Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-02-13

Lazy uIImOur, anu sne mao unrown
her midshipman lover completely
overheard.
Il met her, Paddy" the poor fell
low said, and she smiled at me and
shook hands, but it was as if was
pleasant acquaintance and nothing
more. Lord Gilmour was quite
friendly and spoke of the shooting
and invited me ON board. had only
one chance to speak to her, and I
whispered, Nora, have you forgot
temp and she laughed and said, with
an air of woman of the world,
You silly boy, want you to forget
all that nonsense. But it's all over
now. will never see her again.
Never, never!
"Bosh, said 1, slapping him on
the back You'll get over all this.
Why, that girl who saved my life in
Limerick and who swore l was the
only man she ever loved was mar
ried week afterward to n wealthy
tanner and had the impudenco t.
send me one of her wedding cards.
But all this we'll meant consola-
ton had no effect upon my friend,
and l was glad when we got under
way and pointed for SIe strait of
Sunda. Bescoby went about his duty
in dull, mechanical sort of way,
and even the fellows who used to
prosecute him most had respect for
his despondoncy, although they
knew not the cause. He never men
heart again, and l avoided all refer
once to the subject.
was in the second hour of a de-
licious sleep few nights afterward
when somebody grasped me violent
ly by tho arm and shook me.
Rouse up, sir! Rouse upH cried
Cog Thompson hurriedly. Il think
there is something wrong with Mr..
Bescoby. He is aloft on the mizzen
royal, and l sent one Of the boys
after him, and the boy came back
and said that he was talking to him
self and muttering something about
st. Elmo's light, and I'm afraid, sir,
that he is out Of his mind"
While 1 was hurriedly pulling on
my trousers the marine told me that
that singular phenomenon had been
seen first on the main truck, and
that another ball Of fire had rested
for a moment on the end of the miz-
zen royal yardarm. The minute
Mr.. Besooby saw this he had rushed
aloft and laid out on the yard. Filled
With apprehension, came on deck
and started quickly up the weather
rigging. There was a heavy swell
on, and the ship was rolling consid-
erably. stopped at tho mizzen top
mast crosstrees and sung out softly:
Hello, Bescoby! Lie down here
for moment. I've got something
to tell you"
He did not reply, but kept talking
to himself, SO began the ascent Of
the topgallnnt rigging. As the ship
rolled heavily to lceward l saw his
figure outlined against the dusky
sky, and heard him say in pecul-
iarly dull but distinct monotone:
Il have found the light at last,
Nora. have kept my part of the
promise. Is your spirit near me
now"
Again the big ship rolled to lee
ward, and the end of the royal yard
was lifted up to the clear patch of
sky. But there was no one there.
Poor Bescoby had either sprung or
fallen overheard.
l shouted to the quartermaster to
put the wheel hard down, and as
the ship came shaking in the wind |
jumped to the topgallant backstay
and slid rapidly to the deck. The
boat was Mt once lowered away, and
then another, but though we search.
cd for more than an hour and burn
ed lights over a vast area of water
we found no trace of the hapless
midshipman. There was gloom in
the gunroOm mess for many weeks
afterward, for Bess was q general
favorite.
I never told the story of this I'M
fortunate attachment, and I never
saw the woman, whose marriage l
read of in a Hongkong paper, who
had made my poor friend the sport
of a summer vacation and ruined a
young and promising life for her
own qualification and for the win
ming of wealth and title-San Fra q .
cisco Call.