Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-07-22

dient to the short shrill whistling of jemadars and Quartermasters. Boat lashings were tested and frightened. canvas awnings stretched across the deck forward, ventilator cowls twisted to new angles and hatches clamped down over the wooden gratings that covered the holds. Officers. spotless in white linen, fitted quietly to and fro. When the watch was changed Iris noted that the chief appeared in an old blue suit and carried oilskins over his arm as he climbed to the bridge. Nature looked disturbed and fitful. and the ship responded to her mood. There was sense of preparation ill the air. of coming ordeal. of restless foreboding. Chains clanked with a noise the girl never noticed before; the tramp of hurrying men on the hurri- cane deck overhead sounded heavy and hollow. There was a squeaking of chairs that was abominable when peo- pie gathered up books and wraps and staggered ungracefully toward the compahionway. Altogether Miss Deane was not wholly pleased with the pre- liminaries of typhoon. whatever the realities might be.
 Why did that silly old woman allude to her contemplated marriage to Lord Eentnor, retailing the gossip of Hong kong with such malicious emphasis? For an instant Iris tried to shake the ,,,o ho Io% Ventnor. She did not want to marry i him or anybody else just yet Of course . her father had hinted approval of his lordships obvious intentions. Countess of Ventnor Yes. it was nice title. Still she wanted another couple of years Of careless freedom. In any event why should Lady Tozer pry and probe?
 And finally, why did the steward oh, poor old Sir Jshn. What would have happened if the ice had slid down his neck? Thoroughly comforted by this gleefu hypothesis, Miss Deane seized q favorable opportunity to dart i across the starboard side and see if
 
 in the northwest had put in an ap- pearance.
 Ha. There it was, black. ominous, gigantic, rolling up over the horizon like some monstrous football Around 1t the sky deepened into purple, fringed with a wide belt of brick red. She had never seen such beginning of gale. From what she had read in books she agined that only in great deserts were clouds of dust generated. There rushing with giant strides across the trembling sea. Then what was it? Why was it so dark and menacing? And where was desert of stone and sand to compare with this awful ex- panse of water? What small dot was this great ship on the visible sur face. But the ocean itself extended away beyond there, reaching out to the infinite The dot became a mere speck, undistingushabe beneath a celestial microscope such as the gods might condescend to use.
 Iris shivered and aroused herself with a startled laugh.
 The lively fanfare of the dinner trumpet failed to fill the saloon. By this time the Sirdar was fighting reso- lutely against stiff gale. But the stress of actual combat was better than the eeiie sensation of impending dan ger during the earlier hours. The strong, hearty pulsations of the en- zines. the regular thrashing of the screw, the steadfast onward plunging of the good ship through racing seas and flying scud. were cheery. confident and inspiring.
 Miss Deane justified her boast that she was an excellent sailor. She smiled deliehtedly at the ships sur geon when he caught her eye through the many gaps in the tables. She was alone. so he joined her.
 You are g credit to the company quite q sea kings daughter" he said.
 Doctor. do you talk to all your lady passengers in that way:'
 Alas. no, Too often I can only he truthful when am dumb"
 Iris laughed. If remain long on this shin will certainly have my head turned" she cried. "I receive nothing but compliments from the captain down to-to''-
 'The doctor"'
 "No. You come a good second on the list"
 Tn very truth she was thinking of the ice carrying steward and his lue< start of surprise at the announcement of her rumored engagement. The man interested her. He looked like broken down gentleman. Her quick eyes tray eied around the saloon to discover bis whereabouts. She could not see him. The chief steward stood near. balanc- ing himself iD apparent defiance of the laws of gravitation. for the ship was now pitching and rolling with A mad zeal. For sn instant she nnesnt to in- quire what had become of the trans gressor. but she dismissed the thought at it's inception. The matter was too trivial
 With g wild zvoop sll the plates. glasses and cutlery on the saloon ta- bIcs crashed to starboard. Were it not for the restraint of the fddes every thing must have been swept to the floor. There were one or two minor se- Cidsnts \ steward. taken unawares. vas thrown headlong on top of his laden tray Others were compelled tg