The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-01-16
CHAPTER XIV.
MSS MANsELL'S STORY


with the body Of the young woman Cap
tain Boldock was pacing the deck alone
frequently pausing, however, to direc
glance at the cabin through the sky
light. The brig swan very slowly Over
the sea. Commander Boldock watched
the horizon rise and fall past the hairy
face Of the man at the wheel. He listen
ed TO the cannonading of the canvas
aloft. He gazed modify round the sea.
He then made a step to the companion
hate, intending to descend, but was
stopped by MIR. Hardy's figure rising.
"Well?" said the commander.
''She has taken the broth and the
sherry, sir, and believe she will do, -
exclaimed Mr.. Hardy.
SIS she rationale
Quite, SIR"
''Lor bless me, and how does she
TALK"
''As lady,"
questioned her at all Mr.. Hardy?'
"Wouldn't take the liberty of doing
1t, sir. Left that to you"
sis she strong enough to support a
conversation, do you think?''
There could be no harm, perhaps, in
trying it," answered Mr.. Hardy doubt
fully. "She's deal bewildered, of
course, as is natural"
II suppose she wouldn't object to my
looking in on herr" said Boldock, with
an expression of natural modesty i'm.
proving his face.
Poor thing, what's she to do? 1t
can't be helped" said Mr.. Hardy. "Of
course she'd be glad if her hair was
done up and feel easier if she was prop
erly dressed. How is she to be clothed"
he continued, "supposing she lives, has
been bothering me, sir. "
What are her things?" inquired
Boldock.
A sort Of dressing gown that when
dried may make kind Of dress, and
what they call flannel petticoat, said
Hardy, looking, with his leer, at the
commander.
81 know what that is, )" said Boldock.
ut is good, serviceable garment for
females. She'll have to make shift
somehow. We must hope to speak some
thing with woman aboard. I'll go
and see her," he said in his deep, com
planning voice.
He descended with courage to the
cabin, but when there his heart little
failed him. He was bachelor. He had
spent the greater part of his life at sea,
knew little nf women and their ways
and was nervous in their company. He
made slow step or two to the door Of
the cabin in which the girl lay and
bowed. The girl smiled, exposing
very good set of teeth.
II am the commander Of this brig,
madam" said he MY name is Boil
dock-Commapder Boldock of the Royal
navy. / have ventured to look in upon
you to see how you are
Il am better and stronger and shall
feel quite we'll tomorrow, am sure"
answered the girl.
''Sol You are English like to know
that we have saved the life Of fellow
countrywoman, said Boldock, sitting
down on q locker "You have been very
miraculously preserved.
ut is dream" said the girl in lit.
tie more than whisper, rolling up her
eyes.
"Can you recollect how it was or
why It was that you were floating in
the sea gagged?"
"Oh, yes. l have perfect recollec-
tion," answered the lady, letting her
eyes fall from their upturned look to
heaven and fastening them upon Boil.
docks face. II have a perfect recollec.
tion, she repeated, with countenance
Of horror. 1T was dreadful, merciless.
monstrous. Shall tell you the story?''
Her emotion started the blood, and
her cheek got little color.
mot unless you feel equal to the
job, said the commander.
But will you first tell me what shin
this is-where am-what part of the
world we are in?''
You are on board the surveying |
brig Wellesley, colonial vessel. She |
belongs to Sydney and is the property |
of the government, said the command |
er, land l am in charge of her. We are
bound," he continued in his deep voice,
speaking rs though feeling more and
moro aggrieved, ION q surveying expe.
dition. We want to determine the place |
OF certain shoals and line of coral
reefs that's brought up more than one
ship all standing. We are at present in
the south Pacific, about fortnight's
sail from Sydney"
She listened eagerly, the intellect 30
Frightening in her vision that when he
was done her fine dark eyes glowed upon
him.
my namo is Margaret Msnsel, 4" she
began. Boldock bowed. II am a gov.
0Yuou0 and want En- Au~tvsls. -