The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1898-08-26

| raDrS Covers, III ;.:o cleaning gIs4ss and
plate, in the freshened green palms; the
ships officers, gilt braided and blue
scrged; men ia simple dinnor jackets and
| immaculate shirts, women i'll blouSCs Of
muslin and grass lawn and white weeping
poDgeo silk, and here and there u pretty
klCe and hero and there diamond.
No one staid OF deck till the joint that
evening, and mt s, when the lights were
switched on and Holden, very weak and
white walked to his seat on the captain 5
right, there was a rattle Of sparkling glass
and from the women's eyes little bright
shots OF admiration. For the hour no was
unTuestioncd hero, albeit a grave enough
type of the heroic. Matthew sat 0pposita to
him, trying to catch his eye, but shy Of
making u scene.
Holden initiated his vino card for n
bottle of vulnay and Gftcrwa@d talked
cnartroom mysteries with tho captain.
\ light ground swell listed tho ship
lightly and the hcrgs of ice in the deep
sea tumhlerS pingcG against tho glass like
tho dropping of small shot. The portfolio
shoots were alert Tor fresh air, but vainiy,
and yellow heat haze filed tho saloon
and touched tho skin like prickly foyer.
People who are imprisoned for six weeks
catch at excitement with both hands, us Il
God y gift precious beyond prayer. To-
night it ran as IL whisper through tho
soup, and if fish hcgat steadincsi by the
joint it YVES again rilo and dubbed mcr-
curyliko from sweets to salad. 1t was ter
ribly hot, but at coffee time all settled in
their seats. well fed and coy. Then across
the table the captain caught the ego of the
inquirer, and the chief nodded to the doc
tor
With hand ON each lapel the doctor,
daEper and rotund, stood at his ease to
talk. They We're proud he said, among
other things to carry Mr.. Holden in tho
ship; proud to think that, whether i'll "a
Netherlands hooker or in ii. NJ. 5. Birk-
enhcad-ayc in any floating craft, from Il
grand hotel to IA ttttcrud little North sea
traInp-thcro We're still men, largo hearted
ard strong limbcd, ready ut call to offer
their lives In anothGr'S service.
Ladies sparkled ut Holden, beat hands
and smiled, as in tournament days thCy
garlandcd their knight in flowers, and the
men shook their glasses and deeply "llcar,
hrarcd!" Then the captain, lifting his
glass to the level Of the lights, called out
cheers for Holden, and wheezy, sailed
piano drummcd hoarscly rearward, and
the mon on the watch wondered why the
saloon dinner was run mad.
Lifting himself To his feet, Holden stood
with an effort. Il have only to say" he
said quickly, that rather than have saved
this man life l would have given up my
own. Yet l am glad to pull round to call
him here Il blackgunrd, IL cur and'- lie
lifted his glass and, stem to finger, flung
the burgundy full tilt in the mans face.
Oddly enough, the next morning Math.
ew, too, fell sick He kept his cabin till
the steamer hove to at Cape Town, when
he went ashore without ostentation in u
hired dingcy. His baggage followed in
the tender
And Mrs. Georgia sat up in her gauffered
nightdrcss and with large, appealing eyes
told of the mans relentless persecution, Of
her mcrcilCss snubhings and how she had
kept counsel from her husband for pCaco's
sake. You don't know, Jack! Godl You
don't!" she said.
And Holden believed Mrs. George, for
it is written he was in love with his wife's
eyes. They looked at him now full OF
depths and wonders and meanings, like
tho dream of AlnaSSthar p. Blake in
Blacl. and White.