Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-06-08

making his way across to the boat Tor
the Channel Islands; and made up my
mind TO go OH board the same steamer,
for I had an instructive feeling that he
would prove n real friend. ] went down
Immediately into the ladies' cabin, which
was almost empty, and chose berth Tor
myself In the darkest corner 1t was not
far from the door, and presently two
other ladies came down, with gentle.
man and the captain, and held an anxious
parlcy close to me.
us there any dangcr!'' asked one Of
the ladies'.
"Weil, l cannot say positively there
will be no danger" answered the cap
tain; there's not danger enough to keep
me and the crew In port; but 1t will be
n very dirty night In the Channel. Or
course we shall use extra caution. and
all that sort of thing. No; l cannot say
expect any great danger"
But It will be awfully roughly" said
the gentleman.
1t was very stormy and dismal as soon
rs we were out of Southampton water,
and In the rush and swirl of the Chan
mel. 1t did not alarm me 50 much as it
distracted my thoughts. My hasty escape
that 1t had bewildered me. and 1t was
almost a pleasure to lie still ana listen
to the din and uproar of the sea. Was
myself or no? Was this notning more
than a very vivid dream, from which
should awaken by and by to find myself
a prisoner still, a creature as wretched
and friendless as any that the streets of
London contained?
watched the dawn break through a
little portfolio opening upon my berth,
which had been washed and beaten by
the water all the night long. The stew
ardcss had gone away early In the night.
So was alone, with the blending light
of the early dawn and that of the lamp
burning feebly from the ceiling. sat
up In my berth and cautiously unstitchcd
the lining OF my jacket. Here. months
ago, when ! first began to fOresee this
emergency, and whilst ! was still allow
| cd the use of my money, | had concealed
| one by one few fve-pOund notes.
counted them over, eight Of them; forty
| pounds In all, my sole fortune, my only
means of living. True. had q diamond
ring and a watch and chain, but how ditii-
| cult and dangerous it would be for me
to sell either OF them. Practically my
means were limited to the eight notes of
| five pounds each.
As the light grew left my berth and
| ventured to climb the cabin steps. The
fresh air smote upon me almost pain
fully. The sea was growing brighter,
and glittered here and there in spots
where the sunlight fell upon it. ! stayed
| on deck in the biting wind leaning over
1 ha l,,lxu nrl,u NIL I'll
desolate sea till my spirits sank like lead
| ! was cold, and hungry, and miserable
| How lonely was! how poor! with Meth
er home nor II friend In the world'-
a mere castaway upon the waves Of this
troublous life!
| "Mam' zele Is brave sailor" said q
voice behind me. which l recognized al
my seaman of the night before; but We
shall be In port soon."
"What pOrt?" l asked.
est. Peter-pOrt," he answered. "Mam'
zelle, then, does not know our islands 2
NO." ! said. "Where Is st. Peter
porti"
I'm Guernsey" he replied. III YOU
were going to land at st. Peter-port
might be Of some service to yOu."
] looked at him steadily. His voice
was a very pleasant one, full Of toner
that went straight to my heart. His fac,
was bronxed and weather-beaten, hut hi
deep-set eyes had steadfast, quiet pow
or In them, and his mouth had pleas
ant curve about 1t. He looked middle
aged man to me. He raised his cap al
my eyes looked straight into his, aud I
faint smile fitted across his grave face.
II want" ! said suddenly, ITO find