The Sunday herald., 1886-09-26

be some compensation for her future hus-
band, II he should lose his money. But |
even then Mr.. Grade could not quite see
his way. lie had In manner pledged him |
self to old Pension, and II would never do |
TO offend man who had so much Of the
South American trade in his hands.
"Tell you what, Harry" said the Squire,
after pondering deeply. "You might be
wicked enough 10 run away with the girl, |
even TO get license, and so meet quietly At
st. Keo's Church; get spliced, slip on board,
and away TO Antwerp before anybody finds
you ont. shall be In deuce OF rage, |
Harry, II you do"
There wac long and earnest consultation
after this, but In the end all was settled, and
message returned 10 the brokers.
"Terms accepted. Carnew sees you TO.
morrow"
Harry Carnew had full weeks work cut
out.for him when he left Pengelly Castle, hav.
ing first with some diniculty obtained 1ris's
consent to his hasty and hslfsecret mar
rlage. First he had TO run up TO London 10
arrange for the transfer Of the ship. And
finding his way to the city, into one Of the
church street, he had long interview with
the head Of the firm who were conducting
the purchase. And here, for the first time,
he was made aware that the transaction
must be conducted with some prudence and
secrecy. A revolution or civil war was go.
ing on ip small South American Republic,
and one Of the contending parties was anx
ious to secure fast-sailing ship as cruiser.
The qualities Of the Princess Iris we're we'll.
known over there, and hence the liberal
offer for her purchase.
Now, there was nothing illegal in this
transaction; but, at the same time, Il was
tSn In n,St1
70 hear Of IL they might, in dread Of another
Alabama business, lay an embargo on the
ship, and thus put an end TO the bargain.
And 30 Capt. Carnew, disregarding all pos
sible amusements In London, went back TO
Learmouth by the next train; now with his
heart thoroughly engaged to bring this mat
ter 10 successful conclusion, the spice Of
risk about the affair having warmed him 10
the work. As soon as the Priucess was sold
he would give orders for a new ship on the
same lines to be laid down in the old build
ing yard Of Learmouth. Once more the car
penters' hammers and the adzes Of the ship
builders should be heard in the old port, and
many now bare household would be replen-
islied, and work and wages would go merrily
together all through the winter that was
coming.
But when the captain got back 10 Lear
mouth he found the whole town agog with
excitement. The Fleet was coming-the
whole Channel Fleet. There was to be some
thing like q night attack on the harbor:
mines were to be exploded, and hulk was
to be attacked by torpedo-boats and sent to
the bottom. But this hulk was not TO be the
old Princess, after all. No; Squire Grade
would not part with her, said the loafers by
the quay, with some pride. Where should
he put his old boots, Stephen had asked, If
they took away his storsship.
''I'm looking out for you, cap'en," said
grizzled old salt, as Carnew made his way TO
the quay, past q long row Of idlers, who
were watching the movements Of the ship.
ping, and most of whom had word or two
to cay TO hin. 'Got the Gem alongside
to take you across TO the Castle. The Squire
wants 10 see you most particular"
Now. the Gem was a little steamer belong
ing TO Mr.. Grade, and was something be-
tween yacht and a tug, and doing duty in
two capacities. Soon she was threading her
way among the crafts lying at anchor, among
which were now number of government
vessels flying tile white ensign of st. George,
while German despatch. boat and French
corvette, which had, no doubt, come to see
the fun, hung ont their national emblems
and boats manned by bluejsokets, with a
sprinklipg of gold laced officers among them,
were darting about in all directions. But
soon the harbor was crossed, and the steamer
ascended the winding channel Of the Bool
River, and the gray aud weatherei facade of
the old Squire's house came in sight, backed
by luxuriant screen foliage, against which
blue columns of smoke rose from the twisted
chimney shafts of the hospitable manor. As
the Gem passed the old Princess, Hiram, the
old salt just alluded to. who was in charge
of the wheel, called the captains attention
to the altered appearance Of the hulk.
"Governor's given the old gal coat of
paint, you SEQ, cap'on."
True enough, the old lady looked quite
smart with q streak of white paint all round
her, which gave her a resemblance to the
younger Princess that still lay in the creek
on the other side of the hill.
By the strip Of silver sand that formed the
| landing place to the lay man-o' war;
boat, her crew arranged in easy attitudes
upon the thwarts, some reading, some smok-
ing, and others sleeping, as TRANQUILITY as the
tricks of their most wakeful companions
would allow.
"The Squirrels got company" explained
Hiram laoonically, and, indeed, au reaching
the lawn, the captain found it occupied by a
group Of tennis-players, conspicuous among
whom was Iris, in charming costume, and
as gay as II she had nothing but festivity on
her mind. The captain squeezed her disen-
gagged hand in passing, aud receiving a
bright comprehending glance. Pension,
who was among the players, watched ths
pair with jealous eyes.
"Have we got our orders yet, captain f''
he asked with something like sneer.
But the Squire was sitting apart in his
favorits seat under his favorite cedar, and
beckonsd the captain to him, and they were
soon in deep conference together.
"All we've got 10 do" said the Squire in
conclusion, "is to keep eur tongues between
our teeth. Above all, we must not let Pen.
sion suspect anything unusual, or he'll stop
q clappsr ON our tackle. He's Watching US
now out of the corners Of his eyes"
The oa3tain, however, had too much to do
to stay aud gossip with the Squire. He had
to run up to the cathedral town to get q
license for the marriage. He must see the par
son of ST. Kso, who was cousin Of his, and
who might be trusted; and then hs had Ia
get together scratch crew for the voyage to
Antwerp.
There was not much difloulty In this last
part OF the business, for plenty OF seamen
we're hanging about, and glad OF q spell o
employment. But the mischief OF It was
that It somehow got abroad that there was
more than met the eye In this short trip Il
Antwerp, and that resoluts, adventurous
seaman, who did not mind risky job
mtg0t 6xp0Ct 10 Do TAKEN on IOI . Iurtn0f
cruise with higher wages. Ard possible prize
money. Who had set this abroad the cap
tain could not imagine, unless some score
agent OF the proposed purchasers were al
work. But II was In vain that the captain
I disolaimsd any knowledge Of such possible
|, adventures; his disclaimers were received
, with respectful winks of perfect understand
, ing, aud the captain, to his dismay, found
tho shipping Office where he was engaging
, his crew bssiegsd by number Of seamsI
who might be good at their work, but wh'
were Of dissolute lives and OF dangerous
character. However, for such short voy
age the character OF his crew did not matter
very much, aud II II really happened that they
should take service under foreign flag til,
/ loss to their own country would not be seri
GUS.
With all this business on his hands Capt
Carnew had been unable 10 visit his Iris fol
! four and-twenty hours, aud when the morn
. Ing came which had been fixed for the secre
marriage Harry repaired TO the trysting
i place, which was old Psngelly Tower, Will