You know I - don't want any man that can't do the work.” - </p> - <p> - “I think he's doing pretty good, sir.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, I'll count on you to keep an eye on him. If you catch him loafing, - don't waste any time on him.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch went over the conversation in the evening with Bruce. It frightened - Bruce, and he made promises which he kept for the rest of the week. - </p> - <p> - They did not talk about Mamie until Saturday night, after they had been - sitting by the stove for a long time in silence. Bruce was nervous. - </p> - <p> - “Say, Hunch,” he said, “would you go down if you was me?” - </p> - <p> - “Where?” - </p> - <p> - “You know—down to Marne's to-morrow.” - </p> - <p> - “Would I go? What you talking about?” - </p> - <p> - “I don't know. What do you s'pose she'll say?” - </p> - <p> - “I guess you know what she ought to say, all right.” - </p> - <p> - “Do you think she'll be mad?” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, you shut up!” - </p> - <p> - Bruce went to bed early, but Hunch heard him tossing until late. In the - morning he was moody. - </p> - <p> - “Hunch,” he said, after breakfast, “what time does the train go down?” - </p> - <p> - “'Bout half an hour.” - </p> - <p> - “Say, I s'pose I might as well take it as the noon train.” - </p> - <p> - “That's your business-'tain't mine.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, I guess I will. Say, Hunch, I'll tell you—s'pose you come - along.” - </p> - <p> - “Guess not.” - </p> - <p> - “I don't mean nothing, Hunch, but you've been talking to her, and you know - how to kind of quiet her. I never could, somehow.” - </p> - <p> - “Look here, Bruce, I ain't going today or any day. I ain't going at all. - Understand? You needn't tell her I said that, though.” - </p> - <p> - “Guess I'd better be starting, eh, Hunch?” - </p> - <p> - “Guess you had.” - </p> - <p> - “Come on down to the depot. You ain't got nothing to do.” - </p> - <p> - At the station, Hunch said: “Got any money?” - </p> - <p> - “No, I ain't got much.” - </p> - <p> - “Here's a little. No drinking, now.” - </p> - <p> - “On my honor, Hunch, I won't drink a drop. Do you think a man would drink - when he's going down to see his own wife, Hunch? Do you think——” - </p> - <p> - “You better get aboard.” - </p> - <p> - “Good-by, Hunch, I'll get back tonight.” - </p> - <p> - In the evening Hunch met the Liddington train. Bruce did not get off. - </p> - <p> - Hunch looked for him Monday morning, but had no word of him. At noon he - was called to Mr. Jackson's office. - </p> - <p> - “Badeau,” said his employer, “when that Considine gets back to work, you - send him to me for his time.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch hesitated. “I'll tell you, Mr. Jackson, he went down yesterday to - see his wife. Their kid died a little while ago, and like's not she's - sick.” - </p> - <p> - “Think so?” - </p> - <p> - “My work is pretty light to-day. I thought mebbe I could get off for the - afternoon train and sort of look him up. I can get back to-night, you - know. You see, if he gets laid off it'll come kind of hard on his wife.” - </p> - <p> - “All right, go ahead. But, say, Badeau, hold on a minute. We're not - running a charity hospital, you know. We can't give that man much rope.” - Hunch said, “Yes, sir,” and went out. - </p> - <p> - He reached Liddington at supper time and picked up a hasty meal at the - hotel. Then he hurried over to Joe Cartier's house. Cartier let him in. - </p> - <p> - “Hello, Joe,” said Hunch. “Bruce here?” - </p> - <p> - Cartier hesitated. - </p> - <p> - “Yes, I guess he's upstairs.” - </p> - <p> - “I want to see him.” - </p> - <p> - “Well; say, Hunch, come in the parlor a minute. I want to talk to you.” - </p> - <p> - “What's the matter?” - </p> - <p> - “Well, you know Bruce came down yesterday morning, and 'long about noon I - guess they quarrelled a little. Me and my wife, we didn't listen, but we - couldn't help hearing Bruce talk. And then Bruce went out——” - </p> - <p> - “Oh,” said Hunch, “drunk?” - </p> - <p> - “Not so bad as I've seen him, but he come in kind of ugly, and he's got - some up there—brought it back with him. Seems kind of too bad. I - didn't feel quite 's if I could do anything. You see 't ain't really none - of my business.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch went upstairs and knocked at the door. There was a stir inside, and - he could hear Bruce grumbling and Mamie whispering. Then Mamie opened the - door a few inches. When she looked at Hunch, the color left her face and - she leaned against the door. - </p> - <p> - “It's all right,” said Hunch, “I come for him.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh,” faltered Mamie. - </p> - <p> - “Who's there?” called Bruce. “Who you whispering to?” - </p> - <p> - Mamie hesitated and looked at Hunch. He gently brushed her aside, saying, - “Lemme come in.” - </p> - <p> - “Who is it?” said Bruce. He was lying on the bed, his clothing mussed, his - face red. Hunch stood by the bed and looked down at him. - </p> - <p> - “What you doing here?” growled Bruce. “What right you got coming in a - man's house?” - </p> - <p> - Hunch looked at his watch. - </p> - <p> - “Come on,” he said, “we've got to get back on this train.” - </p> - <p> - “Who's goin' back. I ain't goin' back. Go on out o' here, will you?” - </p> - <p> - Hunch took his arm and pulled him up. Bruce sat oh the edge of the bed. - </p> - <p> - “Come on, Bruce, get moving.” - </p> - <p> - “Go 'way.