The Red Cloud chief., 1875-02-17

safety I fear. Oh. my darling. my
darling! would to God you we're in
your home nov"
HE words had come rushing out,
deep, strong and fast, a. soon As the
spell that held his tongue was broken,
and when his passionate declaration
was made, be hung his head. Is If
ashamed Of his words. /
But there was no need. for the soul
Of Miss Nettie ri true and womanIy
and it knew and valued . love like
that of Rob at its true worth.
When she had found that it was
she who Was dearest on earth to him.
. glad light had come to her eyes,
and . happy look stole swiftly ever
her face. When he finished speaking
With that passionate appeal, she held
out both her hands to him but his
head was turned from her. and he did
not see them.
He heard the one word she spoke,
though even with the wind roaring
and surging about the ship. He
would have heard it had the storm
been twice as wild.
Bob 7"
His look was full Of surprise, that
became joy and happiness as his eyes
saw the love that spoke in her
glance. and noticed the hands ready
to welcome bis affection, and with a
glad cry he elapsed her to his heart.
my darliug!" "a all that he could
say, and yet in those words there was
a tenderness and joy that would Hnd-
er many sentences eloquent.
For a moment the gladness Of loves
triumph made the dark thoughts that
had filed his mind dim memories that
had no power; but, as he raised his
face, a great column of moonlight
broke from q clOudrent, and lit up the
tossing sea for miles around.
Scarcely had his eyes glanced at the
sea, when the gladness of his face
changed to an ashy despair and with
the cry, "Oh, my Cod" ringing out
like a dying vail, he jumped to the
open companionway and closed it;
then, Selling q wheel he spun it round
like a toy.
So quick had been his movements.
that l was startled /; but it was only
for a.second. The next instant l had
taken q look to windward, and my
heart stood still.
In the broad glare of the moonlight
l saw the great dark hull ola large
ship bearing down full on US. She
was scuddiog under q close.reefed for
sail, and coming at . rate Of speed
that would have carried her clean over
the little Oran.
For an instant I was paralyzed, but
it was only for an instant. l saw, like
Rod had, that if We could fall off
quick she might Craze US, and cause
only a wetting, and l added my
strength to his to hesve the helm hard
up, and so let her pay of.
1t would be touch and 60 with us. l
knew; but the Oran answered her
helm beautifully, aud il an instant
she fell off before the wind, the waves
foamiug along her sides like white
bearded demons.
We we're not a moment too soon,
however, for, just as We got before tie
wind, the bow Of the ship doomed past
US, and with . roar, a. if deluge had
broken loose, she rushed past US, and
a huge wave broke over the Orsn,
nearly swapping her.
When it was boiling around me, l
thought that l heard . low sob of fear
followed by q wild cry of despair, and
instantly the thought came-Miss
NettieI
1t was too true, too true ; when the
Oran righted, and shook herself clear
Of the water. Miss Ncttie was nowhere
to be seen.
The companionway was thrown
open, and the captain came rushing
On deck, just 10 time to grasp Rob
Hardenburg. who, realizing the full
force Of his loss, had sprung to the
bulwarks. with the intention Of fling
ing himself into the sea.
He was so exhausted, however, by
his struggle at the wheel, that the
captain o mastered him. and, SHOW
ing him below, secured the compan-
ionway.
l had been busy bringing the Gran
close to the wind again, having taken
advantage Of the smooth water left in
the ships wake to do this, and bad
just got her to her old position, when
the captain came to my side and asked
what was up.
In as few words as possible l told
him sll-told him how the ship sp-
peared, how we had just escaped be-
ing run down, and Of the seas board
ing rs; told him Of the sob and cry
that l had heard, and Of Miss Nettie's
disappearance.
He rushed from me. and commenc-
ed . wild search about the deck; but
it was al in vain.
Miss Nettie was never seen alive
after this.