The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-19
Chapter Iv.LThe GInmis Castle.

dinner table. Not that they had been
eating all this time. They had pro-
! longed their sitting over coffee and In
talk, and there was no obligation to go
so as to make way for others, because
the hour was4 neither lunch nor dinner
time, and s.arce more tnan two or
three tables were occupied
| Nothing had been settled when they
stood up, and the ladies began to put
| on their gloves. 1t was dark; the
dining rooms were lighted up, and in
| the street the fog, though not dense,
was wet as rain the lamplighters were
| running along the cuIbstoneS, and in a
chemists shop a little way down the
! green and red waters in the big glass
| vases DULY glmmered like the side
| lights of a ship, heading a straight
course for the dining rooms.
This is just the sort of evening"
said Smedley, 'in which to visit a
| friends grave at some church yard
| hereabouts On evenings of this sort
drunken men fall into holes full of
water near the docks The spirit of
the Isle of Dogs stalks abroad this even
| ing; you can see him in the sky and
taste him in the wind. What shall we
do?'
81 told Mrs. Briefly to get some tea
ready by six said Hardy. This is
! not an evening to walk about in, and
now I vote, Miss Armstrong, that we
do not go to a music hall tonight.
am for lying snug in harbor; are your
| II did not care about the idea of the
music hall when you suggested it," she
| said.
'They are vulgar places, unfit for
| ladies, particularly in these parts" eX-
| claimed AIrs. Smedley
The cleverest performances I've ever
seen I've witnessed in music halls re-
marked the captain, land | never want
to hear better singing than I've heard
at them. Sometimes a cad, who has
no respect for his own sex, who has
not the faintest sense in the world of
what is due to women, comes on IN
evening dress, a white shirt blazing with
studs and a tall hat, which he is per-
petually shifting upon his head; and this
i tiend sings a song full of double entend-
ers, and he sings in greasy notes with a
| lickerish eye; and, strangely enough, l
have never yet seen any man rise from
| amongst the audience, climb over the
orchestra, and kick the animal round and
round the stage into the development of
a fresh sort Of music and another kind
of words. Otherwise, if you want tai
ent, go to the music halls
Shall we go to our lodgings and
spend the evening there?" said Smed-
ley.
CldILlSu I1iIU|, ana before D6QlmG,
Smedley, we shall have settled the bus
mess of Miss Julia Armstrong"
Capt. Smediey gave his arm to his
wife and Hardy save his arm to Miss
! Armstrong, and out they went, walking
briskly SO as not to get damp, and in
a short time they arrived at Mrs.
Rrierly's lodging house.
The widow had not expected them
home so soon, but she speedily lighted
10
parlor, which she had placed at the
! disposal of Hardy and Julia The ladies
| went TO their rooms to remove their out
door clothes and presently they were ali
seated in the widows parlor of curiosi-
! ties ....
Where did old Briefly get all these
! things froin?' said Capt SmedIey, look
ing round him. Did he reckon TO star
museum before the notion of a lodging
house entered his headg Man and boy.
I've followed the sea thirty years, and
the only curiosity I've got in all that
time was my wife"
''I feel the compliment" exclaime d
Mrs Smedley
"A curiosity" continued the CAPTAIN.
4 because she is all goodness, loyalty, aud
affection
And he got up and kissed her, and, sit
ting again, continued his eulogy, which
was sign that he had dined well and
felt comfortable. The ladies Gid not OBJ
Ject to tobacco, and the two sailors
filled their pipes, Smediey observing that
| he smoked so many cigars at sea that
he didn't give a curse even for prime
havana, though at the high cost of seven
| for siXpence, when &c was ashore
Don't you think, Miss Armstrong, y
said he, that I've put the case for The
East Indies strongly enough to justify
you in listening to my advice not to 20
out to the colonies as an emgrant?'
II am sure observed Mrs. SnedIe,.
you stand a better chance of marrying
in YOUR own sphere. There are plenty
Of officers in India in want of wives.
| and | need rot say she INTERRUPTED
herself, but acted the compliment she in
tended by CHANGING significantly at the
glri charming figure, and letting her
eye repose for moment or two on her
| face and fine hair. at will be quickly
known that you are the daughter of a
naval cffcer.''
II do not think of marriage" said Ju-
liza, clasping her hands.
| Il like your idea Smedley, of a letter
to the bishop of Calcutta exclaimed
Hardy. But how is Miss Armstrong 10
get out? Could you find her a berth
aboard of you or in one of your shius?'.
well, it's like this with us" answered
Smedley; I'VE have six ships, and every
/ snip carries a SteWardeSs Three are
| away, and the others, I know, are pro-
| vided with stewardesses. The practice
! is for a person who wants the position
to can at the offices, and if her ouaIihca-
lions are all right her name is put down,
| and she awaits her chance. Miss Arm
strong might have to wait a long time,
| and she doesn't want to do So
Julia shook her head slowly. and Mrs.
Smedley said:
How can she wait, Jim? She has-no
money, and no friend when Mr.. Hardy
sails"
Are you anything Of nurse?' inquired
| the captain.
81 have nursed old ladies' but not chill
dren,' answered Julia But l have had
some experience in the sick room"
There was a pause. Smedley filled his
| pipe thoughtfuny.
"Have you a stewardess?" asked Hardy.
Yes replied Smedley, "she has been in
| the ship four voyages"
Whats the pay?'' asked Hardy.
! -Four pounds a month"
Does she sign the ships articles?'
| "All the same as if she were an A. b.
| replied Smediey.
There was another pause during which
the captain lighted his pipe.
Il can promise nothing" said he look
ing at his wife as though he was trying
to crafty her instead of helping the girl
but I'll see tomorrow If some berth as
second or assistant stewardess can be
contrived l shall see Mrs. Lambert-that
is the stewardess' name-and | don't
doubt that l can get the office to recog-
nize the need of assistance, as 1 under
stand we shall be a full ship, with a good
many children
You are a real friend" exclaimed
HARDY 1t is more than 1 dared expect