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch turned to Mamie. - </p> - <p> - “Where's his hat, Mis' Considine?” Bruce stood up. - </p> - <p> - “What's that? What you saying to my wife? Tha's my wife, Hunch Badeau. - She's a lady. You can't talk to my wife.” - </p> - <p> - Mamie stood at the foot of the bed watching the two men nervously, - </p> - <p> - “Bruce,” said Hunch, “shut up and come along.” - </p> - <p> - “Don't you think you'd better go, dear?” said Mamie, timidly. - </p> - <p> - “Wha's that? You want to get rid of me too, eh? Oh, I'm on to you two. You - can't fool me; you can't. You're pretty smart, Hunch Badeau, sneaking down - to see my wife——” - </p> - <p> - Hunch gripped Bruce's arm and jerked him out of the room. They were at the - top of the stairs when Mamie came to the door. - </p> - <p> - “Here's his hat,” she said. “You'd better take it, I guess.” - </p> - <p> - “Thanks,” said Hunch, without looking at her, and he hurried Bruce down - the stairs. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XIV—CONSIDINE'S WORK IS ENDED - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>HE next morning - Bruce was still in bed when Hunch went to work. McGuire did not appear - with the other men, and at noon his brass check still hung on its nail in - the timekeeper's shanty. Shortly after lunch Bruce and McGuire, both a - little the worse for drink, appeared and went to work with the gang. Hunch - had gone up to the mill, and did not see them until his return; When he - came near they were dawdling over their work, chuckling together over some - incident of the morning. - </p> - <p> - “What you two doing here?” Hunch asked. - </p> - <p> - Bruce started and moved away from McGuire. - </p> - <p> - “Speak up.” - </p> - <p> - McGuire muttered, “Guess we know what we're doing.” - </p> - <p> - “Look here,” said Hunch, “you go to the office and get your time.” - </p> - <p> - McGuire lowered his cant-hook. “What—what you say?” - </p> - <p> - “Go on. Don't talk to me.” - </p> - <p> - McGuire dropped his cant-hook and started away. - </p> - <p> - “Come back here, McGuire. Pick that up.” - </p> - <p> - McGuire muttered. - </p> - <p> - “What's that you're saying?” - </p> - <p> - “I ain't saying nothing.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch started toward him, but checked himself. - </p> - <p> - “Pick up that cant-hook, McGuire.” McGuire obeyed and walked slowly away. - Hunch turned to Bruce, who stood looking on with his mouth open. - </p> - <p> - “What are you gaping there for, Considine. Go 'long.” - </p> - <p> - “Where?” - </p> - <p> - “Go and get your time. We're through with you.” - </p> - <p> - Bruce stood still looking stupidly at Hunch. - </p> - <p> - “What?” he said. “You ain't——” - </p> - <p> - “Get off the job. Understand? You're laid off. We don't want you.” - </p> - <p> - Bruce slowly lifted his cant-hook to his shoulder. He stared at Hunch - until Hunch turned away, then he walked over to where McGuire was - standing, and went away with him. - </p> - <p> - Late in the afternoon they came back and hung around, watching the gang at - work. They had been drinking again, and McGuire had a bottle in his pocket - which he pulled out frequently. They were talking loud and laughing. - </p> - <p> - Their actions drew the attention of the men and annoyed Badeau, though he - said nothing for a long time. Finally, Bruce and McGuire began calling at - the men, growing bolder in their remarks. At last McGuire called, “You - fellows mus' like working for tha' dam' fool,” and Hunch walked toward - them. - </p> - <p> - “You'll have to move away from here,” he said. “We can't have you - disturbing the work.” - </p> - <p> - “Go 'way!” McGuire replied. “You can't touch us. We ain't on your job.” - </p> - <p> - “Stop that, McGuire! Get out, quick, or I'll throw you out!” - </p> - <p> - McGuire laughed. Hunch went to him and pulled him to his feet. - </p> - <p> - “Le' go o' me!” said McGuire. “Take your hand off o' me!” - </p> - <p> - Hunch began dragging him away. McGuire hung back protesting and - threatening. Bruce walked slowly after them, shaking his head and talking - to himself. McGuire braced his feet. Hunch gave him a wrench that nearly - threw him, and McGuire struck at him. Bruce watched the struggle, the old - drunken cunning in his eyes, then he ran forward and jumped on Hunch's - back, pounding him about the face and head. Hunch staggered, but recovered - and caught McGuire with his knuckles squarely on the side of the jaw. - McGuire staggered back. Bruce had both arms around Hunch's neck and was - trying to choke him. Hunch gripped Bruce's wrists, and slowly pulled them - forward, until their hold was loosened; then he turned quickly, took hold - of Bruce's shoulders, and threw him against a pile of cut timber. Bruce - struck hard and seemed for a moment to be clinging to the pile, then he - fell on his face. - </p> - <p> - Some of the men were running toward them. One was calling: - </p> - <p> - “I seen it, Hunch! It weren't your fault! I seen it!” - </p> - <p> - Hunch stood panting as the men gathered around. - </p> - <p> - “Better see if he's hurt,” he said. - </p> - <p> - They rolled Bruce over. His face was covered with blood. One of the men - brought some water from the river in his hat, and washed it off. - </p> - <p> - McGuire stood at one side, rubbing his cheek. Hunch ordered him away, and - he went without a word. The other men were crowding around Bruce. One of - them looked up and said: “I guess he's done for, Hunch.” - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XV—THE LETTER - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>T was a cold day - in Manistee. The snow lay in high banks on each side of the street-car - tracks, with paths cut through at the crossings and in front of the larger - stores; underfoot it creaked and crunched. Men walked briskly, keeping - their hands in their pockets or holding them over ears or noses, and - pausing at the drug store on the corner to look at the red thermometer. - </p> - <p> - It was close to noon, and a number of men were coming down a flight of - stairs which reached the sidewalk a few doors beyond the drug store. The - last one was Hunch Badeau, with his ulster collar turned up, his cap - pulled down over his ears, and his fur mittens on. - </p> - <p> - When they reached the street two