Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-11-24
Err Xxx

WEI Sthf.IS AND FLOWING SEAS.
"A GRAY sky and an angry sea
IA A solitary ship in the
AA waste Of waters, staggering
along in roaring gale
from the west; every rag Of canvas
that could safely be spread--ay, and
even morc--ursing her forward be
fore the fierce wind; driving her madly
through the tossing waves. a lonely.
restless man upon her deck passing
the long weary hours on the forecastle
looking eagerly ahead. ever ahead.
turning like devotee his face to the
east, pointing his vessel toward the
rising sun, though driven aside by the
happenings of the sea. returning to his
goal with the accuracy and the per-
sistency with which he polar needle
swings toward its star
Some 200 leagues ahead Of tho fri
gate, with the man on the knight
heads peering fruitlessly across the
dark expanse Of tossing water, another
vessel, driven in like manner. steadily
pursued its course for the same des-
tination. AS if conscious Of the I'M
wearying. ndomitable pursuit. she.
too, made her way onward madly,
recklessly. crossing the great deep.
Skill and seamanship Of the highest
type were at her service as well. A
willingness TO drive was there in al
most as great a measure. for this ship
was homewsrd bound When she
dropped anchor in the waters Of
Frame those aboard of her. now held
prisoner by the heavy-linked chain Of
honor, would b" free
And a woman hung over the quar-
ter Of he second ship listening indif-
ferently to words of sweetness. re-
spending not at all TO passionate plead
ings that fell upon her ear; a woman,
turning her eyes back toward the west,
gazing upon the setting sun that had
carried down to darkness with 1t her
maiden heart. a woman marking the
long white wake Of the snip, her sad
ness growing greater her regret deep
ening. deepening with each swiftly
passing league.
And YET the lonely woman on the
Quarter-decil with tho infrequent sun
light losing itself IN her midnight hair,
with her violet eyes staring back
ward backward backward. from out
pale tice whose wilderness matched
the f0amiue wave was drawing on
AS surely and irresis7ibly as the load
stone the needle. the eager man upon
the other ship
II think therr Cau he no doubt Of
our observations captain You see
we have had a double check on them
by working them out ependently."
"Yes. We have made no mistake. I
am sure, and yet there are always
happenings for which allowance must
be made, things that no mind, no in
strument can check on the sea "
True, sir. but it has all been plain
sailing 50 far. and the way you have
WATCHED and handled tins frigate has
been a marvel TO me, and have sailed
in many ships
Thank you But have an object
in it all
"Of course. the dispatches to Sir Ed
ward Hawke-"
Yes that Of course DO you know.
iiNNli'i'4. LhNf vi N'iN Np4 pflNIt, anu
il ism a thing that a man likes 90
talk about any way tut I've 20, 10
tell you nuw | suppose WE'LL the
fact iS--that cartel, you know. the
one I've been trying to overhaul?
There is a-lady-a FrenchWoman on
board Of her-and-you see--I met her
five years ago when prisoner in
France and again in Canada and"
II see, sir. answered Hatfield wise
ly, filing in his superors lame and
hating conclusion by The aid Of his
own Imagination and you would see
her again | quite understand"