The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-12-09
CHAPTER <.


sTHEY SAILED AWAY IN GALLANT BARK {"
well, with the love Of such e girl as
Cousin Lea assured" said Valentine
Dayton, the morning following the
events narrated in the preceding chap
ter, "the battle is more than half won.
I am sure Uncle Nehemiah Hedges will
come round in time"
II do not blame Doctor Hedges for re-
fusing me the hand Of his daughter; in
his position I think I might do the
same" said the captain.
Il ask your pardon Ralph, but don't
think you would. Genealogies may be
right in the old world, but in this land
men don't win through their grand
fathers" said Valentine, with much
force.
You are right, perhaps; but before
ask Lea to join me at the altar, shall
convince her father that there is moth
ing in my origin for which I, at least,
should blush. However, am very
happy as it is It seems to me that the
fog through which I have been feeling
my way and taking soundings for years
has lifted. and now all is plane sailing.
For the first time in my life feel that
have reached the fullest stature of
man-which can only be attained when
he is confident that he possesses the
love OF noble woman"
7 Captain Denham looked as he felt;
there was an expression of peace and
strength in the handsome bronZed face
that was noticeable 10 his friend.
And Valentine Dayton was himself in
state bordering on ecstasy; for had
Ir,ifh ~
her parents, pledged him her hand. on,
the night before?
versation, were on their way to the Sea
Hawk, where the Captain was to make
his arrangements and issue his orders
| before turning over the command Of the
ship to Lieutenant Hedges.
On reaching the deck they found
Lieutenant Frenauld on board, talking
earnestly with the officers Of the Sea
Hawk.
With the official manner which sailors
| and soldiers can so readily assume or
| lay aside, Frenauld touched his hat,
and, approaching Captain Denham,
| said:
Il am the bearer of letter, sir. from
Captain Fox, who desires mo to take
back your answer"
Captain Denham was inclined to like
| Frenauld, and his dislike Of Fox-he
| imagined-was caused by the feeling
that he was or might become a rival
! All fear of this being dissipated by Lea,
| he felt, as is ever the case with gener-
Gus natures, Of going to the other ex-
| treme.
Frenauld remained back, smoking and
conversing with the officers Of the Sea
Hawk, who were gathered under an
awning on the quarter deck.
Before opening the letter, Ralph Dem
ham, followed by Valentine Dayton,
went down to the cabin.
After glancing over the note to make
sure that he could communicate its con-
| tents to his subordinate, without any
breach OF etiquette, he read as follows:
ON BOARD II. NJ. s CRUISER WANDERER,
! OFF SAG HARBoR June IL, 1895.
| My DEAR CAPTAIN DENHAM: / have
been informed ly some Of our friends
| ashore that you ale ordered to New York
! at once, without your ship, Strangely
| enough. the same post brought me an Or
| der, comm anding me 10 New York Bay
with my ship. on or before the 10Th inst.
The trip by land is long and tedious
while | expect in this weather to make 1t
/ inside OF twelve hours on the Wanderer-
| going up tie sound and through Hurl
| Gate. or He'll Gaze, as it Is now being
! Gated.
I Permit me to say there Is a cabin at your
service on 5oSSd ths- WHudererS and IL FQp