Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-07-07

And more than an hour since
you've eaten?'
'Three hours, precisely"
"You are not in prespiration?"
''Dry as fish bone"
"And your health is good?"
Sound as cast IRON"
"Nerve and temper calm and
equable?"
"As calm as high water"
Good! All as it should bel"
And replacing the placard on it's
nail, the sailor wheeled and threw
open the door OF a 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-important, 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 coniectures,
smell and feeling; still it was distinctly
an undervest, drawers and SHOES that
the sailor drew from q locker and
laid before him.
with these" said he, "you can de-
fly the perspiration."
ain truth l canp' 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 q 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 q leathern collarette that
exactly adapted itself to his Shout
ders.
On his back then he placed
cushion, and on that a metal pelerine
that resembled cuirass, reciting by
rote meanwhile, after the fashion OF
the corporal's 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.
1t was long, but Ferreol was patient
and said only;
"You are sure I shall find NJ. Kene-
eek there?"
Certain sure" responded the sailor
with a grin; che can't get away" Adj
ding contentedly, "Nothing but the
helmet lacking now; that we'll put on
yonder.
And: followed by Ferreol, he tucked
under his arm q sort of elongated ball
in a leather envelope, and took up the
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 q condemned
seen the headsman bearing his head
under his arm while leading victim
to the scaffold A strange lovers ira
vesty, which he must bear with pa
thence.
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 a
building, from which, at shout from
his conductor, came running second
sailor, who placed himself without a
word behind Ferreol's back.
Gail ready?" said the first.
Cali ready" responded Ferreol.
"You see the slate and the pencil
hung to your side?" queried the other
again.
estate and pencil BOTH" asserted
Ferreol amiably.
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 O fash of en-
lightenment! 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 a
strange sensation of cold mounting
from feet to waist and from waist to
shoulders. ....
He opened wide his eyes, and
through the helmets peppers saw a
fish fit past him.
Preliminaries decidedly not COM
monplace!
He continued to descend with rela-
tive rapidity. Soon the sandy bot
tom was under-foot. and there before
him 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 a sawmill,
stopped and read:
II am Knenzek; who are your"
The moment was solemn. Ferreol
drew a 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
thesea upon whom depended the
happiness OF his life. They must come
to an understanding somehow. A sea
diver as father-in-law was not mad
missible.
The situation had grown unique.
L..