The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-07-12

1 - oAS lIlC COOh Will
probably know enough to cook US a
broiled chop and some soft boiled eggs"
Coserat signaled a fisherman In his
boat near the quay and a few minutes
later the commandant and the ensign
were once more in the messroom Of the
Cyclone.
A sailor arranged a little table for
| them with writing material. The lieu
tenant began to write and his friend
followed suit But after the first letter
Sainte-Claire threw down his pen. rose
and said. as he held out his hand:
'Good-by until tomorrow. Ciserat,
am going to bed"
You won't have dinner, them"
mo. and don't have me called tomor-
row."
mot even II that catastrophe hap
pens?" asked Ciserat. laughing.
Not II the whole squadron sinks 80
cried Sainte-C;aire, unless. OF course. 1
am on duty tomorrow
mo. your commandant gives you n
holiday" said Ciserat with feigned
gravity.
Then will go into a trance. It Is
4 o'clock. Until tomorrow noon gives me
eighteen hours Of sleep. / am all pro-
visioned up-yery well. old fellow. until
tomorrow"
Sainte-Claire left the messroom and
Louis de Clserat. left alone. went back
to his letters.
When Sainte-Claire awoke the next day
1t was nearly IL o'clock. He looked at
his watch and felt satisfied with
what had been accomplished. As
usual, the officer sprsng from his
bunk as soon as his eyes were
opened.
A ooid h,.k 1880 S-o.,. .-r,y tha Last
vestige Of sleep. and he quickly began to
dress.
His body was rested and calm. his
spirit was free and his heart was glad
at the thought OF soon seeing his mother
and sister in Cannes.
He was fastening his collar when a
sharp knock responded upon his cabin
door.
Come" said Sainte-cIaIre.
The door opened and a sailor stood
in the doorway. his hand at salute
The summoas-
Lieutenant. the eommandant wishes to
see you"
AT once?"
Yes. sir; the commandant is awaiting
you in the turret"
Very we'll I will go at once"
The sailor disappeared. In a second
Sainte-Claire had put on his Jacket and
his cap with its two gold bands. He
went quickly to the yellow steel turret
on the forward deck Of the torpedo boat
As he approached Ciserat came out
Good morning. commandant," said
Sainte-Claire. salutinE. You sent for
me. sir?"
CThe two friends were most formal
when on deck or on duty together.)
Good morning. lieutenant VIII you
please come with me to the messroom?"
1t was said SO abruptly that it surprised
the ensign
Now. what sils Louis this morninE?"
he thought.
He seems serious. Besides. IL looks
to me-" gIancing quickly about him as
he followed Ciserat. "as II the torpedo
boat were getting under way. Aren't
we going to land after all? Are the
manoeuvres beginning all over again?
The devil they are! That wouldn't be
any fun. 1t was a good thing l bal
anced up my sleep accounts"
The two officers had reached the
messroom- Ciserat carefully closed the
door, and. holding out his hand. said to
his friend with his usual affectionate
smile:
Good morning. Jean! Did you get
good sleep?"
Yes. but
IAN the better for you. I am afraid
you aren't going to have many such
quiet nights and morning soon again"
His tone was so serious that Sainte-
Claire fairly shuddered. II was a voice
without its natural Eayety that asked:
You are afraid. old chap? What Is
it?'
Nothing. exactly" replied the COM
mandant. throwing himself on the sofa,
motioning Sainte-Claire to sit down
but it seems remarkable when 1 re-
member my dreams last night'-
Nightmares interrupted Sainte-
Claire. smiling.
Don't laugh" exclaimed Ciserat. "or
won't tell you about them. They were
suggested. I dare say. by a half
conscious recollection Of lie Kerbellac's
pessimism.
when sent for you. had just I'm
ished reading Admiral Germinet's sig
nails to the squadron from the flagship"
What did they say7"
Sudden orders to put the engines In
readiness to get under way and to load
the 'orpedo tubes"
oh" cried Sainte-Claire spring to his
feet ITS probably a counter ma
noeuvre."
Perhaps. but listen to the rest All
the squadron ships are coaling up TO
their full capacity.
1T will exhaust in a few hours the |
supply for war at Villefranche which IT
has taken a month to lay in"
Are the provision rooms full?" asked |
Sainte-Claire, puzzled.
Yes, for the order to stock them |
came at O'Clock this morning"
Great guns!" exclaimed the now stu |
pehed ensign. That is really serious. |
Why wasn't / called?'
Nonsense. you sleep so we'll" said |
Ciserat with his kindly smile. Il had no |
need for you. Besides"-
That isn't all. them"
NO, the second mate. who went ashore |
for fresh vegetables and bread brings |
back extraordinary rumors. II Is so |
vague. though-that is-the strange part |
is-of course. though. the second mate |
isn't at all sure"-
To Be Continued Tomorrow.