The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-06-03

moments passed, the CVu1uSaOn
deepening with each, and the boats were
not Lowered. Frantic men with clasp
flung themselves upon the dayits,
cut, tore, cast wide the ropes. The 1irst
boat fell, struck the water filled and N
went down. A second, : third.
shared the same fate. Some of the sail
ors seized the life-boat and pushed Of II
her, regardless Of the frenxied passengera-
. yard came crashing from above and
smashed the launch
It was ! sceneto try the metal Of =
man. Reginald Thurston worked Nkesa
hero. Expostulating, directing, soothing.
encouraging, he rushed to and fro, Helen
keeping near him like : silent shadow.
Under his orders three boats were sue
cessfully launched. and women and chill
dren, the old and the weak, hurried into
them. Helen took the shawl from her
shoulders to put round Mrs. Le Clerc,
who through al this scene of frantic ter
ror had never let 20 her husbands hand.
"Aren't you coming, too7'' sobbed the
old lady.
ssThere is no room. replied Helen.
briefly. g the boat pushed of. At that
moment = shout announced > fresh acci-
dent. The last remaining boat had cap
sized, half full Of passengers. Forty
persons remained on the steamers deck.
The water gained every moment. Heaen
was the only woman left.
ssYou here said Reginald. 81 thought
you safe in the first boat
"No," answered Helen, with > strange,
sweet smilc, which even ct that moment
astonished him.
He tied ! life-preserver around her
waist.
"You arc cold,' he said perhaps /
can find you = shawl"
sOh, what does it matter Il will
soon be over she said, with the same
quietude.
"WM the parson give rs : bit Of
prayer - asked : grizzled old sailor,
touching his hat
All knelt, while in solemn tones Regi-
nald commended their souls q dying men
to the all.mercifnl Father. A beautiful
confidence breathed through the prayer,
and a deep hush followed, all the more
impressive from the wild clamor which
preceded it.
"You are sure there is no chance for
us :" asked Helen, when he returned to
her side. h
"Humanly speaking, pone. l do not
see the least" The words were firmly
spoken; his face wore its usual happy
look. Worthy living makes worthy dy.
ing, an old saint has told US. Are you
much afraid - he asked.
mo, not very" with : slight shiver'
"But you are sure. quite surel
81 think 20. ! SEQ no hope whatevert'
What = face she turned upon him IS ha
spoke! The pinnacle light famed full
upon her, and showed it plainly. Hel
eyes shone, deep flush was in the cheeks
every line was grown in~sxpresibly ten
der!
.You ars not frightenede he q
claimed, in~voluntarily. sYou look hap
py, happier than ] ever saw you look b
iforel"
II am happy shs replied in ) voic
50 soft that 10 scarcely recognized it :
hers. I'VE have but ! few minutes 4
Iive-we are almost spiritsl Ican tel
you now what / newer could have tol,
had we liyed-that / love ycu-hay
loved you for : long time"
miss Miles! You'll"
Don't b surprissd-don't b shock
ed" she pleaded. 'Oh, if you kne,
what it Is for me to oncs. speak and tel
what is in my heart! All my life l hav
Ilonged to speak, and / never could. w
are dead now, and 1t last I can F.
On the edge Of eternity Reginal
Thurston was conscious Of embarrasi
ment At this ayowal. Helen detected il
"You do not know what to say to me,
she went on, with . sort of disembodie
lfrankness. "Dear friend, say nothing
I am not ashamed that / have loved yol
and by-and-by you will not be sorry. W
are going where love is life and law; min
cannot harm or inconvenience 20
there"
poor child!'' he n.urmured, inexpre
IsibIy touched.
mo, not poor. / have been much hal
pier for knowing you. and nov we u
going to the next world together.
never thought that anything 50 wcnde
ful q that could happen"
A cry came from the forlorn group 9
the other side Of the deck.
What Wa thstf What did thu
say
Reginald. straining his eyes into 4
dafknsm.
.Oh, surely not! How could ] Il,
nowl"
There was terror II her facs.
ssDo not - ffiehtened.y be said. eent1