The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-02-26
A WOMAN'S HER0ISM.

A WOMANS HER0ISM.
Bound home to New York from the Sand
wich Islands, the ship Hampton, was bowl
ing along through the Pacific Ocean, under
a cloud of canvas.
The crimson rays of the rising sun had
tinted the blue, rolling waves, when Bertha
Winthrop, one of the Passengers, came on
deck.
She was lovely girl of eighteen, with
hazel eyes, Ii yht-brown hair, a clear, white
skin, and perfect features. Nothing could
have been more charming than the coatour
of her well-formed heid, balanced on a ne K
as round and smooth as if sculpturel from
marble, yet full OF life and expression.
The supple grace of her whole form,
from the sloping shoulders, the 1.-the, tlvxi-
BILE waist, down to the small, well-shaped
feet, was remarkable, perhaps partially due
to her habits Of exercise in the open air,
not only in walking and riding, but also in
swimming.
She had been to Honolulu on a visit to
some relatives, and was now returning home
under the escort of her lover, Herbert Wei
don, a handsome naval officer OF twenty
three, who had obtained leave of absence
from the commander of his vessel, lying off
Maui, Sandwich Islands
Bertha was not at all demonstrltive in
manner, Some people said she was cold.
Her calm self-poss ession never deserted her.
She would look with still, clear eyes upon
her lover, when he spoke to her she seldom
blushed, or stood with dropping lashes be-
fore him.
This at times wounded Herbert's vanity
He wondered if it was possible she did not
care for him, after all. True her voice had
faltered, he had heard the beating of her
heart and felt the trembling of her hand,
when he won from her many months before,
the confession that she loved him. But
these signs Of affection soon passed sway,
and she seemed as calm at ever.
There are some men who can not like
such women; there are others who adore
them.
Bertha was not long on deck when the
young officer sought her side.
The two conversed. Finally Hetbert
said, 'If we have good weather, we viii
reach New York in three months. Then,
dear girl, Will make you my wife
eyes, Herbert" she answered in low,
quiet voice.
81 think we are well Matched as it is
called he went on-"don't you?''
Certainly" she replied, in the same qui-
ct way, sh ght smile on the pretty lips.
"Mine for ever. My own to love, cherish,
and protect! Oh, Bertha, you cannot i'm
agine how eagerly look forward to the
happy time!'
"Oh, yes, can understand all that - she
replied, calmly, raising her soft clear eyes,
and looking him steadily, yet not boldly. in
the face.
A shadow crossed Herbert's brow Could
she love him, and yet be so calmP
Bertha he suddenly said, 81 wish you
would say something-act in some way to
let me know that you think as much OF me
as / do OF you."
For an instant the girl flushed from brow
neck. Then she became pale.
Herbert" she said, quietly, "you must
never doubt me.''
The young man was not satisfied. When
Bertha left him, and went into the cabin.
without having spoken again, he felt cha
grined.
The sun had risen, but it was vailed by a
hazy vapor. Masses Of heavy black clouds
were rushing along from the windward.
The ships captain was ordering sail to be
taken in.
Hither and thither about the decks went
the active sailors, pulling and hauling on
braces, sheets, and clewlines. Then up the
rigging they darted to furl the topgallant
sails, the fore and mizzen topsails, and to
close-reef the main.
While all hands were aloft the gale
came shrieking, bowling and roaring on the
ship.
With her lee-rail scooping up the white
waters, her shrouds whistling and bending
to the gale, her masts swaying and creak.
ing, her timbers groaning and humming,