The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-04-30

where he now stood quaking With fear. and
seemingly unMiadtul of her presence. For
getting all her maidenly reserve she wound
her arms c0nyulsively aroued his aeck, and
cried, "save me, Robert, save me. You can
swim. You said you would las, night. Oh.
Robert, Robert, you tcon't desert me now z
and the moan became piteous wall. as she
saw the hesitancy upon his face, and ieit
him putting from his neck her cllnglng
arms.
aJennie, listen to me. | am but an indif-
ferent swimmer, and if take you with me
we shall both be lost. Do compose yourself.
You struggle so frantically that you deprive
me of all sense"
"Will you leave me then, to die alone :"
and the black eyes flashed upon the coward
ly man a look which made him quail.
=" N-no, not exactly. I'll come back for
you, or ask some body to save YOU. The cap
tain maybe. Look. He is fastening life pre-.
servers now to the screaming women and
dropping them overheard. Look" and he
pointed to the captain who despairing OF
reaching the shore was doing all he could to
insure the safety his crew.
Many timid. nervous woman grew strong
while listening TO his cheering words, and
when his brave young arms dropped her in
to the boiling waves she remembered whathe
told her to do and so gained the friendly
shore where with willing hands she too work
ed to save the others. This was the captains
employment when Robert babe Jennie look,
but Jennie paid no heed she only knew that
Robert was leaving her to die alone. I'm
consciousness stole over her, and when she
awoke again there seemed TO be wall OF fire
between herself and every living thing.
Chairs, stools, tables and seitees were float
! ing like specks upon the water, while cling
ing TO them were pallid hands clu,ched to-
gether in vice like grasp as if the fainting
forms beneath knew that this was their on
| ly hope. Even the tones of the captains
voice had ceased. and listen as she might
she could catch no sound save the angry
dashirg OF the waves and the roaring of The
4 flames which came each moment nearer.
They are all gone" she cried, "snd
am left alone. Oh, didn't think | should
die SO soon and SO awlully. am too young
and the world was so bright before me. Oh,
i, there no help:" and the poor girl crouched
upon the floor in her abject misery.
With the door Of death standing thus ajar.
Jennie's thoughts ran over the whole of her
past life, and many an incident long forgot
ten came back again with painful distinct
ness. Even the lonesome grave on the bank
of the canal was MISUNDERSTANDING
she thought how much rather she would lie
there with Willie than sleep in the unknown
cavern Of the Lake with no companions save
the uncoffined bones Of the other unfortunate
ones who had gone down before her. Then
she thought Of Robert, and while the hot
blood stained her hitherto marble face aud
neck she wrenched the diamond from her
finger and hurting IL across the waters, laugh
ed half delirious laugh as she saw il dis
appear from view.
Just then current Of hot air swept across
her cheek, and turning round she saw sim
gle tongue Of fame dart like lightning
through creyice in the boat then il WA
withdrawn and succeeded by wreath Of
smoke, which rose in many graceful curve
above her head. and finally lost itself in the
denser, blscker volume creeping round the
corner.
Its GOMEZ she cried, as the fiery tongue
was again thrust forth. this time singing her
lorg black curls, and searching the lace
RULES of her night dress. 81 cannot be
roasted alive, would rather drown thou
sand times, but hope shall be dead when
strike the water"
One long last farewell look al the moon
liz sky aboye-nne hurried, sickenng glance
at the tossing waters below. aud Jennie's
hand was on The railing, her foot upon the
bench, while even then there fitted across
her brain the thought, What made the
captain forget mef Why don't he save me.
too Z"
Poor, poor Jennie! Never for moment,
since the FIRST alarm had she been absent
from the captains mind. He knew her state
room; he saw the ghost-like figure rushing
SO wildly past him, and essayed TO stop her
even then. but she eIuded his grasp and es-
capped TO part Of the boat where he knew
she was STE for time. She could not re-
turn without bis knowing il, and 80 he work
ed with might and main to save the others
first. still watching yigilantly the hem Of the
white robe which futtered in the night
wind, aud sometimes even deserving the
outline Of the little naked feet which beat