The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-11-01

Gull toSt' 49,
game was exciting and the players
abundant. Wages high, gold plentiful,
life careless. Adventure was IN the
very air. The ~easy-gOing toWnspeOp.e
were lost in the babel Of the foreign
invasion; and even the indOlent sponge
divers were caunght in the current Ct
skeaseless activity. and converted into
I swarln Of brawny, busy stevedores.
The city was az open port Of the
Confederacy. The flag above the GUS
tenn house was British; but the bUsl-
ness Was confederate. 1t was a great
mart for eycbange-a busy clearing
house for trade.
Nassau bacon fed the Confederate
army; Nassau rifles armed it; while
Nassau cotton supplied the English
mills. A busy town, the wonder or
h commercial world.
Ships lay at the quays in countless
numbers: others ire.tel At anchOr N
the bay for a turn to disclarge-all
with t5aiy crews in the dusty streets.
The IsaDels load was completed. TO
night she would be off. Officers and
men were taxing a last round through
the ga streets.
"A trolic ahe&2; but you'll max i
all ris,.t," aluSod an old tar, filling his
pipe. "Authracite Goa and a cool mead.
and WILMINGTON as sue ae sunrise
Who's your pilot? JACK Graham? Bull
ly for you
The chief officer stood on a CGrner
uptown chattinE WiJh some friends
A bareheaded cle.k approached. Elk
,cuse ne, sir, bUt a lady wishes 20 sEelk
to you" Tie officer hurriedly followed
him to the store.
Miss RiGgaway, l am glad to see
o How have You been? | know quite
well, from yOur present appearance.
Yes, quite we'll, thank you. And
k,Never healthier-never in better
lrits. | have made the trip tWentty
times; six within the past four months
~ in the Isabel. We leave with her
tonight
'Tonight! Is it possible! Tnac is
my reason fOr sending for You. Parton
me for DOING 80. I'll be brief, and
then you may return. | have btea
hoping to see Ou, or some one else
| knew. I am tired Of this place; | am
-hemesick. Father is i'll in Wilmington.
and | must go on the Isabel. Are there
to be any passengers-any ladies?'
mo passengers, except the captains
wife. The owners want no passengers
carried and | am afraid you cannot
go"
Il must go. Can't O assist
me?"
Il would # / could" he said earnest
ly; fut L fear nothing a be done
~ shclton-pardon me for REFER
Nfng 70 it-but does that unpleasant cpl
sode MAKE you in any way unwilli lg TO
assist me? | have always regretted that
THAT to NE there seemed occasion for
il"
He gave her an honest look and saII
frankly, 4 harbor no unpleasant ra-
membrance. 1t was all right. l would
help you if | could"
She looked ava silent and pensiye
IS a more earnest appeal
than any words tht she might nave
uttered.
He said nothing, he was u following
his duty.
Presently her manner changed to one
of self confidence and reserve. He was
familiar with it. 1t heightened he
beauty OF her delicate features.
M Shelton" she said, Il am going
tonight. What time do YOU leave:'
A $3.50 Miss Ridgeway."
Il shall be there before dark. Good
bye"
Il certainly wish you success. Good
3 afternoon"
Y The chief officer rejoined his friends.
She is a handsome girl one Of them
remarked. But she holds to her chcs-
en- set as closely as a princess to heI
regal circle. What now, Shelton? Are
you among the select?"
No. l can truly say. She speaks OF
runhNfg the blockade back to Whining
tons
"When?"
She usually keeps her own coun-
sell"
At the appointed hour the Isabel PIE
pared to depart. A quiet drawing OF
the ropes-and she slowly slipped from
her mornings. No departing blast OF the
whistle; no cheer Of adieu; only a noise
less drifting out into the bay. Lantern
in hand, the captain together With his
chief officer, surveyed the ship. Cargo
we'll stored, NO lurking danger, no
stowaways. In q hidden corner OF the
cabin, however, sat a young womar--
q rather surprising discovery. 1t was
Miss Ridgeway, b~eanling in h con
,sciousness of an easy triumph.
o~How row., madam; what does this
rnean." exclaimed the captain.
TT means sir that an a pa5sen-
ger on the Isabel bound for Whining
ton"