The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-07-31

sulate in the piazza. In the night the
British Mediterranean fleet, cruising
down from Malta, had come into the
flagship had Unanswered and dropped
anchor, forming long line of gigantic
battleships, swift cruisers, torpedo
boat destroyers, torpedo-boats. dis
patch-boats, and other craft extending
for several miles along the coast. Ly-
ing still on those calm waters was a
force which one day might cause ma
tons to totter, the overwhelming
force which upheld Britain's right in
that oft-disputed sea.
| had taken a boat out to the Bull
wark, the great battleship flying the ad-
mirals flag, and was sitting on deck
with my old friend Capt. Jack Durn-
ford of the Royal Marines. Each year
when the fleet put into Leghorn we
were inseparable, for in long years
past. at Portsmouth, we had been
close friends, and now he was able
to pay me annual visits at my Italian
home.
He was on duty that morning, there
| luncheon.
III dine with you, of course, to-
night, old chap" he said. And you
must tell me all the news. We're in
here for six days. and l was half
mind to run home"
Your times soon up. isn't it?" /
remarked, as lolled back in the easy
deck-chair, and gazed away at the
white port and its background Of pur-
pie Apennines.
smart summer uniform leaned over
the bulwark, and said, with a slight
sigh, | thought: Yes. This is my
last trip to Leghorn, / think. / go
back in November, and l really shan't
be sorry. Three years is a long time
to be away from home. You go next
week, you say? Lucky devil to be
your own master! / only wish were
Year after year on this deck grows
confoundedly wearisome, l can tell
you, my dear fellow"
Durnford was a man who had writ
ten much on naval affairs, and was
accepted as an expert on several
branches of the service. The ad-
miralty do not encourage officers to
write, but in Durnford's case it was
recognized that of naval topics he pos
sessed a knowledge that was of use,
and, therefore, he was allowed to |
write books and to contribute critical |
articles to the service magazines. He |
had studied the relative strengths of |
foreign navies, and by keeping his |
eyes always open he had, on many oc- |
casions, been able to give valuable in |
formation to our naval attaches at the |
embassies.
Il go as soon as you've sailed. / |
only stayed because promised to act |
for Frank" l said. And, by Jove! a
funny thing occurred while / was in
charge-a real first-class mystery"
"A mystery-tell me-" he exclaimed,
suddenly interested.
We'll, yacht-a pirate yacht, be-
lieve it was-called here"
"A pirate! What do you mean?"
We'll, she was English. Listen, and
I'll tell you the whole affair. It'll be
something fresh to tell at mess, for |
know how you chaps get played out
Of conversation"
by Jove. yes! Things slump when
We get no mail. But go on-Pm listen.
ing" he added, as an orderly came up.
saluted, and handed him paper.
WELL" l said, Tets cross to the
other side. / don't want the sentry
to overhear"
AS you like-but Why such mys-
tery?" he asked, as we walked togeth-
er to the other side of the spick.and.
span quarterback of the gigantic bat
tleship.
You'll understand when tell Won
the story" And then, standing TO-
gether beneath the awning, | related
to my friend the whole of the curious
"Confoundedly funny!" he remarked
with his dark eyes fixed upon mine.
"A mystery, by Jove, it is! What
name did the yacht bear?"
"The Lola"
What" he gasped. suddenly turn
ing pale. THE Lola? Are you quite
sure it was the Lola-L-o-la?"
Absolutely certain" replied. But
why do you, ask? Do you happen to ,
know anything. about the craft?"
He paused a moment, and / could ,
see what a strenuous effort he was
making to avoid betraying knowledge Z
"Its-well-" he said hesitatingly, I
With rather sickly smile. Its a
urls name girl l once knew. The I
lame brings back to me certain mem. '
,ries."
Pleasant ones|I hope" .
mo. Bitter ones-very bitter ones" I