Los Angeles herald., 1891-07-15

Decidedly obscure In JnlS closet, Fer
reol was reduced to conjectures, smell
and feeling; still, it was distinctly an
undervest, drawers and shoes that the
sailor drew from locker and laid be-
fore him.
.'With these" said he, "you can defy
the perspiration."
''In truth cant" said Ferreol. cover
ing himself with the articles, which ex-
hailed a singular odor of mingled tar and
salty grass wrack. Upon which the
other added to the costume vest and
breeches with feet and jacket of thick
waterproof stuff, and bidding him be
seated, assisted him with the skill of a
retired valet de chambre to lace the
great shoes, put on the breeches, thrust
his arms, one after the other, into the
sleeves of the jacket, and to slip his neck
into leathern collarette that exactly
adapted itself to his shoulders
On his back then he placed cushion,
and on that metal pelerine that re-
sembled cuirass, 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 the
joining of garments, pelerine," etc.
1t was long, but Ferreol was patient
and said only:
"You are sure shall find M. Ken
ezek therer
Certain sure" responded the sailor
with grin; "he can't get away" Add
ing contentedly, Nothing but the he'll
met lacking now; that we'll put on yon-
der" M
And, followed by Ferreol, he tucked
under his armIa sort of elongated ball
in a leather envelope, and took up the
march for the front. '9e
Ferreols 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 victim to the scaffold.
A strange lovers travesty, which he
must bear with patience.
Presently, turning to right and left,
they reached jetty advancing into the
bay some ten to twenty meters At the
end of it the round crown of building
from which, at shout from his con-
ductor, came running a second sailor,
who placed himself without word be-
hind Ferreol's back.
"All ready?" said the first.
Cali ready" responded Ferreol.
"You see the slate and the pencil hung
to your sideY queried the other again.
"Slate and pencil both," assented Fer
reol amiably
1t was the last word he spoke. a
Click clack! rattle!
The helmet was over his head, bolted
to his shoulders. the screw-nuts hard and
fast.
Parbleu! At last flash of enlighten-
ment! Blinded, stifed, 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 shoui-
ders.
He opened wide his eyes, and through
the helmets peppers saw fish fit past
him.
Preliminaries decidedly not common
placel
He continued to descend with relative
rapidity. Soon the sandy bottom was
underfoot, and there before him mon
ster with huge head 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 am Kenezek; who are your
The moment was solemn. Ferreol
drew long breath, to which the COM
PLEASANT pump above him lent itself will
ingly, then with full lungs and grateful
soul reflected.
This was Kenezek! This toiler of the
sea, upon whom depended the happiness
of his life. They must come to an un-
derstanding somehow. A sea diver as a
father-in-law was not inadmissible.
The situation had grown unique.
He seized the pencil and took his turn
at the slate, awkwardly at first, but still
succinctly.
II am Ferreol," responded he; "live at
Paris; income, 10000 livres; love Angelo,
your daughter, and have the honor to
ask of you her hand in marriage!"
There was growl under the fathers
helmet, and he wrote on the slate anew:
"Marry her if you like. p
"Consent? cried Ferresl ardently, at
once ravished and uneasy at the reply.
Consent? Yes," penciled Kenezek;
.good riddance too. But quick begone
-begone, say; I've work to finishp
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 OF
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 rocket
through company of scuttling dorades.
''If I'd been you," said the sailor, who
received him, and to whom he benevo-
lently proffered glass of rum, "Pd have.
waited ten minutes. Kenezek quits
work, you know every day at o'clock"
Ferreol looked at his watch Ten
1ninutes TO 5