The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-07-10
A TERRIBLE MOMENT.

Yes, terrible--that's just what it was.
l shall never forget it, even should live
to one of those wondrous ages at times
recorded in the papers. Moreover it was
not thing for man to forget. Many
events may slip from our mind, but new
er 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. l had been
in Australia for alb ut five years, during
which time l had amassed considera-
BILE fortune, when l began to long to see
the old country again-a desire consid-
erably strengthened by the fact that
the girl loved, and who had consented
to be my wife, was going to England,
and could not bear the thought of such
an extent of ocean between us; so l de-
termined to 90 too, and let our marriage
take place there.
May Brodstone was the only daughter
of a well-to-do Squire, and the prettiest
and incest girl for miles round the sta
ton, though, until l mad become ac-
quainted with her, rather fond of a bit Of
girlish Irritation. This was the worst
for me as 1t turned out.
Among her many admirers was one
Jacob Kiel. Dark-haired, dark-eyed,
dark-complexioned, he was of that class
of men who feel strongly and who never
forget an injury-like wildcats, they arc
nasty customers to offend. Well, May,
| fear, had fiirted with Jacob Kiel, who,
| really believe, loved the very ground
she walked on, though she declared
and / knew it was true-that sne had
never given the slightest hope.
1t was about this time l appeared upon
the scene; and she discovered that she
had found the right man, as had found
the right girl. May Brodstone Instantly
gave up all her admirers, was as steady
and quiet as a gum tree when no wind
blows, and finally said the "Yes" upon
which my happiness depended.
Old Mr.. Brodstone knew that the match
would be good one, and readily gave
his consent, SO that our engagement was
soon made public. ! was present when
the news reached Jacob Kiel. l shall
never forget his face. His lips were
compressed, his dark eyes contracted; !;
he looked from May to me, and / felt
that, If ever he could, he would do me mis-
chief. Without a syllable he quilted the
place. A strange sensation ran through
me as he departed, and May told me that
a shudder ran 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 kind of shadow oyer
Mays and my happiness, and we were
not at all sorry when we got on board
the steamer and steamed off toward Old
England. We had not, however, got
clear out Of sight Of land when May,
giving little cry, put her hand on my
arm, and slightly nodding her head to-
ward the lower deck, said: ''N
"Oh, Edward, look-he is here, toop
And so he was. Leaning quietly over
the side, viewing the land apparently,
was Jacob Kiel-a passenger Tor Eng
land, like ourselves. will own that I
was considerably annoy ed, though when
May, drawing nearer, exclaimed, in a
startled voice, "Edward, dear, don't
know how it is, but dread that mani
can not divest my mind Of the thought
that he means US harm," l laughed and
| tried to Danish so absurd an idea. And
certainly it appeared 1 had every right
TO do SO. Save by a casual interchange
of a few words, .Kfel never troubled US I;
and we were making capital journey,
when, just as we were within twenty
degrees OF the line, we were struck by a
hurricane, which the captain declared
was almost a cyclone in violence.
| The vessel could not weather it, The
masts crashed overheard, taking several
of the crew with them, and, before the
wreck could be cut adrift, portion ol
the broken spars, dashing against the
ship, had caused leak below the water
line, and the CRY was, "We are sinkingl