Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-12-17
Selefted Misfellanp.
A TERRIBLE MOMENT.

Yes, terribe--that is just what it was.
| shall never forget it, even should |
live to one of those wondrous ages at
times recorded in the papers. More
over. it was not thing for man to
forget. Many events may slip from
our mind, but never that moment when
we stand on the brink of the grave,
brought thither by the probability of
an awful death
1t happened in this way. had been
in Australia for about five years, during
which time had amassed tolerable
fortune, when | began TO long to see
the old country again-a desire consid-
erably strengthened by the fact that
the girl | loved, and who had consent
ed to be my wife, was going to England,
and | could not bear the thought of
such an extent of ocean between us so
| determined to go too, and let our mar
riage take place there.
May Brodstone was the only daugh-
ter of a well-to-do squatter and the
prettiest, incest girl for miles around
the station, though, until I had become
acquainted with her, rather fond of Il
bit of girlsh Irritation. This was the
worse for me, as it turned out
Among her many admirers was one
Jacob KEEL. Dark haired, dark-eyed,
dark-complcxioned, he was of that class
of men who feel strongly, and who new
er forget an injury-like wild cats, they
| atSfxr f,, al
May. | fear, had Airted somewhat with
Jacob Kiel. who, really believe, loved
the very ground she walked on, though
she declared and ! knew it was true
that she had never given him the
slightest hope.
1t was about this time that I appear
ed upon the scene and she discovered
that she had found the right man, as |
had found the right girl. May Brod-
stone instantly gave up all her admirers,
was as steady and quiet as gum tree
when no wind blows. and finally said
the Eyes" upon which my happiness
depended.
Old Mr.. Brodstone knew that the
match would be good one, and readily
gave his consent, so that our engage
ment was soon made public. | was
present when the news reached Jacob
Kiel. / shall never forget his face
His lips were compressed, his dark eyes
contracted A; be looked from May to me,
and felt that, if ever he could, he
would do me mischief Without, d syl-
liable he quilted the place. A strange
sensation ran through me as he departed !;
and May told me that cold shudder
had run through her veins.
We did not see much of Kiel after
this, though we knew he was often
about the station upon business but
the man somehow threw a kind of shad-
ow over Mays and my happiness, and
we were not at all sorry when we got
on board the steamer and steamed off
towards Old England We had not,
however, got clear out of sight of land
when May, giving a little cry, put her
hand on my-arm, and, slightly nodding
her head tawards the lower deck, said
ooh, Edward, look--he is here too !"
And so he was. Leaning quietly
over the side, watching the land APP
parently, was Jacob Kiel--a passenger
for England, like ourselves. | will own
that | was considerably annoyed, though
when May, drawing nearer, exclaimed,
in low, startled voice, Edward, dear,
| don't know how it is, but | dread that
mani cannot divest my mind of the
thought that he means us harm"
laughed, and tried to Danish SO absurd
an idea. And certainly it appeared
had every right to do so. Save by a
casual interchange Of few words, Kicl
never troubled US; and we we're making
a capital journey, when, just as we
were within twenty degrees of the line,
we were struck by hurricane which
the captain declared was almost a cy-
clone in violence
The vessel could not weather it. The
masts crashed overheard, taking seve-
raj of the crew with them. and, before
the wreck could be cut adrift, portion
Of the broken spars, dashing against
the ship, had caused leak below the
water-line, and the cry was. 1--WE are
sinking! Lower the boats-the pumps
are useless ~