Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-02-17

c0uld Suggest OF wealth. dHOFa. OuotnaIls
ran completely round it, forming a sort of
divan. At one side was harp, and be-
side it some music scattered on the floor.
But after The first ha>ty survey, saw
nothing but group of two human beings.
One of them was a grey-haired man, APP
parently about sixty-fve, dressed in the
gentlemanly costume of former day.
He was bending wildly over the almost
inanimate form of fair girl, reclining
on the cushions. Never had I seen a
being who looked more beautiful than
that pale haif-fainting creature seemed AT
that moment. One arm supported her
on the divan, and the other was thrown
around her fathers neck, the blue veins
just diseernable as they stole along be-
meath the ivory skin.
Her head rested on the bosom of her
parent, and the hair, loose and unbound,
streamed in dark, glossy ringlets over
her snowy shoulders. At the noise made
by my entrance she started, raised her
head, and l could see through the tears
that glistened on her lashes, one Of the
sweetest hazel eyes l had ever looked
upon. A quick fash shot over her face,
crimsoning it like a rose-leaf, as she be-
held stranger; and half starting 10 her
feet, she essayed moment to speak, and
then stood with half opened lips, gazing
almost wildly upon me.
- For Cons sake, fly l cried, the
ship is on fire in every part-we eau
barely. escape by the companion-way-in
another instant She will blow up Why
hesitate! For Heavens sake comet
"Oh, sir, GoD bless you for this kind
ness-there is then hopep exclaimed the
old man. but Isabel has fainted,' he
continued. Go fly! l will die with
herr he said, in voice of agony, vainly
endeavoring TO raise in his enfeebIed
arms the seeming lifeless form of his
daughter.
i Hooked into her face. The transi-
ton from calm despair to hope had been
too great, and she had indeed tainted
1t was no time 10 hesitate. Hastily
raising the beautiful stranger in my arms
| called upon the old man to follow
dashed into the front cabin, up the com.
panion-way, and, TO my utter horror
found the flames had just crossed the en-
trance.
For a second ] paused. Death was
behind, destruction perhaps before
Laying my hand upon the old man,
shoulder, / urged him ahead, hur-iedly
threw the shawl of the fair girl around
her face and form, made bold desper.
ate push for life, and in another instant
amid the cheers of my men, had gainet
the quarterback. The boat shot to the
side, and dozen arms were extended Il
receive my burden. ] carefully gave i
in charge Of the nearest, almost slung the
old man after, and springing with boun,
into the stern sheets, waved my arm anC
shouted, Shove off-hoard-give wa,
and if ever you pulled before, pull no "
for yonr lives, my menH
Il was obeyed. With one soul the,
bent their brawny arms to the task, an,
while the ash almost snapped beneatI
them, they made the boat wilirl from th,
quarter, and then sent her with the We
, locity of a sea-gull over the deep. Not
word was spoken. The old man sat be
side me in the bewildefment of gratitude
astonishment, and only halt dissipate,
iright-while the form of his still inani
mate child was extended, unaided for tn
moment, by his side 1t was indeed n
time for delay. Every man knew h
was pulling for life or death.
The other boat was nearly a mil
; ahead, skimming swiftly along from th
deserted ship. Farout on the moonligl
horizon lay onr schooner, with all he
exquisite tracery reflected in The way
E beneath, and seeming, with her thin tape
rakins masts Ike some arial vessel fioal
ing half way between sea and sky
{ Down to the right was the burning shi
{ presenting a vast body Of lurid fire, tl,s
t roared along her sides, STRAINED out {
her ports, eddied spiraily up the mas
;, and leaped in huge masses straight OF
] into the sky. Now and then, as b,
guns became heated, they went of, wit
II a roar ike thunder. Meantime, I'll
b dense smoke. gathering 10 thick CLOUD
= above, hung like a pail over the cons
u ming ship. For some moments ii
IS flames appeared 10 die IN part away; b
n all at once a strram Of intense fire thi
e almost blinded il,e eyes. rose perpendier
7 larly up from the decks the horizon +,