The morning call., 1893-04-16

a clergyman. I suppose ?" said the sub
altern.
The doctor. without answering. left
the poop, walked to the main hatch and
bottom Of it.
What's your opinion of Barney's con-
version ?" said Captain Sutherland to Cap
tain Barrett
My opinion is" answered the other.
that shall give Instructions for the SEN
tries To keen an extra sharp eye upon him. :"
NOW the hymns over, suppose we get
that cork drawn?" said the subaltern.
l started on the captain of the ship turn
ing to look at me My eyes had been
approaching the hatchway, had risen and
gone to the rail and stood there locking out
TO sea. The convicts came up in divisions
, TO breathe the air; it was so burning hot
that the doctor mad stopped the walking
exercise; Toms division happened to be
up, and my eyes were rooted TO his pale
lace as lie stood looking over the rail into
| the dim blue distance. when | was startled
by Captain Sutherland turning unon me.
Draw the cork, said he. i had for
gotten you." And he said to Lieutenant
Chimmo. but did not mean that | should
hear him. do you observe that this lad is
always at ones elbow when the eonvicts
are under dscussion?"
This speech brought some color into my
face; was sensible that | bushed and was
deeply yexed that | did so. All three
watched me draw the cork out of the brandy
bottle. poured brandy into tue tumblers
and filled them up with foaming seliZer and
handed the draughts to the gentlemen
Captain Barrett looked me hard in the face
when handed him his tumbler. My fears
made me find detection in his stare;
thought TO myself In my heart, this man
has found out That am a woman!
went toward the companion hatch to re-
enter the cuddy; Lieutenant Chimmo said
loudly, as though Indifferent whether |
heard or not. what deviIish good-l0ok-
ing chap he is. He bushes like a girl"
There's mystery about the young
zles me.'
did not catch what the captain let fall,
but feeling alarmed and eager TO know if
more was said l ran hastily down the COM
panion steps and posted myself under the
open foremost skylight.
"What makes you think SOP" | heard
Lieutenant Chlmmo say.
He seems too stouily built for a lad"
answered Captain Barrett
I've met young fellows more girlsh
looking than that lad" exclaimed Captain
Sutherland. "The apprentice Johnstone. /
understand, knows all about MIN. John
stone is of a respectable stock His father
is solicitor near the Tower. Pye never
done business witt him, but he has helped
many poor gentleman Of the jacket out of
difficulties"
The snbaltern spoke OF several effeminate
officers whom he mad met with in various
places. He men toned one Captain Dawson.
whom he said was called Pretty Polly. He
wore mis- hair parted down the middle; it
was rich auburn and waved, and the
fellows Of his regiment tried to persuade
him to let II grow 10 see 10 what length 1t
would descend. He had no hair except
eyebrows and eyelashes upon his face; his
complexion was amazingly delicate much
more so than young Marlow's; he blushed
readily, his voice was contralto, aud when
he sang you thought you were listening to
woman.
This reminded Captain Barrett OF q
glrlish looking cornet named Sheridan /;
then Captain Sutherland furnished an in
stance OF a singularly effeminate second
mate; after which, amid frequent sippings
OF brandy and selZer and putting of paper
cigars, the conversation went again to
Barney Aaron. thence to other matters,
whereupon, satisfied that they had doaa
with the topic of girlish-looking boys,
went to the pantry, breathing little more
freely, though s:ill somewhat uneasy, for
was afraid of the meaning / had found in
the stare that Captain Barrett had regarded
me with.