The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-12-12
A SECRET OF THE SEA,

VIZ auSA0l III ShO 5oAA NSAs
Gray.
''Yes this is the last of our pleasant
evenings if the Ocean Greyhound is true
to her PROMISE" said pretty Mrs. Nor
timer.
1t was very pleasant evening, too,
though chilly, as September evenings
are apt to be on the Atlantic. A glori-
Gus full moon, extiuguIshing the stars
and, casting a glitteling trail athwart the
sea, scarcely rutilcd by the gentle breeze
that filled the sails and urged the flying
vessel with soft murmurs. Most of the
passengers were below, playing cards, or
enjoying the music, of which an occa-
sional strain tloated up on deck, adding
one more touch to the weird sweetness Of
the scene. A little group of four or five
persons sat in the moonlight, chatting
and watching the man uvrcs of two or
three stray couples, each seeking to mono
police that nook behind the wheel-house,
where the moon can be seen to the great
est advantage, and fictitious isolation
encourages the interchange of sentiments
as ardent as they are transient.
"You will not be sorry to- exchange
GuSSt piCdSduG 1ot oOihSOhlpS q
little livelier, though" exclaimed Mrs.
Mortimers niece, u brilliant creature
whose magnetic vitality rang in her clear
voice and scintilated in her ripping hair
and flashing eyes. 'After TWO years
hard study in Milan, you can fancy how
feel at the near approach of New York
and Newport"
"Thcre's not much to keep one alive
on the ocean trip nowadays" said the
young man who sat opposite her, and
who had been rambling all over the
globe for year seeking adventures and
finding none and was now returning
home, convinced that whatever might
happen t. him in the future, it could
hardly be more interesting than the past.
"This is my first sea voyage" said the
Colonel, land I have enjoyed it. But
should be glad enough to sec land
again"
"And l." said the only member of the
little group who. had not previously
spoken, "lcve the sea, and have had
many adventures on it, and am never
tired of its sights and sounds"
The speaker was a woman in the In
dian summer of her life, sweeter and
more beautiful than many young
woman, stamped as she was with the in
dellible traces of great joys and great
griefs
"Tell US something, Mrs. Odell," cried
Mrs. Mortimcr's niece, imploringly. II
know you must have seen real tragedies
-shipwrecKs and such things"
II have seen many tragedies and more
than one shipwreck. she said, half re-
luctantly, ''and if you like will tell you
an incident that happened on q chip that
was wrecked when was on my way to
the Cape in it."
Mrs. Mortimer drew her fur cloak
closer about her, and her niece sat down
on low stool, clasping her slender white
hands round her aunt's knee, and rest
ing her cheek upon them; the young
tourist took up a position from which
he commanded good view of her pretty
face, and the Colonel settled himself
with an air of interest. He was good
listener, remarkably so for a military
man.
Mrs. Odell began her story, acccutuat-
ing by slight but impressive gesticula-
tion her soft, rich voice and quiet de-
livery.
"Several years ago ten or dozen--I
was on my way to the Cape of Good
Hope, in sailing ship. My husband
and children were living then-all three
are dead now-but left them in Eng
land to visit my parents in Cape Town,
and went on sailing ship. because l
had been very ill and was ordered voy-
age. There were but few passengers -
six or seven first class and some twenty
cmigsnts in the steeragc. Among the
saloon passengers was very pretty
young woman, scarcely 90, going out as
governess to Australia"
s'We put in at MADEIRA aud took on
board two passengers for whom the Cap
tain's cabin was secured, o newly mar
ried coupled not long over their honey.
moon. Everything becomes known on
board. especially during long voyage,
and the young wife had amaid with her,
who probably supplied all the details she
knew, and filled up the gaps with her
imagination. 1t became known, at any
rate, within a few hours, that the lady
was an heiress of immense wealth, and
the gentleman was thepenniless younger
son of a good family. The marriage
was much against the wish of the brides
family, but she was just of ags and per-
fectly mistress OF her property, and she
had been married few weeks before |
met her, and had gone to Madeira, in
tending to spend the winter there. 1t
was quite sudden freak. their coming
on board, and could hardly have been the
poor things wish; TO! she was wretched
sailor, and for two OF three days after
we put to sea again she remained in her
berth, waited on by her maid and un-
noticed by everyone else. The husband
was about 80, very handsome and
attractive man dark, tall, with heavy
black mustache and cleaning white
teeth, which were often enough seen,
for he was most lively and agreeable
tallzer, full of wit and nonsense, with an
amusing anecdote for every occasion, and
generally the sort of man to be prime
fayorite on board sailing ship, where
every one is sure to be bored more or
less. Especially was he attentive and
considerate toward the ladies, and
heard. though 1 did not see anything
then, that the pretty governess usurped
large portion of his care. This seemed
natural enough, as she was alone, and
most of us took little extra notice OF
her on that account.