Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-01-15
CHAPTER TX.

To those who know the havoc which the
revolution played with tho old French sea
service, and remember how successive POI
lticnl purglnRs had fairly dGnudcd II Ut
experienced officers, II will not bo difficult
to divine the nature OF the Americans
mission to Faruchul,
In public tho convention might chant
that queer rails OF tho Nenguurnnd its emp.
tain to tho skies, and make OF tho LIST "
Juno glorious Victory for France; but In
truth, It had sobercd them not u little and
severely shaken their faith that their rnvy,
like thor armies, was destined to sweep
everything before It, Already the shock
Lord Howe had given them was tempting
them to shut their eyes to tho British fleet
and TO look away at British commerce.
Here tho old onom- seemed to lilo open
to an ehsy and telliL1 advantage. Tho
project seemed TO require for Its cheap and
triumphant success nothing but the necos.
sary oilicors to command the cruisers.
But for these they wcro ut their wits
end II was clcar that the most unim-
pcachnbe civism without seamnnship was
as useless ns the most admirable faith in
tho star Of the revolution without disoi-
plino.
II is easy. then, to guess what It was
tho American had to say to taroohol In
tho parior. Tho man combined oil the re-.
qulred qualities. During the late excuses
he had proved his clylsm In ways thure Is
happily no necessity to relate In this place;
his reputation us daring privutcer cap
tain and ierocluus disciplinnrian was
common talk, and so soon as It was known
at DreSt that he had rcappearod at his ma
tive place the harasscd representative re-
solved to secure his services.
When their talk was dono, Fnrochol
came back into tho room--whorG the count
ess sat--ruilling like nn admiral,
There was naughty look for his ranks
! Of privAteersnion--tu let them know thuir
| places and company-and then, at loss
! how to vent his importance, he fell foul ui
/ his whining mother because tho supper
WINS not ready, and began rating her again
with II brutality beyond expression. Ilc
even raised his arm as II no would strlkG
her, but tho countess, almost without
knowing whit shu did, cried out suddenly
mol Nor
Thuro was that In hor voice between On.
treaty and command chat paralyzed tho
blow and struck him into an amazed 81
lonco Ho turned away with hnnRdug
look, az II sore at his failure 20 overawt
his wife
"Ncvcr heed her, rald tho American
before he could mediate another stroke
"Thc women nro overweight tonight
We have higher things to think Of"
''Thnt's true" growlcd farochol, with
another oath, aud, Indeed, his lips woulj
hardly comG open without ono.
Lets to supper, snld tho American
pushing q chair, "beforo we start,
"what do you mean by startT' rappct
out Farucliol, eying him susploiously.
"Did not make that plnins" said tn
American, brncing for n stormy shift o
wind I'VE must DO away la half an hou
at latest"
A likely thing" grunted tho other.
"You see. ns 1 told you" tho colone
Went on, "the matter Is In tho last dcgrc
pressing Lurd Howe is expected OF Bres
again any day"
us hop Knocked tho pirate.
"Evcrything is ready for sea-" tn
American continued.
Everything but mo, :" said Faroohoi.
Exactly but you return
cd the American, "nnd In tho suored oaus
OF the nation
"Sink tho nationl" sworo the rufilnn
with Gathering blow OF his fist ON tn
table. IL rass tho night hcrol Press o
no press, man does not leave home on hi
wedding evening"
The American did not dare to steal 81
much ms glance at tho countess. He onl!
bowed his head
III will fully explain your reason q
Brost, said ho. ~ may be permitted
morsel Of supper before setting outf
have tasted long"
NAY, we'll go together" cried To
rochol, with "a threatening MIR
81 have my commands, said the Amer
lean; they do not permit mo to wniI
Much ms rcgrot tho loss OF your company
my dear captain, must ut onco push 10
Brcst to report your refusal. 1t will be
serious disappointment 10 tho representa-
tive, but | will explain TO the best Of IN
power your reasons for declining the CON
maud. fesr thcy will appear inadcquat
and even unpatriotic, for, since tho battle
tho representative Is sore puehod at Brs
md inclined to hard Judgments; but, us
say, will do my best.
But sink mo deadl" criod Farochoi
II have not refused"
mot exactly refused" returned tn
American; THE opportunity is too splen
did for that But you have decided to a.
low tho time limited for your acoeptanc
TO expire without appearing at headquai
ters, Unfortunately that Is the sam
thing"
but III DO there tomorrow night,
urged Farochol uneaslly.
who knows," said che American sad
ly, "whon n man puts his wife higher tina
his ronowni And, besides. vs. hours wer
! nil could obtain from tho representative
Aba Ai.potatinsrtz nil Il naaiie Mt neDp q