The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-04-07
CHAPTER XXI.

The main cabin proved to be rather
n small place, as most of the range
athwartwise was taken up by sleeping
berths, but all was well fitted and sub
stantial. There were only a few pas
sengers in sight, and those. by their
pallor, recovering from seasickness;
but little way aft one cabin door was
ajar, and from within came a lively
sound of voices; wherefore l might
guess where Mr.. Hope and Dona Car
men were.
Capt. Telatrava led us to two small
cabins on the starboard side, and told
us that they were at the service OF
Mr.. lynn, Capt. Sellinger and me, and
that he would give Mac Iyrach com
Portable berth 'tween-decks. He could
do no better, he explained, in the
rather crowded state of the ship.
We were only too glad to fare so
well. and told him so, and, indeed, the
cabins looked wonderfully inviting
after the quarters we had quilted.
They were commodious and clean, and
each was provided with two comforta-
bic hunks. Mac Nrach was well con-
tent with the berth promised him, and
in fact told us afterward that he had
no reason to complain of any treat
ment that he received while on the
ship. Capt. Telatrava and Mac Ivrach
being gone, we overhauled the cab.
ms, and Mr.. lynn and / took one--the
larger-and Capt. Sellinger the other.
Capt. relntrava appeared to have
bestirred himself, and the passengers
must have been generous for the
steward soon knocked and deposited
a great pile of clothing, from which
we very peasedly proceeded to make
a selection In my own case the ar
ray was little homogeneous for the
coat was Of black ferrandine, the
wastcoat of blue velvet. and the
breeches of a sort of yellow nankeen,
but nevertheless | was very well sat.
isfed. The fit was not bad. and when
I had added n good Holland neckcloth
and drawn on some brown hose and
pair of rather loose shoes, | thought
I was very far from being unpresenta'
BILE. Before adding the last touches
shaved, and as Mr.. lynn made "a little
dull of seeing in the small mirror,
played barber to him also. This
done l concluded to see what was GO
ing on above and slipped out on deck.
AS l passed through the main cabin
I glanced toward the senorita's berth,
but the stir about there was over and
the door closed. AS / came out of
the companion l found quite COM
pany of the passengers assembled, and
near them Mr.. Hope and Dona Car
men.
Mr.. Hope looked little disturbed
and anxious, and l had no sooner APP
peared than he broke off what he was
saying and stood waiting for me.
1 FASTENED my steps and came up,
and as 1 did so the senorita turned
and gave me a pleasant smile of well
come.
l took off my hat to her, fetching a
swift glance with the act, and was
instantly pleased and in a manner con-
fused at the change in her. l had not
sufficiently conceived what this res
toration to her own proper dress and
the shedding of her former unsuitable
and shabby clothes was to mean.
There was no more of the rather
Enthusiastically figure, the great
Tapping hat, with the old jacket,
smals and stuffed jacb-boots, but in
stead nobly grown woman, elegant
in a silk gown, delicate laces and a
charmingly-dra mantilla.
Yet all this was only for moment.
paid my respects know not wheth-
err with little show of confusion
to Dona Carmen. and turned immedi-
ately to Mr.. Hope.
"Well, sir" he began, 1--WE have con
cluded to bout ship. | presume you
have no further use for your sloop
and if so it will be convenience to
cast her Off"
"Do So" said l. 1--WE are done with
her and she is not worth hosting
aboard. But whittier do you now pur
pose to go?"
"To Valparaiso, as we think" he an
swered. AT first we had a mind tc
try some port hereabouts, but with
the buccaneers so near it seemed toe
dangerous"
"Ibelieve you are wise, said |. "NIor
gan has some ships, and there is NJ
knowing how far he will cruise"
"Then the sooner we get upon TIT
opposite course the better. but de
layed to get this further knowledge.
He turned to Capt. Telatrava anC
babe him put the ship about.
While they were doing this l moved
over by Dona Carmen, and though
was not sure Mr.. Hope would approve
ventured TO engage her in littl,
talk. | suppose l may as well admi
NJ this DOiut that | had come 10 fin(
very keen delight in the senorita'
company, and, though | had no
pumped the matter in so many word
even to myself, was most certainl.
in love with her. That this was grea
presumption on my part, and stoo'
fair to end in nothing but wretched
ness and disappointment, was easy Il
nerceiYe but oven so | was none TN