The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-05-06
A MIDDY'S CAPTIVE.

A MlUUI . CAfIlNE.
"Blubbering won't do any good; you
had better report the matter to Captain
Wilson at once, said the navigating lieu
tenant of her majesty's ship Triumph as
he gazed quixzingly down at the chubby
faced midshipnan who stood in such COM
ioal dismay before his superior officer.
Come with me; I'm going to his state
room now," the speaker added, not I'M
Kindly, as he noted the lads evident dis
tress.
"I'm not blubbering, and don't care
II he does stop my leave!" Indignantly re-
sponded the youngster, drawing himself
up to his full height.
"what is it, Stuart'" inquired the CAP
tain as the twain entered his cabin.
''I merely wished to say that we are
ready to get under way whenever you
please, sir; but Robson has report to
make" said the lieutenant.
mot seasick yet, hopper" calculated
CAPTAIN Wilson ironically. well, I'm
listening"
please, sir, it's the First Lord He's
OOlU6Q lie Tan OH Wllllb We WtTG snip
ping the soft tack-I mean the bread, in
ooherently staanmered Robson.
1.-THE First Lord bolted with the soft
tacki" exclaimed Wilson in establishment.
What does he mean, Stuart? Who's the
First Lord? Is the boy raving maniacS'
Lieutenant Stuart had perforce to ex-
plain that the cadet, being in charge of
boat sent ashore to ship provisions, had
lost one of his men, an ablebodied seaman
answering to the name of West, but who
was, by reason of his superior bearing,
nicknamed by his messmates "the First
Lord of the Admiralty"
Charley Robson meekly endured the re-
proaches of his commander, who was a
stern martinez and made no allowance for
youthful inexperience. "But at any rate, )"
unused the young fellow when he was at
length dismissed, she said nothing about
stopping my furlough." And then his
volatile spirits threw off the recent dis
comfiture as only youth knows how to do,
while his thoughts wandered far away to
that pleasant country home in Surrey,
with all its attendant attractions, from
which he had been separated for one long
year. And If among the dream faces con-
jured up there was one which collapsed all
others the fact should not cause undue
surprise.
The usual steps taken to secure the ar
rest of the deserter were of no avail. His
description was circulated by the police
throughout the country and all the majesty
of the law was invoked to capture the run
away, but the man disappeared as com
pletely as if the earth had opened and
swallowed him up. He was of a strangely
reserved nature, mixed but little with his
companions and had evidently once occu-
pied far superior station 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 as
at the commencement of his long deferred
leave he lounged in first class smoker
on his way to Guildford, how soon or I'M
der what strange circumstances he would
meet the villain of his melodrama
And now 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,
Charley has not heard of your latest ad-
mirer. 1 don't know whether the girls
nerves are out of order" continued Mrs.
Robson, "but she declares that a strange
man has been following her about during
the last few weeks, although no one else
has ever caught glimpse of him.
II shan't be afraid of any loafers while
Charley is with me, responded the maid
en-. I'm proof of which he shall convoy
me for walk now" And Alice Westerne
buoyantly danced off to array herself for
the proposed jaunt.
The eyes of mother and son followed the
girl with wistful look as she quilted the
room.
II suppose nothing has been heard of
himp" queried the latter.
mol Your father thinks there never
will be. Doubtless Sir Richard died
abroad, believing to the end that he was
murderer
"And Alice is still ignorant of her ia
TIERS sad history" queried the lad
''Yes. We have decided not to say any
thing to her until she is Of age, unless
some contingency should arise, such as
your obtaining a sublieutenancy and be-
ing Of the same mind as you are now"
Robson colored at the hint delicately
conveyed by his mother and so well I'M
derstood 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.
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 the
Hog Back, " from which favorite vantage
ground splendid view of the surrounding
country could be obtained.
Yes, there's the dear old Towers" said
Alice, where l should be living now II
the pater had not died.
you've found another home, /" whis-
pered Charley, land other parents"
IT know that, dear" responded the
girl. "But you cannot imagine what it
feels like to have ones birthplace given
over to ruin and decay and to know one |