Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1895-01-11


picked crew, most Of the senmen hav-
ing sailed with Captain Abbott tor
years. 1t was to be Arthur Halls last
trip as first mate, however, for the
following year he was to marry the
captains daughter, and he would be
captain on the ship on which the bri-
dial tour was to be taken.
Fred Arleigh, the captains nephew,
Miss Jewett and myself, we're slightly
sea-sick for two or three days, but
after that we were jolly party.
Somehow, every effort TO find Lila
alone met with the most signal failure.
On deck, in the cabin, at meals, she
was courteous, even friendly, but we
never by any chance found ourselves
alone, Usually the captains wife was
near us, and | felt sure that Lila had
arranged matters toprevent a. private
interview.
A week passed, then, in desperation
went to Mrs. Abbott, told her the
whole story, not sparing myself, and
asked her help. That very evening
the kind-hearted lady said to me:
"Mr. Davis, Lila has just gone on
deck; will you take this shawl to her?
1t is growing a little cool"
Alice Abbott and young Arleigh were
playing chess, and, absorbed in the
game, were not likely to disturb us for
an hour. In her favorite corner,
sheltered from the strong breeze, sat
Lila, watching the sunset.
Icame behind her unnoticed, and
softly laid the shawl over her should
ers.
"Thank you auntie," she said, with
out turning her head. els there any
thing so lovely as sunset at sea?'
| looked across the water at the
gorgeous pile of gold and purple
clouds, then sitting down beside her, /
replied:
"The light OF love in your eyes again,
dearest, would be more beautiful to
me-
She started violently and tried to
rise, but held her hands.
~ thought it was auntie; she has
failed me, she said
ella, dearest" begged, 'llsten to
me. Your aunt sent me to you. She
believes in repentance and forgiveness,
if you do not. You know Hove you.
/ was an arrogant fool, but loved
you. Forgive me. These long weeks
have nearly killed me. Give me a
little hope"
Her face was white and set.
"Glenn, / trusted you. You were
my ideal OF all that was noble and
good, and when discovered that I'M
derneath your cultured exterior was a
jealous, petty, tyrannical nature. my
love died. You must have fancied,"
with a flash OF scorn in her eyes,
"that because you are rich and am
poor, in my eyes money would cover
up those undesirable qualities. You
were mistaken"
Lila" | rejoined, 81 deserve your
censure, and perhaps l do not deserve
your forgiveness; but money never
entered my thoughts in connection
with you; in that respect you are
grossly unjust. / don't believe that
your love is dead, for you cannot
deny that, however undeserving was
and am, you loved me truly-you
said so in that cruel letter you left
and true love viii not die at your
bidding or mine. Take care lest in
your effort to mete out the punish
mcnt deserve you forget to be just"
The red blood flashed to her brown
hair. She struggled for composure,
then, holding out the hand that she
had refused to let me clasp after the
first surprise, she said:
"Glenn, let us be friends. Let us be
comrades on this long voyage, /
forgive you, but do not talk of love
again. You men do not understand
a woman's heart. cannot go back
to the old days, but these may be
pleasant ones if you will"
Silently, | took her hand, saying
inwardly,-
81 will win you again, my love-"
After that Lila ceased trying to
avoid me, and the others were all re-
lieved from the necessity OF prevent
ing private conversation between us.
Of course the entire party understood
something of the situation, and if
there was no engagement existing be-
tween Lila and me, each hoped and
believed there would be before the
voyage was over.
We had fine weather for weeks, and
then we We're caught in q dead calm.
You who have gained your sea expert
snce on board an ocean steamer, can
not imagine what it is to lie motion
ess day after day on a CLASSY sea,
Under a burning sun, utterly incapable
Of moving unless the wind rises, while !
not q breeze ripples the water or stirs
5he loose sails hanging dejectedly |
against the masts. Every thing about
5he ship was dry as the desert, and
he forced inactivity wasalmostintol
cradle.
One night under the tropical stars
lila and / had long talk. Not a
,inge Of anything but friendship
warmed her cool, pure face. and with
! heavy heart | went to my state
'oom, half inclined to believe she had
spoken truly in declaring love to be
lead past all hope of II erection. A
strange feeling of depression possessed
ne, but / soon fell asleep. ] was
awakened by some one pounding on
ny door.
"Glen! Glen! the ship is on fre!"
Hurry up, old man! She's blazing
,ftp' he cried.
1.-THE ladies?" / asked.
Dressing. Get Your valuables."
In a belt made for the purpose, fast
ned securely under my clothing, put
ny money and iewelry. Five min
ties later every one was on deck.
The vessel burned like pitch; the
yell-trained crew had already lowor~c
ind provisioned the boats; the wom-
n were white with excitement, but
earless and calm. 1t was growing
warm where we