The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1901-01-12

tnat IN tne course OF - nourS she ha1
these two worthless of the ship ealculat-
ing for her benefit, and when she final.
ly drew from them the points that
they might overtake the David some
hours before they reached Honolulu.
she expressed her satisfaction, and
then the captain let her into an official
confidence.
"You must not mention it," he said,
''but we have important dispatches
from the government which we must
deliver TO the David if possible"
Then Miss Percy Hartwell did a very
surprising thing. She jumped up.
clapped her hands. and exclaimed:
"Hurrah,"
The voyage went on pleasantly and
swiftly and Miss Hartwell laughed and
joked with the captain and the CHIEF
engineer, urging them to push the ship
little faster.
Finally there came fine gray morn
ing, when there was blur on the hori.
zon in front, and Miss Hartwell cared
| for neither breakfast nor luncheon
While the chase was going on the blur
was growing into the distinetness of O
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
him 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
TO 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 Hartwel
clutched 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 a
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 pass, 1gers were in
clined 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.
"You have only five minutes, SIR
was his warning. "and ] 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 / should have signaled to that
effect, SO now it is not right for me
to detain you even for n minute, and
l wish you good-by and God speed
Lieut.. Ledman thanked him and
there was sudden rush in which the
arms of the officer were around Miss
Hartwell, followed by rapid kisses,
which the crowd would have applaud
ed if 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 as
sistance, and she could not help call
ing attention TO ring on the third
finger of the young lady's left handl
| This brought Miss Percy Hartwell
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 it. 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 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 blissi"
And that is all there is about il
until Lieut.. Edward Ledman gets
back from the Philippines.