Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1908-07-31

@clasped in His WIfe's Arms"
shook hands with him and the boat
pulled away to the Bellona, a hand
some 32-gun frigate fresh from the
shiryards and ready for her maiden
cruise, which lay near by. '-'7'
. Darlington was received there with
some ceremony. His arrival had been
expected. Parkman, who had been
transferred from the Renown, met him
at the gangway ana the two shook
hands fervently
Il am ordered to this shir, Jack, a.
first lieutenant" said Darlington,
gloomily, as they turned and walked
aft Here are my papers. AS you
will see, | am directed to assume
charge, the captain not being aboard,
and take the ship around to Wey.
mouth, where he will join u.s."
And the court-martial? asked
Perkman.
1.-THE king hath pardoned me-"
"And your wife,"
God only knows!" said Darlington,
desperately. All / know is that she
is well and under the kings especial
protection We are bound for the East
Indies for three years. Three years
away from her! God, what fool I've
been. Strathgate was right" Car.
rington turned away, putting strong
constraint upon himself in order to
compose his features. Well" he said
at last, ARE you all ready?"
Ready to trip" returned ParKman.
Call all hands. I'll read them my
orders and then we'll get up anchor"
In moment the shill piping of the
boatswain and his mates along the
deck was followed by the trampling of
many feet. The crew, a splendid set
of fellows, assembled in the gangways.
Darlington read his orders to them,
directed the commanding officers pen.
nant to be hoisted and babe Parkman,
who for the present acted as first lieu.
tenant. to get under way.
AS the Bellona drew abreast the
liner a bsrly figure suddenly appeared
on the edge of the high poop of the
Britannia. Recognizing the admiral,
Darlington, who had stood aft on the
quarterback Of his frigate, barred his
head and saluted. The admiral re-
turned the compliment with his own
chapeau, then he turned and waved II
forward. Instantly the rails of the
Britannia swarmed with men, anG
from their threats at another signal
from the admiral came such a burst OF
cheering as warmed the very cookies
Of the melancholy Carrington's heart
And with this cheerful sea compliment
and these words Of good will the
frigate shot ahead and presently clap.
ping on more canvas bore swiftly
down the river.
Darlington stared long and desper
ately back toward the shores, fast
dropping behind him, on which some
where his wifes foot rested. What
was she doingi Where was she liv
inyi What was she thinking Of him!
He knew nothing save that in some
manner she was under the especial
protection Of the king; that was assur.
ance enough that she was well cared
for, for no man questioned the hon
esty, sincerity OF kindness of George
the Third. II would be three years
before he would see her again. The
thought was maddening to him. He
did not even know where to write to
her. He was not at all sure that the
king would cause his letter to be de.
livered to her. He came to a desper.
ate resolution. He would write hei
another letter and send it from Wey'
mouth by special messenger to the
king and beg him to see that 1t was
delivered.
II was not until late in the after.
noon, when the Bellona was fairly in
the channel beating down toward her
destination, that Darlington went be-
low. As there was no captain yet on
the ship the quarters of that function
airy BY right belonged to him. He
entered them without ceremony. The
cabin on the new ship looked bright
and CHEEKY. Its equipments we're rude
Of course, as were those of all ships
in those days, but they were better
than those In ordinary vessels, the
Bellona being the newest and most ad
vanced product Of theshipyards.
To sailor Of that day it was both q
spacious and delightful sea home. To
Darlington 1t was only a prison. He
did not attempt to enter the state
rooms on either side, but sat down al
the table. buried his face in his hands
and groaned aloud. It was the first
moment Of privacy that he had en-
joyed. 1t was the first opportunity AZ
forded him to give way to his feel