Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1895-08-22
A ROMANCE OF THE SEA.

1t had gone two bells in the middle
watch, and could hardly keep my eyes
open. The morning was exceedingly
warm, but there was light breeze from
the westward-just enough to keep
the canvas full. l had thought of
everything I could remember to fight
off the drowsiness which was stealing
over me. / recalled the last song 1 had
heard ashore and the girl who sang it.
I thought of the letters 1 had to write
before we made Hakodate, for we were
cruising in the Japan sea on this night
Of June, 1886. There was no excuse to
trim sail to keep oneself awake.
The breeze, though light, was steady,
and the foot of the main course, to
which 1 had extended my walk, and
now stood under for the delightful
draught it cast, was as motionless as if
the sailrope had been of metal. l sud
denly felt that I was thirsty, and wan
dered down to the gunroom for COB
let of rum and limejuice to give relish
to my next pipe.
Hello, old man! Why have you
turned out? Three bells have not
struck yet"
The face that looked up to mine from
the mess table was that of a beauty
SO refined, not masculine comeliness,
but positive beauty that no debu tante
at London drawing-room, no matter
how lovely, could demur to an ex-
change. There was nothing effeminate
about the figure. The shoulders were
square and muscular, and the neck
showed unmistakable signs of strength.
Arthur BescOby, though we called him
Miss Bescoby in the mess, was no girl
boy, but young man from the pleas
ant county of Kent, who was good
cricket and football player, pulled a
strong oar and gave ample promise of
being a valuable addition to her mai
estys navy.
II can't sleep, Paddy paddy was
my pet name). I don't know what it
is that worries me SO, but I feel
wretched."
You're in love, Bessy. That visit
you made to Scotland has settled
you"
Bescoby's pale face flushed ''No, /
don't think I'm very hard hit, PADDY -
he rejoined, only something to keep
my mind busy between mails. By the
way, what did you make her out to be
yesterday?"
1 gave him the ships position at
noon, and chaffed him at having for
gotten it.
Suppose you take turn on the
deck with me, Bess," / said, land YOU
can get jolly good hosing at eight
bells, which will do you more good
than scribbling in this messroom Come
along and I'll tell you about the girl
that saved my life in Limerick
Before I concluded that remarkable
tale Bescoby's blues had disappeared,
and when the next watch was
mustered he was all right again He
was favorite of mine, and though he
spoke to me freely on many things
there was still an air of reserve about
him that made all perfect confidence
impossible He was sensitive to a de-
gree, and suffering under the chatting
which let of larky midshipmen find
indispensable to fill in their leisure
hours.
I'D like to speak to you, sir, for a
minute" said huge fellow, the tallest
man in the ship, a marine whom we
called Cog Thompson, and who looked
after Bescoby's clothes and washing,
as well as mine.
What is it, Cog? Quick; reel it off.
I'm sleepy"
LAY, ay, sir. It's about Mr.. Bes-
CODY. Did he ever talk to you about
St Elmo's light?''
why, yes: he was curious to see it.
Well, what of it??"
Hes more than curious, sir. He's
superstitious about it. He thinks it
will have an effect upon his life.'