A CURIOUS CRUISE.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7451, 26 October 1889, Page 2

A CURIOUS CRUISE.

Cis Sabretasche, on his way to his quarters after morning stables and watering order—for he was on duty—thundered with the butt-end of his cutting whip at Algy Arnmore's door and then put in his head.

The owner of the apartment was sitting up in his bed, which was strewed with letters, while his soldier-servant was setting out his bath and endeavouring to clear up the miscellaneous litter which may be expected to encumber the quarters of a man who dresses four or five times a day.

" What's up, old chap? You look rathe 1 " down on your luck," quoth Sabretasche sitting on the edge of the little bed, and seasing with his whip the white terrie r which occupied the only available chair.

"You may well say what's up I It strikes mc pretty forcibly that my time in the whole corps is up, Sabbyl I shall have to chuck; that's the long and short of it I Ever since my uncle's death, now they know there's no more to be got out o* him, these vultures of duns are closing round this poor lamb. Look at this—and this—and this!

"Didn't leave you a sou, did he ?"

"Couldn't. Everything goes with the title to my cousin, you know. But the old boy paid up for mc like a Briton while he lived, I must say. And now they're all down upon me—the butchers and bakers and accoutrement-makers. Why, great Scott 1 see, here's Campbell and Gray who've had the honour of clothing mc ever since I joined the service—men rolling in money—house at Brighton and Bayswater —mail-phaeton and nice pair of crocks— actually wanting to be paid." " Does look bad, certainly," sympathised Sabretasche, helping himself to a cigarette off the mantelpiece. " But you'd better be getting up. Parade's in order for tenthirty, and we shall be getting a magnum out of you." For in the Crimson Cuirassiers, instead of "your reasons in writing," a fine of a magnum of champagne at dinner was imposed on any one late for parade." "Stop a bit," cried Arnmore, "here's something better. Peachley — yachting fellow—my fag at Eton—wants mc to go down on Monday with him in his yacht for a cruise—Dartmouth Regatta. Awfully good fellow—real good offer." " Monday, eh ?" demurred Sabretasche, throwing the end of a cigarette into the little black regulation grate with the V.R. on it, which no artistic decoration, had it been attempted, could have disguised. "Divisional field-day on Monday, I think."

" O, hang it all I The old *un '11 never let mc on, and I must join Peachley at Southampton that night, ril square the O. O. at orderly-room to-day." Old Bootby allowed himself to be squared, and, after wrestling with Bradahaw, which was more intricate to him than Ruffs Guide, Arnmore made out that he could just catch a late train after the field-day which would land him on Southampton Pier about midnight. The Crimsons had a long, hot, dusty day that Monday pounding about the Long Valley and the adjacent hills. Late in the afternoon they found themselves, at the conclusion of the battle, drawn: up under Cocked-Hat Wood, looking like millers. The General, Colonel Bootby, and the other commanding officers were discussing the operations a little way off. Arnmore was fretting with impatience to fall out and get back. " I sha'n't have time to dine. I ordered my pony to be here by five o'clock," he muttered. " Suppose he' forgot to order your servant," remarked sabretasche, dryly. "You're in a deuce of a hurry." ??'Alt litre all very well for you chaps, who'll have a good time for the rest of your lives. Remember, this is my last bit of fun before I turn cowboy or the Lord knows what," replied Algy, bitterly, flinging himself off his tired charger and cantering off on a fresh polo pony. The train stopping on Southampton Pier woke Arnmore out of a long slumber. The world. seemed asleep. A few lamps flickered on the pier, and a few rifling lights glimmered in the harbour. "There ought to be a boat from the yacht Eva waiting for mc," he said to the porter, aa he alighted half asleep. "Eva ahoyr' shouted the official, apparently Into the dark water below. "Ay, ay, sir 1" came an answer: and Algy and his travelling bag tumbled Into a neatly-cushioned gig, which was pulled off into the darkness.

