New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-16

why, You may suppose when put myself upon ner
poop, IN fancy, saw her as clearly as man
might figure the wife of his bosom by recalling her
appearance. One thought led to another: pictured
by her beauty, and giving hor his arm for a walk
to windward whenever there was sea-way enough
to make such gallantry reasonable: then the bright
picture Of the cuddy. as could remember IL on hie
days came up, with its table agleam with damask
and glass, stewards wandering around IT, pleasant
company OF ladies and gentlemen eating and drink
ing. and figured Florence among them: ana anon
rose tile fancy of the breathess tropical evening,
the moon in the south. the dew like diamond dust
upon the rails and skylghts, and Florence standing
alone, looking away into the Infinite leagues OF
gloom.
Now 1t was at this, or at soE other point of my
reflections very to 1t. when the sense OF her GO
ing away and the conception OF the mmeasuraDe
miles which would separate her from me when sue
had sailed had cut into my heart like knife. bring
ing down whole food of those internal tears
which men who have never wept since they were III
petticoats have shed again and again at times OF
misery in their liyes-at this point of my reyerle
say. an idea flashed upon me that canght my breath
like blow in the side an extraordinary exultatlon
seemed to swell my head to four times MS proper dl
mensiOns-DO yon smile at that, mates well, next
time you are rendered Historically joyful note the
sensation in your head and hair--and in tree !
had sprung out of my chair and was walking about
the room as hard as my legs would carry me, my
cheeks burning with the sudden excitement.
And what do you suppose 1T was that hal PM
these heels TO my prNs oah am ws bap the simple
question asked Inc by some faculty inside me I'm
willing to call divine: Uhydont goa 90 TO ga tclh
IL
and easy TO do as calling cab amt driving 10 q
railway station. How was it that the idea ala not
instantly occur to me when read Florences letter.
I'm sure cannot tell you / was rendered maudlin
and muddy by the news, suppose. and could 0nIy
see out Of one eye. But now that the notion had
come to ne, il as simple to understand as DoX-
inv the compass and when had worked off my de
lrium by bowling about the room, lighted pipe
and sat down to trim the noble scheme and set the
whole matter square and ship-shape in my brains
IL was one of those adventures. indeed, which no
man could be better qualified to undertake than
sailor and in score of respects might reckon MY
tain me at home was an lndependent man, ana IL
was all the same to me whether lived III London or
Bristol, or voyaged to Australia. Next, had me
means TO pay for my passage which would not I'M
pOVeTlsh me either, for whether stayed ashore OF
went to a passenger should have to i've, ana
stayed at home. Thirdly, if the Captain Daniel
Thompson whose name was advertised as lne
Strathmores commander was the same person VINO
had been second mate of the Montrose when was In
that vessel then should be associated with an ola
friend. to whom / could explain the object oil my
voyage and whose friendly help could count npon
| name but n few of the advantages under which
should embark on this adventure AS Ia wat good
might come of the voyage, dld not allow that con-
NV scheme promised me several months OF constant
intercourse with my darlingf Conceive my feelings
when reelected upon being locked up in a ship with
Florence. Why, down at Bristol, as you know,
lurking about and could not get even TO zee her
only just now had sent lOng-wnded letter 10
Sophie telling her that was suTc should never
meet nv hearts delight again: and here, IN my
comes n scheme which would enable me to be by her
side within sight OF sound OF her hour alter hour
no AlphOnSo Hawke to loom close at hand ana
scowl ME away, no to interfere but her aunt,
who had never set eyes on me, ana VINO should
never know, if could help it. who was.
The project took such complete possession OF me
that remained indoors the whole evening and sat
thinking over L far into the night. When nj last
went 10 bed lay there very restless, pieturng the
voyage thinking of my darling and myself at sea,
Miss Damaris Hawke so as TO win her regard, and
4, foil IN drpnm |
with Florence in the middle OF the ocean ana that
we were rescued by q steamboat commanded by Mr..
Norrcombc who flUuuShed telescope npOn the
paddle box and shouted. Ease her" and Back
her ~ like any Thames penny shipper
Next morning received u letter from my uncle.
four lines only saying that he would he IN London
on that day and asking me to lunch with him in the
Great Western Hotel / was very willing TO lunch,
but ought 10 open my mind to him mean, could
| trust him with the secret of my project suppose
my amt Influenced by nelghboriy feelings, should
deem il her duty TO apprlsc Mr. Hawke OF nay lhten-
ton 10 accompany his danghter 10 AuSirahaT was
Mat likely | could not he sure; and, not beng
sure, ougt to icOpardize my nube scheme III the
least degree, by speaking aIOnt II 10 those VINO
were certain to repeat what said These cOnsld-
Crations worried me until II was time 10 start Tor
raddmgton, and then finally decided to sound my
uncc first TO talk with great deal of caution, and
to trim as might find the wind blowing.
| found HIM waiting for me III n private room II.
the hotel, and when was ushered IN he ordered
lunch TO be served, saying lie was hlli-dead Win
ian,inc. lie asked me how was, ana Inquired
after nay aunt and cousins and these clvlillies pc
ing over he exclaimed an ga" 10 sec STI ~ h .n
hold srarccrOw-a skeleton, with It's clothes
hanging loose upon IT,
"Why ~ SAID |. do you think I've been ill |" -
No, 80 Judge from what SOPHIE told me. she
had a letter from YOU this mOrnIng-a regular
twlstrr she wouldn't show 1t TO me, nor Should
have hl tine to read il. for barely saved the eX-
urrs, l,y one minute. But she SAID you were very
unhappy, ami roast me II you could have made her
grieye lIrc had you asked her to your funeral and
then hanged yourself.
was ii ,srr,li,le enough You know Of course that
Florence > to be packed of to Australia .,.
Wien you wrote You were miserable enough;
aren't Won so now ~ he inquired.
Yes said l. very" 49,
Iow's Your appetite, jack
I'm auitc ready for lunch" answered.
III. hurst into a laugh and was about 10 speak, but
siu hcrrd mp his words IN cough as the waiter en-
tered. We took our seats at the table and while
we lmchcd my uncle Went away from all reference
to Florence and Australia and my misery by telling
me the object Of LIs visit 10 town; which was
think for / cannot clearly remember, to buy some
building laud ut Clifton, and he was somewhat
lively m his abuse of solicitor who had left hun
about ten minutes before my arrival Ana yet
could not help taking notice that all the while nc
was chattcrlug he Ukcd ut me as II there was some
thng in hs thoughts behind what he was saying
AT last, when the waiter had cleared OUT anu ioil
ms alone le fell INTO short silence inspecting me
contenplatlveiy; and then says he " 30, Jack, you
are To lose Florence r
. hope not" replied.
But Won know she's going to Australia ~
Z" lcS.p 90. -,
"That's about twelve thousand miles OF, isn't ltT
SAID he.
"Call il twelve thousand" replied
deuce of separation is twelve thousand
miles, he exclaimed. And all water mnd-nO
inllwavs from here to Australia, my lad and
there's Il mi2hty pause between 5he posting Oh
letter aud the getting reply 10 ~.
pon'tmake me utterly miserable uncle"
lie eyed me with "A look made up OF amusement
and inGnrsityenesS. DO you know" cried he,
- Won don't appear half miserable enough; you're
like Stcec's mntc-thc more You get the joler yon
look. What will Sophie think when tell her OF
your appette and that instead of being a shadow,
vou seem to be fatter than when last saw You T.
She'll think that I'm too much occupied IN
cropping about after daylight 10 be broken down"
lie took another long stare at me- ana then, cock
uT mi, eve m a manner peculiartO himself, lie said