The Clio messenger., 1915-05-28


remarked, as lolled back In the easy
deck-chair. and gazed away at the
white port and its background OF pur-
pie Apennines.
The dark, good-looking fellow. in his
smart summer uniform leaned over
the bulwark. and said, with slight
sigh. l thought: "Yes. This is my
last trip to Leghorn, think. l go
back in November, and 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, 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.
II go as soon as you've sailed.
only stayed because l promised to act
for Frank" said. And. by Jove!
funny thing occurred while I was in
charge-a real first-class mystery"
"A mystery-tell me-" he exclaimed,
suddenly interested.
"Well, yacht-a pirate yacht, be-
lieve 1t was-called here"
"A pirate What do you mean?"
"Well, 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
ing he added, as an orderly came up,
saluted, and handed him a paper.
Well" l said, lets 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 you
the story" And then, standing to-
gether beneath the awning, related
to my friend the whole Of the curious
circumstances.
"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-Lo-l-a?"
Absolutely certain" replied But
why do you ask? Do you happen to
know anything about the craft?"
He paused moment, and | could
see what a strenuous effort he was
making to avoid betraying knowledge.
"It's-well-" he said hesitatIngIy,
with a rather sickly smile. Its a
girls name-a girl l once knew. The
name brings back to me certain mem.
ories."
Pleasant ones-I hope"
"No. Bitter ones-very bitter ones"
he said In hard tone, striding across
the deck and back again, and l saw
in his eyes strange look. half of
anger, half of deep regret.
Was he telling the truth. won
dered? Some tragic romance or other
concerning a woman had, knew, over
shadowed his life In the years before
we had become acquainted. But the
real facts he had never revealed to
me. Outwardly he was as merry as
the other fellows who officered that
huge floating fortress; on board he
was typical smart marine, and on
shore he danced and played tennis
and flirted just as vigorously as did
the others. But heavy heart beat
beneath his uniform.
When he returned to where stood
saw that his face had changed; 1t
had become drawn and haggard. He
more the appearance of a man who
had been struck blow that had stag
gered him. crushing out all life and
hope.
Whats the matter, Jack?" I asked.
Come! Tell me-what ails your"
Nothing, my dear old chap" he an.
swered hoarsely. Really nothing
only touch of the blues just for a
moment" he added, trying hard to
smile. It'll pass"
What I've Just told you about that
yacht has upset you. You can't deny
IT,"
He started. His mouth was. I cav,
hard set He knew something con-
cerning that mysterious craft. but
would not tell me.
why are you silent?" asked SLOW