The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-08
".

lay at anchor in New York harbor. The
ship was visited by thousands, and one
must be naval officer, and have been
through the mill, to appreciate fully what
this means. During these visits to the
ship the passion for relics which dis
tinguishes some Americans came strongly
out and small portable articles Of no
particular money value were as likely as
not to be benevolently assimilated.
One day Orpen intended to give din
ner to some particular friends Of Mrs.
Orpen and Miss Cicely. His wife and
daughter were staying In New York, and
they, with their guests, were to come
aboard about o'clock. TO know Mrs.
Orpen is to know kindness and golden
simplicity of heart pcrsonifed. She Is
consistent in belief and practice, even
though she holds somewhat extreme go
cial views. In this respect she differs
from Orpen, who is what his wife calls
"a born conservative" Despite his pune
t1lio, however, his innate liking for the
grace and form Of life, Orpen, too, Is
wonderfully kind-hearted. and more un-
worldlywise people than himself and his
wife never lived.
The day of the dinner was unusually
warm, but this was cause for rejoicing
as 1t would probably save us from our
swarms OF visitors. At half.past I was
tug come rapidly around our stern There
were but few people on board, however,
60 In peace Of mind 1 continued the Gus
tomary pacing. The tug pLffed alongside;
then voices and steps came up the gang
way, and felt rather than saw, several
figures reach the deck. Then, an orator.
cal, thrilling, thrilling voice exclaimed:
We'll. l declare, there's Mr., Wyncope
himself! It's certainly better to be born
lucky than riCh!' and there stood Mrs.
Foam, with her four satellites I came
forward with alacrity, and greeted the
lady and her friends, but explained that
/ was on duty, and could not show her
over the ship.
ASK your general to excuse you," said
Mrs. Foam easily, because, as we know
you, we'd rather have you take US around
than anybody else
There Is no general, and I can't be ex-
cused," was my answer. But at the same
time l sent an orderly with my compli-
ments to young Bridgeton and that luck
less midshipman soon appeared Bridge
ton Is good soul, but we all have to
learn to box the compass in more senses
than one, and he might as well serve his
turn as another. So to his courtesy and
forbearance I committed Mrs. Foam and
her friends, with this warning:
For heavens sake, don't let her know
that Arpen is In command, and get her
or as soon as possible She's the woman
who took lunch with the sultan" For
certain stories are common property In
the navy, and that fatal lunch will go
down In naval history along with older
anecdotes Of Mad Jack PercivaF' and
"Old Chauncey.''
Rridgeton gave me a look of consterna-
ton. The story as usually told, repre-
sented Mrs. Foam as a Gorgan; whereas
she is nothing Of the kind. AS she stood
now on deck, in the bright, warm e1ln-
shine, she was all vague, amiable expec-
fancy and silk rustic. Her prosperity was
more glaring than ever, her Jewels were
bigger and brighter her eyes more eager
with imperishable youth. On the left
breast she wore, pinned with a flashing
ruby, diamond, and sapphire, by no
means tiny silk flag. saw that she and
her friends were boiling over with patri-
otism, and that their enthuiasm had
reached fever pitch. AS they disappear
ed. shuddered; wouldn't have had her
fall foul Of Orpen-no! not for the
chances Of my net promotion
Time passed and they did not reap
pear. My watch over, I went below
Should 1 look them up, or keep out of
the way? Should [ warn Orpen or leave
him In the scrape-not with Cicely Orpan
to arrive at any moment; and yet with
Mrs. Foam on board, no one knew just
what might happen; so I went out to re-
connoiter. Inquiring, I was told that Mr..
Bridgeton and the ladies were in the
captains cabin.
1.-THE captains cabin?" echoed
feebly.
1.-THE ladies said they knew Capt. Or
pen, sir, and they insisted upon seeing
him, sir" said the impressive orderly
Presently Bridegton appeared, looking
perturbed.
IL couldn't help it, Mr. Wyncope; she
would go tn," he blurted. why, she
made that awful lunch an excuse for
claiming acquaintance; said she was sure
Capt. Orpen would be delighted to see
her because she had once taken lunch
with him at the palace, in Constantinople
l told her 1t was impossible for me to
introduce her into the captains cabin,
that discipline aboard ship was very strict,
that was aonly midshipman, that the
captain was very busy, and, moreover,
expecting company. She simply said,
Then I'll just go in myself, and you
sEa MT be a bit blamed, either And she
knocked at the cabin. It's merciful
providence that she didn't bolt In The
others strung in after her, like the tail
Of comet. and there they all are now.
1 don't know what she said to the cap
squally. I offered to go and find you;
I think we ought to get her off,
Easier said than DONE" seid I, fol-
lowing Br1dgeton to the captains cabin.
Orpen, looking anxious, sat in his swivel
chair by his desk On little divan, ire
mendously at her ease, sat Mrs. Foam,
reminiscent, admiring, enthusiastic. In
vantage ground and presence she herself
was all too evident, as were the four
friends. Saluting Orpen, I took the bull
by the horns.
Now that I'm at liberty, Mrs. Foam,
you must let me show you something of
the ship. You mustn't trespass further on
Capt, Orpen's time. He Is very busy and
is expecting guests"
Company" said Mrs. Foam, delighted
ly. II knew they were coming in crowdsl''
Invited guests, who are coming to din
ner. and will be here presently" I said
with emphasis. 1 saw Mrs. Foam's eyes
dance and desire leap into them. She
turned enthusiastically to Orpen.
II would just love to have dinner on
one Of our own noble ships. especially
such q one as the Constitution, which
distinguished itself so much in this glo-
rious warI I would just love to think
that THAT we-had been SO privileged.
It would be a memory for lifetime."
I looked at Orpen in horror. This was
worse than the episode at Constantinople.
That, at least, was past; this was yet to
be. Moreover, who could wish to be &C.
counted socially responsible for Mrs.
Foam? Bridgeton go far forgot himself
as to form his lips as If to whistle. But
no matter what the provocation, Orpen
is not the man to put any one to the
blush-especially q woman--befcre half
a. dozen officers. And no matter what
the emergency, the Captain of the Consti-
tuition is never known to hesitate, SO he
said,
II do give a dinner today, Mrs. Foam,
to Mrs. Orpen and some particular
friends If, under these circumstances.