Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-10-15

q
We Fell In With a Spanish Ship OF
War.
calde was an officer and gentleman.
There was no war between our Eng
lish king and the Spanish monarch
then, and he treated us courteously.
gave us food and raiment, assigned
spare cabin to my mistress and
berthed me aft with the officers. He
was bound for Valparaiso. which in
due course, without mishap. we reach
ed There we took ship for the Portu-
! guese possessions on the other shore
4 of the continent and thence we got
/ ship from Rio de Janeiro to lisbon,
| and so at last we came to England
! and 10 Plymouth harbor. whence we
had set forth nearly a year ago.
/ paid the captain of the Spanish
frigate which had picked us up with
an emerald OF great price. which he
was loath to accept. but which we
pressed upon him. We had little diff
/ ficulty, through his kind offices. in sell
/ ing another stone or two for ready
money at Valparaiso. so we expert
enccd no difficulties which could be
/ avoided by the expenditure of money
upon the way.
took my mistress to the house Of
the devoted Master Ficklin. who, with
that kindly woman. his sister. greeted
| as as if we had risen from the dead,
and, greatly rejoicing in my lady's good
fortune. gave us the warmest of wei
comes There | had what ! expected
would be my last interview with her.
We had been thrown constantly to-
gether during the six months that had
elapsed between our great adventures
upon the Island of the Stairs and our
arrival in England. We had discussed
everything else. think, but had said
uaught of my love-. Indeed, each
league OF sea over which we passed
on our way homeward seemed to re-
move her farther from me.
We were alone Good Mistress Flick
lin had given us her parlor for the aft
ernoon. | took from my pockets the
canvas pouches filed with her treas
ure and laid them on the table.
These, Mistress WiIberforee," said
J. L.
was beating rapidly, "are yours"
She waved her hand as if they were
{ Of small moment.
I'VE have discussed that before" she
I said what Of yoursef?"
. Last night" replied. Il went down
on the docks. A company's ship sails
for India next week. They want a
r chief m~te and II my references serve
. they will engage me-"
"And you have these refeTences7"
81 thought, madam, that your friends
in the city might give them to me
: when they know"
But | have no friends in the city,
she said.
These" said I. pointing to the table
will buy them for you"
y And so,' she said. without looking
at me, and so it is goodby, then. May
9 you be happy"
> She extended her hand to me, and !
; caught it. / kissed it passionately, but
when | made to let 1t go she would
4 not
Master Hampton" she said, looking
at me, her eyes brighter than the dia
monds and bluer than the sapphire
/ upon the table, you are a fool"
Right well do l know that, mis-
tress," said !, striving to fetch a smiI,
p to match her own.
And blind man as well"
l. whereat / was a blind man indeed
Y for my eyes misted up, but not witt
q the blood as in the battle And !, a
strong and tough as a mountain oak
was as like to faint as any lovesicl
II girl
D. John, John" came the sweetes
= voice in the world TO me through tn
l darkness. don't you see? Don't 20
re know that ! love you and you only
e that you have all my life. and that m
life. which is yours a thousand time
u on sea and shore. is not worth Twin
V without you:"
~ But your friends, your world"
- protested as she came nearer
Il have no other friends. want Z
"a other. and you are my world
. Well, IL is not IN me TO resist aft
"A that. and for the third tine in my Ill
held her In my arms. where sin,
III thst hour she has often been agsi
y and for the third time 7 drank Il
"a sweetness OF her lips
,x DO yos remember that night on Il
"A Rose Of Devon when first you kiss
so met she asked. laughing.
If should kiss you a million time
10 sweetheart. as | mean 20 do" / a
- swered boldly. II should not forget