New-York tribune., 1884-01-27
CHAPTER Xxx.
III nprNCr CONTESTS


II does not take much to make hero of man
lfor a few hours on board ship. where there's
nothing to talk about except the rate of speed and
what's for dinner to-day; AND SO at lunch l found
myself a conspicuous figure the ladies smiling at
me- the gentlemen begging the honor OF taking wine
with me tho custom was not yet dead, while the
stewards favored me with their best att ntlon
Florence rs usual sat between me and the captain.
Aunt DaInaris having up to this time made 10 OBJ
lection but tho meal was very nearly over before
could manage to tackle her, in one of our quiet
haf-N hSpcrcd talks, for that Griffith had said
that the child was doing very well str. and Mrs
joyce being absent from the table the passengers
felt at liberty TO talk freely about the accident, and
to ask me questions, such az. how l had managed
not to hurt myself by jumping into the water this
was Mrs O'Bricu'sl, and how | managed TO keep
myself aAoat in my clothes. While Captain Jackson
exclaimed, that if he hadn't known me TO be n
landsnan by the questions had asked the pilot he
should have supposed was sailor, " by one cir
CumStancc took notice of, sir, and that was your
having taking the bearings of the infant for she
had vanished before you reached the spot, and if
you hadn't fixed her locality by some obcct-a
cloud take it. sir for there nothing elSe-why
then, all can say is little Missy Joyce would have
been at the bottom of the ocean bv this time"
The ladies shuddered. and Daniel pointed to the
Joyccs' cabin, with griInacc at the navy man. But
the subject too fascinating to be dropped Mrs.
OBricn remembered the narrow escape of her little
brother from drowning in the Lihcy. Mr.. ThOmp-
son-Tucher knew who cousin of a
fellow who had saved bargce's lite, by heav!ng
open umbrella to him; and Captain Jackson had
remarkable stories to tell OF Navigating Lieu
tenant Jones who jumped overheard in Il heavy
gale of " ind and saved a marine who had tumbled
the side in drunken fit and of Master Assis
tant Smith, who had drowned puTsers mate IN Il
eQuall. by hcrOcally jumping right on top of him
whcn he was in the water, IN the manly effort 10
his life 10 all which, of course, was bound in
courtesy 90 listen.
However when at last the conversation slack
ened. Florence said to me- You do not to care
what think OF your conduct Jack"
You may be sure of that my darling" said |.
no consequence to me at ALL
Well she continued. smiling. whether Won
care about my opinion or not, | viii tell you this
you ought 20 feel proud of what you have done
II y glorious thing 10 save a life"
30 II IS Florence, but we'll say no more about
H. my pet the child is rescued is well and there's
RI end: l have something more serons tn tall to
you about only, confound IT, with your aunt mak
ing fender of the shippers elbow tiother SD
there, talking seriously * almost impossible; if
Mrs. Olirien looks, Miss Damaris will look and if
She looks she'll see"
First what is a fender. Jack ?" asked Florence.
giving me my name now very easily, and with a
distinct relish in the utterance.
@Qnly,7 said |, something that You pqt over a
ships side to prevent it from being ehafed.'
81 ain visor" she exclaimed, but. never
mind, what is IL that You want 10 talk TO me
seriously abOut' and she peercd at me with of
those sOguettsh gances which IN most girls never
How can yOu ask :" whispered have told
you love yOu-haye not. Florence r.
Sio pretended TO look for something between
her and Daniel. ANSWER me. my sweetest girl" !"
said l. whispering always.
Yes you have" she replied, giving me a view Of
her left cheek that was full of color.
And do you know" said l, that you have
never told mo that you love me :"
"0h. don't talk to me IN that way-here," she ex-
claimed with her eyes on the tablccloth ana
sure Captain Thompson hears you, and Mrs. MAJ
maduke Mortimer staring so haTdD
peercd at Daniel but he had his shoulder TO us
ana was chatting brlskly with Aunt Damaris
@Am never TO be alone with You, FlOrencep
whispered " it is fearfully hard TO pretend not to
care about you and have 10 do that when we're
not alone Can't you manage to come on deck this
evening for little walk with mel You gave ME 10
hope you would not allow your aunt to have her
Own way altogether with you"
II il is fine will see" said she.
1t will be fne." said /. "Come up to breathe
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