The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-05-10
CHAPTER v.-(CoNTINUED.)


mo" Clara answered. Il am not
satisfied yet"
What! still looking for him? This
is really too absurd. Here is my nus
band coming. l shall tell him to call
cab and send you home"
Clara drew back a few steps. II
won't be in the way, Lucy, while you
are taking leave of your good hus-
band" she said 81 will wait here"
Wait here! What for?"
For something which | may yet see.
Or for something which 1 may still
hear"
Richard Wardour?"
Richard Wardour."
Mrs. Crawford turned to her husband
without another word. Clara's lnfatu-
alton was beyond the reach of remon-
STRANGE.
The boats OF the Wanderer took the
place at the landing-stage vacated by
the boats Of the Sea-Mew. A burst of
cheering among the outer ranks of the
crowd announced the arrival Of the
commander of the Expedition on the
scene. Captain Helding appeared,
looking right and left for his first lieu
tenant Finding Crawford with his
wife, the captain made his apologies
for interfering, with his best grace.
Give him up to his professional
duties for one minute, Mrs. Crawford,
and you shall have him back again for
half an hour. The Arctic Expedition
is to blame, my dear lady-not the cap
tain-for parting man and wife. In
Crayford's place | should have left it
to the bachelors to find the Northwest
Passage, and have stopped at home
with you"
Excusing himself in those bluntly
complimentary terms, Captain Heiding
drew the lieutenant aside a few steps,
accidentally taking direction that led
the two officers close to the place at
which Clara was standing. Both the
captain and the lieutenant were too
completely absorbed in their profess
sional duties to notice her. Neither the
one nor the other had the faintest sus-
picion that she could, and did, hear
every word OF the talk that passed be-
tween them.
you received my note this morn
ing?" the captain began.
Certainly, Captain Helding, or I
should have been ON board the ship
long before this
q am going on board myself at
once" the captain proceeded. but
must ask you to keep your boat wait
ing for half an hour more. You will
be al the longer with your wife, you
know. | thought of that, Crawford"
q am much obliged to you, Captain
Helding. l suppose there is some other
reason for inverting the customary or
der of things, and keeping the lieu
tenant on shore after the captain is
on board?"
Quite true; there is another reason.
want you to wait for volunteer who
has just joined us.
"a volunteer
Yes; he has his outfit to get in a
hurry, and he may be half an hour
late"
It's rather sudden appointment,
isn't it,"
mo doubt. Very sudden"
And pardon me, it's rather long
time Gas we are situated) to keep the
ships waiting for one man?''
quite true, again. But man who
is worth having is worth waiting for.
This man is worth having; sthis man
is worth his weight in gold to such an
expedition as ours. Seasoned to all
climates and all fatigues; a strong fell
low, a brave fellow, a clever fellow
in short, an excellent officer. l know
him we'll, or l should never have taken
him. The country gets plenty of work
out of my new volunteer, Crawford He
only returned yesterday from foreign
service
He only returned yesterday from
foreign service, and he volunteers this
morning to join the Arctic Expedition?
You astonish me-
Il dare say l do; You can't be more
astonished than l was when he pre-
scented himself at my hotel, and told
me what he wanted. Why, my good
fellow, you have just got home,' I said;
are you weary of your freedom after
only a few hours experience OF ito
His answer rather startled me. He
said, I am weary of my life, sir; l
have come home and found trouble
to welcome me which goes near to
break my heart. If I don't take refuge
in absence and hard work, am lost