The Forrest City times., 1899-04-21
The Middy'S Captive


Id you had better report the mat
ter to Capt. Wilson at once" said
the navigating lieutenant of her ma i
esty's ship Triumph, as he gazed quiz
zingly down at the chubby-faced mid
shipman who stood in such comical dis
may before his superior officer. Come
with me; I'm going 10 his stateroom
now, the speaker added. not unkindlv.
as he noted the lads evident distress.
I'm not blubbering, and don't care
If he does stop my leave" 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.
Il 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?" ejacu-
lated Capt. Wilson, ironically. well,
I'm listening
Please, sir, it's the First Lord: he's
bolted. He ran off while we were
shipping the soft tack-I mean the
bread" ineoherently stamme-cd Rob-
son.
'The First Lord bolted with the soft
tack" exclaimed Wilson, in astonish-
ment. 'What does he mean, Stuart ?
Who's the First Lord?' Is the boy a
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
1.-THE First Lord of the Admiralty"
Charley Robson meekly endured the
reproach OF his commander, who was
a stern martinez, and made no allow
ance for youthful inexperience. but
at any rate" unused the young fellow
when he was at length dismissed, "he
said nothing about stopping my fur
lough." And then his volatile spirits
threw off the recent discontinue as
only youth knows how to, 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 conjured up there was one which
eciipsed 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 al
the majesty of the law invoked to cap
ture the runaway, but the man disap
peared as completely as if the earth
had opened and swallowed him up. ii,
was of a strangely reserved nature
mixed but little with his companions
and had evidently once occupied a fal
superior station in life.
There was one person, however. VIII,
did not forget the runaway. Robson
often in Imagination ran the scounore
to earth.
Little did Charley Robson imagin,
as at the commencement of his long
deferred leave he lounged in first
class smoker on his way to Guildfor,
how soon, or under what strange cir
cumstances, he would meet the yillaiI
of his melodrama
And you have come home. Alic.
will be able TO resume her interrupted
country walks" said the mother of tn,
youthful sailor next morning. But, o.
of course" added she, addressing tn,
girl, Charley has not heard of YOU
latest admirer. | don't know whether
the girls nerves are out of ORDER" con
tinued Mrs. Robson, but she declare.
that strange man has been following
her about during the last few weeks
although no one else has ever caught
a glimpse of him"
Il sha'n't be afraid of any loafer.
while Charley is with me-" Responded
the maiden. ''In proof of which. h,
shall convoy me for walk now" Anc
Alice Nesierne buoyantly danced of
to array herself for the proposed
jaunt.