of the other men turned and shook hands - with him; but he had nothing to say, and a moment later he was walking - alone, slowly, up the bridge approach. The examination was over and he was - free. His case had not reached a trial, for he had killed Considine - plainly in self-defense. - </p> - <p> - A long row of schooners, steamers, and tugs lay along the docks on both - sides of the river. On most of the schooners a length of stovepipe came - out of a cabin window, and a few wisps of smoke, winding lazily out to be - snatched away by the wind, showed that many a sailor was lying dormant - during the winter months. Hunch lingered on the bridge. He had once spent - such a winter in Chicago on a big schooner, locked up snugly in the North - Branch near Goose Island, eating and sleeping, smoking and swapping yams, - and helping to drink up somebody's summer profits. That was a long while - ago; it seemed to Hunch a dim part of some past life, before he had ever - met a woman other than the rough girls of the Chicago levee and the North - Peninsula stockades. - </p> - <p> - Mr. Jackson had told Hunch that he need not go back to work that day, so - he climbed to his room and sat on the chair by the window. Bruce's things - were lying about the room; his razor on the bureau, his Sunday clothes - over a chair in the closet, his shoes under the foot of the bed. Hunch got - up and began to get them together, without knowing exactly why he was - doing it. He packed what he could in the patent-leather valise, and made - up the rest into bundles, borrowing paper and string from the landlady. - Then he sat down again, but before long, too restless to stay alone, he - put on his coat and walked out to the mill. Mr. Jackson was standing near - the waste dump with a memorandum book in his hand. - </p> - <p> - “Well, Badeau, what's the matter?” - </p> - <p> - “Nothing. Guess I might's well get to work.” - </p> - <p> - “Just as you like.” - </p> - <p> - The men looked surprised when he joined them. He was nervous and he worked - both himself and them at a pace that wore them out in a few hours. But at - six o'clock, when the whistle blew, and he put on his coat and went back - to the boarding-house, he felt refreshed. - </p> - <p> - On Sunday, after several days of hesitating over the best way to get - Bruce's things to Mamie, Hunch gathered up the bundles and the valise, and - took the noon train to Liddington. He sat for two hours in the station - before he could make up his mind to take them to Joe Cartier's house. When - he finally knocked at the door, Joe's wife opened it. - </p> - <p> - “How d'ye do, Mr. Badeau? Come in, won't you?” - </p> - <p> - “No, I can't,” said Hunch. “Hold on; yes, I will, too, just a minute. - Where's Joe?” - </p> - <p> - “Here he is,” replied Joe himself, coming through the hall in his - shirt-sleeves. “Come in, and set down.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch stepped in and dropped the bundles in the corner. - </p> - <p> - “Can I speak to you a minute, Joe?” - </p> - <p> - “Sure thing. Walk in the front room. Martha, I could swear Hunch ain't had - his dinner. Fetch out some of the chicken and potatoes. It ain't so hot as - it was, Hunch, but it's good, plain stuff—good enough for us, ain't - it, Martha?” - </p> - <p> - “No, don't you, Mis' Cartier. I can't stay, honest. I had some grub, - anyhow.” - </p> - <p> - But Joe's wife hurried out to the kitchen, leaving Joe and Hunch in the - front room. - </p> - <p> - “Take off your coat, man,” said Joe. “What you getting so bashful about - all of a sudden?” - </p> - <p> - Hunch unbuttoned his coat, nervously. - </p> - <p> - “Is she staying here yet, Joe?” - </p> - <p> - “Who's that you mean, Hunch? Bruce's wife? She's going up to her father's - tomorrow.” - </p> - <p> - “How's that happen?” - </p> - <p> - “Well, I'll tell you, Hunch—you won't say anything about it, of - course—but when Bruce—when he died, you know, and I knowed - that girl didn't have a cent anywheres, and worse'n that, if you count <i>his</i> - debts, I just thought—kind of—that the old man, he didn't know - quite how things stood, or he wouldn't be so ugly. You see, don't you?” - </p> - <p> - Hunch nodded. - </p> - <p> - “And, of course, I couldn't say nothing to her, you know, 'cause she'd - think first thing I meant about the rent—she's a touchy little - thing, you know—so I says to Martha, 'Martha, you just take your - work'-this was Thursday-'Martha,' I says, 'you just take your work and go - up to Mis' Banks' and set down and have a good old jaw with the old lady. - She'll let you talk to her,' I says, ''cause she used to be your - Sunday-school teacher, and she's always took a shine to you. And you just - lay out the whole thing, and tell her that if she ain't wanting to lose - the respect of one grocer in this town, she'd better just leave go of one - of those missionary societies of hers, and watch out a little for her own - daughter.' Martha, she felt kind of delicate about going, but she went - down just the same, and tackled the old lady, and when she come back, her - eyes were like she'd been crying, so I know'd it was all right and I - didn't say nothing. And, sure enough, that night old Banks himself come - around and stood up stiff in the door and says, 'Is my daughter here, - Cartier?'-He always calls me 'Joe,' you know, and I calls him 'George'; - but that ain't no matter.-I says, 'Yes,' and he goes upstairs, and then - Martha and I, we just keeps out of the way in the kitchen, so's he could - go out without running into any of us. But 'long about half-past nine he - comes out, and knocks on the kitchen door, and says, 'My daughter's coming - to my house, Joe.' And I says, 'When?' and he says, 'Monday, and let me - know what the board 'll amount to?' And you see, Hunch, I was kind of - foolish myself, so I just says, 'All right, George,' and then he goes out. - So the girl's going to keep alive, anyhow, and that's something.