The Princeton union., 1892-06-30

restraining himself. "No, not even a
glass of water in the stomach"
"And more than an hour since
you've eaten?" ....
"Three hours, precisely" w
"You are not in prespiration?'
'Dry as fish bone"
"Sound as cast iron"
"Nerve and temper calm and
equable?'
GAS calm as high water"
"Good! All as it should be!'
And replacing the placard on it's
nail, the sailor wheeled and threw
open the door OF cell to, the left.
"Hurry!' said he; "begin; undress
yourself!'
Ferreol, up to this date, had asked
no one in marriage, but sharp as he
was, he had never supposed that this
act-lmportant, it was true-would
be accompanied by such formalities.
One OF those: however, whom nothing
amazed, he did not finch, but pro-
ceeded to strip himself
Decidedly obscure in this closet.
Ferreol was reduced to conjectures,
smell and feeling; still it was distinctly
an undervest, drawers and shoes that
the sailor drew from a locker and
laid before him.
'With these" said he, "you can de-
fy the perspiration."
"In truth I CAMP said Ferreol,
covering himself with the articles,
which exhaled a singular odor of
mingled tar and salty grass wreck.
Upon which the other added 20 the
costume vest and breeches, with
feet and jacket of thick waterproof
stuff, and bidding him be seated, as
sisted 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 a leathern collarette that
exactly adapted itself to his shoul-
ders.
On his back then he placed a
cushion, and on that metal pelerine
that resembled cuirass, reciting by
rote meanwhile. after the fashion Of
the corporaPs manuel:
''Push each button of the pelerine
into the corresponding hole of the
collarette. Adjust the copper valves
and turn the screw nuts. Close the
latter till the joining OF garments,
pelerine," etc. .- 65s
and said only;
'You are sure shall find NJ. Kene-
EEK there?"
"Certain sure" responded the sailor
with grin; che can't get away" Ad-
ding contentedly, Nothing but the
helmet lacking now; that we'll put on
yonder.
And: followed by Ferreol, he tucked
under his arm a sort of elongated ball
IN leather envelope, and took up the
march for the front.
Ferreols costume reminded him as
he scanned it of the striped clothes
used upon criminals. Never before.
he told himself, had a condemned
seen the headsman bearing his head
under his arm while leading q victim
to the scafold. A strange lovers ira
vesty, which he must bear with pa
tience. -
Presently turning to right and left,
they reached a jetty advancing into
the bay some ten to twenty meters.
At the end OF it the round crown of a.
building, from which, at a shout from
his conductor, came running a second
sailor, who placed himself without a.
word behind Ferreol's back.
"All ready?' said the first.
"All ready" responded Ferreol. H.
,"You see the slate and the pencil
hung to your side?" queried the other
again.
estate and pencil BOTH" asserted
Ferreol amiably. "a
1t was the last words he spoke.
Click! clack! rattle! ~.
The helmet was over his head, bolt
ed to his shoulders, the screw-nuts
hard and fast.
Parbleu! At last a flash Of en-
llghtenment, Blinded, stihed, one
single instant nature rebelled against
his principles. Too late, however,
and protestations inopportune. .
For now he felt himself lifted carried
a pace, suspended in space; then q
strange sensation Of cold mounting
from feet to waist and from waist to
shoulders.
, He opened wide his eyes, and
through the helmets "peepers" saw a
fish fit past him.
Preliminaries decidedly not com
naonplace!
He continued to descend with rela-
tive rapidity. Soon the sandy bot
tom was under-foot; and there before
him q monster with huge head and
enormous eyes, who advanced to
meet him, seized the slate at his belt
and began to scratch uponit. Ferreol,
whose head buzzed like q sawmill,
stopped and read:
II am Knenzek; who are youN'
The moment was solemn. Ferreol
drew q long breath, to which the com
PLEASANT pump above him lent itself
willingly, 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 understanding somehow. A sea
diver as O father-in-law was not mad
missible.
The situation had grown unique.
He seized the pencil and took his