The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-08-27

has, Well for me is it that it is not
/ Hilda or Zoe Caxton with whom ! have
to deal nowl Helen is as cool as my
self, and | am made unnaiurally cool
/ by the despairing pain at my heart
"Another like that and give up" l
say, cruelty. wish to frighten her.
"We shall not make the harbor," she
returns "She will not sail any nearer
the wind"
"We must tack, " l say, "and that viii
be neck or nothing now"
/ give the sheet a twist round the
cleat, and take off my soaking guernsey
and canvas shoes. Helen watches me
quietly.
cit seems pity to turn away when
we are so near" she says, woman-like
"But it must be done, ;" L affirm, loos
ing the sheet and putting the foresail in
order for the change. "Now, Helen,
down with your helm-hard down!
That's it-we'll do it yetp'
1t is trying moment. The sullen
waves, looking enormous in comparison
with our little craft, come rushing down
upon US, covering us with a lather of
foam. But the boom swings round. the
boat trembles and shivers like living
thing. stands up straight for a moment,
while the sails flap and ting over our
heads, and then falls away on the other
tack, and we are running free again
towards the purple bank of cloud where
the sun has set and the black, wicked
looking sea, however-nOt towards the
red CLEAN of the lighthouse, which we
can see now and then over the breaking
seas. We feel the wind and waves rath
every moment, and every moment grows
fresher.
, Sitting here opposite to Helen, and
quite close to her, for there is not much
space in the punt, my heart is beating
with tumnltuous throbs of mingled
pain and ecstasy. To die-if we are to
die-with her will not be terrible to me
NOT half so terrible as to live without
her. ! never look towards the shore
1 hate it. For, once on shore, another
. will claim her-here she is mine. Only
one frail plank divides us from death.
One thing l determine upon-if we dc
go down we will go down together
Helen will die with my arms around
her. 1 suppose the idea makes me
r smile, for Helen says, looking at me
curiously:
! "You appear quite happy"
: $50 am. Terribly happy"
"You think they are safe?"
"Who?'
! "Why those in the yawl."
t "I was. not thinking about them"
say with sublime selfshness. "But they
!. were almost in the harbor when l saw
them last. The wind would not afiecl
} them much; they carry so much bal
last"
t Another wild gust comes down upon
us before | can finish the sentence.
/, really think all is over this time. The
boat shivers from stem to stern and lies
' over perilously; the slender mast cracks
$ and with sharp report, the fore.ai
: blows out of the bolt-ropes and is whirl
e ed out to sea like pocket handkerchief
D l think the other will follow, but Il
J.. does not The boat staggers and catches
| cta N
| shipping every sea. But she goes OF
e like the game little craft that she is.
e 1--WE must go about presently or W.
a shall be on the Pins" remarked, look
d ing at Helen. l can hardly believe sh'
e realizes our danger, she looks so quiet
e "Yes, 1 hear the waves breaking upoI
It them," she says, smiling.
! "The mast will go as sure as fate"
: observe, without smiling.
It "Are we in danger of our lives!" sh'
r asks, turning to me gravely.
"We are"
Z, "How soon must we change ou
e course?"
"In a minute, or less"
n She is quite silent for little while
d after this, with her face turned ava.
e from me. The salt spray beats upoI
g her bright cheeks and hangs upon he
IF long eyelashes like tears. My hear
gives a tremendous bound, and theI
2, stands still.
( "Helen," l say bending towards her
= little-I can feel how white my fac
d has grown, and that my eyes are wild
'if these are our last Moments
IS Heaven knows think they are-I mus
g say one word to you. You will not b
angry with me-we are so near death?
70 She looks surprised and startled
most surprised.
D. "Helen," l crv, the sheet round on
y hand, and grasping hers with the othel
le tiller-ropes and all, 81 love you so muc
" that it is sweet to me to die with you.
it Her cheeks flushed more deeply tha
h the Geld sea-spray has power to fus
ii them-a strange, sudden illuminate
VS. comes into her soft brown eyes.
"Hans," she says, brokenly, "yo
d. don't know what you are saying"
"Do l not?' l cried, passionatel,
he raising my head. "Oh, Helen, we al
dying; you might give me one kiss fC
ip the sake of times gone by!'
She hesitates. The boat gives a te
or rible lurch. ! think she is fairly goin
er down with us, but | do not stir. Hele
,o. bends forward and kisses my forehea
Pu twice.
,rt "You are foolish boy" she say
ny with her grave smile. "Now get up, ar
try whether you can save our lives"
do get up, but l can think of not
m ing but the touch of those sweet, co
I'D lips. A wild reckless: bewildering fee
on ing of happiness surges through me.
we could only sail on, on, like this {
", evermore! Would it not be better to