Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-01
How the Code Was Saved
BY Jefferson Dole

visions upon a Sunday morning OF
the deck OF a large man Of war. Is
sight once seen never to be for
gotten.
Such a scene as this was being en-
acted one lovely spring morning on
board II. ID. s. Tremendous, lying in
Malta harbor. Its captain, Philip St.
Aubyn by name, had given permission
to one of his officers to invite some
visitors to church, and at 10 O'Clock
the pinnace had been sent on shore
to bring them aboard.
These, who consisted OF An ex-
tremely beautiful and daintily dressed
girl and a tall, well built man--evi.
IDENTIFY brother and sister-professed
themselves charmed and interested
with the novelty of the scene around
them.
The captain was tall, powerfully
built man, young looking for SO i'm
portant commant. with stern, sun
tanned face, clean shaver, good feat
ures. and hard. firm mouth. For
the rest. closely cropped hair and
deep set gray eyes must suffice.
After divine service was over the
guests were. according to custom,
shown .ound the ship, cabins and
messrooms being visited in turn.
They were presented to st. Aubyn
as Count and Countess Zullenoff. and
he, much struck by the girls excep-
tional beauty and charming manners.
invited them into that holy of holes
his cabin, where ordinary visitors
were not allowed.
The countess was, indeed, a young
woman to whom any man might be
forgiven for losing his heart. The pos
SCISSOR of a lovely. smiling face. pink,
dimpled chin, saucy little nose, for
get-me-not blue eyes, shaded with
long dark lashes, and a sweet, re-
bellious mouth, her sunny hair clus-
tered round the well shaped head in
the most fascinating little ours
imaginable, some of which peeped
coquettishIy from under her big white
hat. she had, moreover, a bright
vivacious manner, and chartered away
to the captain in her pretty broken
English.
ut is easy to see thai you are a
married man, Captain st. Aubyn!"
the girl laughingly remarked, as she
gazed admiringly at the tasteful dec
orations of the spacious cabin. There
Is quite feminine touch about ey-
erything."
The rest of the party were / -
distance off, so no one could hear
their conversation. st. Aubyn's
grave face relaxed into a smile.
Indeed, you have made mistake,
he replied, in amused tones.
Then you are-how you say?-be-
Tothed, engaged?" she insisted, nod
ding her golden head.
ST. Aubyn gave an evasive reply.
Somehow he felt he did not wish this
beautiful foreigner to know about
his pretty fancee in England.
How | would love to be a sailors
wife!" cried has companion, with girl
ish enthusiasm. so delightful to
go to sea with ones husband"
20, but wives don't do thAt!" put in
the captain hastily, adding to him
self in an undertoHe. "Eeaven for
bid!"
mo? What do they do. theE?"
asked the girl, raising her pretty eye
brows in surprise
They stop on shore, and-and wait
until the ship returns, he replied,
lamely.
4 should not ljxe that; it would
be so dull" she said. routing. Il am
so interested in ships. have been
on board many in my own country,
but they are not SC hue as this beau
tiful Tremendous" She added, sInii
ing.
st. Aubyn acknowledged the com
pliment with becoming modesty.
Yes, like to learn everything
about them" she continued brightly
Il read In the papers all the NaFai
Intelligence What a fuss they are
making about those missing signal
books! | hope you are more careful
here than On board that other ship,
Captain st. Auoyn?"
20. yes; our signal books are not
likely to be stolen!" said St. Aubyn.
smiling.
Yes; think you look careful
man." she remarked. glancing up at
him coquettishly. Now, / dare say
the little key you wear upon that
bangle round your wrist locks up
some important papers. Is It not
so?"
st. Aubyn started and looked down
at his cuff involuntarily. where, 20 his
dismay, he saw that the curb chain
he wore had, so to speak, slipped its
moorings and was plainly visible to
curious eyes.
20. that is the key of the meat
safe!" he replied grayely.
"Ah, now you are laughing at mel
1t is too bad, the way you sailors
treat us poor womeni" she pouted.
Il thought we were going TO be such
friends and you will not let me into
one little secret event"
L do not possess any!" laughed
ST. .subyn, III had. you may be
sure / would confide in you" he
added raliantIv