Ten minutes later they stopped under the side of a large yacht. The skipper, at the top of the ladder, touched his cap. " Good evening, sir ; train so late, they've all turned in, and my orders are to be off directly you came aboard. Stewart, show the gentleman his berth, and give him some supper." Algy declined the supper, accepted a whisky and soda, and lost no time in turning in. His last thought ere he fell asleep again, and felt the screw tremble under him, was. " Didn't know Peachley had steam. Suppose he's put In an auxiliary screw." It is difficult for any one to sleep late on board ship. Arnmore made a good try, hut was vanquished utterly by the swabbing, the noise, and the patter of the bare feet overhead.. He dressed and went on deck.

The first object that met his astonished gaze waa a neat female figure in a Redfera frock, who came forward with oatstretched hands.

" So glad to see you 1 Hope the steward looked after yon when you arrived' f " "Gad!" said Arnmore to himself, "Peachley has mentioned a sister, hut had no idea she was as pretty as this, or was to be of the party. Not a bad Idea, though."

"Mybrother hasn't put la appearance yet,"continued the fur hostess; "but neither he nor breakfast wiU keep us waiting long. Like the glasses I we're off Swanaga. Those are the old Harry Bocka. The wind's died down since I looked out first, so I hope well get id smooth ofTSt, Alban's Head."

She chatted on, and Algy, despite an appetite which made itself felt, got annoyed with the steward for presently announcing breakfast. "We won't wait for my brother. I'm starving!" said his hostess, and she led the way to the deckhouse amidships. The kidneys and chops were handed in hot through a hatch from the galley next door. The young lady, with a smile, in.

quired if he took sugar in his tea. Algy» usually too much engrossed with soldier* ing and polo and racing to go in for ladies', eociety, thought she .looked so pretty across the teacups that a perpetuation of such a performance in matrimony might not be such a bad thing, after all. But just then a figure in a pea jacket filled up the little doorway. "Well, old chap, how are—** Arnmore looked up with a start. It was not Peachley I Words fail to describe the consternation of the three. The new-comer glared %t Algy with a " stouy British stare," a kino of unintroduced who-the-deuce-are*yatt expression. The lady, teacup poised halfway to her lips, recovered herself first. "There must be some mistake. Are you not Mr Maitlsndf " '♦My name's Arnmore. Crimson Cuirassiers. I've made some horrible blunder. Isn't this Peachley g yacht, the Eva I" "It is the Eva; she's named after mc. But our father's name is Campbell; it is his yacht." "Then I've come aboard the wrong craft in the dark," stammered poor Algy. " I was expecting a friend down by the last train,'' explained Campbell, ''and sent the gig for him'" " I don't know Mr Maitland," returned the sister, "and I made sure you were he; though you're not a bit like what Arthur described him to be," she added, getting rather red, and fiddling with her teaspoon. *' I'm really awfully sorry," Arnmore went on again. " There must be two yachts of the same name lying in Southhampton Water."

"There are dozens of Evas in the Stcht-Ust, said Campbell, reaching down unt's Blue Book. "Is this It: 'C Peachley. Eva, Cutter; 30 tons V ™ He called the skipper, who said he had noticed a small yacht of that name off the pier during the afternoon, much to Arnmore's relief. He felt less as if he had boarded the Campbells under false pretences. He apologised over and over again. He begged to be put ashore at once. But, as they were then passing the ironbound Purbeck coast by St. Alhan's Head, this was hardly practicable; so there waa nothing for it but it finish breakfast. Arnmore put down Campbell as a fairly decent sort of fellow, though hardly his sister's equal in looks and manner. There was a slight flavour of money, too, about him, as if the possession of it were not of long standing, and which jarred somewhat on the impecunious soldier. There were too many references to my yacht, ray new engines, etc., &c; and Arnmore came to the conclusion that he must have made the money he seemed to be enjoying to thoroughly. Miss Campbell, on the other hand, now the blunder was cleared up, was charming, and made exceeding merry over it. She christened Arnmore the pirate, and he, nothing loth, followed suit, and frivolled cheerily. "I've been thinking," Campbell began —they were sitting ou deck after breakfast, and he offered Algy a cigar, the price and excellence of which he freely extolled—" I've been thinking we'll lie to off Portland, and you can wire to your friend, and go on to Dartmouth with us. We're going down to the regatta, too. Ten to. one, in a sailing yacht, if he can stand in to any place and pick you up. Wire you'll meet him at Dartmouth, or else you'll lose the whole cruise."

