Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1875-03-24

was tenderness and JOY that would
render many sentences eloquent.
For moment the gladaess Of
loves triumph made tSe dark
thoughts that had filed his mind
with dim memories that had no
power; but, as he raised his face,
a great column of moonlight broke
from cloud-rent, and lit up the
tossing sea for miles around.
Scarcely had his eyes glanced at
the sea, when the gladness Of his
face changed to an ashy despair
and with the cry, "Oh my Godl"
ringing out likea dying wall, he
jumped to The open companionway
and closed it; then seizing the
wheel he spun It round like a top.
So quick had been his move
ments, that I was startled; but
it was only for a moment. The
next instant ! had taken q look to
windward, and my heart stood still.
In the broad glare Of moonlight
l saw the great hill Of large ship
bearing down full on Us. She was
scudding under o close-reefed fore
slil, and c)mil g toward US at rate
Of speed that would have carried
her clean over tie little Oran.
For an instant was paralyzed.
but it was only for an instant. I
saw, like Rob had, that If we could
fall Off quick she might Craze as.
and cause only wetting, and I
added my strenth to his to heavo
the helm hard up, and SO let her
pay of. go
1t would be o touch and go with
US, l knew; but the Oran answer
ed her helm beautifully, and in on
instant She fell of before the wind.
the waves foaming along her sides
like white-bearded demons.
We were not a moment to
soon, however, for, !, st as we got
before the wind, the bow of the
ship loonei past US. anl with q
roar, as If a deluxe had broken
loose, she rushed past us, and
hugh wave brofe over the Oran.
nearly swan1'ng her. -,
When It was boiling arotsfd m !,
I thoag4ltI heard low'sob of fear,
followed by a wild cry Of despair.
and instantly the thought came.
Miss Nettiol
1t was too tire, too true: when
the Oran riEhted, and shook her
self clear OF the water, Miss Nettie
was nowhere to be seen.
The compsnionwsy was thrown
open, and the captain came rushs
ing on deck, just in tine to grasp
Rob Hardenbury, who, realizing
the full force of his loss, had sprung
to the bulwarks, with the intep-.
ton of fipginy himself into the
sea. rr.
He was so exhausted, however,
by his struggle at the wheel, that
the captain soon II astered him.
and, showing him below, secured
the companionwsy.
/ had been basy br'n -'ng 70,
Oran close to the viz d again, hav-,
ing taken advantage of the smooth
water left in the ships wake to do,
this, and had just got her to her,
old position, when the captain camo
to my side and asked what was up.
In as few trief words as pos
sible l told him all told him how
the ship appeared, how we had
just escaped being run down, and
of the seas boarding Jus; told Of
the sob and cry that l had heard,
and of Miss Nettie's disappearance
He rushed from me and eommen-
ced wild search about the deok.
but il was in vain. u.rs...r.s1
Miss Nettie was never seen alive
after this. fre as4df
The crew. who had been brought
On deck by the noise, soon learned
The sad news; and as Miss Nettis
had always been favorite with,
All Of us, sadder-hearted set Of
men could not well have been
found. ,..r,
Finding that Miss Nettie was
gone, the captain came aft to mo
md asked what vas tho cause ot
Rob's strange conduct, and / th,,n
told him Of the sceue that had pre.
reeded the appearance of the shin.
Hewas a kind-heartpd. feeling
nan. and had loved Mis-, Nettie ~