The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1900-12-21

ana Sne
"Do not give me one of your excur-
sion replies, but think over it and figure
it out"
swell, well, WE'LL" he exclaimed, but
before he could answer call took him
away.
Miss Percy Hartwell's next efforts
were exerted upon the chief engineer,
whom she managed to meet, and whose
engine room she visited, distributing
well balanced praise that pleased the
old Scotsman nightly. The result was
that in the course of 4s hours she had
these two worthless of the ship calculat-
ing for her benefit, and when she final
ly drew from them the points that
they might overtake the David some
hours before they reached Honolulu,
she expressed her satisfaction, and
then the captain let her into an official
confidence.
You must not mention it," he said,
''but we have important dispatches
from the government which we must
deliver to the David if possible"
Then Miss Percy Hartwell did a very
surprising thing. She jumped up,
clapped her hands, and exclaimed:
'Hurrah!"
The voyage went on pleasantly and
swiftly and Miss Hartwell laughed and
joked with the captain and the chief
engineer, urging them to push the shiI
little faster.
Finally there came fine gray morn
ing, when there was blur on'the hori-
zon in front, and Miss Hartwe1l> cared
for neither breakfast nor luncheon.
While the chase was going on the blur
was growing into the distinctness of
great steel hull freighted with human
beings.
1t was afternoon when the ships
came within hailing distance. Just be-
fore signaling the captain approached
Miss Hartwell and asked:
what is his name and what do you
want me to do?"
"Lieut. Edward Ledman," she re-
piled, "and want you to either bring
him over to me or to send me over TO
him." and the signaling began.
Government dispatches for the
David, and, if you please, send Lieut..
Edward Lehman"
Soon boat put out from the other
ship and the passengers crowded over
to watch its coming. The sailors pulled
with steady stroke and the little craft
rose and fell with the pillows, while
the hands of Miss Percy Hartwell
clutched the railing as if human life
were at stake.
There upon the broad wastes of
the Pacific the great mass of machin-
cry paused. The boat circled like
frightened bird. but finally the rope
was caught and one of the sailors ran
up the ladder as easily as if every
thing were smooth and quiet. The
tall young man in the lieutenant's
did not do as well. but his
nerves were steady. even if his legs
The passengers were in
clined to laugh at his lack of skill,
but that did not deter him. He
reached the deck and asked the cap
tain quickly why he was summoned.
In the meanwhile Miss Percy Hart
we'll had retired to the further side
of the ship. The captain directed
one of the stewards to conduct the
officer to Miss Hartwell.
"You have only five minutes, SIR"
was his warning. "and 1 advise you
to be as expeditions as possible"
There were three minutes of grace,
but at the end of that time the lieu
tenant returned radiant.
81 happen to know" said the cap
tain, that the dispatches are for
your ship to proceed with all haste
20 Manila and il the weather had been
stormy I should have signaled to that
effect, so now it is not right for me
% detain you even for a minute, and
wish you good-by and God speed"
Lieut.. Ledman thanked him and
here was sudden rush in which the
rms of the officer were around Miss
iartwell, followed by rapid kisses,
which the crowd would have applaud
d if they dared. Down the ladder
gain he went, and once more the lit
lie boat see-sawed through the waves.
There were many kisses thrown and
he soldiers cap was raised until his
rm must have approached paralysis.
Then after the farewells had been
'lown by the sirens of the ships, Miss
'ercy Hartwell for the first time
bowed indications of weakness. The
ear old spinster who sat near her at
he table approached to offer her as
istance, and she could not help call
cg attention to ring on the third
niger of the young lady's left hand!
This brought Miss Percy Hartwell
cry much to her senses and she dart
d for her stateroom. The next day