The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1906-01-19

OF tne Sale. Iuere WAS nlOurnIul spec
ulation upon the Sirdar's chances Of
reaching Singapore before the next
evening.
Iris stood somewhat apart from the
other passengers. The wind had fresh
cncd, and her hat was tied closely over
her ears. She leaned against the taft
rail, enjoying the cool breeze after
hours Of sultry heat. The sky was
clOudless yet, but there was a queer
tinge of FURNISHED copper in the all
pcrvading sunshine. The sea was cold
ly blue. The life had gone out of it 1t
was 10 longer inviting and translucent.
Long sullen undulations swept noise
lessly past the ship. Once after q
steady climb up rolling hill Of water
the Sirdar quickly pecked ut the sue
ceeding valley, and the propeller gave
a couple of angry flaps on the surface,
while tremop ran through the stout
iron rails on which the girls arms
rested.
The crew were busy too. Squads Of
Lascars raced about, industriously obe-
dient to the short shrill whistling Of
jcmadars and quartermasters. Boat
laShings were tested and tightened,
canvas awnings stretched across the
deck forward, ventilator cowls twisted
to new angles and matches clCmped
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 in
the air. Of coming ordeal, Of restless
forcbodng. Chains clankcd with
noise the girl never noticed before; the
tramp of hurrying men OH the hurri-
cane deck overhead sounded heavy and
hollow. There was n squeaking Of
chairs that was abominable when peo-
pie gathered up books and wraps and
staggered ungracefully toward the
companionway. Altogether Miss Deane
was not wholly pleased with the pre-
liminaries Of typhoon, whatever the
realities might be.
Why did that silly old woman alludc
to her contemplated marriage to Lord
Ventnor, retailing the gossip of Hong
kong with such malicious emphasis?
For an instant Iris tried to shake the
railing in comic anger. She hated Lord
Ventnor. She did not want to marry
him or anybody else just yet. OF course
her father had limited approval Of his
lordship's obvious Intentions. Countess
Of Ventnor! Yes, it was q nice title.
IL, 80
years of careless freedom. In any
event why should Lady Tozer pry and
probe?
And finally. why did the steward
oh, poor old Sir John! What would
have happened If the ice had slid down
his neck? Thoroughly comforted by
this rlpnfnl -l,.----A'--- --'-~ ,a
Contoin @ Ross "heavy bank OF ciouo
IN the northwest had put IN ah up
pearance. ,;,ous
uo, There it was, black, omihous'
o,gontic rolling up over the horizon
like some monstrous football. Arounu
# the sky deepened into purple rrihsea :,
,,,;th q wide belt Of brick red. She hau
novc,. seen such beginning or sa,e
I,ron, what she had read In DOCKS sue
;,no g;ned that only in great deserts
were clouds Of dust generatco. ~,
| could not be dust in the dense pan nu" .,,
rushing with giant strides across ~. 49,.
trembling sea. Then what was
wbv was 1t so dark and mehacins
.rS where 17as desert of stone ah'
sond to compare with this awfui eN
nonse Of water? What smaii uo
was this great ship on the visible SUI
f.oo, Put the ocean itself eNtehae
away beyond there. reaching o"I " 81
;nfin;te The dot became mere spec'
undistinguishable beneath ceies.i
,,,;oroscone such as the gods my
condcscend to use. .se
Iris shivered and aroused 'herse
with a startled laugh. 49,,
The lively fanfare OF .ne
trumpet failed to fill the saicon. -.
this time the Sirdar was nsh'tns ~ .
4 lutely against a stiff gale. hu'
! stress of actual combat was pe,.et ~ =,
4 the eer,e sensation of impending as u
II COR during the earlier hours.
u strorc. hearty pu!sations or the
4 ,;ros the regular thrashing OF
= sorew the steadfast onward plung
II ~ the good ship through racing 8
! and flying scud, were CHEEKY cohnu
and inspiring. ,os+ =
Il Miss Deane justified her boast
"a clio was an excellent sailor.
S#lS smi,ed delightedly at the shlps
SSiN coon when he caught her eye thro
lla fine many gaps in the tables DIG
|# alone, so he Joined her.
#1 "You are n credit to the coInpa
M4 uuite a sea kings daughter, ne %
II "Doctor, do you talk to all your
ID messengers in that wayT
. "Alos. no! Too often l can OBI