The Martyrdom of Smith

THIS is a true story. Clara Vere and Dick. Smith are not the real "names Of the tall, handsome, self-possessed girl and a shy, studious unassuming gunnery lieutenant of a flagship somewhere east of Suez which my tale describes; nevertheless, it is a true story. The events took place, as will be obvious to the reader; in the mid-Victorian epoch: " Invitations for a picnic had been issued by His Excellency. The guests were to walk, two by two, to some ancient mires and there was to he a liinch on arrival. It was a three-mile walk and the day was hot. Lady Clara was dressed in white and the gentlema:n wore the ordinary blue uniform frock coat, white' clip cover and white 'trousers, for there was no white uniform for the Navy in those days.

Now Lieutenant Smith . was a shy man and it was for this reason that His Excellencyhad appointed Lady Clara as his Walking partner, with instructions to draw him out. The instructions were obeyed. .She talked to him about himself, his Work, hopes . and ambitions; and his shyness melted under her smile.. Opportunities for admiring _their surroundings were not' wasted and gave excuses for an occasional- rest. He regretted the shortness of _ the walk: But when . they had covered oialy_ half the . distance the lady stopped suddenly and said : "I can't go on. 1_44.1. knOW what to do," , Was she overcome by the. heat ? he inquired anxiously_ and sympathetically. . . . .

No, it was not that. "Would you mind if I walked alone for a little way ? " said Lady Clara, "there is so much I want to think about. Please go ,on, and I will follow when I have rested. I know I shall feel quite well soon." • • • "Most certainly not," said the gallant lieutenant; "I shouldn't dream of leaving you here.. You mustn't think of 'walking anY -further tilt you-- feel stronger. There's a grand tree over there. Lie dOWn under it and I'll wait for yoU.'" "You, are very kind," she, said firmly, "hit .I'm mot faint. The fact is my petticoat. is coming off. 'The' tape has broken." • • There are no' 'instructions in 'The Gunnery 'Mannar dealing with such cases, but the handyman is trained-

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to emergencieS, "Go behind that bush," said Smith, "and take it off." - - Clara looked round. There was no one in sight, for _ they were the last of the animals marching to the ark of luncheon. She obeyed and Came back smiling.

"I have left it there," she said, "I must try and remember the place so that I can come back for it."

Lieutenant Smith was taking the bearings when a thought ocCurred to Clara.

"I simply can't leave it. My name's on it."

"Then I'll put it in my pocket," said the handyman.

It was a flimsy, tropical PetticOat. Although it bulged his coat pocket rather obtrusively, he managed to stuff it in.

A bond of sympathy -was now established between them. They lingered on the way and arrived late. Luncheon. had begun in a large marquee pitched Close to the caves. Late corners always attract attention and inquisitive looks. The most interrogating was that of His Excellency, an observant man. His eye fell on Dick's coat-tail pocket.

"What have yOu got in there ? " he shouted rather than asked. "Who've you been robbing ? "

"Handkerchiefs, sir," said Smith. "I brought several knowing how hot it :would be."

"Why not tablecloths ? " snorted the Governor, incredulously.

Meanwhile Lady Clara explained to her neighbour : "Yes, it was hot, and my shoes are new, so I couldn't walk fast."

His Excellency returned to the charge. "Very thoughtful of you, Smith; to bring a supply of handker- chiefs. Lend me one, will you ?

"I'm sorry I can't, sir. They're dirty. I really can't."

"Well, my boy, it's your secret and not mine," said His Excellency amidst general laughter, "and I won't deprive you of it."

Lunch was eaten with a circle of inquisitive eyes on a pocket. -Lady Clara was carried off by her chaperone and gave no further thought to poor Smith and his dilemma. For him, however, escape was impossible. A bodyguard of soldiers and sailors formed round him and as soon as the Governor left there was an advance in force.

"if you are gentlemen and not bounders," said Smith, loyal to the last, " you will let me get back to my ship and atop your damned questions." Such an appeal was bound to be respected. But an escort kept Smith under observation all the way, home, so that he had no chance of emptying his pocket. Nor could he dispose of .his guilty secret in the officers' boat, for watch on him was redoubled there. By the time he reached the cinarter-deck his escort had become an arnV. No sooner in the Ward-room than he was seized and held down on the sofa. The silence of astonishthent was followed by a shOut of interrogation as the tell-tale garment was held up for inspection. Murder was out.

And Lady- Clara, after receiving a neat brown paper parcel, never spoke to Smith again. But why on earth did she cut him dead ? Has justice no place in the