Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-11-03

when Capt. George Carlyon, of the
cape Mail Service, found himself, to the
best of his relief, in Hyde Park. A man
with whom he had collided had told
nm that he was in Hyde Park, and that
II he kept straight on and Rugged the
rails, he would presently find himself
at the Marble Arch.
Capt. Carlyon had arrived that day
with his ship at the West India Docks.
On the voyage home peculiar advent
ure had befallen him. A few days after
they had left Natal, saloon passenger
had requested an interview with him.
Inc passenger was young man, of
gentlemanly manners, who had taken
his berth In the name of Robert
Howard. Mr.. Howard, when he came
on board, seemed very unwell. He had
not appeared at the public table once,
alleging indisposition, and he had re-
manned continually in his cabin. When
Capt. Carlyon received Mr.. Howard g
message he went to HIM and found him
in a state of great depression.
Captain" he said, II have pre-
sentiment that shall not live to reach
England. If / do not, ! wish you to
| deliver all the property about me, to-
gether with letter which ] will give
you, to relative of mine in London.
Will you ease my mind by undertaking
this task for me ?"
"My dear SIR" replied the captain,
81 am sorry to find you prey to such
gloomy forebodings. Let me send the
doctor to see you"
mo doctor can do ne any good, and
/ decline to see one." exclaimed the
passenger, n little irritably. ~ don't
say that ! am going to die, but if l
should, will you do as | ask ?''
Certainly, butt
"Tnank you," said the passenger,
without waiting for the captain to con-
clude the sentence. "lIere is the letter.
My luggsge of course you will take
possession Of should anything happen"
Robert Howard drew from his breast
pocket, as be spoke, long, sealed en-
velope, and handed it to the captain,
who read the address:
Miss May Summers,
No. - Pembroke Square,
kcnsington.
"You'll give me your solemn promise
that YOU will do as / ask ?" said Robert
Howard, fixing his eyes steadily upon
the captains face.
81 give you my solemn promise; but
if when we arrive as our destination you
should be alive and well"'
Then you will hand the letter to me,
but not until the very last moment, rs
l quit the ship for the shore"
Capt. Carlvon assured Mr.. Howard
that bis strange request should be faith
fully carried out. and expressing hope
that the invalid would soon recover his
spirits and feel better, he left him, and
taking the letter into his cabin locked
it carefully with his own private
papers.
Late that night, after the bulk of the
passengers had retired to rest, sudden
cry was raised by the lookout man:
ga man overheard"
Instantly all was confusion. There
was rush to the side of the vessel-the
engines were stopped, the men pre-
pared to lower the boats, but nothing
could be discovered.
"Are you certain you saw man 60
overheard ?" exclaimed the captain, as
he anxiously scanned the surface of the
sea.
positive, sir. He was standing
there, leaning over the bulwarks-all
of sudden he climped up, and was
over. ] saw him 60, and heard the
splash. He eeemed TO go down like u
lump oflead."
1t was calm night, and boat was
lowered instantly. The men rowed
about in every direction, but no trace
of the missing man was seen.
After remaining until 1t was certain
that no hope was possible, the captain
reluctantly gave orders to proceed.
In the meantime the officers had made
a search OF the vessel to endeavor to
find out who the passenger was. The
task was not difficult one. Robert
Towards cabin was found to be empty.
Living on the little table in his berth
ho
Capt. Cariyon opened it at once and
readit. -.
"Sir,--I have committed suicide.
charge you as gentleman, and man
of honor. to deliver the letter in your
possession unopened to the person to
whom it is addressed. There is nothing
in il which will tell you more than you
elready know-that Robert Howard, of
Natal. has committed suicide on the
high seas. Open the handbag in my
cabin"
Capt. Carlyon felt that there was no
good to be done by opening the sealed
letter, and he was reluctant to dlsobey
the wish of the dead man. But he felt
that n pninful task was in store for him
when he presented the letter to this
yonnr lady, who was probably q rel
alive or perhaps the sweetheart of the
suicide.
He duly entered all the particulars of
the occurrence, to report to the author
it;es on his arrival, and, having taken
charge of the deceased mans effects, he
endeayored to Danish the tragic occur
renee from his nina. .@
On one point his mind was set at rest
when he opened the handbag in the
suicides cabin. 1t contained legally
drawn document, duly signed and wit
nassed. in the shape of will, by which
Rohart Howell otherwise Howard) left
all his property he might die possessed
of TO Nav summers. at present residing
at No. - Pembroke Square. kensing-
ton. ), ;a
Tho cantain. ''The man has evidently