Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-07-22
A NAVAL ADVENTURE

-4NCH 1OlA 1I1buu6s
A NAVAL ADVENTURE
It was dismal outside, for the rain
fell increasingly, but Mrs. Traynor's
dainty drawing room looked the picture
of comfort that dreary evening. Isabel
la, Captain Traynor's young wife, was
herself picture worth looking at. She
had been the reigning belle of her ma
tive city before marrying the most pop
ular captain in the navy, who, many
years her senior, was very proud of his
handsome young wife, who was ad-
mired by everybody.
The seaport town had long been noted
for its pretty girls and beautiful wom-
en-, and Mrs. Traynor, too sure of her
own popularity to feel jealous. was sure
to have some Of them with her. On this
particular evening the captain had
brought home half a dozen brother Off
GERS to help entertain his wife's guests
They were scattered about the room,
chatting gayly with the young ladies,
and all of them more Or less jealous of
Lieutenant Robert Brighton, who was
the lion of the hour, because he had on
ly just returned from his first long
cruise and being one Of the fortunate
few who know just how to look and
say the unutterable things that are sure
to make one favorite with the fair
sex they petted him until he was in a
fair way Of being spoiled, as he had
rather good opinion of himself and
knew his own merits in spite of pretend
ed modesty.
'"Tell us something thrillingly excit-
ing," urged Belle Talby, flashing Eer
black eyes bewitchingly at the hand
some lieutenant.
Zone of your own love stories would
be all that, no doubt, said Cora Nc
Arthur, shaking her blend head vi
ciously as she noticed the glance return
ed by the wicked Bob to the black eyed
beauty.
81 asked for a story first" pouted
Effie, "and we dent want one of his
love stories, for VIC will all have chance
enough before the winter is over to see
and hear plenty Of our handsome lieu
tenants affaires de c9rr. Won't We,
thought" said the little tease provok-
ingly.
sAll right, then, replied our young
hero, unabashed at being the center of
attraction. II will tell Of an adventure
we had just before we landed at Yoko-
hama
II shall tell you story that is a
mixture Of adventure, i'll which fire,
water, love and jealousy all figure
prominently. No. Miss Cora, it is not
one of my own love affairs. I only wish
it were, but cur lieutenant commander,
Clayton Ried, is the hero of this tale,
and as he modestly objects to talking
of the matter as an act of bravery for
one shall tell his story, although his re-
ward was SO great we all felt that he
was paid for the pain he suffered i'll do
ing that which the rest of us were
afraid to undertake.
"He rescued a crippled old man and
the most beautiful young girl l have
ever seen, present company excepted, Of
course. She was q stunning beauty,
though" continued the lieutenant.
''Her eyes alone were enough to take
any man captive, and we all agreed
capture such prize when he was the
least susceptible fellow among us. He
was, in fact, considered woman hater,
and he seemed to shun them upon every
occasion, but he got bravely over that
after he rescued the little princess, as
we called her.
Captain Lamcnd said that Ried had
been one of the jolliest, best liked fel-
lows in the navy until an unfortunate
love affair few years ago soured him
so that he was like different man-al-
most unapproachable to most people
who came in contact with him. We
were mighty glad OF the change in him,
although he coolly cut us all out with
out an effort, while we welc trying our
best to win. That he was the bravest
among US no one disputes, and that is
why he is the hero of this tale of reck-
less bravery"
"Whom did you say?' asked Mrs.
Traynor i'll low voice, touching his
arm gently.
Lieutenant Commander Clayton
Ried," replied Bob, wondering at the
look Of intense jealousy on the fair face
before him as she asked the question.
"What was this great act Of bravery
that the rest of you dared not do?" ques-
toned Mrs. Traynor eagerly, drawing
nearer to the story teller, as if she We're
afraid she might lose word of the tale,
in which she seemed to take an un-
wonted interest.
81 will tell you," said the lieuten-
ant "Several miles out from our land
ing at Yokohama we discovered small
ship which had run up the signal Of
distress, and upon getting nearer we
could see she was on fire. The wind
was blowing gale, and it was no easy
matter to get within reach of the DOOM
ed vessel, but we made every effort to
do so. The flames were growing fierce,
and there seemed no place where the
small boats could run close to her with
out danger Of getting into the fire.
After making several attempts the men
declared the only way they could save
the people, who were crying for help,
was to have them jump clear Of the
fire, and our boats could pick them up.
Most Of them did this and were saved
without being hurt, but they were bad
! ly frightened.
Thinking the last Of the passengers
and sailors were safely ca ried to the
ship, we were horror stricken to see on
the upper deck Of the vessel white
haired old man standing, with his
arm around the shoulders Of q young
girl. He seemed to be urging her te
jump and save herself, and she was as
firmly refusing to move One Of the
sailors whom we had picked up said
oh, that's the captain and his daugh.
ter, Miss Aline. The captain broke his
leg this morning, SO he can't jump, and
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