Arnmore, of course; hesitated to trespass any more on their involuntary hosgitality, and said so. But Miss Campbell, •om out of a huge wicker chair, shot him a bewitching glance. "I was told, Captain Arnmore, that this, unknown Mr Maitland was to be such a delightful addition to our party. Having deprived us of his company, the least you can do is to attempt to replace him." That settled It. <7 ril do my best, Miss Campbell, If you'll try mc, consented Arnmore. Before many hours were over he knew he had succeeded. Eva Campbell was very young, her horizon of life bounded by fiayswater and school at Brussels. The, smart crimson cuirassier, the nephew of a lord, too, was a charming novelty. Mr Campbell, who was by way of being extremely nautical, left them much to themselves.

Wind and tide were against the Eva; they only passed Berry Head at tea time, and the short August twilight was deepening into dusk when they steamed past the old tower of St. Petrox, and took up a position amongst the phalanx of yachts in the grand old harbour of the English; Rhine. Arnmore had no idea yachting could be such good fun.

It was too late to send telegrams, but not too late,-after dinner, for Eva. Campbell to sing songs to her banjo up orf deck. The harbour was ablaze with rfdind lights as with a floating village, and! strains of revelry came from the fair on the quay. Arnmore felt quite sorry to think he must leave the yacht on the morrow.

"I hope Tve succeeded, and that you've not missed that fellow Maitland much?" asked Algy, bidding her good-night at the top of the companion. . I - "And you, Captain Ammoref Are you not pining for the other Eva f' " Which r he asked tenderly. She wrenched her hand from his and fled.

Next morning Algy was awoke by all the church bells in Dartmouth and Kingswear ushering in the first day's regatta, and by the steward confronting'him with a red telegraphic envelope, ooy I The cutter Eva was detained off Bournemouth with light winds. Simultaneously,. Campbell heard from the disgusted Maitland, who, after a night at a Southampton hotel, had hied him back to town.. There were no good-byes to any Evas that day. About 10 o'clock a fleet of magnificent large yachts went out of harbour for the first race. Eva and Arnmore followed them in a small boat with a sail up, to see the start off the Black Rock. Campbell frdre, not the best of sailors.: said he had letters to write. They enjoyed their sails and their wetting, and Algy grew meditative over an after-lunch cigar. It began to dawn upon him that, to a man on his last legs, marriage might, under certain circumstances, be a pleasant alternative to cowboying. Of the Campbell money there could be no more doubt than of the charms of Miss Campbell herself. He was a great believer in luck. What if this extraordinary blunder was to be the means of setting him on his feet again 9 He set what Uncle Remus calls his " thinkln' masheen aworkin'."

Algy made the running during tbe hot lounging afternoon on deck. Miss Campbell began to hold back, a good sign. After dinner he proposed a row in the little dingey. Campbell had gone ashore to the Club House. The pair did not row far, and Algy said to himself that now was the moment to take a sounding. She did look so pretty under the stars that, to do him justice, he forgot about her money or his debts and duns; forgot everything but her fair face.

"Miss Campbell," he began, entirely dropping his usual chaffy, cheery manner, "I .shall be on board the other Eva tomorrow night. I shan't be nearly ao happy." . „ ••;■; For all answer she dabbled one hand nervously In the swift-flowing tide. He bent over hie motionless scull.; and looked very tenderly from under his peaked cap. "I wish I could think I should be as much missed as I shail-misa you. ./That would make mc a little happier. "I—we—shall be dreadfully dull," abe answered in a low voice, and looked up at him.

Perhaps he read moreinhereyerthan her words implied. For suddehdy he shipped his sculls, stepped over and sat down beside her.

