Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-06-02

Hitherto the bury skipper of the An
droneda had made 1t so clearly under
stood that none of the ships company
save himself was TO enjoy the sociei y
Of Miss Iris Yorke that she had eX-
changed very few words with the one
man whose manners and education oh.
viously entitled him TO meet her on al
equal plane. Even at meals he was
often absent. so Coke's completeness
came now quite Unexpectedly, but lrt-
was learning TO school her tongue.
Thank YOU very much" she safe
"When shall see BIN"
ooh. you needn't bother. I'll tel
i'm meSelf"
She was somewhat disappointed at
this Hozicr would be free for an hour
before he turned in, and they nigh;
have enjoyed n Eice chat while J..
smoked Oh the poop. In her hear, &,
hearts she was beginning to aCknoVi
edge that a voyage through Simmer
seas ON Il cargo vessel. with no otEp.
society than that Of uninlaginatiyo
sailOrmcn. Savored OF tediuD, indeed
almost Of deadly monotony. Her rare
meetings with HoZicr uarked bright
spots in dull round Of hours During
their small Intercourse she had discov.
cred that he was well Informed They
had hit upon few kindred tastes In
books and music. They even diifcrC J
sharply in their appreciation Of favor
lite authors. And what could be more
conducive TO complete understanding
than the attack and defense OF the
shrine of some tin god OF lteraturet
While. therefore, it was strange that
Captain Coke should actually propos"
visit to the bridge ut an unusual
time-at time. toe. when llD".@g
would be on duty~-it struck her rs far
more curious that he should endeayor
to prevent an earlier meeting.
II shall be delighted to come ut any
time. have often read about the
Southern Cross. yet three short weeks
ago little Thought
You RELY didn't think about it at
ALL" broke in Coke. IF you al you'G
ave known you couldn't cross the line
without sccin' it,
Here WAS another nrrTlexing Gle
mcnt in the skipper's conduct. That
Iris >wGs a stowa way was forgotten
She was treated with the attention.
and ceremony due TO the owners
niece. Cole never lost IN opportunity
Of dining INFO the ears f Watts or
Hozier or the steward or any Nom
+ hn- Of M ilt-ts ~ s
that Miss Yorke's presence in then
midst was preOrdaiUed circumstance
thing fully discussed AID agreed or
as between her uncle and himself, but
carried out in an irregular manner
owing to some riTlish freak On her
1 part. The portmanteau. with is
change OF raiment, brought convincing
testimony. and Iris own words when
discovered In the laaaratte supplied
further proof. II that were neeceG.
! A keen. invigorating breeze swept
the last mirage Of sleep from the girls
| brain as she fitted silently along the
deck. A wondrous galaxy OF stars
blazcd in the heavens. In that pellucid
air the sky was a vivid ultra marine
The ships track was marked by a
trail Of phosphorescent Gre. Each rev.
olution Of the propeller drew from the
ocean treasure house opulent globes of
golden light that danced and sparhled
in the tumbling waters. 1t was a
night that pusated With she romance
and abandon of the south. q night
when the heart might throb with un-
utterabe longings and the blood tingle
IN the veins under the stress Of an
emotion at once passionate and mystic
Iris. sprrred on by no stronger i'm
pulse than that of the siChtSeer though
not wholly unaware of an element of
adventurous shyucss in hcc exrccta
ton of n tete-a-tete with good look
ing young man of her own status
climbed to the bridge so speedily and
noiseleSsly that IIozier did not know
of her presence until he heard her dis
mayed cry:
as that the Southern Crosse
He turned quickly
"You. Miss forke?" ne exclaimed
and not even her wonder At the ilsig
- al 4 ~