The Brandon news., 1907-03-28
eNSNs -TF1F- 5000
~|"second's"L .'.! love Affair;;;~;~!
s~s~2i~;s~sss By Bernard Masters ss~ss~s~ss~s
goyagaoaoo~ooaeeS


were two days out of port with a
look of suppressed excitement on his
face.
Il say, Ned" he began. "have you
seen that pretty girl the skipper has
under his charge? She's a regular
sumner. Fair hair, sky blue eyes,
pearly teeth and a complexion
stopped him there. Dick simply
couldn't help falling in love with
every pretty woman he saw.
Dick was second officer of the AL
lahbad, and was the first. He was
tall, slim and good-looking, and, to
own the truth, the girls were as bad
over him as he was over them.
We were bound for Australia, and
during the first few days of the voy-
age | noticed, and, in fact, I wonder
everybody didn't notice, the open
manner those two young beggars
fiirted at every opportunity. The
skipper noticed it, I know; but he
didn't care, for he had a beautiful
way of relieving himself Of all re-
sponsibility. He would come to me
and say: Nov, Mr.. Grey, place this
matter in your hands. You must see
1t is done correctly. I leave it en-
tirely to your care
Then, If anyone bothered him about
1t, he would simply observe:
oh! you must see my first officer
He has the matter in hand. I have
nothing to do with it," and, in conse-
quence, had some lively times.
We were about half way through
Suez when one morning the skipper
came to me as was taking my watch
on the bridge.
i wish to place the young lady,
Miss Desmond, under your CHARGE
he began, "and, as I have other
things to attend to, I wish you to
look after her until we arrive at Mel
bourne, when she will be met by her
future husband, Mr.. Goldwin. I no.
tice young Ransome, the second,
spends much of his spare time with
her. Please see to it, Mr.. Grey. I
leave the affair entirely in your
hands,"
Then, after asking one or two
questions about the business of the
ship, he left me.
AS soon as my watch was over I
determined to seek out both Dick
and Miss Desmond (Alice her name
was), and tell them straight the way
that they were going on would have
to be stopped.
1t was fast growing dusk when I
left the bridge. and just as passed
a shaded corner of the deck-house
heard voices. I didn't mean to stop
and listen, but recognized Dick S
voice and turned to speak to him.
There they both sat, with their arms
around each others necks. like any
boy and girl, and kissing each other.
1T is almost too good to be true,
darling" Dick was saying. We'll
be married when we get to Mel
bourne. You do love me. don't you,
dear?"
The girl gave very satisfactory
answer from Dicks point of view,
ana stepped forward.
"And what about Mr.. Goldwin?" I
exclaimed. Aren't you both
ashamed of yourselves?"
They both started up and ejacu-
lated: Hang Mr.. Goldwin!" At least
Dick did, and the girl thought it if
she didn't say it.
Now, look here" I continued;
"tbis sort Of thing will have to stop,
or will have you, Dick, clapped in
irons The girl gave a startled cry
of fear at this, and, believe, put her
arm around Dick; but the light was
bad. I continued, grim1y: "And I
shall have you, miss, copfined to your
cabin
Look here" began Dick.
"The skipper" I added has placed
this matter entirely in my hands, as
per usual, and I have to take what
steps I like. You are now in my
charge, Miss Desmond" and looked
grim and savage The next moment
they both jumped at me.
Good, old Ned" cried Dick, in
SsSAA SoAAeAA " VAA0pCAs INV VIC Sudll UG
all right
"Oh, you dear Mr.. First" ex-
claimed the girl, nearly hugging me.
"You will help us, won't your"
intimated to them both that I
certainly should not help them to
make fools of themselves; and tried
to be very severe, and said many
nasty things Of love and lovers in
general for which, I regret to say,
they didn't seem to care bit.
We were a day out of Alden when
! went below and found Dick sitting
in our cabin with his hands thrust
deep into his pockets, and looking as
pleased as if he had lost sovereign
and found a coop. check instead.
What's up?" / asked. ssYou do
look pleased.
Pleased" he exclaimed, savagely;
i am pleased. Haven't / q perfect
right and just cause to be pleasedp
Am | not engaged to the best and
sweetest girl in the world? And
and-oh, hang it, Ned you might
help fellow