"-Miss * Gampbell—Eva--_,o you really mean it * Shall you indeed miss mc 9 Oh, if I could think you cared a rap—" She slid from his side to the seat he had just left. " Captain Arnmore," she said, in a hard, forced voice, "you'll catch cold.sit ting stilt Without your coat," She-handed him his flannel coat from the bottom of the boat. As she did so she turned up the collar at the back. t "Do yon see the names in this coatf— Campbell and Gray, Army tailors. It. wa~ mada in my father's shop. And now, please, Captain Arnmore, row mc back to the yacht. Her voice broke. Algy fancied he heard something suspiciously like a sob. "But he seised the sculls and rowed back to the Eva without another word. '-*" Campbell was awaiting them at the ladder. "There's a boat come for you, and this note," he said. v..2. It was from Peachley: " Juat got in, at last. Come aboard at once,'* "I think I'd better go at once, Campbell, and not keep the men waiting. Thank you awfully for all your goodness to mc. Where's Miaa Campbdlt Tmust say good* bye to her." t But Eva had disappeared below. "Had a pleasant steam down, eh, Algy t Better than taek-tack-t&c—ing across this West Bay, as we've done," was Feac_uey*4 cheery meting. Poor Peachley 1 He found his friend so dull, so altered: he couldn't make it out. They bored each other mutually over.a cigar, and then Arnmore made an exeuee to turn in. / ,

Hie tailor;- daughter I That charmtog tfiithaahfLdof tE» odto-a man heaseo?

fanners, and who was tftminite*. blood in the BankruptcySttS *°r hf| enough, to make the Barons of ai: *** : turn in their- graves. When L^ , deepa Sweetfice with an aureole s na low hair troubled his slumblL dreamed he stood at tbe altar win. a 8 *' C*mpb«llp|re was the parson and as Algy had slipped ih*tofp<to\L*& gers, the enraged parent prodn^ fia ' enormous pair of tailor's scissow »„A*S about to sever the golden band wh«« awoke. ' waBQ -it& The bells rang merrily again. Th«a-. of yachts, the town, the club weVw * with bunting, and tbe country follr ifp>* all the Devon villages round were a?B* ing the crowd iv the narrow street* T t was the day of the Town Regatta? li ■After breakfast it was. of coarse «_!_ civil that Algy should go and call *£** the ateamyacht Eva. But _*rSm„G_ fe a rafto?d'. »SS|{ -O, woman, woman 1 If Algy.cort__.__-. seen her face peering from behind?? curtain of her .porthole, withinTMl *"*_ d l* nk *_B_ l ° eve ry ™_d he aaiF* 5 s Peachley did his best to cheer~A>n«, He introduced him to the Colonel Scamperly had collected on fc?* 5 ? the Dandelion. But the Cuirassier proved ireltatinglf i-pZ,& to the wiles of the -risir mafif&l dubious matrons. ua In the evening he went aah.m_._-_ Peachley to see tne'firewSta oTtgffl and.eoJoy the fun of the fair. TheviS at thela. woman and thedivbimlW halted In front of a whirling iemr£ round. Arnmore recognised figure, with yellow hair i__oWV__i-t? cap, fly past him. w a yaah % The music stopped; so did the maehfWA In an instant Arnmore made un iTSf* He had just time to am-w un!-!"?* vacant horse beside her ere began its wild career again. The S Ol flashed Into her cheeks. * "I hope your headache's better" h* shouted, for the band brayed lond' J* one of the stewards of the Daadß l nd riding behind them with & M_S Gaddaway's maid. - *»«/ alauds. _JBut Eva was chilly and mono_.n.M The band played lovtoTrnt) ffis*st pace grew more furlous, anTthe°H„C and tne booths became one blurr*Sfe aw wooden horse, to the brass pole from wWl?w__TSffi r » Cantaln irnmore, I'S3? The Ice was broken. Ind_sdr_nf_ -»-- no time to stand on ceremoS?^■■SS J52 flung his left arm girl, and grasped her flrmlv Wl ?hf riders over. Wh6n hU *»***«**

Eva was white and giddy when he Uf_f her to the ground, "What a horrid performancet t fea quite 11L I must go back to the yacii Where's Arthur f* *™ But her brother had vanished late ttj surging crowd. TT-*? "We shall never find him. Lefeusa*s_s you back." ■-.*!*•*s For all answer she looked into bis tm and smiled.

" Take my arm, or I shall lass yc_-{s the crowd, you're so small." It took them a long time to' git'to tin quay, and quite au unneo&saarily -km time to row to the steamer Eva. Bofc : m they reached it they had settled ©alto to their mutual satisfaction. Arnmore did not leave the - ttoitm He and his wife had many anctba ea happy, if less curious, eruiae in the vsehi which bore her name, and to th s day £i blesses 'the luoky blunder by which <Stj married his tailor's daughter.—!7ofl4