The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1901-05-17
A STRAIN OF ROMANCE,

IL was ldt9 one AFTERNOON as Il man
stepped from small sailing boat on to
the quay at waterproof, Gibraltar. He
felt uncomfortable and disreputable.
Earlier in the day, having nothing bet
ter to do, ne had ser out for sail across
the bay. They had run in on the SANDY
beach of forsaken spot called Puenta
Majorga. There the boatman had taken
him Oh his shoulders and carried him
through the surf, finally dropping him so
that he got nicely wei. On the return
journey the wind had freshened and it
had come on to rain, with the result that
he now stood a somewhat forlorn-look-
ing object, with clothes :iloilt by sea
water and wet sand.
1t had just occurred to. him that the
next obvious thing was to change his at
tire, when the sound of voices caught
his ears. Looking round. he caught sight
of little group some fifty yards away
looking man in ''brass-bound'' suit.
Something in the girls appearance at
tracted him, and unconSciously he moved
nearer to the trio. He got within a
dozen PAGES of them, and. standing be-
hind a pile of crates, enjoyed view at
closer quarters.
by Jove!:' he murmured, under his
nifcently good-looking. He could not
take his eyes from her. There was a
certain air Of vigor and independence
about her that fascinated him.
She raised her arm and pointed across
the bay to where a large white yacht lay
at anchor.
You mean to say the Scud can't sail
f%Gd ea voice. cap sent Fn thrift she hre snsa nn
There was the slightest, most delicious
suspicion Of transatlantic accent in it,
and he was enrapture1.
In drawing tone the captain gave an
account of what had happened. 1t ap-
peared that the Scotch engineer, N1cAlis-
ter. had gone off on Il birthday frolic,
and, as the result Of joyial little ex-
cursion in the vicinity of Algeciras, had
Spanish jail.
What shall we do: The cable was
urgent-the Scud will have to get to
Alexandria by the god. Can't We pick
up another engineer in Gibraltar:"
The captain shook his head.
But. we can't wait until he's re-
of her foot. Something will have to
be done''
The man standing behind the crates
had been drinking in every word. his
eyes fastened on the girl face. Sudden
ly an idea flashed upon hint was "a
mad one, but it. gripped Mil. -.
Without a moments further consider
the trio.
Beg pardon" he said. touching his
hat. Il happened to overhear. l gath
cred you want an engineer"'
The girl looked at the figure before her
in establishment. She saw tall, good
looking, clean-shaven man in wet, sod
den clothes, with the collar of his coat
turned up.
Are you an engineer?' she asked, Gag
erly.
Il could take you to Alexandria in the
time.' he said.
Capt. Flint was interested.
Say, Young Teller. got papers to show?'
he drawled. And what's your name:
face.
MY name is Dennis he said. "And
haven't got papers to show"
He turned to the girl frankly.
You would have to take me on
chance he said. Il give you my word
that am capable of running the engines
Of your yacht and getting her to Alexan-
dria in the time bar a breakdown~but
The girl glanced at him hesitatingly.
The Scud must SAIL she began.
Guess we can see in an hour or so
whether he's up to the job said Capt.
Flint. suggestively.
The man looked at the girl with an
inquiring smile. She gave him one more
ance-,then made up her mind:
Thus it was in short time he found
himself at work on the yacht. In an
other three hours he had the steam up,
and. the ladies having come on board, the
Scud raised her anchor and slowly made
her way out of the bay.
AS engineer he was q complete success,
and quickly earned the warm approval OF
Capt. Jake Flint. from whom he CLEANED
1t appeared that the yacht was the prop
erty of Silas Lewiston, rich American
and that the girl on board was his only
daughter Her father had left her in
England. and, a. few weeks ago, had
made the journey to Cairo, leaving her
to follow more leisurely in the Scud.
For the first two days he spent most
or twice. as he sat watching the move
ments of the big cylinders. he broke into
soft laugh. 1t was on the third day.
when he happened to be on deck, that
she spoke to him.
I'VE are getting on famously, Mr.. Den
mis-. | think good fate must have
dropped you from the clouds!'' she said,
with smile.
He looked at her and tried to hide the
look of admiration that had crept to his
eyes She seemed more gloriously beau
tiful than ever. He made some vague
reply. and she went on talking about the
Yacht 1t was intoxication to him. He
had fallen desperately in love at first
sight. and he wondered what it would
all lead to.
The next few days passed delightfully,
He had several conversations with her
indeed. she seemed almost to welcome an
opportunity Of speaking with him. The
more he saw Of her. the more convinced
was he that he had made no mistake.
This was no feeting fancy; ne was real
IL in love.
Thea came bitter shock of disan-
pointment. They were within a days
run of Alexandria, and he was about
to 20 on deck. As he raced up the CONF
panion something white on one Of the
stairs caught his attention. He picked
it up and found it was telegram
CHANGING at it he saw it was the cable
that had been sent to her at Gibraltar
by her father. Almost unconsciously ia
=