The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-03-19

was an expression on his face which I
can only describe as pouting.
"'Confound IT. he said, suppose I
must co.
And the next moment, he was oven
the rail and flying, arms and legs all
spread out, through the air. down 10 thu
shining, swelling water where the Las
cars head was bobbIng up and down.
what struck me about It all was tho
tone in which he said those words. Con-
found IT, l suppose I must CO. Ii was
just as II the bugle call had interrupted
him I'm a game that interested him deep
~ Things had evidently begun 20 look
bright for him, because Edith was smil-
ms. and I suppose he thought II a beast
~ bore don't you know for this fool Of
a Lascar 10 go and drop into that shark
pond on this particular morning.
"And / suppose CrOpley had quito
made up his mind that there would bs
no coming back for him. He was only
doing II ALL I believe. because IL was
the thing TO do. and because IL would be
q disgrace TO the flag IL this Lascar were
eaten up like that without an attempt on
the part OF any OK tho 'sahibs' 10 save
him. and 81 did look for little time AZ
II things were going that way But he
was pleasantly surprised. so was l. so
was Edith. so. / believe. was even Crop
ley's rival We had none OF us counted
on one very simple fact In natural his
tory. namely. that sharks with all their
ferocity are very tlmd. Tho splash
Cropley made as he dropped into the wa
ter. saved TWO lives. Probably. 1t cana
Just In time.
There was an answering sudden swirl
as he dropped in. and | even thought
could see a long fin cutting through the
water. going away from the two men.
The sharks were rushing away from tho
splash, as they always do. though they
may be counted on 10 come back as soon
as everything gets quiet again. But
before they could come back one OF tho
ships boats that had been moored al tho
foot OF the companion ladder was along
side the Lascar and tho Engllshman-
They we're both pulled IN safe.
THAT does illustrate what you were
saying about heroes not making heroic
speeches, doesn't it,"
"Wen, ] don't quite know whether IL
does or not" said tho stout man with
the cigar But how about the girl?"
"Oh, the girl? Well. curious thing
about that affair. How do you suppose
II ended?
"she OF course fell dead in love with
young Cropley. no mistake at all abouy
II this time Then her mother tried 10
put spoke in his wheel. I'm spite Of the
strong public opinion that sprang up on
board before we got as far as Aden Fos
OF course Cropley Immediately became
the hero OF the ship. IL was the coffes
planter himself who did the trick foy
young Cropley.
MY prosperous friend first wen. and
had an interview tete-a-tete with Man,
ma. after which that lady treated Crop
ley with great deal moro urbanlty and
consideration than she had been doing,
And before we all separated at South
ampton Cropiey told me his rival had
offered him a one-third share in thu
coffe plantation II he. Cropley. would
cut the army and go back 10 Ceylon To
manage things there for him. so that the
middle-aged planter might retire and
live at ease In Europe"
did Cropley take the offer7'' 7 asked.
'Indeed. he did" said Clarence. And
he took Edith, too"