St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1901-01-12

swiftly and Miss Hartwell laughed and
Joked with the captain and the chief
engineer, urging them to push the shiI
a little faster.
Finally there came fine gray morn
ing, when there was blur on the hori.
zon in front, and Miss Hartwell cared
Tor neither breakfast nor luncheon.
While the chase was going on the blur
was growing into the distinctness of a
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 l want you to either bring
| MIN 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 Ledman."
Soon boat put out from the other
ship and the passengers crowded over
10 watch its coming. The sailors pulled
with steady stroke and the little craft
rose and fell with the billows, while
the hands of Miss Percy Hartwell
ciutched 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 q
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
uniform did not do as well. but his
nerves were steady. even If his legs
wabbled. The passengers were in.
ciined 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
well had retired to the further side
OF the ship. The captain directed
one of the stewards to conduct the
officer to Miss Hartwell.
"Yon have only five minutes, sir"
was his warning. land 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
to Manila and if the weather had been
stormy I should have signaled to that
effect. SO now it is not right for me
to detain you even for a minute, and
l wish you good-by and God speed"
Lieut.. Ledman thanked him and
there was a sudden rush in which the
arms of the officer were around Miss
Hartwell. followed by rapid kisses,
which the crowd would have applaud
ed it they dared. Down the ladder
again he went, and once more the lit
tie boat see-sawed through the waves.
There were many kisses thrown and
the soldiers cap was raised until his
arm must have approached paralysis.
Then after the farewells had been
blown by the sirens of the ships, Miss
Percy Hartwell for the first time
showed indications of weakness. The
dear old spinster who sat near her at
the table approached to offer her an.
s;stance, and she could not help call.
ing attention to a ring on the third
finger of the young lady's left hand!
This brought Miss Percy Hartwen
very much to her senses and she dart
ed for her stateroom. The next day
in honest gratitude she told the cap
tain all about il. The lieutenant was
with his regiment in San Francisco
and was ordered to sail before he ex-
pected. He did not have time to carry
out his programme Of returning and
placing the ring upon her finger, but
did the best he could to send it by
mail.
THAT did not suit me at ALL" said
Miss Percy Hartwell, "and 1 was deter
mined that he should put it on him
self, and that is why / came"
She does not remember much about
Hawaii or Honolulu. or any of the
scenes in the mid-Pacific islands, but
when she is asked if she enjoyed her
pleasure trip her reply is:
"Pleasure? You mean bliss!"
And that is all there is about II
until Lieut.. Edward Ledman gets
back from the Philippines.