Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-02-07

~AAfNNAFf oAN ihAhE the DNEfS most
affected by them. or these EImport, the
scene OF the meeting l have narrated
was one of the most noted, aud early re-
oeived the attention OF the English fleet,
the frigate spoken of by the young man
being the lookout of a squadron lying
some little distance away.
As the young girl looked at the shin
With lew insteres', her companion said
Il WAS coming To see and 90 say good
by, Ruth, for sail tonight or early to-
morrow,
The girl turned her glance to his face.
"What do you meaHg she asked.
II told you that | should try to get
the new priysteer, the Wild Wave, though
had little hope OF beng successful /
would have been content with the third
OF fourth place, had they been offered
me, but old Stephen browne, her owner,
had heard of my run in the Swift, of
which | was prtZe-maste-, and when |
ypphed, as | did in person, said he was
about sending for me, as he wished
aouug and quick witted man 90 command
the schooner, aud he thought / would Oh
the place. You know that it was a big
surprise TO me but it is just what 1 have
been wishing for"
II sm glad you are pleased, Rob. How
long shall you be gomez
"That all depends, as the old ladies say.
Ii / am not captured, OF sunk, or driven
in, and if men and provisions hold out,
shall try to make q SIX months cruise"
"And the trigate yonderr
81 am glad that know of her being so
near, for knowing it, [ don't fear her.
The schooner Is fast ssi!er, and she
can run closer TO the wind than ship,
SO my chance 20 ges ont is good, But
Ruth, | wish TO ask you for something
dearer TO me than even the fame l hope
to win" and Rob Wayne's voice grew
low and the teuder light in his eys deep
eued as he took the girls hand, deepeued
with a luster that none but she had ever
seen, ana which would deepen for her
alone. She recognized this and knew
its import but she did not turn away, or
affect ignorance, for her soul was as true
as steel, and her VOmanhOOd as noble as
her soul was true.
'What do you wish to ask of me Robf'
she said
81 have come to ask for your love, Ruth,
for it is the one great hope OF my lfe.'
at is not hard thing to grant, Rob,
for | gave it long ago, Have you not
seen that ] loved your
81 have thought ana hoped, but we men
are stupid he answered, kissing her.
Aud now, are you willing for me TO sail
to- morrow
ayes, for it is your duty, and though !
know that danger will beset your path, !
feel that gou will come back 20 me-
How brave and sweet she was, and Il
was no wonder that Rob Wayne, her old
school mate and companion, should
cling 90 Ruth Cooke, the squire's dauRh-
ter, end give her the best love that man
eau give, for she WAS wlnsome and her
true womanliness won friendship from
all. Rob knew how great was the
treasure that he had won, and after a
little more talk about his cruise, he then
said:
Let us 20 to the house, for | wish 20
tell our father of our betrothal and this
will be the only chance before ! leave
port"
lie helped her down from the rocks,
and with the dog running and barking
before them, they went slowly up the hili
TO the house.
"Aud SO Stephen browne has made you
skipper of the Wild Wave, and not con
tent with that you wish TO have Ruth for
mattel" said the old squire, when Rob
had told him Of his love. "Well, the glrl
is CID enough to answer for herself, but
warn you, Master Rob, that If you are
skipper at sea she will be skipper ON
shore, so take her at your peril
II am willing to stand my chance,
sir"
IAN right. And how many gaus and
men does the prIyateer carryf"
Twelve guns and 100 men, and she
rides well with them, as you can see.'
"Yes, she rides the water finely, and
her skipper viii give good account OF
her, know, for we all have confidence ia
him. Don't be too modest Rob, for you
have only friends here in Elmsport.'
81 will do the best / can of that you
ray be sure
Il know it my boy. At what time do
you sailf'
early tomorrow morning, if the wind
holds, / shall finish all preparations to.
night and you will see me out-ide of the
point by sunrise.
"Tte wind will hold and / guess your
work is pretty well advanced. Stay to
ten with us, aud Ruth and you can have
the evening TO yourselye7. l know no"
il is with young people, aud will say
good night and God speed after supper IL
finished"
II was a pleasant evening for Rob, and
though he did not stay late heypR still a
few duties TO perform, he carried away a
treasure of happy memories TO brighten
his absence.
Both the old squire end his daughter
we're up ca the next NOR ling and met
/ in the room overlooking the south anc
eastwerd sea sweep. The gale OF the
previous day had q6ieted down TO
/ strong and steady breeze and the gull.
were circiug of shore. The sky wa
clear and the flush Of the growing sun
light was making land and water r'ch
I with changing color, when the wnite
-ails Of the schooner forged slowly ou
from behind the point.
out in the ofipg the masts OF the fri
gate doomed up against the sky, and fur
ther away three OF four gnmmelut
specks told OF distant saiis.
Ruth called het fathers attention t.
them he said:
"They are consor's Of the frigate bu
ID bird tbAg d r