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch rose and slowly buttoned his ulster. - </p> - <p> - “You give her them things, won't you, Joe? I dunno as I'd say anything - about my bringing them down.” - </p> - <p> - “Why, hold on, man; you ain't going now. Martha's out getting some dinner - for you.” - </p> - <p> - “Sorry,” said Hunch. “I got to get back.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, pshaw, Hunch; this ain't right. Wait a minute, anyhow. I guess Mis' - Considine would like to see you. She's right upstairs.” - </p> - <p> - “No,” said Hunch, slowly, “she don't want to see me.” Cartier looked at - him a little surprised, then suddenly grew embarrassed. - </p> - <p> - “I forgot,” he said; “I clean forgot. No, I don't s'pose she does.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch turned and felt for the doorknob. Mrs. Cartier was coming in from - the kitchen, and she hurried forward. - </p> - <p> - “Don't let him go now, Joe. His dinner's all ready.” - </p> - <p> - “That's right,” Joe urged. “You see, you can't go, Hunch.” - </p> - <p> - “I'm sorry,” said Hunch. “Good day.” He hurried out, and left Joe and his - wife looking at each other. - </p> - <p> - Hunch had been back in Manistee nearly a week, when one day he received a - letter in a perfumed envelope, like the ones Bruce used to get, when they - were together on the schooner. He carried it in his pocket all the - afternoon, and at night, wondering what she could have to say, and yet not - daring to open it and find out, he set it upon his bureau, taking it up - every few minutes and turning it over in his hands. In the morning when he - awoke and got out of bed to dress, it was there on the bureau staring at - him. He held it tip to the light several times, then tore off the end of - the envelope and drew out the letter. It was a stiffly worded little note, - thanking him for bringing Bruce's things, and was signed, “Yours truly, - Mary Considine.” Hunch could not tell why it made him happy. He read it - over and over—the first letter she had ever written to him. He stood - by the lamp, holding it in his hand. - </p> - <p> - Then, suddenly, he thought of Bruce, and the letter dropped to the table - and lay there for a long time untouched, while he dressed with clumsy - fingers. But before he went out to work he put it away in his inside - pocket. It stayed there for a long time, and sometimes in the evenings, - long afterward, he would take it out and read it. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XVI—POP-CORN BALLS - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">H</span>UNCH worked hard - during the rest of the winter, so hard that he was startled one day, after - two weeks up country in the logging camp, to find that March was only a - week away. He had been sent to take charge of the logging gang while the - regular foreman was getting back on his legs after an ax cut. When he - returned to the mill, and reported at the office, Mr. Jackson waved him to - a chair. - </p> - <p> - “Sit down a minute, Badeau. I want to talk to you. How do you like your - work, anyhow?” - </p> - <p> - “It's all right, sir.” - </p> - <p> - “How do you get along with the men? Have any trouble?” - </p> - <p> - “Not lately.” - </p> - <p> - “Would you like to go back on the lake?” - </p> - <p> - “Wouldn't mind.” - </p> - <p> - “You've had a good deal of experience, haven't you?” - </p> - <p> - “Guess so.” - </p> - <p> - “What have you done besides running that little schooner you had?” - </p> - <p> - “Well, I was mate two years on one of Peters's coal schooners, and before - that I knocked around a good while getting on to the ropes.” - </p> - <p> - “Now, I'll tell you, Badeau, we're going to put on a big schooner this - year. She's the <i>Robert James</i>.” - </p> - <p> - “I know,” said Hunch, “a three sticker. Belongs to the Wilsons. Stud - Marble's been sailing her.” - </p> - <p> - “That's the boat. Well, we've bought her, and she's going out March - eleventh with that Menominee bill. If you think you'd like to take her - out, say so, and you can have her. We've named her the <i>Lucy Jackson</i>.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch looked down at his cap and then up at the yellow-and-red lithograph, - that hung over Mr. Jackson's desk, of Maud S., rounding into the home - stretch. He did not know what to say. - </p> - <p> - “Speak up, Badeau. Do you want it?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, sir, I'll try it.” - </p> - <p> - “We don't want you to try it; we want you to do it. There mustn't be any - doubt about it.” - </p> - <p> - “There ain't any. I can do it.” - </p> - <p> - “All right. Come in again some day this week, and we'll fix up the - details. You might be picking up a crew. And you'd better go down and look - her over. She's at Wilson's dock.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch spent the day in going over the schooner, setting things to right - and taking an inventory of repairs. For the next two weeks he worked day - and night, eating and sleeping when he could. Then exactly on time, the <i>Lucy - Jackson</i> was ready, and she sailed for Menominee with Hunch at the - wheel and a hundred and ten thousand feet of lumber on the deck. - </p> - <p> - The spring and summer months slipped by. Hunch was kept so busy delivering - cargoes at nearly every port on the lake down to Chicago and Michigan - City, and once going around through the straits to Alpena, that he kept - little track of the time. He was usually at Liddington at least once a - month, but he stayed only a day or so at a time, and then kept aboard the - schooner as much as possible. - </p> - <p> - It was in October, nine months after his talk with Joe Cartier, that he - met Mamie's father in the street in Liddington. Hunch had gone to the - post-office, expecting orders from Mr. Jackson, and was hurrying back to - the schooner to see about unloading her cargo. Banks was coming down the - steps from the bank. - </p> - <p> - “Hello, Badeau,” he said, holding out his hand. “Where've you been all - this time?” - </p> - <p> - “Busy,” said Hunch, taking the hand, and wishing that he could get away. - </p> - <p> - “Where are you now? Up to Manistee?” - </p> - <p> - “I s'pose I hail from there 's much as anywheres.” - </p> - <p> - “On the lake again, ain't you. One of the boys told me you was getting up - in the world.