The Newtown bee., 1898-09-09

VIVA shdIAs' dOW5FSIs Iusb Ms uoEEUI
became subdued into resignation, a black
speck was seen still swimming vigorous
ly. A boat was lowered and the poor
wretch was dragged back, collapsipe
utterly when certain OF safety.
ALI this, however, had happened six
hours ago. The incident had been dis
cussed, commented on and capped by
similar cases, and long before the dinner
bell rang the Gust 10 nary state of boredom
had again set in.
After dinner, when the sun had finally
disappeared, and the stars shoae out OF
the wonderful luminosity Of southern
night, some one (probably the ma jor'G
wife) prop o3ed dance, and presently
the ro-es of waltz 'o3e and fell, allur-
ing with its languol GUS Tilt of melancholy
sweetness even those who vowed they
"didn't dance" to seek out partners.
Among the many who circled around
were the officer in command, Capt Asshe-
ton, and his partner, Miss Phyllis Welsh.
The ladies of the Devecot denied that
Miss Welsh had any claims to the at
trsctive adjectiVes by which the men on
board ship described her charming man
ners and face. They emphaticaIly
agreed among themselves that the only
epithet she deserved was that of being
ian outrage Gus flirt."
Whatever her character might really
be, tonight more men than Capt Asshe-
+1vo 11L
''uncommonIy fetching" Her eyelids,
heavy with dark lashes, dropped as
though to hide the exultirg brightness
Of the eyes they shaded, while excite
spent in Indian gayeties had somewhat
paled. AS she glided round she breath
ed quicker than the heat of the evening
or the motion of the dance accounted
for. She wondered at her own sensa-
tons. To experience the delight, fear
rapture and doubt which it had amused
her to make others feel half-terrlfied
half-charmed her. Once raising her
eyes she met full glance from Capt
Assheto1, and thrill of certainty swept
the last doubt whether or not her love
was returned.
Let's come and sit it out" said Capt
Assheton: then he added. II want TO
speak to you-to tell you, Phyllis" he
stopped abruptly on perceiving an order.
~ coming up to speak to him.
"WeL, what is ~ he asked perempt-
orily.
"PIease, sir, the doctor says Private
Robinson is seriously ILL.,"
Capt Assheton turned apologetically
to his partner. 81 must leave GU for q
few minutes. viii you wait for me here;
shall be back in five minutes"
yes" assented Miss Welsh, leaning
back languidly in deck chair. "I'll
wait for you here if you're OF too long
Capt Assheton and the orderly strobe
away.
Custom had not yet steeled Assheton's
heart against feeling pang of SORT "
when called to visit the poor fellows
whose 6yir words it was his duty wher
officer in command to note and report.
reaching the sitting deck, where
the sick, the wounded lay, the orderly
stopped beside the berth Of Private Rob
inson. Usually the officer in command
knows nothing Of the man whose dying
words he has to report, but, as il
CHANGED, Assheton mad heard something
OF Private Robinson's career. He knew
that Robinson was "a gentleman rank
err" one of those good-looking, reckless
unlucky fellows against whom fortune
seems to have spite.
AS Assheton came to the side Of hi
berth the ,dyirg man stared up with 1
curious expression of defiant despair
Above him, beside him, all around thu
deck lay other sufferers, listening ant
watching to hear what "the poor beg
gar" had to say. 1t was hardly tn
place for condolences, and Assheton fel
fully the embarrassment of the position
Robinson, however, had reached the
time when the world recedes into tn
background of ones consciousness, ant
what has to be done must be done a
once, or left forever unaccomplished
He feebly strove to take something
from under his pillow.
"Can L reach that for your aske'
Assheton, gently.
give waited too long," said Robinson
81 intended to send this back my sell
but somehow put it off from day Il
day. couldn't bear to part with it..
He stopped a minute as he succeeded L
lifting up an envelope, then he contir
ued: 81 want to send this back to hel
and tell her that though she sent me t
the DEVIL loved her to the end" FL
added, as Assheton took the envelop
containing the photo from him, 18th
address is written at the back of it,
SIS there nothing else 1 can do II
YOUR" said Assheton hastily.
"Nothing. Thank you, sir" reptile
Robins or, and Assheton felt he was di
missed. He turned away ia silence ar
left the hospital deck. AS he again pas
. ed through the dancers the waltz WI
: Fastening to its conclusion, and Il
laughing, talking company were dispe
sing in search of ices and comfortab
seats. Phyllis Welsh was still sittir
where Assheton had left her.
"You weren't long" she said, SIN
ing. .What did Tommy want to II
= you? Do tell me all about it,"
4 Something in her words grated again
Assheton's feelings. He sat doy
) and replied slowly: HE asked me
Q return photo TO girl, and tell her To
: though abe played him false, he loy
i her to the end.
sob ~ cried Phyllis. aHow intere
ing it sounds! Have You got the pho