The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1895-10-18
NJ HSNHLLY & O.
CHAPTER Iv.-CoSr1NuED).

for I am in habit and feeling a French
woman: but there were many Of my
countrymen in Paris, and / picked W
from them the trick OF the tongue
which astonished you so much yester-
day."
mo, no." said Dick. that's not at all
what it was: it was your wit and pres
ence Of mind"
"That took you by surprise, you
mean?" she said. quickly. And then
after laughing at his confusion, But
now it's your turn to give me some
thing to wonder at"
"Oh!" he said, there's nothing IN my
life to make a story Of. Why, l went 10
sea when I vas H."
But that's a romance in ITSELF she
said.
Dick blushed, perhaps from embar-
rassment, perhaps also from pleasure
for he was anxious to be less OF a
stranger to her. and vas fattered at
her appearance of interest. So, OF
course, he became foolish and procras-
tinated.
I'm sure there's nothing you'd care
to hear" he said, hoping for the en-
couragement of a contradiction.
why, that's how 1 began" she re-
piled. eff you steal my forms OF speech
I shall take yours and answer, as you
did just now, thai it is not a matter OK
personal interest at all, but a mere story
of adventure, that's in question"
I'm certain 1 did not say that" he
answered. II mean, I beg your pardon.
but I couldn't have said anything so
rude
$50 rude as what I have just said to
you"" she asked. with a m~ischevious
pretense of innocence.
"Oh!" he groaned, Tn no good with
words. I can't handle them!" And he
made a sudden gesture as if to grasp a
more downright kind of Weapon.
The action and the flush which ac-
companied it became him quite well,
and she glanced up at him with secret
approval. He had, in fact, gained, not
lost. ground; but in his confusion he
did not suspect the fact, and was more
troubled than ever when the door
opened at this moment and the colonel
came in.
81 hope" he said, bowling, that I did
not interrupt"
Camilla was grave again in an in
slant; and Dick saw with quick graft
tude, that however much h might
have been playing with him before, she
no intention of putting him to
shame before 4 third person.
Capt. Estcourt has been telling me
something of his life at sea-" she re-
piled to her brother-in-law'S inquiry:
land was about to give me his opinion
Of the relative merits of the English,
French and Spanish sailors. You see
there is nothing hat you may not
hear"
I'm that case" answered the colonel,
ct shall have the pleasure of joining in
the conversation. Dinner is ready, and
we will, if you please, Capt. Estcourt,
hear your observations at the table,"
Madame de Montaut took Dicks arm
and they passed into h dining-room.
"That was kindly DONE" he murmured
they went.
Follow it up, them" she answered.
And they took their seats.
"Andw what, in effect, is you opinion
asked the colonel, upon this question:"
He had seen, but not heard, their bit
of byplay, and was in hopes of catching
his guest tripping.
But Dick was now inspired to do his
best, and showed presence of mind
against a merely male antagonist.
Well, to tell the TRUTH" he replied.
coolly, Ion second thoughts I'm not en-
titled tt criticise the French or Span
iards, for I have never met either Of
them in a general engagement"
you have had the misfortune, then.
to miss the greater number of sucn
events?" said the colonel.
IT was a. Copenhagen and Algiers,"
said Dick; but that's ALL"
"Oh!' exclaimed Camilla, anxious to
defeat her brother-in-law's inquisitive-
tell US about Copenhagen: that
is much better than hearing of our
own misfortunes."
"And it really is rather interesting in
he replied. cat any rate that
day produced upon me a more vivid inn
preston tina any that 1 ever spent-at
he added, rather disjointedly.
Camilla enjoyed an inward smile.
please go on" h begged.
"I was a boy of Is then" he said; ga
MILDLY on the 74-gun ship Edgar. I lay
awake a good time the night before,
thinking about home n that kind of
thing. When we turne out at day
break I fell to shivering, though it was
not particularly cold. We all laughed
and joked more than usual. we middies.
but 1 remember hat our teeth were
most of the time. Some Of
the men seemed to tax it all quite ma
turally, but some were a bit solemn,
and some rather excited, like us. The
senior officers We're very cool, and
spoke cheerfully: one of the ~lieutenants,
named Bradnock, had been at the Nile
and the captain said something about
1t as he came up on deck, IL asked
him about taking the s%oundings. He
answered quite easily, and we all
him a very great MAJ to have
seen such service. Then at Z o'clock
signal was made for all captains
and masters to go on board the Ele-
plant, Lord Nelson's flagship. They
were away more han an hour and a
half, and we couldn't think what was
The wind was fair. and the
current running pretty strong Down the
channel. The signal for action
been flying for some time. and all
decks We're cleared: but we heard
that not one Of the pilots