Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-06

but shook his head. .' / am AFRAID he was
beginning when Frere broke in:
The fact is, Captain, | met her IN London.
Her initials the mine. and by some
bunder her travelling bag was put aboard here
with my baggage, and ! should ike to return
it to her"
That certainly alters the case some what,
Mr.. Frere; yet there is no danger, YOU know,
and one of the hands could deliver the bag Just
as wcll-eh9"
a. But the lady expects me, You see | tele
graphed before breakfast that | was coming,
and I'd hate to disappont her, You know"
Its rather an unusual proceeding, Mr..
Frere," replied the Captain after n moments
thought; but if we do send boat You may
go along"
Frere saluted and left the bridge darted to
his cabin, and secured the precious satchel so
to be in readiness.
When he emerged on deck again the two
steamers were less than mile apart, and soon
the Strathcona rounded gracefully under the
stern of the disa bled Manitoba, bringing up
about two ships lengths away. For the last
few minutes signal flags had been tluttering
frc-n the gaff ends of both vessels the Manitoba
displaying j.. b. T." (Scnd a boat. Barely
had the rescuing ship come to stand than the
boatswains whistle sounded, and one of the
quarter boats was quickly swung cupboard,
crew OF four seamen sprang into her, she was
lowered from the davits and the second officer
stood at the port gangway ready to descend the
accommodation ladder.
Now's your time, Mr.. Frerel' sang ont
Captain Barstow. Good luck to you"
And with wave of the hand Barney fol-
lowed the officer over the side.
THERE was a rush of heads to the rail OF the
Manitoba as the boat drew near, and Frere
quickly singled out the woman'S face for which
he was looking, raising his cap in greeting. a
tiny wisp of handkerchief f1uttered in response.
He climbed the side, bag in hand, and i'll
few moments once more stood before the girl,
whose smile of welcoming approval he valued
more than an ything else that life could give
This is wonderful surprise, Mr.. Frere,
she said by way of greeting giving him hand
a flush OF g!adness on her checks and Il dancing
light in her eyes You seem to have a most
fortunate habit of appearing in the nick OF
time. And there's my bag too, Aunty and |
have been wondering whether | should ever
it again. You must let take you to my
aunt and leading the way she stepped aft,
hating before woman in a steamer chair
"Aunty, this is Mr. Frere, who kind
to us in London. MIR. Frcre, my aunt, Mrs.
Needham. Now know each other prop
erly," she concluded lalghingly.
The aunt was beginning some VOlublc reply,
when at Frere's elbow there appeared the sec
ond officer of the Strathcona.
Boats going back, Mr., Frere.' he said
warningly.
Barney hesitated for 4 moment. h;.i he
voiced his thoughts he would have answered,
To the dickens with the boat" But q
moments reflection told him that he must not
remain board the Manitoba, if only for
Miss Felton's sake. Already the other passcn
gers were showing curiosity anent this uncom-
mon deep sea incident. So making his aGieu
to Mrs. Needham, he turned to go forward
again, the girl accompanying him few steps
of the way When out of earshOt in the gang
way he stopped short, and said hurriedly:
Nothing but necessity could induce me to
leave YOU like this! must you again, Miss
Felton, When and where shall it be! 1t
means everything to mel
The girls lashes dropped under his ardent
gaze; but only for moment. Raising her eyes
to meet his, she looked at him searchingly, a
half smile twitchng the corners of her mouth
Then she said, We going to New York.