The Portland daily press., 1897-12-18
(ALL RIGHTS REsERyED.l

of eight knots an hour, for five consecu-
tive days, yet, on the whole, since leav-
ing the Cape astern, she had met with a
larger share than usual of light, battling
breezes. But this particular Sunday
morning brought great change along
with it. The dawn broke upon 9 stoop--
ing leaden sky: an horizon narrowed
down on every hand to within half q
league of the ship by thick white haze,
like Scotch moorland mist; small ex-
panse of olive green sea, with yawn1ng
hollows opening dark and shadow like
betwixt the froth -ridged crests; and a
bleak shrill wind, that howled and
rush Of it sped through the rigging OF the
plunging vessel. She wore gaunt and
storm beaten aspect up aloft, stripped as
her yards had been of their canvas all
above the dark and strainjng topsails;
her decks were wet with the moisture OF
the mist, and the frequent steam-like
clouds of spray which burst over her tall
bulWarks; the sailors of the watch We're
all clad in their oilskin clothes; and in
stead of the usual solitary figure at the
helm, there now stood two men, gripping
the spokes with knotty muscles to steady
the helm against the savage kicking of
the rudder every time billow broke
against it. Yet, despite the gloom and
discomfort of such weather. it was a
CUdlAS UuSto sCD SApUllAh kobOIS CSc q
and rubbing his hands with satisfaction,
for the strong wind blew almost dead
astern, and the white, glistening wake
racing away behind told how fast the
ship was speeding upon her course over
the weltering waters.
The hour was about ten O'Clock; break
fast was finished in the saloon, and about
a dozen of the passengers had quilted the
warmth and shelter of the large, comfort
able cabin to venture upon deck. Among
these were Mr.. Rawlings Ito give the
hero of this story the name he had come
to be known by) and Miss Marston. They
came up out of the companion hatch both
costly muffled to the throat, and stood
together gazing round upon the storm
picture. Mr.. Rogers, the chief mate, had
charge of the watch, and as he stumped
past them upon the slanting planks, he
called out to Miss Marston. laughing as
he spoke, the gallant old nautical joke,
that he reekoned the Sydney lads must
have guessed at last there were some rare
beauties coming out aboard the Strath-
nairn, for they seemed to have got hold
OF the tow-rope now, and the old hooker
was giving them all their work to haul
in the slack.
The two young people presently fell to
pacing the poop, the girl holding on TO
Rawlings arm to steady herself upon the
heaving platform. Mr.. Brymer, after
watching them for moment, strolled
across to Mr.. Rogers, whom he joined in
his sentry-like walk.
''Looks as though it were going to be @
case of 1oye business between that
couple, doesn't it?'' said he, indicating
by slight sideways motion of his head
the pair who were out of earshot on the
other side of the deck.
81 don't know about going to be-" an
swered the chief mate. cit seems to me
that the girl must have taken a violent
fancy to the man when first she clapped
eyes on him. Well, he's as good looking
fellow as you'll como across in day S
march; and then again, there is no
doubt that an neutrality-suspicious. a
handsome one-always appeals to wom-
en-"
sit is odd, ''said Mr.. Brymer, tthat out
Of all the passengers in this ship, Miss
Marston should have been the only one to
volunteer to nurse the rescued man. In
deed, I hear that she actually went to the
doctor and begged to be allowed to dc
SO. -
GAY. she's the best of the lot of them
not to say the prettiest." exclaimed the
officer, viewing her admiringly. IF ]
were not already married man myself
she would be just the girl out of the
whole saloon null of 'em to whom
shouldslose my heart.
s'And if l were about ten years young.
er-"said the Sydney merchant, and then
broke off abruptly on catching Miss Mars.
TOMS eyes fixed full upon his face as she
passed, as if she had overheard what he
was saying, though the hootfng of the
wind and the roaring of the sea must
have rendered that quite impossible.
There CHANGED to be among the severs.
pets on board the ship a pretty little Per
sian kitten belonging to the captain. II
IL 10. %l,o+ IL,
tiny, fluffy creature came bounding UP
from below, chased to the companion
way by one Of the children. 1t skipped
along the deck like a ball of fur blown
by the wind, and in moment haG
sprung upon the wheel gratings, whence
its next leap would have carried it clear
of tho taffrail into the foaming race Of
water astern. Now it so happened that
as the kitten jumped upon the small
grated platform abaft the helm, Mr.
Rawlings and Miss Marston had arrived
at the aftermost limit of their walk, and
were just in the act of turning when the
girl saw the kitten bound like flash OF
yellow light past her. Seeing at a glance
that in another instant it would be over
board. she gave cry of ooh, poor pus-
syl" broke away from her companion
and nimbly sprang upon the grating in
chase of it. Then what followed happened
in a breath, with that appalling rapidity
which paralysis the understanding, save
where there exists that quality of pres
enoo of mind which commonly makes
heroes of those who have it. The tiny
animal, startled by the pursuit of the
girl, uttered little squeak, and took 6
flying leap trough the air. Miss Marstor
made snatch at the creature as i,
jumped; her foot caught in one of the
square apertures of the grating. tht
ship at that.very moment was giving 6
wild, staggering, downwards plunge
and loud cry, followed by u heavy
splash told the rest.