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, I ain't very much yet.” - </p> - <p> - “You're cap'n of a big schooner, I hear.” - </p> - <p> - “Yes. How's all your folks?” - </p> - <p> - “Pretty well. Mamie was sick for a while, but I guess she's all right now. - Let's see, it's most a year since I saw you. Don't you ever get down - here?” - </p> - <p> - “Not very often.” - </p> - <p> - “How long 're you here for?” - </p> - <p> - “Guess I can get away to-morrow some time.” - </p> - <p> - “You'll be around to-night, won't you? Mamie and the old lady 'll never - forgive you if you go away without seeing us.” - </p> - <p> - “Why——” - </p> - <p> - “Look here, now, Badeau, I'm going to send Frank down with the rig, and - fetch you up to supper.” - </p> - <p> - “No—I can't get away. Honest, I can't. I've got a big load here——” - </p> - <p> - “None of that now. You've got to come.” - </p> - <p> - “I can't do it, Mr. Banks. I would if I could.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, I s'pose you know. But Frank will be along for you right after - supper, anyhow.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch walked quickly away. He was excited, and before returning to the - schooner he strode a few blocks away from the river. He did not want his - men to see him until he could get control of himself. - </p> - <p> - After supper he got out his good clothes and brushed them carefully. When - young Banks drove down on the wharf and called to one of the men forward, - Hunch was standing before his square tilted mirror, giving a last twist to - his hair. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0007" id="linkimage-0007"> </a> - </p> - <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> - <img src="images/0188.jpg" alt="0188 " width="100%" /><br /> - </div> - <h5> - <a href="images/0188.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> - </h5> - <p> - Mr. and Mrs. Banks were cordial. Mamie came in a little later, and Hunch - was surprised to see how pretty she was. She had more flesh and color and - her eyes were brighter. She acted as if nothing had happened, and before - long Hunch was made to feel at home. When he rose to go, Mr. Banks took - his hat and followed him out, and Mamie looked a little conscious when she - said “Goodnight.” - </p> - <p> - “You won't mind my telling you something, will you, Badeau?” said Banks, - when they were on the side-walk. “I couldn't help seeing to-day that you - didn't want to come around, and I———” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, it ain't that———” - </p> - <p> - “Hold on, now. I know just what it is. I ain't lived longer 'n you have - for nothing. I see how you feel, and I just want you to know that we feel - different. Of course, there's some things does make a difference, some - kind of things—there's no getting around that—but all the - same, we ain't holding anything against you. I'll tell you, Badeau—and - I ain't ashamed to say it—when I found out how you'd been keeping my - girl alive when I weren't man enough to do it myself, I—why—dam' - it, man, I want to shake hands with you, right now.” - </p> - <p> - “Why,” said Hunch, when Banks had released his hand, “that ain't so. I———” - </p> - <p> - “Now, you don't fool me. I know about it. Joe Cartier, he told me some of - it, and Jim Bartlett and—by the way, there's a good friend of yours. - He and Jess ain't never got over the way they treated you. Lord knows - they'd be glad enough to crawl if you'd give 'em the chance. She's a good - girl, too. Made a mistake when she threw you down, but she's suffered - enough for that.” - </p> - <p> - They walked for more than a block in silence. Finally Banks said, “Look - here, Badeau; you can't go to-morrow. You just can't do it. You plan to - get away the next morning, and come up tomorrow and set around, and we'll - try to have a good time. Just to show that there ain't no hard feelings - anywheres, and you can forget us if you want to, but you've got to put in - one more evening, anyhow. Sometimes—sometimes I wonder if 't ain't - all just as well. Bruce, he wouldn't have—well, it wasn't your - fault, anyhow.” - </p> - <p> - When they parted a block further down the street, Banks said, “Mebbe we'll - have a little surprise for you when you come to-morrow night. I can't say - for sure, but it's more'n likely. And mebbe you won't be sorry you come.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch had no doubts about staying. It would have taken more than the four - Liddington tugs to have pulled him out of the harbor that next day. He - went up to Bank's house early in the evening, and found the old gentleman - alone in the front room in his shirt sleeves, popping com at the stove. - </p> - <p> - “Come right in, my boy. The women folks drove me out of the kitchen. We - thought we'd have some old-fashioned pop-corn balls. Hope you like 'em.” - Hunch grinned and sat on the sofa. “No setting around lazy. You've got to - get to work along with the rest of us. Here, you shell them ears there, in - the pan.