, 1891-07-24

taht, II was huc-WOulu DC aCcOulpanle
by such formalities. One of those, how,
ever, whom nothing amazed, he did not
finch, nj proceeded to strip himself.
Decidedly obscure in this closet, Fer
reol was reduced to conjectures, smell
and feeling; still. it was distinctly al
undervest, drawers and shoes hat tn,
sailor drew from a locker and laid be
fore lin.
with these" said he, "you can defy
the Precipitation
"In truth l canr' said Ferreol. cover,
ing himself with the articles, which ex.
hailed n singular odor of mingled tar and
salty grass wrack. Upon which the
other added to the costume a vest and
breeches with feet and jacket of thick
waterproof stuff. and bidding him be
seated, assisted him with the skill of q
retired valet de chambre to lace thu
great shoes, put OF the breaches, thrust
his arms, one after the other, into the
sleeves of the jacket, and to slip his neck
into a leathern collarette hat exactly
adapted itself to his shoulders.
On his back then he placed a cushion,
and on that a metal pelerine that re
sembled a c~uirass, reciting by rote mean.
while, after the fashion of the corporal's
manual:
Push each button of the pelerine into
the corresponding hole of the collar
cite. Adjust the copper valves and turn
the screw nuts. Close the latter till tn,
joining of garments, pelerine," etc.
1t was long, but Ferreol was patien,
and said only:
You are sure | shall find NJ. Ken
eek there?H
Certain sure" responded the sailor
with a grin; 'he can't get away" Add
ing c~ontentedly, Nothing but the hel.
met lacking now; that we'll put on yon
der"
And, followed by Ferreol, he tucked
nnder his arm n sort of elongated ball
in n leather envelope. and took up thu
march for the front.
Ferreol's costume reminded him as he
scanned it of the striped clothes used
upon criminals. Never before, he told
himself, had condemned seen the heads.
man bearing his head under his arm
while leading a victim to the scaffold.
A strange lovers travesty. which he
must bear with patience.
Presently, turning to right and left,
they reached "A ietty advancing into the
IA HDlilt lfil ~ tNtiIN tAAtNtlRs n NAlG
end of it the round crown of a building
from which. at n shout from his con-
ductor, came running n second sailor,
who placed himself without "A word be-
hind Ferreol's back.
IAN ready?" said the first.
"All ready" responded Ferreol.
You see the slate and the pencil hung
to your side?" queried the other again.
'Slate and pencil both. +" assented Fer
reol amiably.
1t was the last word he spoke.
Click! clackl rattlel
The helmet was over his head. bolted
to his shoulders, the screw-nuts hard and
fast.
Parbleul At last a flash of enlighten-
ment! Blinded, stiied, one single in
slant nature rebelled against his princi-
Piles, Too late, however, and protesta-
tions inopportune.
For now he felt himself lifted, carried
a pace, suspended in space: then "A
strange sensation of cold mounting from
feet TO waist and from waist to shout
ders.
He opened wide his eyes, and through
the helmets peppers saw u fish fit past
him.
Preliminaries decidedly not
placed
He continued to descend with relative
rapidity. Soon the sandy bottom was
underfoot. and there before him n mon.
ster with hinge mead and enormous eyes.
who advanced to meet him, seized the
slate at his belt and began to scratch
upon it. Ferreol, whose head buzzed
like a sawmill, stopped and read:
81 an Kenezek; who are your
The moment was solemn. Ferreol
drew II long breath, to which the COM
PLEASANT pump above him lent itself will.
ingly, then with full lungs and grateful
soul reflected.
This was Kenezeki This toiler of the
sea, upon whom depended the happiness
of his life. They must come to an I'M
~derstanding somehow. A sea diver IN a
father-in-law was not inadmissible.
The situation had grown unique.
lie seized the pencil and took his turn
at the slate, awkwardly at first, but still
succinctly.
II am Ferreol," responded he; olive at
Paris; income, 10, 200 livres; love Angelo,
your daughter, and nave the honor to
ask of you her hand in marriageI"
There was a growl under the fathers
helmet, and he wrote on the slate anew:
Marry her if you like. r.
CONSENT cried Ferreel ardently, Mt
once ravished and uneasy at the reply.
Consent? Yes" penciled Kenezek;
good radiance too. But quick begone
-begone, l say; I've work to finishr'
Ferreol delightedly sought to kneel be-
fore the paternal scaphandrier, but his
inflated clothes held him erect. That
act of respectful homage was forbidden
him.
Meanwhile, seeing him hesitate, An
gele's father repeated his order, but
Ferreol, not knowing what to do in or
der to mount, and not hurrying enough
to suit his temper, he pulled five times,
according to the rules, the cord of recall,
and Ferreol shot aloft like a rocket
through a company of scuttling dorades.
"If I'd been you," said the sailor, who
received him, and to whom he benevo-
lently proffered a glass of rum, I'D nave
waited ten minutes. Kenezek quits
work, you know. every day at 5 o'clock"
Ferreol looked at his watch. Ten
minutes to 8.
mo" said he, "a man like me never
waits n minute"
And he promptly returned to Paris
ITO marry the charming ANGLER
No. Fifty odd hours late in return
ing, the charming but impatient An
gele had married the other fellow.
And Ferreol was not surprised at that.
Translated from La Vie Moderne by
E. Z. Waggoner for "Short Stories"
Sea Bathing 1000 Miles From the