The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-06-28


and another 1--WE minutes to coax smile
from her. In this while the men were
busy about the decks. heard Caudel's
4 erowIi1R lungs Of leather delivering
orders In q half-stifed hurricane note,
but did not know that we were under
way until / put my head through the
companion-hatch and saw the d4sl<y
| fabrics OF the piers on either side steal
ing almost insensibly past US.
What is the weather to be, Caudelf"
! called to him.
Were going to get breeze from the
southland, sir" he answered; "nothin'
to harm, ! dessay, II 1t don't draw west
erly.'
"what is your plan OF sailing?''
Cant do better. / think. sir, than
stand over for the English coast, and 50
run down, keeping the ports conveniently
| aboard"
re-entered the cabin, and found my
sweetheart with her elbows on the table
and her cheeks resting In her hands.
The blush had scarcely faded from her
face when had quilted her; now she
was AZ white as Q lilly.
why do you leave me alone, Her
bertw she asked, turning her dark,
| liquid eyes upon me without shifting the
posture Of her head.
my dearest, wish to see our little
ship clear Of Boulogne harbor. We shall
be getting pleasant breeze presently,
and II cannot blow too hard to please US.
brisk fair wind should land US at our
destination In three days; and them
and them" said /, sitting down and
bringing her to me.
She laid her cheek on my shoulc Or, but
said nothing,
" Now" / exclaimed, you are, Of
course, faint and wretched for the want
Of refreshment. What can get your"
and was about to give her list Of the
wines and eatables had laid in, but she
languidly shook her head as it rested on
my shoulder and family babe me not to
speak of refreshmerts.
j should like to lie down, she said.
You are tired, - worn out" ! ex-
claimed, not yet seeing how it was with
her Yonder Is your cabin; believe
PLY, we have no maid aboard to help
you. But you will be able to manage,
Grace; 1t is but for day or two; and II
you are not perfectly happy and COM
Portable, why, We will make for the
nearest English port and finish the rest
Of the journey by rail. But our little
yacht
II must lie down." she interrupted.
This dreadful motion Get me pillow
and rug will lie on this sofa"
could have heaped hundred injurious
names upon my head for not at once
observing that the darling was suffering.
sprang from her side, hastily procured
pillow and rug, removed her hat,
plunged afresh into her cabin for some
eau de Cologne, and went to work to
battle her brow and to minister to her In
other ways.
She fell asleep at last, breathing
quietly, and cannot tell how 1t COM
forted me to find her able to sleep, for
now might hope 1t would not take many
hours of rest to qualify her as a sailor
In all this time that had been below re-
freshing her brow and attending to her,
and watching her as apicture Of which
my sight could never grow weary, the
breeze had freshened, and the yacht was
heeling to it, and taking the wrinkled
sides OF the swell-that grew heavier as
we widened the offing-with the shearing
kissing sweep that one notices in steam
launch.
And now must tell you here that my
little dandy yacht the Spitfire was so
brave, stanch, and stout craft that,
though / am no lover Of the sea In its
angry moods, and especially have no
relish for such experiences as one Is said
to encounter. for instance, of Cape Horn,
yet, such was my confidence in her sea-
worthiness, should have been quite
willing to sail round the world in her had
the necessity for so tedious an adven-
ture arisen. She had fine bold spring
or rise Of deck forward, with abundance
of beam which warranted her for sta
bility; but her submerged lines were
extraordinary fine, and cannot recollect
the name of q pleasure-craft at that time
which l should not have been willing to
challenge whether for fifty or a thous-
pand-mile race.
! stood, cigar in mouth, looking UP at
her canvas and round upon the dark
scene OF ocean, whilst, the lid Of the sky
light being little way open, was
almost within arms reach of my darling,
whose lightest call would reach my ear
or least movement take my eye.
felt sieepless, never so broad awake,
despite this business now in hand that
had robbed me for days past of hour
after hour OF slumber, so that ] may
safely say ! had scarcely enjoyed six
hours OF solid sleep in so many days.
The hiss OF the froth at the yachts fore
foot threw a shrewd bleakness into the
light pouring of the off-shore wind, and
] buttoned up my coat as ] turned to
Caudel, though excitement worked much
too hotly in my soul to suffer me to feel
conscious OF the cold.
This breeze will DO, Caudel, IL 1t
holds" said l, approaching him by
stride or two, that my voice should not
disturb Grace.
Az, sir. it is as pretty little air as
could be asked for,
- What light is that away out yonder."
The Varne, your honor"
And where are you carrying the little
shipto?" said ], looking at the Illuminated
disk OF compass-card that swung in the
short brass pinnacle under his nose.
Ye see the course, Mr.. Barclay
west by nothe. Thatll fetch Beachy
Head for us; afterwards small shift of
the hellum'll put the Channel under our
bows, keeping the British ports ais we 70
along handy, so flat If your honor don't
like the barometer. there's always a
harbor within easy sail.
was quite willing that Caudel should