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch drew up a chair, and held the pan between his knees. - </p> - <p> - “Where's all the folks?” he said, as he started on his second ear. - </p> - <p> - “They're out in the kitchen, the whole lot of 'em. I told 'em we'd be out - as soon as the corn was popped.” - </p> - <p> - Mr. Banks spoke without looking around and in a nervous manner. He was - watching the popper intently and he kept shaking it after the last yellow - kernel had burst into white bloom. When Hunch grew a little impatient to - go into the kitchen, Mr. Banks delayed and tried to keep up a - conversation. At last, however, the corn was ready. Mr. Banks led the way - to the kitchen door, opened it, and waited for Hunch to go through first. - Mrs. Banks was greasing pans at the table; Mamie was in the pantry - rattling the dishes. A tall girl stood at the stove stirring the candy, - her back to the door. Hunch stopped a moment and looked at her. It was - Jess Bartlett. - </p> - <p> - “Step lively, Badeau. This is our busy day.” Mr. Banks brushed by him, - holding the pan of pop-corn high up on his hand like a negro waiter, and - trying to appear unconcerned. - </p> - <p> - “Come on, Mr. Badeau,” called Mrs. Banks. “Just hold these pans a minute. - We're going to make you work too.” - </p> - <p> - Mamie came out of the pantry, blushing, and looked saucily at Hunch. He - had not seen her look like that for more than a year. Then he knew that - Jess had turned around and was looking at him. He sat on the corner of the - table, and said, “Hello, Jess.” - </p> - <p> - “Hello, John,” she replied, in a low voice. - </p> - <p> - The others had turned away, but now Mr. Banks called out, “Pull up some - chairs, folks. This is where we all get busy. Move lively, my boy. We've - got to make the balls before it gets hard.” Hunch did not know how it - happened that he sat next to Jess at the table. He felt strange and - uncomfortable. But the others were full of mischief, and they joked slyly - and winked at each other, and misinterpreted Hunch's backward manner, so - that it was, after all, a lively evening. When it came time to go, Jess - said to Mrs. Banks, “Guess I'll have to go along,” and then lingered, not - knowing whether she would have to go alone. Finally Mr. Banks said to - Hunch, “I don't s'pose you'd mind just this once seeing that Jess gets - home all safe and sound, would you, now?” So Hunch put on his coat, and he - and Jess said “Good-night,” and when they got out on the street, she - timidly took his arm, and they walked along together without a word. - </p> - <p> - The silence continued until Hunch felt that he must say something. - </p> - <p> - “How've you folks been all this time?” he asked. - </p> - <p> - “We've been pretty well. Jim sprained his wrist, but it's all right now.” - </p> - <p> - Again they were silent, and though Hunch tried, he could think of nothing - more to say. They were on the last block of their walk, when Jess, her - hand trembling a little on his arm, said: - </p> - <p> - “Haven't you ever forgiven me, John?” - </p> - <p> - It was a relief to him that she had broken the ice. - </p> - <p> - “Why, I dunno. I ain't got nothing special to forgive.” - </p> - <p> - “Are you mad now?” - </p> - <p> - “No, I ain't mad.” - </p> - <p> - “You didn't come around. It's been a long time.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch had no explanation. They stood at the gate, each waiting for the - other to go on. Jess turned half away and picked at a broken corner of the - gate-post. Hunch watched her. There was something attractive in the poise - of her figure, and even with her big hat on, enough of her hair showed to - give an impression of its richness. She looked up at him. - </p> - <p> - “Ain't we ever going to be—friends, John?” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, we're friends now, I reckon.” Hunch hesitated; he was making up his - mind to tell the truth. - </p> - <p> - “What makes you act like you do?” - </p> - <p> - “'Cause, well, 'cause there ain't no use patching up an old hull and - calling it a new boat, Jess. Things is changed. There's no good saying I - feel like I did, when I don't, Jess; and couldn't if I tried. You're a - fine girl, and you'll make some fellow happy, but I'm afraid I ain't him.” - </p> - <p> - She stood looking down. - </p> - <p> - “Don't you see how 'tis, Jess? I'm just telling you the truth.” - </p> - <p> - She nodded? He held out his hand, and she took it quickly, then ran into - the house. That was all. Hunch looked after her for a few moments, then he - walked slowly back to the schooner. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XVII—OLD TIES - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>HE next day Hunch - was moody. The men were afraid of him, and it was after a long time of - bracing his courage, that the mate came up to where Hunch was sitting on - the rail. - </p> - <p> - “Cap'n,” he said, “she's all ready.” - </p> - <p> - “I know it.” - </p> - <p> - “Will we get under way? There's the tug coming in fifteen minutes.” - </p> - <p> - Hunch sat still, his fingers locked, looking out across the harbor. - </p> - <p> - “Mike,” he said, abruptly, “skip up to the office and telephone over for - the tug to come to-morrow morning at seven o'clock.” - </p> - <p> - “Not till to-morrow——?” - </p> - <p> - “That's what I said.” - </p> - <p> - The mate walked away, shaking his head. - </p> - <p> - Hunch was in a bad temper all the afternoon. After supper he sat in the - cabin alone until after seven o'clock. Finally he got up and walked - swiftly across town to Mamie's house. Mr. Banks opened the door, his coat - on and his hat in his hand. - </p> - <p> - “Hello, my boy. This is a big surprise. Step right in. We thought you was - up to Manistee by now.” - </p> - <p> - “I thought I was going myself.” - </p> - <p> - “Take off your coat—here, let me have it. How'd you manage it?” - </p> - <p> - “I—I found I couldn't get away.” - </p> - <p> - “Ain't that fine, though. Mother, here's Mr. Badeau.” Mrs. Banks was in - the front room straightening her bonnet. - </p> - <p> - “How d'ye do?” she said, coming into the hall and shaking hands. “Glad to - see you. Father and I was just starting for prayer-meeting.” - </p> - <p> - “Go right along, Mis' Banks. Don't stay on my account.” - </p> - <p> - “All right, if you'll excuse us. We won't be gone long, and I guess Mamie - 'll take care of you all right. We can have our visit when we get back. - Mamie-! Where is that child?” - </p> - <p> - “Here I am, mother,” said Mamie, coming in from the kitchen. She greeted - Hunch cordially. - </p> - <p> - “Good-by,” said Mrs. Banks, “we'll be back 'fore long.” - </p> - <p> - Mamie pulled up two chairs to the stove, Hunch helping her. - </p> - <p> - “How'd you happen to stay over?” she asked. “We weren't expecting you.” - </p> - <p> - “No, I just made up my mind this morning.