Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-03-22
CHAPTER WI.

SlIAL L
In the meantime Lieut.. Grace had re-
ceived at the hands of his father and
sister q warm welcome.
Without announcement of any descrip-
tion he made his way from the Admiralty
to Brook street and knocked at his faith
er,s door. He found the old gentleman
and Miss Helen Grace engaged in the
consumption of afternoon tea.
"Oswin ~ exclaimed the old admiral
II thought you were on the African
coast"
Helen Grace was g young lady not
much given to. exclama tory. expressions of
feeling. She rose from the low chair
she habitually occupied and kissed her
brother. Then she turned his face to-
ward the light by the collar of his coat
Have you been invalided homer" she
asked.
NO"
but the Foam is out there STILL" put
in the Admiral, eager to show his init,
mate knowledge of official matters.
YES. i came home on a derelict. A
fine, big ship without crew. All dead
of yellow fever except one. l am glad
that he was picked out by Providence to
survive"
'Why?" inquired Helen.
Because / like him."
what was he, an ofhcer?" asked the
Admiral.
Second mate, holding captains GER
,tifcate. l have asked him to dinner to-
morrow night
"Oh /" murmured Helen, doubtfully.
with his dog-the other survivor
All - said Helen in a more interested
tone. do they know how to behave
ithemselves?"
| Il think ,so-botk of them,'' was the
reply. Although We did not dress for
dinner on board the Martial
at seems to me-" observed the AID
miral, with an easy chuckle, THAT you
did not devote much time at all to the
question of toilet"
NO" replied Grace, frankly. 1--WE
were a shady crew. You see, there were
| only ten of Us to navigate a Thousand
| ton ship full rugged. We had no time
| for personal adornment. You will see
all about it in the evening paper. |
brought one with me on purpose. May /
have some tea, Helen? 1t is months since
! [ have seen such an article as bread and
! butter"
| ARAS S-l1 'lsSbSDti ~ supply HtS WduIS,
| performing her duties with a delft sure
ness of touch where maidens are not
dolls While Grace was performing won
ders among the dainties supplied to him,
his father lEead aloud the details of his
deeds upon the high seas, and Helen
| listened with faint smile of pride upon
her refined face.
And this man." she inquired, when
the paragraph had been duly digested-
1.-The man you have asked to dinner
| what is be like"
The naval officer helped himself to q
limp slice of bread and butter with grest
| thoughtfulness.
THAT is just the difficulty, my dear"
he replied. II cannot tell you what he
is like, because / don't know l do not
understand him-that is the long and
short of it. He is above me-"
Il suppose" suggested the Admiral,
who held the keener study of human
nature in some contempt, that he is
merely a rough sailor mana merchant
captain?"
No, he is hardly that. I want you,"
continued the lieutenant. after a pause
turning TO his sister, ito judge for your
self. so will not tell you what 1 think
about him
Then he is Interestingly"
Eyes, l think you will find him inter
esting"
Helen was already seeking in her mind
how things could be made easy and COM
Portable for the unpublished hero whom
her brother had so unceremoniously in
PRODUCED into the house.
Agnes Winter was coming tomorrow
to dine, but she can be put off," she OBJ
served, carelessly.
Agnes Winter-why should she be put
off? Let her come, by all means"
The little mans manner was perhaps
too Indifferent to be either natural or
polite. He was either unconsciously rude
or exaggerating an indifference he did not
feel Helen, however, continued her re-