Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-05-25
) THE MIDDY'S CAPTIVE {

"Blubbering won't do any good; you
had better report the matter to Cap
tain Wilson at once" said the navigat-
ing lieutenant of her majesty's ship
Triumph, as he gazed quizzingly down
Mt the chubby-faced midshipman who
stood I'm such comical dismay before
his superior officer. "Come with me;
I'm going TO his stateroOm now" the
speaker added, not unkindly, as he
noted the lads evident distress.
'I'm not numbering, and don't care
IL he does stop my leavew Indignantly
responded the youngster, drawing him.
self up to his full height.
''What is it, Stuart?" inquired the
captain, as the twain entered his cabin.
II merely wish to say that we are
ready to get under way whenever you
please, sir; but Robson has report to
make" said the lieutenant.
''Not seasick yet, / hope" calculated
Captain Wilson, ironically. well, I'm
listening"
please, sir, it's the First Lord; he's
bolted He ran off while we were ship
ping the soft tack-I mean the breadw
incoherently stammered Robson.
''The First Lord bolted with the
soft tackw exclaimed Wilson in aston
ishment. what does he mean, Stuart?
Who's the First Lord? Is the boy 4
raving maniac?"
Lieut.. Stuart had perforce to explain
that the cadet, being in charge of a
boat sent ashore to ship provisions, had
lost one of his men-an able-bodied sea-
man answering to the name of West,
but who was, by reason of his superior
bearing, nicknamed by his companions
''the First Lord of the Admiralty"
Charley Robson meekly endured the
reproaches of his commander, who
was stern martinez, and made no al
lowance for youthful ineXperience.
''But at any rate" unused the young
fellow when he was at length dismiss
ed, "he said nothing about stopping
my furlough." And then his volatile
spirits threw off the recent discomfit-
ure as only youth knows how to, while
his thoughts wandered far away
to that pleasant country home in Sur
rey, with all its attendant attractions,
from which he had been separated for
one long year. And if among the
dream faces conjured up there was one
which eclipsed all others, the fact
should not cause undue surprise.
The usual steps taken to secure the
arrest of the deserter were of no avail.
His description was circulated by the
police throughout the country, and
all the majesty of the law invoked to
capture the runaway, but the man
earth had opened and swallowed him
up. He was of a strangely reserved
nature, mixed but little with his COM
panions, and had evidently once occu-
pied far superior situation in life.
There was one person, however, who
did not forget the runaway. Robson
often in Imagination ran the scoundrel
to earth.
Little did Charley Robson imagine
MS at the commencement of his long
deferred leave he lounged in a first
class smoker on his way to Guilford
how soon, or under what strange cir
cunstances he would meet the villain
of his melodrama.
And you have come home, Alice
will be able to resume her interrupted
country walks" said the mother of the
youthful sailor next morning. But
of course" added she, addressing the
girl, Charlie has not heard of your
latest admirer. / don't know whether
the girls nerves are out of ORDER" con-
tnued Mrs. Robson, "but she declares
that strange man has been following
her about during the last few weeks,
although no one else has caught a
glimpse Of him.
Il shan't be afraid Of any loafers
while Charlie is with me-" responded
the maiden. 'In proof of which, he
shall convoy me for n walk now"
And Alice Westerne buoyantly danced
off to array herself for the proposed
jaunt.
The eyes of the mother and son fol-
lowed the girl with a wistful look as
she quilted the room.
II suppose nothing has been heard of
him?" queried the latter.
''No! Your father thinks there never
will be. Doubtless Sir Richard died
abroad, believing to the end that he
was Q murderer
land Allie e still ignorant of her
fathers sad history?' queried the lad.
Eyes. We have decided not to say
anything to her until she Is of age, un-
less some contingency should arise,
such as your obtaining a sublieuten-
ancy, and being of the same mind as
you are now"
Robson colored at the hint delicately
conveyed by his mother, and so well
understood by himself. To see their
only. son mated to their ward was the
dearest wish of Admiral and Mrs.
Robson, yet they had the good sense
to restrain the impetuosity of the
youthful couple until both arrived at
years of maturity.
III.
With the course of true love running
thus smoothly, and the crisp, frozen
ground under their feet, the twain
started upon their ramble.
With buoyant steps they breasted
ar n. IL. o.