The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1889-03-09

ner 70 lean tnero so long,
It made the Captain uneasy. He was q
stubby sea-dog with weatherw wise wrinkles
at the corners of his eyes, and was out
there for his mornings parade. 1t was his
custom to pace back and forth across this
narrow plateau OF ships floor much after
the fashion of hyena in cage.
And the histories he gathered there, the
romances he was third party to, the varied
human character he studied kept alive the
spark of ideality in his practical brain.
Little scraps Of dialogue were keys that
opened many doors to him-the Blue-Beard
closet, the maiden's boudoir, the slattern's
kitchen, the counting room, the hospital,
the legislative hall
He could do all his duty and hear besides.
1t puzzled him to know what this young
lady had discovered that kept her so long in
one position.
He was relieved when q stalwart, white
flannel suited young man hove in sight evil
IDENTIFY In search of her.
"Ah, good morning. Miss Clarice."
She sprang into an erect attitude like the
letting 60 Of bent whalebone.
"Good morning." she replied, blushing.
"You are an early riser. What are you
doingi"
u
hogany brown from the red Of the young
blood under an all-summer's coat Of tan.
Pm looking to see how much water she
draws.n
Then pray do look as Christian should,
and not hang over betwixt sky and sea in
that suicidal fashion"
"But Pm shortsighted, you know, and be
sides I'm making near study Of color in
the water"
He laughed, as II he were accustomed to
find her amusing.
Suppose we have the Captain lower you
TO the lake, where you won't have to peer
20 distressingly. En-, Captainp
The Captain paid no attention. She
smiled good naturedly.
kept swarm Of words about his ears ever
since we started, but he never seems to
hear. think he's deaf"
"Almost any man would be glad to be
that has 30 many women asking him ques-
tions'
She again leaned over the rail. The water
FLASHED softly against the bow, as the pro-
peller was urged on by her industrious en-
CINE.
s'See. she has bone in her teeth.n said
Clarice; then abruptly changing the sub
ject, ''How blue is this lake to youa"
How bluel Well. as-your dress. Now
give me yours"
"As indigo"
''That IL q washerwoman's simile.''
Look at the paths on the water. Az far
rs you can see are the silver roads crossing
and re-crossing. What makes themr'
"We'll ask the Captain Captain as that
<,ov vx<.1 H.
II suppose 1t is the variable wind that
stripes the water with those broad bands,
isn't itf''
A crusty gutteral emerged from behind
the Captains cigar.
"What Is it q sign Oft"
Another laryngeal uncertainty for reply.
''Do you have much fog this time of year,
Captainp'
He was close alongside and had to answer.
"Yes, Q good deal this year. That's foe. -
pointing over his shoulder at q smoky cloud
that was advancing upon them, like q ghost
risen from the water.
A cabin boy came to him for an order and
he withdrew for q moment.
Instantly tone and manner changed In the
young people. All their banter had been
mere pretence-a trick of the tongue in both
TO divert suspicion. Tcll-tale whisper and
stolen glance would have been CONNER
ciaI tags labelling them lovers, while badi-
mage meant mere acquaintance.
sClarice, ] waited out here until mid
night"
"But. Paul. could not Gomez
ibid not known
Aunt Emily suspected me, and Cousin
Rosamond was as wide awake as an owl,
Neither would go to bed.n
II wanted to talk this over. / have a
plan. Ican't and won't bear this strain on
my heart any longer. l am used up-des-
perate.n
The Captain had resumed his pacing again.
but they did not notice him
'.And Itoo. Paul, am perfectly unhappy.
hate being watched and dictated to- and oh
bate dsee!k ! "a getting = uks :