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, I'm sure we're glad you did. It seems just like old times to have - you back here.” - </p> - <p> - “Don't it, though? I ain't had much chance to see my friends in the last - year. I have to keep a-going all the time, you know.” - </p> - <p> - “But I should think you'd kind of like it. Father told me how well you're - doing. Isn't it fine.” - </p> - <p> - “I dunno,” said Hunch. “I ain't always sure I care much one way or the - other.” - </p> - <p> - “You mean about getting on? Oh, you mustn't talk like that. Of course you - care, and all your friends care, too. We like to see you get ahead. Jess's - brother told me when you got to be captain, and I was kind of proud of - you.” - </p> - <p> - The mention of Jess bothered Hunch, though he replied, “Was you really?” - and tried to smile. - </p> - <p> - Mamie was looking at him with a friendly expression in her eyes that he - did not quite understand. He thought at first that she was laughing at - him. But then she smiled, and said with a little hesitation: - </p> - <p> - “I didn't know but what you mightn't like what—the little surprise - we had last night, you know.” - </p> - <p> - “Oh, yes; I did all right.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, but I thought afterward that maybe we oughtn't to have done it. It - was father's idea. He feels real bad about—about you and Jess. And - she's an awfully nice girl.” - </p> - <p> - “Yes,” said Hunch, “there ain't no doubt about that.” - </p> - <p> - Mamie hesitated again, and then, when Hunch did not speak, they both - became embarrassed. - </p> - <p> - “I've wondered sometimes, if you knew,” she said at length, “if you really - thought Jess was the only one to blame. It was just as much her folks—her - brother, you know—he was worried about it, and he tried to keep her - from going on with you.” - </p> - <p> - “Yes, I know. He told me that.” - </p> - <p> - “And I—don't you see how it is? You've both of you been two of the - best friends I ever had, and I didn't like to see it—well, you know, - don't you?” - </p> - <p> - She was looking into the fire as she spoke, and Hunch was watching her. - She was very much in earnest. - </p> - <p> - “Don't you see?” she went on. “I couldn't help feeling kind of bad about - it. Why can't you make it all right?” She waited for him to answer, and at - last looked up at him with a half smile. “Why?” She asked again. - </p> - <p> - Hunch looked at her, almost fiercely, until she lowered her eyes to the - stove. - </p> - <p> - He got up, and walked to the window and back. - </p> - <p> - “Did you think it was her?” he asked, in a strange voice. - </p> - <p> - “Why—yes.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, it wasn't. It was you.” - </p> - <p> - Mamie lost a shade of her color and leaned back in her chair. Hunch stood - looking down at her and he said again, “It was you, Mamie.” - </p> - <p> - Mamie spoke without looking up. - </p> - <p> - “Oh, John,” she said, “I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.” - </p> - <p> - Then Hunch sat down and talked wildly, eagerly. And Mamie leaned back - without a word, and looked at the brass ball on top of the stove and at - the patterns on the wallpaper. Hunch was talking when a key rattled in the - lock, and he sat stiff and constrained when Mamie's father and mother came - into the room. He tried to stay and talk, but could not; and a few minutes - later he said “Good-night,” and went out into the hall. Mamie followed - him, and without a word took down his ulster and helped him to get it on. - </p> - <p> - “Good-by,” he said. - </p> - <p> - “Good-by, John. Don't be mad, will you? You know how much I care for you; - and we'll be good friends, won't we, John?” - </p> - <p> - He bent down and whispered close to her ear, “I'm in for it now, Mamie. I - ain't going to lose you now. Next time I come down I ain't going back - without you.” - </p> - <p> - Mamie smiled sadly, and shook her head. But she stood in the doorway - watching him until he had passed into the darkness beyond the lamp-post on - the corner. - </p> - <p> - <br /><br /> - </p> - <hr /> - <p> - <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> </a> - </p> - <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - <h2> - CHAPTER XVIII—THE HOUSE WITH THE SHINGLED FRONT - </h2> - <p class="pfirst"> - <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>HE Fates kept - Hunch from getting to Liddington again during the autumn, so he took to - writing letters. He could not write what he would have said; his letters - were stilted little notes, usually beginning with a phrase he had picked - up from the office correspondence, “Yours of recent date is just at hand,” - or “Replying to yours of recent date,” etc. Mamie wrote as impersonally, - and through the autumn and on into the winter their letters told of - nothing but incidental doings and happenings; but both were conscious of - the sentiment that lay behind the effort of writing. - </p> - <p> - On the first day of December, when navigation on the lakes was closed, - Hunch left the <i>Lucy Jackson</i> in her berth at the lumber wharf. For - some weeks he had been thinking over a plan which he was now ready to - carry out. He got Mr. Jackson to take a walk with him at noon, and they - went up the river and looked at a piece of land. Mr. Jackson thought it - would do, and on the next day it belonged to Hunch. He paid cash for