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


die watch, and could hardly keep
my eyes open. The morning was
exceedingly warm, but there was a
light breeze from the Westward
just enough to keep the canvas full.
I had thought of everything l could
remember to fight off the drowsi-
ness that was stealing over me. l
recalled the last song l had heard
ashore and the girl who sang it. l
thought of the letters 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 one
self awake
The breeze, though light, was
STEADY, and at the foot of the main
course to which l had extended my
walk and now stood under for the
delightful draft it cast, was as mo-
tionlcss as if the sail rope had been
of metal. wandered down to the
gunroom Cor n goblet of rum and
lime juice 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 debutante at n London draw
ing room, no matter how lovely,
could demur to an exchange. There
was nothing effeminate about the
figure. The shoulders were square
and muscular, and the neck showed
unmistakable signs of strength Ar
thur Bcscoby, though We called him
Miss Boscoby in the mess, was no
girl boy, but q young man from the
pleasant county of Kent, who was a
good cricket and football player,
pulled n strong oar and gave ample
promise of being n valuable addition
to her majesty's navy.
Il can't sleep, Paddy Paddy was
my pct nanol. / don't know what
it is that worries mo so, but l feel
wretchcd
You re in love, Bessy. This visit
you made to Scotland has settled
you"
BeScoby's face flushed. mo, /
don't think I'm very hard hit, Pad
dy,' he reioincd, only something
to keep my mind busy between
mails. BY the way, what did you
make her out to be yesterday?"
gave him tho ships position at
noon and chatfcd him at having for
gotten it.
Suppose you take turn on the
deck with me, Bess," said, land
you can get a jolly good hosing at
eight bells, which will do you more
good tnan scribbling in this mess.
room. Como along, and I'll tell you
about the girl that saved my life al
Limerick. "
Before ! concluded that remarka.
BILE tale Bescoby's blues had disap.
peared, and when the next watch
was mustered he was all right again.
He was favorite of mine, and, al.
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 sensitivo to "a degree and suffer
ed under tho chatting which lot OF
larky midshipmon find indispensa.
BILE to fill their leisure hours.
I'D like to speak to you, sir, for
a minute said a huge fellow, the
tallest man in the ship, marine
whom we called Cog Thompson and
who looked after Bescoby's clothes
and washing as we'll as mine.
We'll, what is it. Cog? Quick,
reel it off. I'm sleepy"
Aye, aye, sir. It's about Mr.
Bescoby. 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.
Hos superstitious about it. He
thinks it will have an effect upon
his life"
Nonsense, said l. Mr.. Besco
by has been chatting you, Cog"
"No, sir, replied tho big marine
earnestly, who loved the handsome
young MILDLY rs if he had been his
son. Il know you are his chum,
sir, and that if | told you you'd talk
him out of those ideas. But, please,
sir, don't mention that l had any,
thing to say about it.
Certainly not, Cog" And as the
marine saluted and walked forward
1 remembered that Arthur was SUI
perstitious and had asked me many
things about ghosts, fairies, ban.
shoes and othor uncanny things in.
digenous to the isle of Saints. But
light, that peculiar ball of electric
light which is occasionally seen in
the low ATTITUDES clinging to the
trucks and the ends of the yards.
"I'll pump him about it today, "
/ thought, and fell asleep.
That afternoon when | was writ
ing up my individual log Bescoby
came into the gunroom. / saw the
same curious and worried express
sion on his face that / had observed
the night before.
"Bessy, what the deuce is the
matter with you? Are you fretting
because you have not yet seen St
Elmo's lightp"
who has been telling you that
warn. Paddvp" he answered mink.