Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-05-10
CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXI.
On board the Vermont there we're
twelve distinct and conflicting &C.
counts OF the "hurrah" at Allvills
given to the ships company; but
Dick. from whom most was expected.
had nothing to say nor would he ex-
press any interest in Kerrigan's re-
port. reluctantly given. that Devlin
and himself had been unable to catch
the long-legged Ned Brown. He was
changed young man. and In very
bad way. Not even the proud ap-
proval and warm congratulations OF
Bronson could lift him from the
mood that had engulfed him. He de-
spised himself He had seen glimpses
OF life In which he could take no
part. He was mentally benumbed,
and Bessie's angry letter. with its
news of his aunts and uncle's death,
affected him much less than 1t could
have before his trip. Nor did Mr..
Breen's later attitude help him.
There had been no summons to the
mast. but the ensign had sent for
Dick, and with constrained manner
and averted eyes told him that. hav-
ing learned OF certain events OF his
school-days. connected with his re-
cent conduct. he had decided to make
no report to the executive officer.
It was right. he said. that Dick
should know to whom he was indebt-
cd. He could thank Miss Arthur.
And Dick had sullenly thanked the
officer, and had gone forward. trying
to hate Mabel. But 1t was impossi-
BILE, in spite OF what seemed to him
to be the nature OF her intercession
even though she must have told OF
his disgrace at school. For what
else would have so turned Mr. Breen
against him?
Gradually. however, Dick came
back to something like his old genial
self. yet could not. by the time he
lined up on the Cob-dock with dashed
bag and hammock one of draft
for the New York. look on MIR.
Breen without silent malediction.
Strong TO his resolve to quit the
navy when his time expired, he. with
others of the draft. had entered early
protest against being sent TO for
eign station. This protest, usually
considered, was ignored. possibly
from an inward knowledge among
the officers that the New York might
remain on the coast; but this reason
was not given to the men, and there
was bitter talk Of desertion before
the ship sailed. Dick, laying this ad-
ditional grievance at the door Of Mr..
Breen, who had promised to have
him selected from goodwill. and had
now done it from ill-will, seriously
thought Of 1t himself
A few happenings strengthened
his half-formed resolution. The New
York, twO-masted, three-funnelled
armored cruiser. was taking in the
coal discharged before docking. AS
dred tons, it was long, distasteful
!o0 for the men. and nothing else be-
ing required of them until the car
penters, calkers, and machinists had
finished repairs. the offwatch was al
lowed daily liberty. Fate and Dick Q
captain of division had decreed that
he should take his place one morning
in the lighter alongside to shovel
coal into canvas bags. and hook on
the davit whip by which they were
hoisted up to the shutes. 1t was q
dirty and dusty job, and, along near
noon and knocking-off time, just
when ne was as dirty, dusty, and
black as ne could be. he looked up
from a filled bag to see Mabel Arthur
gazing down on him from the after
part of the superstructure deck. Be-
side her was Mr.. Breen. pointing at
him. and farther along we're her
father and brother inspecting q
searchlight There was little reason
to suppose that they could know one
griny shoveller from another at that
distance, or that Mabel would have
recognized her own brother 20 dis
guised. but Dick looked downward
with checks burning under the dirt
his humiliation to the full. He SHOW
elled energetically for q while. and
when forced to stratghten his aching
back, he looked not aft, but forward
and there she was staring down on
him from the forward bridge. while
Mr. Breen. amidship. was pointing W
at the nghung.sops. seemingly ex-
planning thingsSto Mr.. Arthur and
George. Dick hung his head again
and worked, perspirtng. He had little
false pride. and coaling ship was q
necessary evil. but he should have
liked to be cleaner when she looked
at him--not laboring like long
shorsman at the most unsailorly
work In the navy. Having climbed
into 4 port to avoid meeting her. he
met her again on the lower deck
forward OF the engine room skylight
whore the visitors and Mr.. BrSsr
were picking their way aft over seat