Year: 1879

BY P. HENRY DOYLE.

 Out from the English harbor, with all sails set, came the packet Normandy, bound for the coast of France. A fairer day had never with its sunshine kissed land or sea.

 Slowly the trim vessel rode in its course, long line of light stretching from its bow to the setting sun, making it appear like some golden road that reached from earth to heaven.

 A singular silence had come over the bark and its living freight. The last cheers of the people on the pier had died away in the distance, and those on the deck, having ceased to respond, stood leaning on the bulwarks gazing thoughtfully shorewards.

 Only as the breath of the fitfu1 breeze suffered some sail to flap against the mast was the strange silence broken.

 No engine pulsated down beneath the well-scrubbed deck, for not yet had the mind of man achieved that crowning glory of invention. Time and space still held their own on the waste of waters, and the genius that was to make a mockery of them had not yet been born.

 So the passengers knew that even with the most favorable winds the sun must sink and rise again ere they can bid adieu to the vessels wooden walls, and tread the soil of France.

 A momentary gliding of the wide Channels breast with glorious radi- ance and twilight-the vanguard of coming gloom prepares to take the mastery.

 John Hervey, pilot and captain bronzed and stern n-faced-leaves the helm to an under officer, and mipgles with his passengers.

 A few courteous words here or there, and he addressed himself to a lady sit ting alone near the main cabin. She raised her eyes at the souLd of his footsteps, and revealed sweet girlish face as beautiful as a dream of morn ing.

 '' It's good omen, Hester" was his greeting, as he sat beside her, {" that the first step in our new existence should be so bright, so promising, and let us pray to God it may never change.

 She only answered "Amen," hardly audibly, but with tone whose depths and sweetness told the hope came from her inmost soul.

 As they walked about that evening enjoying the balmy air and the lovely prospects, many who knew the truth saw the couple and silently invoked the blessing of Heaven on heron him.

 For to-day had seen the realization of the captains dearest aspirations The ship he stood upon was his own paid for with the proceeds of years of toil-and the maiden was his wife, the bride of only a day, but his love in manhood and in youth.

 Darkness came and only fh0sQ UbOao presence duty required remained above. The captain gave the necessary orders for the night, and then, after an instinctive look at the sky, went be- low himself.

 Ten o'clock or more, and the breeze increasing. Occasional clouds obscure the stars, and the waves, as they dash against the prov or strike the sides, have hollow, echoing sound that seems like the moaning of articulate speech.

 Midnight, and the heavens are com pletely enveloped in cloak of gloom. Ay, worse even, for one of those sud- den thick fogs that come at times with speed of the whirlwind in the Channel, hangs around the vessel as though it were coffin and it's pail.

 Lieutenant l-Mr. Locarby I''

 The officer, who was near the main mast. peering anxiously out into the darkness, started and quickly walked aft as he heard the nervous voice of the helmsman.

 {" Well, what Is it?"

 " have lost my reckoning We were to have the moon to night, but this cursed fog has upset my calcula- tions. Hadn't you better call the cap tain? P

 Locarby is evidently about to make sarcastic reply, when a sudden lurch of the packet throws him against the taff- rail. The straining and stretching of the sails and cordage overheard also warn him that the wind is blowing fresher every minute. It will likely be- come gale.

 With cry to the sailors to reef the sails, he takes the tiller himself, and bids the other arouse the captain.

 The delft fingers of the tars soon re- Heve the masts of extra pressure, and the packet eases. But moment later it needs not the fierce, wild cry of Cap tain Hervey to tell him of his danger.

 " For Gods sake, port l'

 And up he rushes and seizes the helm from his subordinate's hands, his eyes almost starting from their sockets Ia 1a