The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-12-04
A ROMANCE OF THE PACIFIC.

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A ROMANCE OF THE PACIFIC.
Il really 10 not know which I like
best" said Mabel Featherstone with a
careless laugh. as she gave the finishing
touch 10 her hair: before issuing from her
cabin FOR half an hours walk on deck
before the breakfast bell rang.
Capt Seymour has the most 90 in
him. He is lively and funny, and good
looking and all that, but don's think /
shouli always have my way with him.
| He's what l call mAsterful sort Of man
when there is no question Of his becom-
ing my master, but when there is, it al
ters the case altogether. Mr. Vine is
nice, too, in different sort Of way. lie
hasn't great deal to say for himself, but
be IS sensi bic and honest, and he has
the good taste 10 admire me great deal
and think if married him [ should
have my own way entirely"
a am not quite sure about that" Flea
nor Metcalf replied. you admitted be
was sensible, you know, and have a
suspicion he could be obstinate if he
liked"
Her friend paid no attention to the in
terruption.
=. They are both good matches" she
went on. Captain Seymour is heir TO a
barone,cy and good estate. Mr. Vine is
in business with his father as China
merchant, and the Captain said the 9TH
er day be isone OF the larges; merchants
in the city, and is rolling in money.
Well, if you are ready, E.eanor, well 90
up IN deck"
The girls were passengers ON ?. &
o. steamer bound for Hong Kong. They
were both under the charge Of the Cap
tain Mabel vas going 70 Join an uncle,
who was merchant there, and Eleanor
to keep house for her father, the Colonel
Of an English regiment of the garrison.
There Mabel vas strikingly pretty, and
was full Of high spirits She had been q
good deal IN Portsmouth society, and was
well known in the garrison as an airani
and determined little flint She could
have married over and over again, had
she chosen, but she had not, as she frank.
ly avoEed, any intention whatever oi
tramping over the world as subaltern',
wife. Eleanor Meicalf Was a slight girl
with quiet manner, and although her
face Was by no means striking, it wa:
one that grew upon you, and before they
had been fortnight at sea there were
many Of the passengers who preferred il
greatly to the bright and changeablt
pre.iiness of Mabel FeaiherstoEe.
Good morning, young ladies" said
the Captain, as they stepped upon the
deck. - / began to think that you were
not going to appear until breakfast time,
No breeze, see, Captain" Mabel
said, looking around with a little CUES
lure of discomfort another broiling
day. ] suppose"
I'VE shall have il presently" the Cap
tain said there is dark line creeping
up from the stern"
Z There is that horTid shark behind
there still, Mabel said, as she glanced
over the side. : He has been keeping
close TO Us for the last two days. l do
wish, Captain, that you would either
catch him, shoot him, poison him, or do
something
Well, you see, Miss Feafhers;one, We
have tried hard to catch him, but the
fellow won't look at our bait"
Good morning, Captain Seymour"
good morning. Mr.. Vine; how long
have you been upg'
@Abou. two hours, Miss Featherstone.
You should have come up earlier the
early mornings are delightful"
The days are quite long enough, Cap
tain Seymour; too long: if anything
have no desire to extend thenI.'
Miss Feaiherstone stroiled away to the
stern with Mr.. Vine.
Captain Seymour made no attempt to
follow the pair, but walked up and down
by himself until, upon the Captain be-
ing called away on business, Miss Mefcalf
seated herself, and then he dropped into
a chair beside her, g method of proceed
ing which, as that young lady was per-
fectly well aware, had for the last fort
night been very unusual one with him.
They had been talking for few minutes,
when they were interrupted by short,
sudden cry and loud exclamation in r
mans voice, followed instantly by the
shout of the nelmsman
Man overheard -
Captain Seymour leaped to his feet
and looked at the stern. Mabel Feather
stone, who had sat upon the rail. was no
longer there. Mr.. Vine Was standing
with his aims thrown up. Two springs
took the Captain to the stern There,
tossing in the white water, was the fig-
ure of girl.
my God, can't SWIM burst from
the lips Of the man beside him.
Captain Seymour hcsitated moment.
1t was not the water that he feared, but
the thought that flashed across him of
the black triangular fin that had follow
lowed the ship for the last two days.
Then be turned and'caught the life buoy
from the pin on which il hung. A hand
was laid on his shoulder.
Don't 20 =
81 must God bless you,' and with a
glance at Eleanor Metcsh he sprang on
to the raid and dired overheard
/ All this had taken but a few seconds,
but Mabel Featherstone was already IF
y yards away The girl knew some
thing of swimming. and had the pres
ence Of mind to throw herself on her
/ hack II took two or three minutes hard