The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1901-06-14
A Secret
Of the Sea.
-.s[es-
HOW 1T FLOATED IN A BOTTLE
FROM NORWAY TO
SCOTLAND.

until tomorrow. i want your ADVICE on
matter Of vital Importance"
i turned on the gangway to find Ber-
tram Bruce beside me. The lad looked
so upset that l hesitated, although ur-
gent affairs awaited me in London and
the paddles Of the Louise Dagmar were
already on the move. But second
glance at the speakers face decided
me, and l returned TO land as the de-
parting steamer churned her way
through the dull green harbor, to blue
and sunlit sea. 1t was extremely in
convenient. But here was mere boy,
the son of my oldest friend. in trouble.
and could not well do otherwise than
try and assist him.
We strolled away to the telegraph Of
fee. "Well. what have you been doing
now" / asked. with pardonable asper-
ity at the thought Of a comfortless
night without baggage at a strange ho-
tel. But one could not long be angry
with Bertram. bright, clever lad, his
mothers darling and as a not unusual
consequence the scapegrace Of the fam
lily.
Bertram's brief career at Cambridge
had already ended In temporary expul-
sion from that seat Of learning and
threat from his father Of disinherit-
ance. There was no real harm in the
boy, who was honest and generous to
fault, infinitely more attractive In ev-
cry way than his dull but plodding eld-
err brother. But reckless extravaganza,
incorrigible idleness and continual
scrapes will try the patience of the
most indulgent parent, and although
Lady Bruce could see no harm in her
idols youthful indiscretion Sir Hector
was rapidly growing weary Of inces-
SAINT calls on his purse and forbear-
ance.
"Come, Bertram, what Is 1t this
time? Women or cards." l asked as
we ratified away in an open "fiacre"
to the Hotel de Paris. Boulogne was
ablaze with July sunshine and its
streets crowded with gayly dressed
oilers. l could hardly blame the boy
for deserving dull, dreary Dover. where
he was negotiating at private tutors,
for this pleasureable continental re-
sort. But having a suspicion that one
of the pitfalls | had mentioned was
answerable for Bertram's latest es-
capade refrained from saying so.
ITS cards." replied the boy after q
pause. Trevor. I'm in an awful hole.
If you will only get me out Of it.
solemnly swear never to touch
"Yes. know. Well talk about
that presently. Meanwhile we'll have
some breakfast, and you can tell me
all about it." And over q dainty "de-
jeuner," served at an open window
overlooking the bright and busy har-
Dor, the prodigal unburdened his mind.
Briefly. it came to this:
He had lost $1,000 at ecarte the
night before to Captain Remington
Royle. The debt must be settled, as
usual, on the following Monday, and
my young friend was possessed Of
exactly 200 in the world. exclusive Of
the remains of 4 f10 note which had
been changed into French gold, to
meet it with. There was, however.
CLEAN of sunshine through the mist,
for In q few months Bertram, on at
tanning lis majority, would be entitled
to a handsome legacy. "If Royle
would only wait until then, it would
be all right" said the boy, adding
ruefully: But don't suppose he
would care to do that. Do think of
romething, Trevor. If this comes to
my fathers ears, am done for" And
l looked away as the tears gathered
In the speakers blue eyes.
There is only one thing to be done,
Bertram," | said, finishing my coffee.
"You must take me to see this Rem
lngton Royle."
The very name mad a shady sound
and, combined with that OF Boulogne,
opened up vista Of knavish possibili.
ties. But Bertram stoutly upheld this
chance acquaintance, picked up few
days previously at the Casino. Royle
was a very good chap, had been in
crack cavalry regiment and, although
he lived in Paris, knew lots of nice peo-
pie In England. He was also engaged
to be married to Miss Van Scrope, the
great American heiress, who was now
staying with her father and fiance at
the Imperial, and so on, with youthful
exuberance al infnitum. You would
probably find him in now" he added,
and we set out forthwith along the
sunlit streets for the fashionable hos
telry. 1t was arranged that l should
Interview Royle alone, leaving my COM
panioI in an adjacent cafe to await my
return.
AS often happens, the Remington
Royle of my imagination was the exact
opposite of that individual in the flesh.
| had pictured n flashy, overdressed
person, one of those middle aged rakes
who live by their wits and who during
the bathing season at Boulogne are as
thick as flies in Egypt. / found tall
and dignified man Of quiet and ire
proachable appearance, who received
me with ease and well bred courtesy.
He might have been 40, possibly more,
for although the features were youth
full the well trimmed mustache was al
most white. The sumptuous apart
ments into which l was shown were
those Of Royle's prospective father-in-
law, for the room was Uttered with
photographs, flowers and other signs Of