Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1899-01-06
THE PHOTOGRAPH.

esty's troopship ldena came along,
bound for home.
All day the fierce sun had streamed
down with blazing beams, which those
on board endured, cursed or grumbled
at, according to their various disposi-
tions.
The sensation Of tho day had been
provided by a lascar stoker, who, rush
ing from the inferno Of the engine
room. lenpod headlong overheard, mad
for one delicious plunge into GOODNESS
after enduring the torments Of heat.
"Man overheard. " rang out. Engines
were reversed. Ladies started from Ian
guild redundancy. a smooth faced sub
altern offered 100 to / against 1.-THE mig.
ger being picked up, but no one trou.
bled to listen 70 him, for the water
heresbouts is swarming wish sharks.
However, just as horror became sub
dued into resignation a black speck was
seen still swimming vigorously. A boat
was lowered, and tho poor wretch was
dragged back, collapsing utterly when
certain Of safety.
Ali this. however, bad happened six
hours ago. The incident had boon dis
cussed, commented on and capped by
similar cases. and long before the din
ner bell rang the customary state of
boredom had again set IN.
After dinner. wien tho sun had
finally disappeared and the stars shone
mt OF the wonderful luminosity Of q
southern night. some one (~probably tho
majors wife) proposed a dance, and
presently the notes Of a waltz roge and
fell, alluring with its l%angaorous Tilt of
melancholy sweetness even those who
vowed they didn't dance to seek out
partners.
Among tho many who circled around
were tho officer in command, Captain
Assheton, and his partner, Miss Phyllis
Welsh.
The ladies of the Dovecot denied that
Miss Welsh had any claims to tho at
traotivo adjectives by which the men
on board ship described her charming
tanners and face They emphatically
agreed among themselves that the only
epithot she deserved was that Of being
IAN outrageous firt."
Whatever her character might really
be, tonight more men than Captain
AsghJton thought Miss Phyllis Welsh
LOOKED ''urcommpnly fetching" Her
eyelirs, heavy With dark lashes, dropped
as though 20 hide the exulting bright
ness af the eyes they shaded, while ex-
citemont restored tho bloom which a
year spent in Indian gayeties had some
whit paled.
AS she glided round she breathed
quicker than the heat of the evening or
the motion of the dance accounted for.
She wondered at her own sensations.
To experience the delight, fear, rapture
and doubt which it had amused her to
make others feel half terrified. half
charmed her.
Once raising her eyes she met full a
glance from Captain Assheton, aud o
thrill Of certainty swept away the last
doubt whether or not her love was re-
turned.
Lets como and sit it out" said
Captain Assheton then he added, ~
want to speak to you-to tell you,
Phyllis He stopped abruptly on per-
oeiving an orderly coming up to speak
to him.
swell, what is it9" no asked per
emptorily.
"Pleasc, sir, the doctor says Private
Robinson is ror1ously ill.,"
Captain Assheton turned apologize
ally to his partner. 81 must leave you
for a few minutes. Will you wait for
me hero? ] shall bo back in five min
utes."
eyes" assented Miss Welsh, leaning
back languidly in a deck chair. "I'I
wait for you here if you're not too
long"
Captain Assheton and the orderly
strobe away.
Custom had not yet steeled Assheton's
heart against feeling a pang Of sorrow
when called to visit the poor fellows
whose dying words 1t was his duty
when officer in command to note and
report.
When Tommy Atkins dies, there is
no useless fuss made over the event.
No loving hand clasps his to strength
O. him during the last struggle. No
tears fall 70 tell him that even he, poor
fellow, has some me who will miss
him. No. The doctor merely reports
him seriously i'll" The officer on duty
comes to stand by his bedside and note
down whatever message Tommy may
choose 10 send to mother OF. sweetheart
waiting for him at homo Then, a few
hours later, If ON land, Tommy is buried
in a coffin the price Of which govern
ment stops out Of his pay, or if he die
on board ship, with some shot tied to
his ankles, overheard no Is dropped, to
sink u Of sight and join that weird
company Of shrouded corpsos which
stand upright. drifting and swaying in
the currents Of the sea, half way be-
tween the bottom and the surface Of the
ocean.
On reaching the sitting deck where
the sick. the wounded and the dying
lay the orderly STOPPED beside the berth
Of rrivate Robinson.
DsuailJ tse oaileri IN command knows
Q0tiiugroi1f af usH vie 9> VIZ words