Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-04-25
BY ROBERT BARR,
Hufbor Of

if here were one who had stepped out
of an English romance. Her tall,
proudly held figure made the stoutish
captain seem shorter than he actually
was. The natural haughtiness of those
classic features was somewhat modi-
fed by a pro TEN smile. Captain
Kempt looked back over his shoulder
and said in a low voice:
Now, young ladies, best foot for
ward. The Du Maurier woman is to
receive the Gibson girls
81 know shall laugh, and fear
shall giggle,v said katherine, but she
encountered a glance from her elder
sister quite as naughty as any Lady
Angela might have bestowed, and all
thought of merriment fed for the mo-
ment. Thus the ordeal passed conven-
tionally without Katherine either laugh
ing or giggling.
Sabina and her young man faded
away into the crowd. Captain Kempt
was nodding to this one and that of
his numerous acquaintance, and
katherine felt Dorothy shrink a little
closer to her as tall, unknown young
man deftly threaded his way among
the people, making directly for the
captain, whom he seized by the hand
in a grasp of the most cordial friend
ship.
Captain Kempt, I am delighted to
meet you again. My name is Drum
mond-L Lieutenant Drummond-
had the pleasure of being introduced
to you at that dinner week or two
ago.
"The pleasure was mine, sir; the
pleasure was mine,'' exclaimed the cap
tain, with a cordiality equal to that
with which he had been greeted. He
had not at first the least recollection
Of the young man, but the captain was
something of an amateur politician and
possessed all politicians expertness
In facing the unknown and making the
most of any situation in which he
found himself.
"Oh, yes, lieutenant, I remember
very well that excellent song you
.'Isn't it a perfect night?' gasped the
lieutenant Il think we are to be coz
graduated on our weather"
He still chung to the captains hand
and shook it again so warmly that the
captain said to himself:
81 must have made an impression on
this young fellow" then aloud he re-
piled jauntily:
ooh, we always have good weather
this Tina of year. You see, the United
States government runs the weather.
Didn't you know that? Yes, our wealth
er bureau is considered the best in the
world"
The lieutenant laughed heartily, al
though a hollow note interviewed, for
the young man had got to the end of
his conversation, realized he could not
shake hands for a third time, yet did
not know what more to say. The
suavity of the politician came to his
rescue in just the form the lieutenant
had hoped.
Lieutenant Drummond, allow me to
Introduce my wife to you"
The lady bowed.
"And my daughter, Katherine, and
Miss Amhurst, friend of ours-Lieu-
tenant Drummond of the Consterna-
ton"
81 wonder" said the lieutenant, as
if the thought had just occurred to
him, 'if the young ladies would like
to go to a point where they can have
comprehensive view Of the decora-
tons. II may not be the best guide,
but I am rather well acquainted with
the ship, you know"
Don't ask me- said Captain Kempt
"Ask the girls. Everything I've had
and if 1 didn't get it the first time I
asked again."
"Of course we want to see the deco
rations," cried Katherine, with enthu
siasm, and so bowling to the captain
and Mrs. Kempt, the lieutenant led the
young women down the deck until he
came to an elevated spot out of the
way of all possible promenaders, on
which had been placed in somewhat
secluded position, yet commanding a
splendid view of the throng, a settee
with just room for two that had been
taken from some ones cabin. A blue
jacket stood guard over it, but at
nod from the lieutenant he disappear
ed.
"Hellov cried Katherine. Reserved
seats, Ell? How different from thea
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