The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-08-31
When were you vaoc,nated last, may I

Ask!
"In Rome, in June, 1882
Then, with your mission, I'LL do it
again, and at once You cannot be too
careful
Receiving her assent went off to my
cabin, where had noticed that large
portion Of my medical outfit had been
stored, and having obtained what I
sought returned with it to the saloon.
Allie, for by that name must hencefor-
ward call her, was waiting for me, her
arm barred to the shoulder. Never, if !
live to be hundred, shall / forget the
impression that snow white arm made
upon me. 1t seemed like an act of basest
sacrilege to perform even such simple
operation upon it. Beelzebub, the bull
dog, evidently thought so, too, for he
watched me attentively enough during
the whole Of the time it took me. How
ever, if had to be DONE and done it ac-
cordingly was. Then, when had put
my pa-aphernalia back into its case,
babe her goodby and turned to go. She
stopped me, however, and held out her
hand.
"Do you krow, DIR. De Normanville,
want to make you like me. want
you to forget, if you can-while you
are with us, at any rate-the stories
you have heard about me. Some day
perhaps l will attempt to show you that
I am not altogether as bad as people
have painted me. -
For the moment was SO completely
carried away by her outburst of girlish
frankness that I hardly knew what to
say.
Pom my soul, really don t believe
you are" blurted out, like school
boy.
"Thank you for that, at least" she
said, smiling at my earnestness, and
then, making me a little courtesy, she
turned and disappeared through the
door by which she had first entered the
saloon.
After dinner, Of which partook in
the officer S messroom, returned to the
deck. 1t was nearly S O'Clock, and as
fine night as had seen since came
into the east lighting a cigar, walked
aft, end, leaning upon the taffrail,
scanned the quiet sea. Situated as
was, it is not to be wondered at that
variety Of thoughts thronged my brain.
! tried to think what my dear old moth
er would have said could size have seen
the position my overrash acceptance Of
tempting offer had placed me in.
From my mother, who, with my father,
had been dead nearly five years, my
thoughts passed on to other relatives
toa girl whom I had once thought Z
loved, but who had Tilted me in favor
of a brother student. The old heartache
| was almost gone now. but it had been
most unfortunate affair. Since then,
| however fattered myself, I had been
| heart whole, and deluded myself with
the notion that was likely to remain
| so.
Since dinner the breeze had fresheu-
ed, and the schooner, with all sail set,
was Eow Skipping swiftly through the
water. turned, and, leaning against
| the rail, looked aloft at the stretch of
canvas which seemed to reach up al
most to the stars, then back again at
the wake and the wonderful exhibition
of phosphorized water below the coun-
| ter.
4 - 4=3-
Suddenly I became aware of some one
standing by my side, and turning my
head discovered it was none other
than the Beautiful White Devil herself.
She was still dressed in black, with
sort of mantilla of soft lace draped
about her head.
'What supreme fascination there
! is about the sea at night, ism t there?'
she said softly, looking down at the
sparkling water. noticed the beauty
of the little white hand upon the rail
as replied in appropriate terms.
There is somebody, +" she continued,
"who says that the sea belongs to eter-
nifty, and not time, and of that it sings
its monotonous song forever and ever. -
THAT is a very beautiful idea," l
answered, "but don't you think there
are others that fully equal it? What do
you say to the sea complains upon
| thousand shores?' :"
| 'sOr your English poet Wordsworth,
The sea that bares her bosom to the
| wind?'"
Let me meet you with an American,
THE sea losses and foams to find it's
way up to the cloud and wind Could
anything be finer than that? There you
have the true picture-the utter rest
lessness and the striving of the untamed
sea.
$ Would st thou SO that helmsman answered,
!, Learn the secret of the sea?
| Only those who brave its dangers
( Comprehend its mysteryn
| ''Brayoi That cans all -
For some seconds my companion stood
silent, gazing across the deep. Then she
said very softly:
"And who is better able to speak
about its dangers than I, whose home it
is? DR.. De Normanville, I think if I
We're to tell you some of the dangers
through which have passed you would
hardly believe me- -
! 81 think could believe anything
you told me- -
II rather doubt it. You see you have
no idea what an extraordinary existence
mine is. Why, my life is one long bat
file with CleSnair T am lila a bunto,7