Year: 1871

| the ships company that, as soon as our
cargo was discharged and another, then
ready for shipping, taken in, the Charles
Edward would start on trip to Bermuda
and back, and those of the crew who
would like to do so could "talle on" again.
Wallworth, who, in common with the rest
of us, had supposed that we should be paid
off and the ship laid up for an indefinite pc
riod had already determined to look out
for something on shore, but on hearing
this he was irresolute as to whether or not
he should make the second run with us.
Finally, however, it was arranged that his
berth should be kept open for his acceptance
to within two or three days of the time
for sailing.


We had got into port on Monday
morning and during the whole of that day
Wallworth was engaged in the offices of
the firm to whom our cargo was consigned !;
so that, till the next day, he had no oppor-
tunity of calling on the the Fosters, who
resided in a handsome villa short dis
tance from the town. On the Tuesday
morning he left the ship in the best of
spirits, at the prospect of seeing " Bella"
about whom he had been talking most
rapturously the previous evening, having
effectually banished the melancholy and
gloom which had affected him during the
latter part of our homeward voyage. But
alas for human happiness! In the evening
he came on board again disappointed
man. Coming straight to the engine-room,
in which happened to be alone at the
time, he abruptly exclaimed:


"The old story, Will


"'Gold thrives more in single hour
Than love in seven long years.


There's a fellow there, flourishing bill
discounter, who, if he is not already the
accepted lover of my true love, has evident
ly only to speak to be So"


81 should hardly think that things had
come to that pass during the short time
you have been away" l said, soothingly
"perhaps you have misunderstood or taken
wrong view of something you have seen
or heard"


"No | haven't" he replied testify
"When was shown in, this fellow was
seated beside her. After rising foi min
ute to receive me in a stately manner, she
returned to his side and as my presence
was almost entirely ignored, / soon came
away" rl.ia-


Nothing further was said respecting his
reception by Bella but after his first in
dignant outbuist he seemed anxious to
change the conversation to other subjects,
while he spoke with an affectation of gay
ETY. greatly at variance with the real state
of his feelings. While we were talking,
the captain entered the engine-room, and
Wallworth at once informed him that he
would go with us on our next voyage.


"For You see, he said when the cap
tain had gone, $50 far as l am concerned,
l like seafaring life, and have now nc
motive for staying on shore, not being in
any particular hurry for better position
than my present one" "a. U H


On the following afternoon, Wallworth
was informed that gentleman was or
board inquiring for him, and on going on
deck he found it was the fair but faithles'
Bela's father to whom he introduced me.
Mr.. Foster, a fine looking middle-aged man.
with pleasant countenance and a CHEEKY
manner, had evidently a warm personal re
gard for Wallworth, whatever he might
think of the engagement with his daughter
! ~ H,.st incl to la
sulky ; but Mr.. Foster, who probably guess
ed how things had gone on the previous
day, would not notice his ill-humor, and
Harry was soon restored to good-temper.
Mr.. Foster having laughingly told us of the
difficulties he had experienced in getting
ON board the Charles Edward, Wallwortf
and accompanied him on shore. AS We
were parting from him outside the docks
he said


"By the way, Harry, we have a little
party at our place on Friday; you'll come
of course, and if Mr.. Johnstone has NJ
other engagement shall be happy to set
him with you"


The invitation having been accepted af
ter little hesitation, we returned to thu
ship. sefigr2Se go.


Mr.. Fosters little party turned out to b'
ball. We arrived just as the first dance
was finished, and found tolerably large
number assembled, among whom were sew
eral young ladies but with the glowing de
scription of Miss Fosters beauty, which
Wallworth had given me during his love-fi
on the previous Monday night, ] had nj