The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-03
q a o-e- . $500 e-o-e-o-o-o-o-e-o-o-

and a sad shake OF his gray OLD nead.
"Beggin' your lordship's pardon. I've
been thinking o. late that III take up
the sea again, and shape the same old
course"
"Faugh! absurd" laughed Lord Som
ers. "Aron't you we'll quartered here?'
AYE, sir, faint that!" Ben fastened
to explain. i've a snug harbor here,
thanks to you, sir and the young lady,
bless her blue eyes! But twas most FOR
her came here, sir, and have laid so
long on my oars; for she's seemed 70
find some bit o. comfort in talkin' to
me o. the past. and in hopin' along WI
me for some word from the lad who
dash my old eyes. sir! they water easy
with years! But I'm not crying, sir!
Yet there's slthin' 1 don't forget-and
can't forget!"
"And what may that be. Benz"
The tender-hearted old seaman drew
his sleeve across his fearful eyes, and
his voice became husky and shaken.
Il can't forget that twas Ben Logan
who led the lad astray,' he answered
slowly. But for me he'd never met the
fate he did. I'd not feel SO bad. sir. IL
could stood by at the last to lend him
a hand. or ha' gone down with him! He'd
done better. sir. for-for sake o. the
lassl had he let an old man like me done
the job. Aye. sir l think I'll go back TO
the sea. While there's bare chance
the lad S living, captive mebbe, I'm not
easy here, sir! And IL dead, fore God.
sir | owe 1t to the lad to square tho
yards with that man Redlaw"
"To avenge Walton do you mean?"
aye, sir: that's what ! meant said
Ben simply.
Lord Somers came step nearer.
But suppose that Walton were living
and here" he said grayely: THAT he was
wed even to the girl who has been hlGa.
Ing her heart with grief for him-what
then. Ben Logan Would you De con-
tent with what life offers you here?'
a change like that born Of swift sus-
plcion. or of hope so sudden and great
that tho suspense OF 1t could scarce be
endured, swept to the old mans face.
"Avast, sir' he cried hoarsely. I'M
the other. Fore God, you'd not look
and speak like that In Jest only! Dye
mean, sir
II mean. Ben Logan, that I was ap-
| preached last night In London by tile
| man whom"
Not by tho lad-not Walton!" Ben
cried wildly; then. with sudden roar.
he turned and darted towards the open
cab. Not by-O, my God It's Walton:
it's the lad !; It's the lad himself!''
There were sobs in the old mans voice,
and tears were streaming down his fur
| rowed cheeks; but the flooded eyes, wild
| with a joy greater than he had ever
| known. had lighted on the familiar face
| and sturdy figure of the man. who. rec
! ognized- ct once, despite his conventional
dress. now was sprinEing down to greet
| him.
AYE. Ben. the lad himself" cried wal
| ton, roundy. What. what! decks awash
already Clear your headlights, dear old
matte. and tip us your ripper! No need
| now for tears. Ben--dear old Bent for
| already know how glad you are to SO
me-" .
There are scenes of JOY to which words
alone cannot do Justice. and this was
| one; for the reunion was for Ben Logan
as with one suddenly arisen from the
| dead But the details here can have no
further record. and though Lord somers
briefly suffered the delay occasioned by
the delighted seamans queries and effu-
sions, he presently drew Walton aside.
There will be time and to spare for
you two" he said significantly. IF what
you have alleged is true. another de-
serves our speedy attention"
Walton sobered instantly. He scarce
| looked the man set ashore in Australia
| by the pirate Redlaw, and even less the
| careworn hero who on that fatal after
noon eight months before bad stood ready
to lay down his life for others The
taWny complexion impaired by the south.
ern sun was gone from his cheeks, en-
HANGING the attractveness OF his refined,
forceful Gountenance, while his landsman's
| rig, which was scrupulousiy tasteful, dis
played to better advantage than sailors
Earb his fine imposing figure,
| II am content that you shall be both
| accuser and Judge, Lord Somers," he re.
piled gravely You and yours We're the
parties chiefly wronged With my disclos-
| ures to you, sir, ended my relations
with Lieutenant Vail"
They had left the stable and were APP
preaching the house, Lord somers still
retaining Walton's arm.
I'VE will enter by the side door" he
said. softly. Though it is said that joy
never kills, ] think 1t may be Well II
Emily is first prepared for that about to
| bs hers"
''As you please" assented Walton, him
self tremulous with SURPRISING happiness.
They should be at breakfast about
| this time"
Yet neither suspected how fate again
was serving its own inscrntahle end For
| while no greater punishment can befall a
proud man than that of AFFECT humiliation,
1t becomes doubly bitter when the blow
falls in an hour Of highest hopes and exul-
| tation, ending at once and forever that for
which honor itself has been sacrificed,
Entering from the warm sunlight, the
deep hall of the house seemed refresh
ingly shadowy and cool canary in
cage near the screened front door was
singing Justify. as If inspired by the spirit
of happiness already crossing the TIRES
hold. From the library the sound OF a
voice could be heard. raised in earnest
appeal, the nature of which led Lord
Somers to quickly lay restraining hand
on Walton's arm.
'Wait!' he murmured, softly
It was the voice of Lieutenant Vail, now
addressing both Lady Somers and Emily
"Haye done npthing to merit your CON
sideration, cousin?" he was saying, in
accents of appeal IF ! were not going
away, possibly never to return. l would
not at this time press my suit SO persist.
emily. Or We're there the slightest prob.
ability that Mr.. Walton lives and tina
your affection for him"
Hush! Hush!'
(ro be continued Tomorrow
Personal and General.
Major James A, Runcie, U. S, A., re-