Evening journal., 1904-12-01
He Came Again
IorisinnL1


ordered to Brazil was getting up an
Choir Lieutenant Edward Fletcher and
his fiancee. Grace Banning. were stand
ing in a corner Of the deck speaking
the last hurried parting words.
"From all can learn, sweetheart"
he said, wen get back here within
six months, and when we do
"Oh, Ned. suppose something should
happen"
ITO you, darlingT he asked anxious
ly.
"No; to you"
"What can happen in these times OF
peace2 No, I'll be here with the ship.
and then
Don't speak so confidently; there
are storms and. down there, hurri-
canes"
Darling. 1 tell you I'll be here with
the ship, no matter what happens"
There was a signal for visitors to
leave the ship. a long impassloned en-
brace between the lovers. and Miss
Banning went ashore. As the vessel
moved out she stood on the dock wav-
ing to her lover till after she could no
longer distinguish him, then turned
away and dragged herself home.
On reaching Rio, Lieutenant Fletcher
was ordered TO command a boats crew
to 20 ashore and bring OF supplies.
I mi, 4 Ia
gerous, but a strong wind and tide, de-
spite the oarsmen's efforts TO keep the
| boat steady, carried her bow around so
/ that she fell into the trough of the sea.
At the moment gigantic wave dash
ed against her side, capsized her, and
the young commander and every man
Of his crew were drowned.
The shock to Grace Banning at hear.
| ing Of her lovers death well nigh up
set her reason. At first she cried to
him piteously TO come back TO her;
that he had promised to come back
with the ship. Then she fell into a
stupor, a lack OF interest in everything
about her. In vain her mother en-
deavored TO provide her with such oc-
cupation and amusement as would di-
vert her mind. All In vain. She con-
stantly brooded over the last scene be-
tween her and her lover. especially the
words spoken by each, always ending,
Darling. I tell you I'll be here with
the ship, no matter what happens"
Mrs Banning was panied TO notice
that her daughter was keeping track
| Of the Pensacola. That ship on touch
ing at Rio received orders to proceed
around 1.-THE Horn" TO San Francisco,
thence TO Hongkong. Grace watched
the government reports. Indeed, her
heart was in the ship sailing around
the world. Perhaps she was waiting
for it to return that she might again
stand in the corner where she had bid
den what had proved a last farewell
When the ship reached China she be
gan to appear more cheerful. 1t was
as If her lover was aboard and, having
sailed over half the globe, would nov
have entered upon the return. Mrs
Banning, not realizing the cause Of TIA
change in Grace began 10 hope tha
she was mending and even lookei
about for a suitable party with whom
she might make n match for her. Sh
e knew Grace would never marry fo
love and, being Indifferent as TO whom
she married. might he influenced L
take rich husband.
at last It was announced that the
ship Pensacola was due. She did no
arrive on time, and Grace seemed trOu
bled. When she arrived Grace was II
a futter, acting as one about TO be re
: united with a lover instead Of with the
, ship on which he had sailed.
Then came invitations for a ball CIV
en- by the officers on board the ship
Mrs. Banning reproved the servant
who unwittingly gave the cards q
I Grace. but was thunderstruck whaI
: her daughter told her that she woulC
: attend the ball. Finding that she eouit
:. not dissuade her. the mother consent
;, ed, with a faint hope that the visit
/, under such different circumstances
5 from the last might break the spell
On the night Of the entertainment
: the ship was brilliantly illuminated
|, while a marine band furnished music
: The decks were in possession Of th'
dancers. Mrs. Banning kept Bn eye oI
]; her daughter for awhile. but Gracl
y seemed TO stand up so well under tn
d strain that her mother soon gave owe
: watching her Then Grace was miss
!, ing. She had walked. on the arm OF {
2 naval officer, TO the corner where sh'
had parted with her loger That cor
o ner was now in the light, and couple
\ were walking past it to and fro.
= Suddenly Grace's form qufvered, sh
y threw up her arms and exclaimed:
y "Nedl Oh, Ned! knew you woul'
= be hereT'
Ie She started forward with outstretcf
.. ed arms, but soon sank in a swoon.
q Her attendant, astonished. pickle
= her up, while several couples who wer
r, passing sprang to his assistance Wa
a. ter was sprinkled in her face, and sh
q revived. Then, with a strange light i
- her eye, she walked away, supports
,: by her attendant. Her mother wa
/; called, and they left the ship to b
> driven home.
4; The officer who had been her escort
y puzzled. went back to the place wher
to Grace had swooned. There in the col
" ner where she had seen, or fhncied sh
= saw, her lover he picked up severa
strands Of wet. Shiny seaweed. II
wondered how they came there.
Z Grace was driven to a home she neN
e. or afterward left She made 40 mer
4.