The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-08-04

1OE AC uAO LAC AaCu4by OA POpPAuA up on all parts of the vessel at the most unexpected times. His sharp eyes were everywhere. Nothing escaped his observation, from a speck on the deck to 8 blue- bottle buzzing about the shrouds of his vessel.
 As the evening closed in drizzling rain began to fall; it seemed to damp everybody's spirits; conversation lan- guished, and the deck was speedily cleared. Some betook themselves to the saloon and improvised a concert for their own benefit, for the most lugubrious strains and mutilated frag- ments of popular melodies foated through the skylight and died a nat ural death in the evening air. Some descended to their cabiDs and made themselves at home there. If the sea had not been as smooth as a billiard table there would not have been much "at home" about it; but Neptune was in drowsy mood, and all went well.
 Late in the evening young Stokes, who had been uplifting his manly voice in some lovelorn ditty, came up on deck for 8 last look round before retiring for the night. As he passed up the companion way he glanced into the little deck saloon, which was generally sacred to the ladies. He quite started he could hardly believe his eyes; for there sat MT. Jaggers and the fair widow, Mrs. Oliver, engaged in game of chess, evidently enjoying it, too. His grim, harsh features were lighted up with the ghost of 8 smile, as she said in playful reproach, with half knit, contemplative brow:
 "Oh, how ungallantl You've cas- tied my queen; but wait, I'll be even with you yet"
 "That woman's a witch, by Jovel Poor old Jaggers, victim to female charms; at his age, too 1" chuckled the young fellow, as he stole away unob- served by either of them, and strolled up and down the deck ruminating.
 It was late when MT. Stokes retired to rest, and then he tossed uneasily on his pillow ; he could not sleep; he had on uncomfortable feeling, as though he had been defrauded of his con- fidence-shorn of his secret as effec- tually as Samson was shorn of his locks. Not only had he betrayed himself, but his friend also, into the hands of this modern Delilah. Then he consoled himself, refecting After all; 1t could not matter much. What harm could & woman do except at talking?" Then he smiled grimly as he remembered how often woman had talked away mans reputation, liberty, life itself.
 "Bosh," he muttered, trying to rec oncile himself to himself. "When we have done our business she may talk as much as she likes; till then I'll keep an eye upon her."
 The days passed away pleasantly and monotonously, as days do at sea.
 Malcolm Macdonald and Charlie Stokes were assiduous in their atten- tions to the young widow; but it seemed to them both that she smiled on none so sweetly as the elderly grim and hard featured Jaggers.
 One night young Stokes, who had been sitting up playing cards and was restless and wake ful the July night was hot and he felt feverish and got up to fetch a drink of ice water. As he crossed on the main deck he saw light at the end of the corridor from the half-open door of MT. Jaggers' cabin.
 "Poor old beggsr," he muttered, he's something like me-can't sleep; I'll rout him out to keep me com- pany."
 . He quickened his pace, then stopped suddenly. Some one came out and shut the door: it was a woman! She came slowly along the passage toward him; as she crossed the strip of moonlight he recognized the face of Mrs. Oliverl
 "Merciful GodI" he exclaimed under his breath, as he stepped noise- lessly aside, and she came nearer passed within few feet of where he stood. Her eyes were wide open, as she stared right before nothing-for though her eyes were open their sense was shut. He recognized the fact that she was walking In her sleepl He followed to sec that she came to no harm. Hav- ing seen her safely to her cabin he went to bed and slept soundly till morning.
 As he sat down to breakfast he looked around for Mrs. Oliver, but she was not there. He said nothing to any one of what he had seen in the night; there was no purpose to be served in mentioning it.; 90 he kept discreetly silent. He lounged by the companion-way, ghncing furtively down the stairs, but the fair widow failed to make haf appearance. As the day wore on, a1hmor got in cir that Mrs. Oliver was not we'll.