The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-08-16
ON THE BRINK,

I
The good ship Marion lay in the port
of Hong Kong, with her cargo and crew
aboard, her sails bent, but waiting 70,
the coming dawn and a fair wind to
bear her on her homeward journey
Everything had been prepared for a
long voyage, and wrestle with the ell
ements. One anchor had already been
secured, while the second, sufficed to
hold her as she lay upon the waters,
that gently beat against her side. Her
deck had been cleared of every unnec-
essary movable thing; the water casks
and boats had been properly slowed
and cared for; and but for the cooks
galley that doomed up athwart the ship
her decks would have been unobstruc-
ted. Her tall, tapering masts were
gaily dressed with flags and streamers !;
her decks and gangways were carpeted;
and the delicious music that arose from
her cabin, and foated away on the gem
tie breeze that family stirred her bunt-
ing as it passed, gave truthful indica-
tons of what was in progress below.
Around and about the ship were
gathered numerous boats, that, at the
first sound of music and revelry, had
put off from the shore, the occupants
of some of which lay upon their oars
and seemed to drink in the enchanting
melody; while others, with uncontrolla-
bic curiosity, peeped in through the
cabin windows of the deeply laden ship
while the more venturesome clambered
up her sides, jumped upon her decks,
and intermingling with the crew who
loitered forward, endeavored to ascer-
tain the cause of all this revelry.
/! Boats containing the select few who
were interested in the evenings testify
tiles occasionally appeared at the gang
way stairs, at the head of which stood
Captain Hudson tdDeceive his guests;
while at the cabin door the winning
smile and graceful attentions of his
niece, Lettie Fay, were exerted in ten
dering all cordial welcome.
Lettie Fay was of medium statue
her classic features, dark blue eyes and
luxuriant dark brown hair, attracting
to her side hosts of admirers, Will Q
her gentleness of mind and kindness of
heart endeared her to all.
This was her seventeenth birthday,
and the eve of the departure of the
Marion, and her worthy uncle had
made the double event the occasion Of
gathering of their many friends.
The band of her Majesty's ship Vixen
furnished the music; sand interspersed
with those who were present, the gay
uniforms of the officers of the English
war vessels that were. then lying in
port, were conspicuous.
Dancing, card playing and singing
formed the prelude to the supper,
where all the choicest viands of the
season tempted the appetite, while the
glorious old wines Of France and Italy
seemed but to awaked the enthusiasm
that had been temporarily suppressed
during the earlier hours of the evening.
Among the assembled guests was
Captain Crane of the ship Vixen. Be-
meath modest demeanor he had con-
cealed record that many an older
heart had sighed for in vain, and had
received such undoubted proof of his
country's gratitude, that while his com
panions could not but admire his cour-
age and rejoice at his success, still they
could not at times restrain feeling of
envy that would rise unbidden in their
hearts. r:H
Captain Crane loved Lettie Fay.
For two years he Ihad worn her image
in his heart. He had first met 7ther at
her uncle's house in London; but never
by word or gesture had he appraised
her of his sentiments, but, like the pa
gan ofold, woryss,nipped herin silence.
When the gally dressed officers at Hong
Kong thronged around her, and lavish
ed unstinted praise upon her, or solicit
ted her hand for the coming dance, it
was noticed that Captain Crane almost
stood aloof, and seemed rather to court
the conversation of the weather. bronz-
ed sea captain. But it was remarked,
too, that Lettie Fay often furtiyely
glanced around her, as though she was
looking for some absent face, or sighed
for the cadence of some well known
voice, and occasionally, as clouds will
pass before the sun, a sadness seemed
momentarily to rest upon her face; but
it would soon pass away, and then, if
possible, she would appear brighter
than ever.
While this scene of revelry was in
progress in the commodious cabin, an
entirely different aspect was presented
on the deck of the vessel. Many of the
crew had long since retired to their
hunks to steal few hours sleep pre-
paratory 70 the exhausting and labori-
GUS duties of the approaching morning;
but few still remained on deck, wait
ing to row the visitors back to the
shore when the assemhlane shnnld dis.