The Saint Paul globe., 1900-04-30
Tbe Ships NdOenture.
W. CLARK RUSSELL Copyright 1899 bys s. Mcclure co.,

Chapter x.-The Captain and the
Girl.
In silence the two descended the cabin
ladder. and with the tenderness of q
lover, which in such men as Hardy has
the sweetness Of a womans love, he
placed her upon a locker and poured out
little water. She drank with the pas
, sion OF thirst and asked for more with
her eyes, but Hardy knew better and
gave her a biscuit, which would lightly
soothe the craving of the hunger that is
often felt after thirst is assuaged. She
bit little piece Of biscuit and said:
Won't you give me a little more wa
terP'
Very soon. Eat that biscuit"
He stepped to the pantry where some
brandy was kept and poured a table
spoonful in wine glass, and this I1lled
up with water he gave her, after she had
eaten the biscuit. The stimulant helped
her, and even as he stood watching her
with his heart beating fast with this Won
der this miracle, of almost unparalleled
meeting, he witnessed symptoms of a re-
viYing spirit, of a terminated body in her
face.
AT this moment Capt. Layard came
down the companion steps and approach
ed them with an eager, strained express
sion. His eyes, alight with mania-for
madness has its expectations and disap-
pointments-reste with a searching gaze
upon the girl.
Have you seen him?" he asked.
NO, sir" answered Hardy, quickly,
A Cog to catch Julia's eye, but she was
one aor~ lg with alarm at the captain, as you
= I'd, or I, under such conditions of in
=, 5icable confrontment. ''She is a dear
~ snd Of mine, and is Ill with the suffer-
.dgs of an open boat, but her presence in
this ship may mean more than We can
dream of now
The captains face changed, his eyes
took a fresh illumination with his
emile.
"see to her, Mr.. Hardy, see to her, and
I'll start the ship afresh."
- He left the cabin.
May I have another biscuit?" said
Julia.
Hardy handed one and smiled, for he
Baw again the sweet unconscious cock of
her head, not the less fascinating to him
because her eyes were dim, her cheeks
a little hollow, her lips pale
WAS that the captain?" she asked.
Yes" he answered.
What was he asking? Is he right in
his mind?"
His only son, little boy, a beautiful
bright-haired little boy, fell overheard
and was drowned, and But we VIII
talk about the captain and your adven-
lures when you are stronger"
added: You will take the rest you need
In my cabin, and a berth shall be made
ready for you. A good long sleep will
restore you. So come'
He put his arm through hers and caus-
I'd her to rise, and, indeed. she still
needed the support he gave her. He took
her to his cabin, and as she walked she
looked about her with growing animation
which is a cheering sign, and once she
exclaimed Thank God, 1 am safe!
Thank God, have met you! But how
wonderful-oh how wonderful"
She sat on the sea chest whilst he
ymoothed and prepared the bunk. 1t was
little cabin; the bunk was under port
hole, and plenty Of light came flashing in
Dff the trembling, feathering sea. You
might hear the tramp of feet overhead
and the thump of coils of rope flung off
On their pins. There were none Of the
furnishings which often make pathetic
such interiors as this; when a young Of
ficer hangs up the picture of his wife
with their first baby on her knee, neither
Of them to be kissed and clasped f0I
months, even if God be merciful to the
poor fellow and his ship; no rack full OF
pipes, no odds and ends Of cur1os-ir
short, nothing ornamented the wall o1
Hardy's sea bedroom but a long chart