The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-10-25

of good looks-a charm of manner II
distinction, a captivating gallantry
that made him everywhere Il favorite.
But, you see, Jack isn't a marrying
man." his friends explained.
He was in command of the InfleXible
battleship, one of the Australian squad
ron, when she developed some defects
in her hydraulic turning a and was
ordered home to England by Admiral
Lord George Howard for overhaul.
The captains heart beat a little faster
as he realized his course would take
him south of the Societies. He spread
out the chart and sighed as he laid his
finger on Borabora. He shut his eyes
and saw the baSaltic cliffs, the white
and foaming reefs, the green, still for
ests of that u~nforgotten island. He
was a boy once more, with flowers in
his hair, wandering beneath the palms
with Tehea. How often had he
thought of her during all these years,
the years that had left him gray and
old, the years that had carried him
unscathed through so many dangers in
every quarter of the world. For him
she was still in her adorable girlhood,
untouched by time, a radiant princess
in her radiant isle, waiting by the
shore for his return. 1t shocked him to
remember that she was not far short
of sixty-a fat DC woman perhaps
married to some strapping chief and
more than likely with grown children
Of her own. How incredible it seemed!
But a word. and he might and and
see her. But a word, and the questions
of forty years might yet be answered.
Answered, yes, to shatter as like as
not, with pitiless realities, the tender
Pigment of a dream. No, he said, he
dared not expose himself to a possible
disillusion. to play into the hands of
sardonic nature, ever mocking at man
No, but he would carry his ship close
in shore and watch from the bridge the
unfolding bays and tiny settlements of
that lost paradise, and then, dipping
his flag to his vanished youth, he
would sink Owe the horizon, his mem
DRY thrilled and his sentiment unim-
paired. to set his ace for England.
Dawn was breaking as he slowed
down to leeward Of the island and
watched the shadows melt away 1t
was Sunday. a day of heavenly calm,
fresh yet MINDLESS, with a sea so
smooth that the barrier reefs for once
were silent, and one could hear, from
across the hushed and shining water,
the COO of pigeons In the forest. I'm
der bare steerage way. with the leads
man droning In the forechains. the
ship Rugged the shore and steamed at
a snairs pace round the island. On
the lofty bridge. high above the Won
dering faces of his command, the
white haired captain. impassive, SUI
preme and solitary, ave no sign of
those inner emotions that were de
vouring him. Along the shore the
sight OF the battleship brought out
here and there a startled figure or a
group. couple OF laughing girls.
astride ON ponies. raced the Infiexfhle
for a mile. and then. their road end
Ing in a precipice. threw kisses with
their saucy hands, Little children ran
out into the lagoon. shouting with joy:
old men, In Sunday clothes and with
black Bibles nder their arms. turned
their solemn eyes TO seaward and for
got for N moment the roa 10 church
"A white man. In striped paJamas. was
surprised ct morning co1ee on the We