The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-10-22
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CHAPTER v-Continued

While the dancing was In progress
Captain Fox found an occasion to draw
Frenauld to one side, when, without
attracting attention, he whispered:
Il say, Frenauld, want you to have
O care"
Il don't unders tand," replied Fren-
auld, not at all surprised at the mysteri-
which he had become very familiar.
Il mean you must not step on Dem
hams toes"
"On Denham's toes?"
yes; some one of these girls must be
nearer to him than all the others.
His sweetheart, Captain?'
! "Yes!"
IF you can point her out among all
these beauties" said Frenauld, nodding
at the many pretty girls now drawn Up
on one side for o contra dance, "of
course shall take care not to offend
the gentleman by showing-too much at
tention to the lady,"
1T Is one of the two, and have been
puzzling my brain and exhaustAg my
observation to find out II Miss Hedges
or Miss Condit is the favored one."
Miss Condit is his adopted sister,
Captain"
j. $50 long as he knows she Is not his
sister by the blood, their relationship
will be an incentive rather than bar to
love-" said Capt. Fox, shaking his yell
low head as if still puzzling his brain
over the strange question he had pro-
posed to himself.
at really looks to me-" responded
Frenauld, "as II that dark-eyed, DASH
ing Miss Hedges were the favored one.
I'll swear to 1t that she has bestowed
score Of kindly chances on him tonight,
to one on any of the rest of us.
The unexpected appearance OF the
two young ladies under discussion put
an end to the conversation.
"Ah, Capt. Fox" said Lea Hedges,
you have grown weary already Of the
dance, though it lacks an hour OF mid
SAnd Mr.. Frenauld quite forgot that
/ was to have been his partner In this
set" laughed pretty Ellen Condit, blush
lug in the most becoming way at what
she imagined to be her own audacity in
addressing the swarthy young officer In
this way. :,
II was about to seek you," replied
Frenauld quickly. Il should never for
give myself If l let this opportunity
pass"
He gave her his arm, bowed to the
Captain and Lea Hedges, and led Ellen
to the center of the room, where the
young people were going through the
stately figures OF Sir Roger de Coverly.
Alone with Lea Hedges, and Captain
Fox came back to the salutation with
which she had first accosted him.
Weary Of the dance, Miss Hedges.
he said. with quick, bold glance OF adj
miration that brought heightened
color to her glowing cheeks; 1T Is not
that, but / am so bewildered by my
surroundings, so happy to be among
the ladies and gentlemen Of my own
country again, that l forgot what !
should do to give expression to my de-
light. We sailors arc apt to err on
points of etiquette, and the ladies, In
sympathetic admiration Of our advant-
ages, always look over our ships and
see the hearts behind them.
I'VE are anxious that our guests
should enjoy themselves, as these ouE
older friends are doing" said Lea, wav-
ing a graceful arm in the direction OF
the officers Of the Sea Hawk, who were
now drawn up In row, as II on parade
but at the same time we are most anx.
ious that they shall all enjoy them
selves in the way that to them is most
pleasant.
"Ah, you have there given in one sen.
tence they key to all true hospitality
though did not need your kind words
to be assured that 1t was to be found
here. And now, to carry out my wish
es, what say you to q promenade, or IL
it too cool?"
Capt. Fox turned to the window, by
which they were standing, and drawing
the heavy curtains further back so thai
both could look out, he pointed to the
bay now cleaning like silver mirror
In the moonlight and continued:
"The land Is beautiful, but 1t Is mos1
beautiful where the water flashes In its
front like an eye, or reflects its outlines
as If it held them in its heart.
Il doubt not, Captain" replied Lea
archly, "but you write sonnets at times
or match rhymes in your idle moments
with your officers. But we shall stroll
down to the beach; 1t Is not far and the
air is not too cool.
Lea left him Tor few moments an(
reappeared with scarlet scarf thrown
over her shoulders in q way that en-
HANGED her loneliness as a proper fran,
brings out the beauty Of picture.
She took the Captains arm, and the,
walked out through the garden and fel
on their faces the soft wind laden wit
the odor OF apple blossoms and swee
volets.
The regular beating OF dancing feet
the rise and fall of the music. the muir
muir of the tide. like the drowsy SCUM
OF sea shells, all forbade conversation
They walked to the sea shore, wher
Lea sat down on the gunwale OF
stranded boat, against which the Car
tain leaned.
All" he sighed, since my earlies
memory I have tried to fancy whs
heaven is like, but without success
hereafter / shall have no dificulty;
shall only have to recall this night
4 Am glad you like this place.. sal
Lea, her eyes on the water, and II
moonlight showing the frank expresslo
of her face. 1T is to me the mo-
beautiful place in the world; but pc
haps that is because know no oth'
land. :,
"Nor do you need to- replied u
Captain, with well affected rapture. :
has been my good fortune. or my cru
fate, call 1t what you will. to see ever
land under the sun where men dwell
lut though my acquaintance with yo'
beautiful island is brief, must comics
the pleasure of being here is on
cloud Il. by the thought that / may
any ii.oment be called to leave