The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-07
HE
SLAVE SQUADRON
A THRILLING TALE OF ADVENTURE
BY HARRY COLLINGwOOD
CHAPTER I-Continued.

regimental band was to play that az
ternoon on southsea Common, and thith-
er / accordingly decided to direct my
steps. There were a good many people
about the streets, and | had not gone
very far before made the discovery that
everybody was in high good-humor about
something or other. The people | met
wore, almost without exception, genial,
smiling countenances and many a peal Of
hearty laughter rang out from hilarious
groups who had already passed me / felt
anxious TO know what IL was that thus
set all Portsmouth laughing, and glanced
round TO see IL could discover an ac-
quaintaace of whom might inquire: but,
as usual In such cases, was unsuccessful
When ] reached the Common I found,
as expected I should, a large and fash
ionably dresseed crowd with good
eprinkling Of naval and military uni
forms, listening to the strains OF the
band. Here, for the first Ave minutes or
so failed TO notice anything unusual in
the behavior of the people; but the hu-
morous item of news must have reached
them almost simultaneously with my own
arrival upon the scene, for very soon
detected on the faces OF those who pa ssed
me the same amused smile ! had before
encountered In the streets. I stood well
back out OF the thick OF the crowd: both
because / could hear the music better,
and also to afford any friend of mine who
might chance TO be present an opportu-
nifty to see me In my imposing new uni
form.
II was whilst was standing thus in tho
most easy and nonchalnnt attitude
could assume that horrible discovery
forced itself upon me. / happened to be
regarding with a certain amount OF Lam
guild interest couple OF prornenaders,
consisting OF a very lovely girl and a
somewhat foppish ensign. when sudden
ly caught the eye OF the latter fixed up
on me. He raised his eye-glass to his eye.
and. in the coldest manner In the world,
deliberately surveyed me through t..
when, in an instant, a broad smile OF
amusement-the smile which I by this
time knew so well-overspread his other
wise inanimate features.
glanced hurriedly behind me to see II
could discover the cause OF his risibility.
and. failing TO do 80. turned round again.
just in time TO see him, with his eye glass
etll bearing straight In my direction.
bend his head and speak few words 10
his fair companion. Thereupon she. too.
glanced In my direction, looked steadfast-
ly al me for moment, and then burst In
10 an uncomfortable ft OF laughter which
che vainly strove TO stihe I'm her pocket
handkerchief For second or two was
utterly lost In astonishment at this un.
accountable behavior, and then all the
hideous truth thrust itself upon me. They
were laughing at me. Having at length
fully realized this I turned haughtily
away and at once left the ground.
hurried homeward In a most unenvia-
BILE state OF mind. with the conviction
every moment forcing itself more OBJ
trusively upon me. that for some incon-
ceivable reason was tho laughing stock
of everybody met, when. Just as turn
ed once more into the High street OBJ
served two midshipmen approaching on
my own side OF the way, and some half
n dozen yards or so behind them oer-
tain Miss Smith. n parlor boarder IN the
ladies' seminary opposite my fathers
house-a damsel not more than SIX or
seven years my senior. with whom was
slightly acquainted. and for whom had
long cherished n secret but ardent pas
sion.
With that sensltiveness that r. 80
promptly evoked by even the bare suspi-
cion OF ridicule I furtively watched the
two young gentlemen" as they approach
ed: but they had been talking and laugh
ing loudly when I first caught sight of
them, and although saw that they were