The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-01-07
do you mean, Lea, if it will be right
to obey Captain Fox?
She answered that that was what she

to obey Captain Fox?"
She answered that that was what she
meant
1T would be treason to disobey him.
and there is not q man on the Sea Hawk
who could be guilty Of that crime. Cap.
tain Denham has himself written that
Mr.. Hedges Is to report to Captain Fox
for orders, and it would be disloyalty to
Ralph, as man-to Ralph, who, him.
self, could be disloyal to no one-i1 we
did not implicitly obey.
you must be right. Cousin Val; but
something tells me. it Is something Ioi
which can't give q reason to myself,
that all is not right, but that great
wrong has been done to Ralph Denham,
said Lea, her beautiful face showing the
mental anguish she was suffering.
Valentine, believing that her depres-
sion was due to the absence OF her
lover, and the fact that she had not
heard from him directly since he Melt,
tried to laugh away her tears; and be-
lieving he had succeeded, he kissed the
Young ladies', as he had perfect right
to do, and went on board the Sea
Hawk. :,
He found Lieutenant Hedges in fuI
uniform, nervously pacing the deck, AMI
at every turn turning his eyes up aloft.
as IL the sails were set, and he had
some doubts about the weather.
On shore, these men addressed each
other as Uncle George" and Val, my
lad" but once their feet touched the
deck of their ship, they became officers,
and all their intercourse was marked by
the rigid formality and punctilious ell
ouette that is observed on board man
of-war, as in no other place.
After saluting, Lieutenant Hedges
said:
Mr.. Dayton, have ordered the GIG
| alongside, and am going on board the
! Wanderer TO report 10 Captain Fox.
To this Valentine responded with
yes, sir.
Il have ordered everything mad
ready for inspection continued Lieu
tenant Hedges; "and as you will be II
| command during my absence, you VII
see that my orders are carried GU
| promptly and properly.
Il shall see to that. sir.
| And may invite Captain Fox OF
board to dine, though properly 1t is nj
| place to invite me. SO, on second con
| sideration shall not invite him.
Il think you are right, sir, replie
Valentine, conscious that his uncle wa
not himself, and would not be, until tn
business now on hand was over.
Lieutenant Hedges, looking as
there was a great deal more he shout
like to say il he had the time, turne
and went down to the boat.
Valentine went to work at once, an
| though the tabituai cheerfulness OF tn
Sea Hawks crew seemed to have lei
them for a time, they worked with the
accustomed energy to get the ship int
inspection condition.
In a half hour Lieutepant Hedge
came back, looking still more neryou
and perplexed, and the moment he &c
on board be FASTENED to the cabin an
sent for the second officer.
"Mr. Dayton, did not report for o.
ders," said the Lieutenant, as Valentir
approached him.
May ask the reason, sir!'
@Becau:e, sir, Captain Fox is not no
in command Of the Wanderer."
you surprise me.
"The Wanderer, Mr.. Dayton, is con
manded by Lieutenant Frenauld, az
Captain William Fox is now, sir. at tn
blessed moment, away among the MOI
, tauk Indians, whittier do not propo'
to go for orders.
ITO BE CoNTINUED.l