Montgomery County sentinel., 1875-07-23
seleftea S}listrllanv.
A WOMAN's HEROISM.

Sandwich Islands, the ship Hampton was
bowling along through the Pacific Ocean,
under cloud of canvass.
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 a lovely girl of eighteen,
with hazel eyes, light brown hair, a clear,
white skin, and perfect features. Moth
ing could have been more charming
than the contour of her well-formed
head, balanced on a neck as round and
smooth as if sculptured from marble, yet
full of life and expression.
The supple grace of her whole form,
from the sloping shoulders, the 1.-THE,
flexible waist, down to the small, we'll
shaped feet, was remarkable, perhaps
partially due to her habits of exercise in
the open air, not only in walking, and
riding, bat also in swimming
She had been to Honolulu on visit
to some relatives, and was now return
ing home under the escort of her lover,
Herbert Weldon, handsome naval Off
Ger of twenty three, who had obtained
leave of absence from the commander of
his vessel, laying off Mani, Sandwich Is
land.
Bertha was not at all dcmonstrativc
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 before him.
This at times wounded Herbert's vani-
ty 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 con-
fcssion that she loved him. But these
signs of affection soon passed away, and
she seemed as calm as ever.
There are some men who cannot like
such women; there are others who adore
them.
Bertha was not long on deck when the
young officer soughther side.
The two conyerscd. Finally Herbert
said, "If We have good weather, we
will reach New York in three months.
Then, dear girl, l will make you my
wife"
"Yes, Herbert" she answered in a
low, quiet voice.
Il think we are well Matched as it
is called" He went on--"don't you Z"
"Certainly," she replied, in the same
quiet way, a light smile on the pretty
lips.
mine for everl My own to love,
cherish, and protect Oh, Bertha, you
cannot imagine how eagerly look for
ward to the happy time 7"
"Oh, yes, can understand all that p
she replied, calmly, raising her soft,
clear eyes, and looking him steadily, yet
not boldly, in the face.
A shadow crossed Herbcrt's brow.
Could she love him, and yet be SO calm :?
Bertha" he suddenly said, II wish
you would say something-act in some
way to let me know that you think as
much of me as do Of you p
For an instant the girl flushed from
brow to 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 chagrined.
The sun had risen, but it was vailed
by hazing vapor. Masses of heavy
black clouds were rushing along from
the wiudward The ships captain was
ordering sail to be taken in.
Hither and thithcr about the decks
went the active sailors, pulling and haul
ing on braces, sheets and clewlines.
Then up the rigging they darted to furl
the topgallant sails, the fore and nizzen
topsails, and to closc-recf the main.
While all hands were aloft the gale
came shrieking, bowling and roaring on
the ship.
With her Iee-rail scooped up the white
waters, her shroud whisting and bend
ing to the gale, her masts swayiDg and
creaking, her timbers groaniug and
humming away she went driving through
the mad waters, vailed in shroud o
spray from bow to stern.
Amidships, holding on to a pin on th'
main ffe-rail, stood Herbert, watching
the men who were furling the jib