Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-06-22

Indifferent subjects but even on these
occasions ho usually broke Off suddenly
and went below, as though he were doing
violence to himself in speaking at all.
It should have been mentioned that at
this time the chief mate was sick, A vio-
lent fever seized him Immediately after the
close of the three days gale, and he had
been confined to his berth since. The
captain and second mate shared the watches
between them.
The Mary Burton, detained by the bad
weather, had already been twenty-onc
days at sea the passengers were beginning
to get impatient, and wanted much to
know OF their whereabouts. But to in
quiries on this point, the second mate,
young inexperienced seaman, could not give
them an answer, and the captain apparently
would not There was only one expedient.
Captain Powell had always shown himself
SO amiabe towards the young lady-the
only young lady on board-that it was
thought if she were to ask him directly,
he would not refuse her the information.
Miss Ellis was strongly urged to make the
attempt, and consented-she herself being
anxious to know how soon they would
reach their destination. When she came
next morning on deck, and found the cap
tain as usual pacing the starboard side Of
the quarterback, she went up to him with
pleasant smile.
"IIow is it, Captain Powell ?" she asked,
"Shall we soon see land Or is there yet
no hope of it 2"
"Arc you already tired Of us 2" returned
the captain, melancholy expression on his
drawn-in-lips. "Are you in need of any
thing %
"Uertainly not" replied Kate. "You
have cared for us SO well, that We can
scarcely miss our usual land comforts SO
much as you do yours. But yet"
"But, notwithstanding, you want to
leave the poor ship as soon as possible W
"You won't blame passenger for that, 7"
said Kate, smiling "Salt water is not our
element; | am afraid even Of those little
waves when / think how soon they may
grow into fearful giants"
But the question remained unsatis!ied,
for the captain did not answer it. Miss
Ellis venturcd to ask again.
whereabouts are we now, captain Z |
hope it is no secret. Please tell us-for
we land folks understand nothing ourselves.
One wave looks like another; and to me
the stars seem to stand in just the same
places as they did in New York"
"You know would do all in my power
to please you, but cannot alter the wind,
and it is dead ahead" said the captain
then. you must resign yourself to put
up with our ships fare little longer. |
cannot help it, Miss Kate"
but in what direction are we sailing
now ?"
Cup to the north"
'Then we shall come into the Polar Sea-
When was child always had longing
to visit those regions where in summer
tie sun never sets. 1t must seem very
wonderful Have you been there, Captain
Powell ~
eyes" answered Powell, casting his eyes
dreamily around. "Wondertul indeed that
endless day, where there are no nights-no
dreadful nights. | wish was there-aad
you wtb me-" he added, in scarcely audi
bic whisper.
Kate Ellis was startled. The last words
had not escaped her quick ears.
Kate" said he, suddenly selling the
girls hand" answer me one question. You
wished Just now to know where we are ;
let me first hear from you where | am, and
whether there is the smallest hope left for
me that fair breeze will again till my
sails and blow me into port ?"
~ do not understand you, Captain Pow
ell,n said Kate, trying to take her hand
away. But he would not let her; he con-
tinued to hold it while he spoke his voice
hoarse with agitation.
ADO not evade me longer--not now, at
least-and be assured from this moment |
will not disturb you with a single word.
Tell me only this one things it really
true that you are now fastening to the
arms of a bridegroom? Your mother says
it is Is it true that he is waiting impa-
tiently for you in England THAT this
ship is bearing you to him ?"
For moment Kate Ellis's face was as
white as his. And then she rallied her
courage to avow the simple truth, decming
that it might put an end to the trouble for
once and all,
at is quite true, Captain Powell. am
soon to be married to Mr.. OtterSon; |
think you know him. You were told this
in New York"
"But could not beliere it, he answered
with strange emotion. 'l-l could not
think that ! stood at the gates of Heaven
only TO see them closed against mo-"
captain Powell"
lie flung away her hand, and looked at
her. She looked back at him. Trembling
though she was with dismay, she did not
shrink from what she had said.
at is well, Miss Ellis" said he, calmly
drawing his pea-coat closer about him, as
though he felt cold. III thank you, ut
least, that you have been straightforward
with me. | shall keepmy promise. Twill
not trouble you with any furtherquestions."
"And will you now answer me ?" she
yet gained courage to say. When shall
we reach our destination :"
"Soon, Miss Ellis--soon. You will see
, | shall not delay. can't control the
Wlnus you Know nut ani III hurry
mysef-leave it to me-"
With his eyes fixed on her, he raised his
olSkin hat and went below. There was
something very strange about him; Kate
could but see it. In half an hour, during
which time he had brooded over his chart,
he was on deck again and gave orders to
set the top-gallant sails.
This was soon done. But the Mary
Burton could not keep the same course
with her upper sails set. She now stood
exactly north-north-cast.
Some of the passengers noticed the
change, and supposed that it indicated that
the captain, having been driven too much
} to the south, was about to take the chan
mel round the nortk instead of the chan