Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-03-06
A WOMAN'O HEROISM.

cloud OF canvas.
The crimson rays of the rising sun had
tinted the blue, rollin, waves, when Bertha
Winthrop, one OF the passengers, came on
deck.
She was a lovely girl of eighteen, with
hazel eyes, Ii; ;ht-brown hair, clear, white
skin, and perfect features. Nothing could
have been more charming th4n the contour
OF her weil-ior.ncd he "a, balanced Oh a ne X
as round and smooth as if sculptured from
marble, yet full OF life snl expression.
The supple grace of her whole form,
from the sloping shoulders, the 1.-the, hexi-
bic waist, down to the small, well-shapcd
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 WIS now returning home
under the escort of her lover, Herbert Wei
don, Il 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 dcmonstrative in
manner, Some people said she was cold.
Her calm self-possession 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 Hcrbert's vanity
He wondered if it was possible she did not
care for him, after all. True, her voice had
faltercd, 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 us calm at ever.
There are some men who can not like
them.
Bertha WAS not long on deck when the
young officer sought her side.
The two conversed. Finally He.bcr5
said, "If we have good weather, we Will
reach New York i'll three months. Then,
dear girl, l will make you my wife >
"Ycs, Herbert she answered in Il low,
quiet voice.
Il think we are well match2l,' as it Is
called he went on-",!ont you;"
"Cert:,inly," she replied. in the s,ma qui-
ct way, a slight smile on the pretty lips
Mine for ever. Ny own to love, cherish,
and protect! Oh, Bertha, you calnos 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 Ierbert's brow. Could
she love him, and yet BE- SO calm?
"Bertha,' he suddenly said, Il 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 L4ow
to neck Then she became pale.
"IIerbert," she sud, 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 Il
hazy vapor. Masses Of heavy black clou Is
were rushing along from the windward.
The ships captain was ordering sail to be
taken in.
Hither and thithcr about the decks went
the active sailors, pulling and hauling on
braces, sheets, and clewlines. Then up the
rigging they dartei to furl the topsalltnt
sails, the fore and mizzen topsailS, and to
closc-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,
away she went, driving through the mad
waters, vailed in shroud of spray from
bow to stern.
Amidships, holding on to a pin on the
main tifc-rail, stood Herbert, watching the
men who Were fuglimg the jib
Suddenly the ship made a mad plunge;
O great torrent of water came sweeping,
like i huge, moving wall, over the weather.
rail.
Ere the young officer could avoid 1t by
running aft, it struck his form, washing
him overheard like shot There was n
slender. half-rotien rore hanging from the
waist, attached to rail. Herbert seized
this as he went, with ready self-posscssion,
twisting it around his waist.
The wild mass OF water swept over and
past him; there he was, hanging by the
end of the rope. about ten yards from the
ships side.
Bertha, who had come on deck just rs her
lover was swept over the rail, now ran
amidships, with pale cheeks and wild eyes,
calling on the ships officers to save the
young man.
No boat could be lowered in such n gale.
The officers ran to the rail. however. and
commenced hauling on the rope. to which
the imperiled one, half hidden by the rag
ing, foaming waters and the flying spray,
was still clinginG.