The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1905-05-19
| How the Code Was
3 3 Saved. D D
BY JEFFREY DOLE.

4 hlSlOua upon ouNNdl lNoI MUS
on the deck of large man-of-war is a
sight once seen never 20 be forgotten.
Such scene as this was being en-
acted one lovely spring morning on
board H. NJ S. Tremendous, lying in
Malta harbor. It's captain, Philip st.
Aubyn by name, had given permission
TO one of his officers to invite some
visitors to church. and at ten O'Clock
the pinnace had been sent on shore to
bring them aboard
These, who consisted of an extreme
ly beautiful and dainuly dressed girl
and a tall. well built man-cvidently
brother and sister-professed them
selves charmed and interested with
the novelty Of the scene around them.
The captain was a tall. powerfully
built man, young looking for so i'm
portant a command, with stern, sum
tanned face, clean shaven good fea-
lures and a hard, firm mouth. For the
rest, closely cropped hair and deep set
gray eyes must suffice.
After divine service was over the
guests were, according TO custom,
shown round the ship. cabins and
messrooms being visited in turn.
They were presented TO St. Aubyn
as Count and Countess Zullenon. and
he, much struck by the girls excep-
tional beauty and charming manners,
invited them into that holy Of holies
his cabin, where ordinary visitors were
not allowed.
The countess was. indeed, a young
woman to whom any man might be
forgiven losing his heart The pos
sessor Of a lovely. smiling face, dimpled
chin, saucy little nose. forget-me-not
blue eyes, shaded with long, dark
lashes, and a sweet. rebellious mouth.
her sunny hair clustered round the
well-shaped head in the most fascinat-
Ing little curls imaginable, some Of
which peeped coquettishly from under
her big white hat She had, more
over, a bright, viyacious manner and
chattered away to the captain in her
pretty broken English.
1T is easy to see that you are a
married man. Capt ST. Aubynl' the
girl laughingly remarked, as she gazed
admiringly at the tasteful decorations
Of the spacious cabin. "There is quite
a feminine touch about everything"
The rest Of the party were a little
distance off, so no one could hear their
conversation. St. Aubyn's graye face
relaxed into a smile.
Indeed, you have made a mistake" j."
he replied. in amused tones.
"Then you are-hOw you say?-be-
trothed, engaged?" she insisted, nod
ding her golden head
ST. Aubyn gave an evasive reply.
Somehow he felt he did not wish this
beautiful foreigner to know about his
pretty fiancee in England.
How / would love to be a sailors
wife!" cried his companion, with girl
ish enthusiasm. $50 delightful to 20
to sea with ones husband"
20, but wives don't do that" put in
the captain, hastily. adding TO himself
In an undertone. Heaven forbid!"
"No? What do they do. them"
asked the girl. raising her pretty eye
brows in surprise
"They stop on shore, and-and wait
until the ship returns" he replied,
lamely.
Il should not like that; it would be
so dull!" she cried, pouting. Il am
so interested in ships. ! have been on
board many in my own country. but
they are not so fine as this beautiful
she added, smiling.
st. Aubyn acknowledged the compli-
ment with becoming modesty.
"Yes. I like to learn everything about
them" she continued brightly. Il
read in the papers all the Naval intel
ligence' What a fuss they are making
about those missing signal booksl l
hope you are more careful here than
on board that other ship, Capt St
Aubyn?"
20, yes; our signal books are not
likely to be stolen!" said ST. Aubyn.
smiling.
YES; l think you look a careful
man." she remarked, glancing up at
him coQuettishly. Now, I daresay the
little key you wear upon that bangle
round your wrist locks up some impoT-
tant papers. Is it not so?"
ST. Aubyn started and looked down
al his cuff inyoluntarily where. to his
dismay. he saw that the curb chain he
wore had, so to speak. slipped its
and was plainly visible to
curious eyes.
20, that is the key Of the meat safe!"
be replied gravely.
"Ah. now you are laughing at mel
II is too bad. the way you sailors treat
us poor women!" she pouted. Il
thought We were going to be such
friends and you will not let me into
one little secret event"
Il do not possess anyl" laughed st.
Aubyn. If l had, you may be sure
would confde in you" he added gal
lantly.
That key?"
Belongs to my own private desk,
where l keep my love letters" said
the captain, lying promptly. Let me
Introduce my young brother TO you
countess" he continued, as an ex-
tremely good lOOking hoy annroqchod