it. - </p> - <p> - Through the winter months he was busy building a house. The plans came - from an old copy of an architect's journal. Mr. Jackson sold him the - lumber at inside rates, and Hunch rafted it up himself during a few days - of open water. Bill Anderson, a carpenter whom he had known on the - Liddington elevator, was hired, and together they built the house. Later, - Hunch had to hire a plumber and a plasterer, but even after these expenses - something was left of his year's earnings. - </p> - <p> - When January had come, and Hunch had not gone down to Liddington, Mamie - could not help letting him see that she missed him. Once she wrote that - she “guessed he didn't remember old friends very well.” Hunch sat up half - of one night reading the letter, but gave her no hint except that maybe he - had a “little surprise” of his own. - </p> - <p> - The house fronted on the river. It was a story-and-a-half high, with four - rooms and a hall on the ground floor and two small rooms upstairs. There - was a grate in the front room, big enough for chunks of wood. The veranda - extended the full width of the house. It would be a good place to sit - evenings, when it was not too cold. The big white sand-hill that looked - down on one side of the house may have been bleak enough, but Hunch had - been brought up among sand-hills, and he liked it. It had a round bald - top, and every morning during the summer the sun would strike it early and - make it glisten. Hunch thought that maybe he would set out a few peach - trees in the side yard some day. - </p> - <p> - It was on the twenty-seventh of February, a Saturday, that Hunch and Bill - put the last brush of paint on the house. They sat down to rest on a - saw-buck in the front yard, where they could admire the wide veranda and - the shingled front. - </p> - <p> - “Who's going to live here, now she's done?” asked Bill. - </p> - <p> - “I am.” Hunch grinned. - </p> - <p> - “All alone?” - </p> - <p> - Hunch grew serious. The sense of achievement that had come with the - building of the house had overbalanced his doubt about Mamie. He grew more - serious, and paid no attention to Bill's questions. - </p> - <p> - They were cleaning up the brushes out in the woodshed, when Hunch suddenly - pulled out his watch. - </p> - <p> - “Bill,” he said, “you fix things up. I've got to go.” - </p> - <p> - He caught a trolley car. At his room he hurriedly put on his good suit and - white shirt. Then he ran for the station. At six-thirty he was in - Liddington. - </p> - <p> - After supper at the hotel he walked up to Mamie's house. He had started - out coolly, but suddenly, as he opened the gate, his strength seemed to - leave him. He had reached the great moment of his life, and he vaguely - knew it. He was so nervous that his hand was shaking when he knocked, and - the things about him looked unnatural. - </p> - <p> - Mamie was nervous too; and though she talked easily enough for a while, - and scolded Hunch because he had not been to see her all winter, she - hardly knew what she was saying. Then came a time when neither had - anything to say, and they sat for a long time without a word. Hunch's - eyebrows were drawn together, almost fiercely. - </p> - <p> - “Say,” he finally got out, “will you do something for me?” - </p> - <p> - “Why—I'll do anything I can.” - </p> - <p> - “Well, I guess you can, all right. I want you to come up to Manistee with - me to-morrow morning.” - </p> - <p> - “Why—” she stammered, “I can't say now—it isn't——?” - </p> - <p> - “No,” said Hunch, “you don't have to say nothing. I just want to show you - something. We can be back before night.” - </p> - <p> - Mamie looked relieved. - </p> - <p> - “What is it?” she asked slowly. - </p> - <p> - “Nothing much—I ain't going to tell just yet. You'll come, won't - you?” - </p> - <p> - “Why, I don't know———” - </p> - <p> - “Won't you?” - </p> - <p> - Mamie looked at him, hesitated, then laughed nervously, and nodded. She - was a little frightened. Hunch grew almost boisterous in a sudden flow of - good spirits, and he went away without a word which would make her - understand. - </p> - <p> - They took the morning train. Mamie was herself again, and they appeared as - quite a sober pair. Hunch, however, grew nervous as they came into - Manistee. He hurried her into a trolley car, and sat stiff and silent - while they skirted the flat shore of the lake and river. Finally, they got - out and walked across the sand to a newly painted cottage next to a - sand-hill. - </p> - <p> - Hunch looked at the house, and then at Mamie. She was puzzled, - </p> - <p> - “Well,” he said, “how do you like it?” - </p> - <p> - “What?” she said, though her eyes showed that she was beginning to - understand. - </p> - <p> - “That there—the house. It's yours. I made it for you.” He was so - excited that he was raising his voice. - </p> - <p> - “S—sh,” said Mamie, “somebody'll hear you.” - </p> - <p> - Then she looked for a long time at the house. Hunch watched her, but she - would not meet his eyes. She walked slowly up the yard, balancing on the - planks that were laid on the sand. She rested a foot on the first step, - and slowly looked around. There were tears in her eyes. - </p> - <p> - Hunch gripped her hand tightly. - </p> - <p> - “Oh, John,” she faltered; but this time she did not say that she was - sorry. - </p> - <div style="height: 6em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> - </div> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of His Little World, by Samuel Merwin - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HIS LITTLE WORLD *** - -***** This file should be named 54103-h.htm or 54103-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/1/0/54103/ - -Produced by David Widger from page images generously -provided by Google Books - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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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