The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-03-09
A SAILORS LOVE.

His majcsty's ship Gazellc steamed into
| the harbor of Simonstown after several
weeks of stormy, difficult passage.
Requests for leave of absence came pour
ing in and were gladly granted, for tho
first officer was in hapM' frame of mind.
The anchor mancuvers passed off without
flaw, and the commander had expressed
thorough satisfaction with tho brilliant
drill.
As the time drew near for the cadets to
go ashore the noise In the ncssroom in
creased with every moment. Those Of us
who had coin divided with Others who ex-
pected remittances from home at Simons-
town. When alkwere ready to depart, we
were called on deck and ordered To fall
into line. The first officer looked us over,
to sec that we were as spruce and clean as
IL We had come out of "a bandbox, and then
we scrambled down into the cutter that
took us ashore.
Simonstown IL small port town, and
we could sec ut n glance that there would
be no l,ayeties such as we crayed The
natural scenery was grand. In the dis
tance the Table mountain with its magnlf-
icent outlook upon hand and sea invited
tine venturesome, but while pockets are
filled with money naval cadets on shore
have little use for rural enjoyment
So we turned our back upon Simons-
town, hired rig and were driven to Cape
Town, where cosmopolitan amuselnents
awaited U.S. But money flies and so did
the few days IL lasted. Many of the ex
pected checks from home had not arrived
We were not to sail for three weeks, and il
was imperative that we should remove
ourselves from the temptations of Cape
Town. A majority of us had already come
TO this conclusion, and the proposition to
return To Simonstown and more quiet
life met with general appreciation.
We Travelled afoot over beautiful noun
tain roads and when late in the evening
we reached the quaint town we deter
mined az spend the rest Of our furlough
there.
AT a. pretty little inn we found good
Cape wine, and the innkceper's daughter,
lovely maiden OF II, served 1t to us in
old English bumpers. Some Of us drank
moro than we could answer for 10 the de.
plcted condition of our pockctboolis be
cause of the look out Of Nclly's sweet
brown eyes that went with the cup that
cheers. But Nelly was as modest as she
was pretty, and her parents' eyes watchful
into the bargain.
ly, and night after night found us gath
cred at the hospitable tavern. On the sec.
ond night another surprise awaited us.
In ono of the side rooms we found piano.
"a piano, boys Gerhard, come!' shout
cd dozen happy cadets.
Withouta a moments hesitation dropped
into the chair and let my hands wander
over the keys. The instrument was in OK.
ccllent tune, and we sang for hours all the
jolly and sentimental airs we knew Mel
ly's parents and groups Of nightly guests
made up our audience.
IN time pretty Nelly chose for her favor
Ito place the one next to mine at tho piano.
AS L played from memory and without
notes, my eyes were free to roam whittier
they pleased, and ere long the great dark
orbs Of my lovely neighbor held them en-.
thralled.
The first officer had put mo in charge O,
the mcssroom, and with many onerous
duties was combined the privilege of going
ashore in the afternoon with the steward
TO purchase the necessary provisions. What
wonder that l shouldSlnd 10y way to the
tavern for n chat with Nelly rather than
keep watchful eye on the steward
On these afternoons Molly and sat on
the bench before the house. unobscrvcd by
the tavern keeper and his wife They saw
no danger in their daughters intercourse
with Il l0.year-old naval cadet.
Anybody might have listened to our con
vcrsation. Ii dwelt upon the most limo
cent topics. WcGiscussed the songs mostly
that we had sung the night before, and
gave Nelly an English version of the Ger.
man words. She was witty and brigh,
and turned my faulty English into many
laughablc pun.
Propinquity led to sentiment on both
sides. Unconsciously our hands clasucd,
and when j caught her glances with too
ardent admiration the beautiful child
veiled her soft brown eyes with their sweep
ing lashcs. Conversation Jagged at such
moments, and we were happy in rapturous
silence.
Once while thus drCaming aud reyeling
In each Others presence Nelly arose sud
denly. Her eyes swept mournfully over
the distant sea.
"How beautiful you arc!' could not
help cXclaiming as my eyes feasted ON the
slender virginia. form of the budding wo-
man. Na.
Mother wants me. Excuse mo-" she
gaspcd half audibly and ran into the house.
The day for our departure drew near.
Tomorrow night when the tide Is ON
we shall sail for Melbourne. the first Off
Ger had announced at the morning drill.
The last of our jolly evenings Mt tho tav-
Urn had come. Twas sad and strangely
apprehcnsive Glass after glass of crimson
wine was cmpticd to Nelly : health between
songs that told Of parting and glad re-
unions When we were ready 10 start for
the ship that night, the pretty innkccpcr's
daughter held out her hand to each one of
us to say farewell. At last my hand closed,
around her trembling fingers. 1 pressed
them till they achcd, and whispered hur-
'ricdly that L would come ashore once more
next day.
The following day was full Of hustle
aboard the Gazcllc Tho ship was made
ready to clear and nrduous duties were re-
tumcd had epcatcdly cn,lcavorcd to
IND AN opportunity TO go ashore, but fate
was against me
AT O'Clock the officer of thc guard
! rar,c on deck. lie was ordcrci " go ashore