Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-10

heads peering fruitlessly across the
dark expanse of tossing water, another
vessel, driven in like manner, steadily
pursued it's course for the same des-
tination AS if CONSCIOUS OF the un-
wearying, indomitable 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 we'll. A
Willingness to drive was there In al
most as great measure, for this ship
was homeward bound. When she
dropped anchor in the waters of
France, those aboard of her, now held
prisoner by the heavy-linked chain of
honor, would be free.
And a woman hung over the quar-
ter of the second ship listening indif-
ferently to words of sweetness, re-
spending not at all to passionate plead
ings that fell upon her ear; woman,
turning her eyes back toward the west,
gazing upon the setting sun that had
carried down to darkness with it her
maiden heart; woman marking the
long white wake of the ship, her sad
ness growing greater, her regret deep
ening, deepening with each swiftly
passing league.
And yet the lonely woman on the
quarterback with the infrequent sun
light losing itself in her midnight hair,
with her violet eyes staring back
| ward, backward, backward, from out
a pale face whose whiteness matched
| the foaming wave, was drawing on
as surely and irresistibly as the load
stone the needle, the eager man upon
the other ship.
II think there can be no doubt Of
our observations, captain. You see
| we have had double check on them
by working them out independently"
Eyes, we have made no mistake,
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 SO far, and the way you have
watched and handled this frigate has
been marvel to me, and have sailed
in many ships"
THANK you. But I have an object
in it ALL"
"Of course, the dispatches to Sir Ed
ward Hawke
Eyes, that OF course. Do you know,
Hatfield, haven't told you before, and
1t isn't a thing that a man likes to
talk about, any way, but I've got to
tell you now, 1 suppose. Well, 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 a prisoner in
France and again in Canada-and-'
i see, SIR" answered Hatfield wise
ly. filling in his superior's lame and
hating conclusion by the aid of his
own imagination, land you would see
her again? quite understand"
Grafton, whose face had flushed
deeply while he made his executive
| officer the recipient of these strange
condolences, was greatly relieved at
his ready comprehension.
Yes, that's It," he answered, CRATE
ful for his lieutenant's tact. And
mean to see her once more, by heaven,
Il / have to go into Brest to do It'll"
"All right, sir, I'm with you in any
thing. And if know our DULLES for
ward. they'd like nothing better than
dash at a Frenchman, for ship, a
woman, or a"
THAT will do, Hatfield" remarked
Grafton, with slight touch of stern.
ness, II hardly contemplate calling
upon the men for any cutting-out ex.
petition in this emergency. though
may want your help, my friend
| The friendship begun years since
between the two men had ripened into
ntimacy-although Hatfield was muct
the junior in years as we'll as rank tt
Grafton-and the footing between
them when not on formal service was
one Of hearty affection and familiar
intimacy. This was an unusual rela
tionship between the captain and frs
lieutenant Of frigate, yet the younge
man never presumed upon it, and tn
older man never condescended on ac
count of it, and no mischance ha,
arisen.
And you shall have it, Capt. Graf
ton replied the younger man, impul
sively. might l, without presump
ton, ask the lady's name?"
De Rohan," answered Grafton
"The Countess de Rohan, the grand
daughter Of the Marquis de Chabot
Rohan, in whose castle was conflne,
five years ago. l met her then as
little girl and as luck, nay, Provi
=