Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-01-26
How the Code Was
3 D Saved. 3 .
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
By JEFFREY DOLE.

4 SHIPS company, fallen in at "di-
n visions" upon a Sunday morning
on the deck of a large man-of-war, is a
sight once seen never to be forgotten.
Such a scene as this was being en-
acted one lovely spring morning on
board H. M. S. Tremendous, lying in
Malta harbor. Its 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 daintily dressed girl
and a tall. well built man-evidently
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 inn
portant a command, with a stern, sun
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 zullenoff, and
he, much struck by the girls excep-
tional beauty and charming manners,
invited them into that holy of holes
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
SCISSOR 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, vivacious manner and
chartered away to the captain in her
pretty broken English.
1T is easy to see that you are a
married man, Capt. st. Aubyn!" 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 grave face
relaxed into a smile.
Indeed, you have made a mistake"
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 1ancee in England.
"How I would love to be a sailors
wife!" cried his companion, with girl
ish enthusiasm. 80 delightful to 60
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"
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. II am
SO interested in ships. I have been on
board many in my own country, but
they are not so fine as this beautiful
Tremendous" she added, smiling.
st. Aubyn acknowledged the compli-
ment with becoming modesty.
yes, I like to learn everything about
them" she continued brightly. 81
lead in the papers all the Naval intel
ligence. What a fuss they are making
about those missing signal books! I
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; ! think you look q careful
man" she remarked, glancing up at
him coquettishly. Nov, / daresay the
little key you wear upon that bangle
round your wrist locks up some impor-
tant papers. Is it not so?"
st, Aubyn started and looked down
at his cuff i~nvoluntarily, where, to his
dismay, he saw that the curb chain he
wore had, so to speak, slipped its
mornings and was plainly visible to
curious eyes.
70, that Is the key Of the meat safe!"
he replied gravely.
"Ah, now you are laughing at me!
1t 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.
"A do not possess any!" laughed st.
Aubyn iii had. you may be. sure !