The sun., 1889-11-24
An OCEAN TRAGEDY.
By W. CLARK RUSSELL.
A Wonderful and .Fas.
clnatlng Novel.
Perhaps the Finest Work Of Its Au-
thor-Published in America
Exclusively by The Sun.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE ooLoHEL's FUNERAL.


bic Of. This TO be sure siRnifed no more than
reaction following tho wild excitement 1 had
been under oil tho morning. But, let the cause
be what It might while the lt was on me felt
abjectly miserable and complete wretch. II
then occurred to me that hunger might have
something to do with my mood seeing that no
food had crossed my lips since dinner time on
the preceding day
It was about q O'Clock in the afternoon. I
entered the cabin and found cold lunch upon
tho table, not a dish OF which had been
touched. proving that there were others be-
sides myself who were fasting. / was without
appetite. but sat down resolutely. and call
ing to the steward-who seemed thankful to
have an order to attend toto bring me bot
tie Of Burgundy. l fell to, and presently
found myself tolerably hearty; tho fountain Of
my spirits unsealed afresh, and beginning
leisurely to bubble into the channel that had
run dry. There Is no better specific in the
world for fit Of the blues than bottle Of
Burgundy. No other wine has its art Of tender
Establishments. 1t does not swiftly eXhilarate
but courts the brain into pleasing serenity
By process OF coaxing at once elegant and
convincing.
While sat fondlng my glass. leaning back
IN my chair with my eyes fixed upon the deli
cate, graceful paintings on the cabin ceiling.
and my mind revolving. but no longer blackly
and weepingly. the grim incidents which had
crowded the morning, heard my name pro-
nounced close to my ear, and, whipping round,
found Miss Laura at my elbow.
i have been most anxious to see you." she
exclaimed. what is the news2"
"Have not you heard Z" l inquired.
IL have heard nothing but two pistol Shots
have seen nobody OF whom l could ask a
question"
"WIlfrid has shot Col. Hope Kennedy through
the heart" said I, "as he declared he would,
and the body lies yonder:" and pointed to the
recess that Muffin had formerly occupied
Col. Hope-Kennedy kiledW she exclaimed.
in o low. breathless, terrified voice. and she
sank into q chair beside me, and leaned her
face on her hand. speechless, and her eyes fixed
upon the table.
Better that he should have been shot than
Wilfrid." said /. But he Is dead; of him then
let US speak nothing since we cannot speak
good. l have Just succeeded in fighting myself
out Of hideous mood OF melancholy with the
help Of yonder bottle. Now you must let me
prescribe for you. You have eaten nothing
since dinner yesterday. / therefore advise a
glass OF champagne and a slice OF the breast OF
cold fowi;" and that she might not say no.
put on an air Of hustle. called to the steward to
Immediately open pint bottle Of champagne.
ing her still reluctant. gently insinuated a
knife and fork into her hands. We
are homeward bound" said 1; see? the
sun has slipped tother side Of the yacht Our
bowsprit points directly for dear old South
ampton Water. So." said l, filing q glass OF
champagne and handing 1t to her. you must
absolutely drink to our prosperous voyage. not
only to the ship that goes. but to the wind that
blows. WHILE" said I. helping myself to another
small dose of Burgundy. I'm drink the lass
thatloyes sailor"
She could not forbear slight smile drank
and then ate little. and presenty saw how
much good 1t did her by the manner in which
she plucked up her heart. l asked her where
Lady Monson was.
In my cabin" she answered: "she will not
speak to me; she asks my maid for what she
requires: she will not even look at me-"
1t Is all too fresh yet" said l. "A little
patience. Miss Jennings. The woman in her
will break through anon: there will be tears.
kisses. contrition. Who knoWs2"
She shook her head. Just then l caught
sight OF the maid and beckoned to her. ex-
claiming to Miss Laura, your sister must not
be allowed to starve. | fear she will have
known what hunger is aboard Capt Crimps
odious old bark. whore the choicest table deli
cacy probably was rancid salt pork. Here"
said !. to the maid. get me n tray. Steward,
open another bottle Of champagne. You will
smile at the cook-like view take of human
misery, Miss Jennings" said 1: but let me
mind wears is shed upon it by the body"
filed the tray the maid brought. and bade
her carry 1t to her ladyship and to let her sup
pose it was prepared by the steward l then
thought Of Wilfrid. and told Miss Laura that
would visit him. But you will stop here till
return" said l. Il want you to cheer me up"
Event to my cousins cabin and knocked
very softly. The berth occupied by Lady Mon
son was Immediately opposite, and the mere
notion OF her being 30 near made me move
with a certain stealth. though could not have
explained why I did 80. There was no re-
sponse. SO. after knocking second time very |
lightly and obtaining no reply. entered. Will |
frid lay in his bunk. The portfolio was wide |
open. and pleasant draught OF air breezed |
Into the cabin. He lay in his shirt. the collar |
Of which was wide open. and a pair of silk |
on his baok-his arms crossed |
upon his breast, like the figure OF a knight on |
D tomb, and his eyes closed. / was startled at |
drst sight OF him. but quickly perceived that |
his breast rose and fell regularly, and that. in |
short, he was in a sound sleep. Quite restful |
his Blumber was not, for while stood regard
Ing him he made one or two wry faces.
smiled, muttered, but without any
nervous starts or discomposure OF his placid
posture. was seized with fit OF wonder.
and looked about me for some signs of an
Opiate or for any hint OF liquor that should ac-
count for this swift and easy repose. but there
Was nothing OF the sort to be seen. He had
rallon asleep as tired child might, or as one
who. having accomplished some great object
through stress Of bitter toll and distracting
vigil. lightly pillows his head with thanks
giving that he has seen the end. l returned to
Miss jennings. marVellinG much. and she was
squally astonished
Conceive. Mr. Monson." she exclaimed,
" that the whole may have passed out of his
II wish could believe it," said l. mo, he
has Just lain down as boy might who 10 tired
out and dropped asleep. A man is to be en-
We'd for being wronR-headed sometimes. II I
had shot the Colonel-but We agreed not to
speak Of him. Miss Jennings. you are better,
already. When you arrived Just now you were
white, your eyes were full OF worry and caro-.
you looked as II you would never smile again.
Now the old sparkle is In your gaze. and notD