The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-08-20
An AWKWARD MOMENT.
Harpcr's Weekly.

The man who made this remark wa
seated opposite his friend before thu
cheerful fire in the smoking-room of .
London military club. Both had the
bronzed faces aud prematurely grizzled
hair which betokcns long sojourns un'
der almost topical skies. Tho one who
had been addressed as "Roger" wa
slightly the elder, and upon his broad
chest bore the tiny scrap OF ribbon thai
indicated that the wearer had won thai
most priced of English decorations, thu
Victoria Gross. He did not reply for {
minute or two to his companions words
Apparently they had called up many
"reminiscences, few of which were agree.
able, but at last smile lighted up his
features, and he said:
Yes. old boy; I've very often thought
my life wasn't going to last second
longer: but the most awkward moment
ever putin wasn't in the field"
mo? Then I presume it was when
you wero bcsiegel in tho Residenc y
during the Mutiny?"
1T wasn't in action at all. It was on
board ship"
"Wreck?"
mo. That is to say, the ship wasn't
wrecked, but thought I was"
"Tell mo about it,"
well, I don't mind. It's twenty
years ago, and the telling can't hurt any
ono now. Still, you will understand
that the names I shall give you arc not
the true ones, and you must promise
not to try to find out what those
were"
"AlI right, I'll be content with the
story
"Here goes, them" said Roger, set
thing himself back in his chair. "It oc-
CURED just after we'd finished up the
last Of those black devils. I had pretty
nearly got over the wounds I received
in the affair for which the Queen gave
mo the cross, md reported myself as
fit for duty. The colonel, however,
bless his old heart! wouldn't hear Of it,
and insisted on my taking year q
leave. There was no canal in those
days, and the pleasantest way of going
home then--and I don't know that it
isn't now-was by one Of the fine dip
per ships round the Cape. I was for
tunate enough to get cabin to myself
ON board tho Winchester, of Greene's
line. Tho purser. Watson, I had met
at some mess dinners in Calcutta. and
he promised to make things IS pleasant
as possible. We had very few passen-
gers, mostly ,nvalided officers, two
Of three civilians, and four ladies.
l saw three Of the ladies on deck
when We sailed, and none of them i'm
pressed me as being specially charm
ing. The captain, whose name was
wo'll say, John Smith, looked like one
of the regular navy. He wore a uni.
form and sword, and was very severe oil
aspect and stiff in bearing. I found
out afterward that he was regular
martinez, and the half dozen midship-
men and tho minor officers stood in con.
siderable awe of him. On my being
introduced, he favored me with q
formal grasp of the hand, and jerked
ont few words of having heard of me
before.
I'VE did not begin to drop down the
river till the day was fairly advanced,
and had scarcely got my traps in or
der when it was time to dress for din
ner. In those days the captain would
have been insulted if his passengers did
not turn out in full evening toggery.
We soldiers were seated at table in &C.
cordance with our rank, and as
had only just got my company,
was pretty we'll down toward the
foot, or purser's end. This did
not at first feel inclined to regret, rs the
prospect appeared that we should be 6
little more free end easy than were the
fogies up at the top. But when lad
got fairly settled into my place, look
cd toward the captain, and Immediately
began to deplore my insignifcance
Seated on his right was the prcttiest
girl had ever seen. Her eyes were
we'll, it's no use my giving you an auo,
tioneer's catalogue of her charms. You
just picture your ideal. and she vii
come very near it. All I knew was thai
Twas completely knocked over. I m
sure my neighbors pust have though
1 was either surly or stupid, for I neve1
addressed them, and I was scarcel,
conscious what replies made to thei
remarks. All my attention was givel
to silent watching of my now divinity
and l frantically envied the captain
and bluff old colonel who were priv
LEGGED to sit beside her.
"As soon US dinner was over I 20
hold of my friend Watson, and inquire,
the name of the young lady.
"'She's Miss Latimer,' he said
Came out with us this voyage, sup
pose only for her health, since she's 60
ing right back. Understand she's o.
orphan and got some money. Dresse
we'll, at least. Shall I introduce you {?
"Of course I jumped at the offer, an
very soon the magic words were spokeI
which privileged mo to speak to m
> idol. You SOC even now l get enthusi
astic and romantic in my language whe
I talk about her, so you can imagin
the condition of hopeless 'smite' i
which was then. Well, she prove
to be just as charming as she looked
and before I turned in for the night
was deeply, desperately in love.
Il don't suppose there is any place i
the world so favorable for love-makin
US comfortable passenger ship. Nc
one of these now ocean greyhound
that rush at break-neck speed throug
all kinds of weather, and land you q
your destination almost before you hav
time to know any one aboard, but fin
clipper vessel, whose only propcllin
power Is natures breath, and to tn
passengers on which every change {
weather or shift of wind is of vast i'm
port and interest. These afford endlss
themes for talk, and mutual interee
seems to draw people closer together
Miss Latimer had quito an affection fo
lhe Winchester, which had brougl'