The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-01


ing will ever bring us any nearer sha
sobbed. Even in hcavenI shall. 4 be far
away from him. Iknow it, ..g:4 $3.50
How glibly we talk of heaven! How
easily we invoke death! And suddenly
there he is. in dreadful nearness! In the
darkness that followed the moon. setting.
IN the earliest hours of morning, came a
sudden and tremendous crash. A bark at
full sail had struck the st. Malo amid
ships, and in brief moment every soul
on board had walked to consciousness of
danger.
A mass of half-clad, frightened passen.
gers thronged the deck. Screams, walls,
imprecations filled the air; the ships
officers lost all self-posscssion and rushed
aimlessly to and fro. Through the great
rent in the steamers side the water came
washing IN. In an inconceivably short
time the fires were extinguished; the
bark which inflicted the injury had van
ished in the blackness of the night.
slower the bosts. lower the boats.'
shouted voices.
"Oh, why don't they lower them 2"
500 oed poor old Mrs. LIE Clerc, clutching
her husbands arm.
''Hush, Mary, they will But pre-
clous moments passed, the confusion
deepening with each, and the boats were
not lowered. Frantic men with clasp
knives flung themselves upon the davits,
cut, tore, cast wide the ropes. The first
boat Tell, struck the water filled and in
stantly went down. A second, third,
shared the same fate. Some of the sail.
ors seized the life-boat and pushed off in
her. regardless Of the frenzied passengers,
A yard came crashing from above and
smashed the launch.
1t was scene to try the metal of a
man. Reginald Thurston worked like a
hero. Expostulating, directing, soothing,
encouraging, he rushed to and fro, Helen
keeping near him like a 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. LIE Clerc,
who through all this scene of frantic ter.
ror had never let 90 her husband hand.
"Aren't you coming, too?'' sobbed the
old lady.
''There is no room, replied Helen,
briefly, as the boat pushed off: At that
! moment shout announced fresh acct
dent. The last remaining boat had cap.
| sized, half full of passengers. Forty
persons remained on the steamers deck.
The water gained every moment. Helen
| was the only woman left.
"You here, said Reginald. 81 thought
you safe in the first boat
"No," answered Helen, with strange,
sweet smile, which even at that moment
astonished him.
He tied life-preserver around her
waist.
"You are cold,' he aid; 'sperhaps I
can find you shawl
''Oh, what does it matter !! It will
soon be over" she said, with the same
quietude.
"Will the parson give us bit of
prayer?" asked a grizzled old sailor,
touching his hat.
All knelt, while in solemn tones Regi-
maid commended their souls as dying men
| to the all-merciful Father. A beautiful
confidence breathed through the prayer,
| and deep hush followed, all the more
; impressive from the wild clamor which
preceded it.
Ao~ CIV Sul t4CIO ID III CAdIlCc 1OI
us = asked Helen, when he returne to
her side.
''Aumanly speaking, none. I 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. care you
much afraid - he asked.
''No. not very,'' with slight SILVER.
but you are sure. quite sure?"
Il think so. I see no hope whatever?"
What face she turned upon him as he
spoke! The pinnacle light famed full
upon her, and showed it plainly. Her
eyes shone, deep flush was in the cheeks,
every line was grown inexpressibly ten
der!
''You are not frightened o. he ex-
claimed, Involuntary. "You look hap
py, happier nal than ever saw you look be-
II am happy" she replied in voice
SO soft that he scarcely recognized it as
hers. eve have but few minutes to
live-we are almost spirits! can tell
you now what I never could have told
had we lived-that I love you have
'o'eu YOU AOT long Time.
''Miss Miles! You!''
Don't be surprised-don be shock
ed,' she pleaded, "Oh, if you knew
what it is for me to once speak and tell
what is in my heart! All my life l have
longed to speak, and never could. We
| are dead now, and at last can!''
On the edge Of eternity Reginald
Thurston was conscious of embarrass-
ment at this avowal. Helen detected it.
"You do not know what to say to me-"
she went on, with sort of disembodied