The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-06-16
THE LIEUTENANT'S STORY

1t was dismal outside for the rain
fell increasingly, but Mrs. Traynors
dainty drawing room looked the pict-
IRE of comfort that dreary evening
Isabella, Capt Traynor'S beautiful
young wife, was herself q picture
worth looking at She had been the
regning belle of her native city, be-
fore marrying the most popular cap
tain in the navy, who, many years her
senior, was very proud of his hand
some young wife, who was admired by
everybody.
The seaport town mad long been not
cd for it's pretty girls and beautiful
women, 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 only just returned from his first
or officers to help entertain his wife s
guests. They were scattered about the
room, chatting gaily with the young
ladies, and all of them more or less
jealous of Lieut.. Robert Brighton, who
was the lion of the hour, because he
aid only just returned from his first
long cruise, and being one of the for
tuEatc 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 fair way of being spoiled, as
he had rather a good opinion of him
self, and knew his own merits, in spite
Of pretended modesty.
'"Tell us something thrillingly eXcit-
ing" urged Belle Tally, flashing her
black eyes bewitchingly at the hand
some lieutenant.
One of your own love stories would
he all that, no doubt" said Cora Nc
Arthur, shaking her blonde head vic
iously, as she noticed the glance re-
turned by the wicked Bob to the black
eyed beauty.
II asked for a story first" pouted
Effie, land we don't want one of his
love stories, for we all have chance
enough before the winter is over to sec
and hear plenty of our handsome lieu
tenants affaires de occur, won't we,
thought said the little tease, provok-
ingly.
''All right, them" replied our young
hero, unabashed at being the center Of
attraction. II will tell you of an adj
venture we had just before we landed
at Yokohama
Il shall tell you story that is a
mixture of adventure, in which fire,
water, love, jealousy all figure promi'
nently. No, Miss Cora, it is not one Of
my own love affairs; | only wish it
were; but our lieutenant commander,
Clayton Reid, is the hero of this tale,
and as he modestly objects to talking
of the matter as an act of bravery, l,
for one, shall tell his story although
his reward was so great we all felt
NO II fon hO
fered in doing that which the rest of
us were afraid to undertake.
HE rescued crippled old man and
the most beautiful young girl [ have
ever seen, present company excepted,
Of course. She was stunning beauty,
though" continued the lieutenant.
Her eyes alone were enough to take
any man captive, and we all agreed
that it was a shame that Reid should
capture such prize Wien he was the
least susceptible fellow among us; he
was, in fact, considered a wOman-hat-
er, 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.
Capt. LamOnd said that Reid had
been one of the jolliest, best-lilIed fell
lows in the navy, until an unfortunate
love affair, a few years ago, soured
him so that he was like different
man. almost 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 with
out an effort, while we were 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. in low voice, touching his
arm gently.
Lieutenant Commander Clayton
Reid replied Bob, wondering at the
look of intense jealousy on the fair
face before him, as she asked the QueS-
ton.
''What was this great act of bravery
that the rest of you dared not dow
questioned Mrs Traynor, eagerly,
drawing nearer to the storyteller. as
if she were afraid she might lose a
word of the tale in which she seemed
to take an unwonted interest.
81 will tell you," said the lieutenant.
Several miles out from our landing at
Yokohama we discovered n small ship,
which had run up the signal of dis
tress, and upon getting nearer. we
could see that she was on fire. The
wind was blowing a gale. and it was
no easy matter to get within reach Of
the doomed vessel, but we made every
effort to do so. The flames We're grow
ing fierce, and there seemed no place
where the Swall boats could run close
to her without danger of getting Oh
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