The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1877-04-28
A Terrible Moment.
BY o. J..

Yes, terrible-that is Just what it.
was. shall never forget 1t, even
should live to one of those wondrous
ages at times recorded in the papers.
Moreover, 1t was not thing for man
to forget. Many events may slip from
our mind, but never 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. had been
In Australia for about five years, dur
ing which time had amassed toer-
able fortune, when began to long to
see the Old Country again-a desire
considerably strengthened by the fact
that the girl loved, and who had con-
sented to be my wife, was going there,
and could not bear the thought Of such
an extent of ocean between us; so de-
termined to go too, and let our marriage
take place there.
May BradstOne was the only daughter
of well-tO.do squatter, and the pref
tiest, incest girl for miles around the
station, though, until had become ac-
quianted with her, rather fond of bit
of girlish Irritation. This was the worse
for me, as it turned out.
Among her many admirers was one
Jacob Klel. rk>haired, dark-eyed,
dark compile xioned, he was of that class
of men who feel strongly, and who
never forget an injury-like wild cats,
they are nasty customers to offend.
Well, May, fear, had firted some
what with Jacob Klel, who, really be.
lieve, loved the very ground she walk
ed on, though she declared. -and knew
, 1t was true that she had never given
him the slightest hope.
1t was about this time that appear
ed upon the scene; and she discovered
that she had found the right man, as l
had found the right girl. May Brad
stone instantly gave up all her admirers,
was as steady and as quiet as gum
tree when no wind blows, and finally
said the "Yes' upon which my happi-
ness depended.
| Old Mr.. Bradstone knew the match
would be good one, and readily gave
his consent, go that our engagement
was soon made public. was present
when the news reached Jacob Klel. 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 mischief. Without syl-
able he quilted the place. A strange
sensation ran through me as he depart
ed, and May told me that a cold shud.
der had run through her veins.
We did not see much of Klel after
this, though we knew he was often
about the station upon business; but
the man, somehow, threw a kind of
shadow over Nays and my happiness.
and we were not at all sorry when we
got ON the steamer homeward bound.
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 towards the
lower deck, said
"Oh, Edward, looki he Is here, tool"
And so he was. Leaning quietly
over the side, watching the land, ap-
parently, was Jacob Klel, a passenger,
like ourselves.
l will own that l was considerably
annoyed, though when May, drawing
nearer, exclaimed, iD a low, startled
voice, edward, dear, / don t know how
it is, but dread that mani cannot di.
vest my mind of the thought that he
means us harm," laughed, and tried
to Danish SO absurd an idea. And Ger.
tainly it appeared l had every right to
do so.
Save by casual interchange of few
words, Klel never troubled us; and we
were making capital journey, when,
just as we were within twenty degrees
of the line, we we're struck by a hurrl-
cane which the captain declared was al.
most cyclone In violence.
The vessel could not weather it. The
masts crashed overheard, taking sever
al of the crow with them, and before
the wreck could be cut adrift. a portion
of the broken spars, dashing against
the ship, had cause leak below the
water-line, and the cry was
"We are sinkingl Lower the boats
the pumps are uselessl"
The captain was marVelously firm and
cool, ana by his example made us all
the same.
The boats were rapidly lowered and
filled, while, thank Heaven, the storm
seemed to abate. The women went
first, of course, and all was proceeding
well when, just as the last boat was be,
ing filed, / remembered that in my
hurry / had left my mothers miniature
in my chest.
There was plenty Of time to fetch It,
and in second l was down in the
cabin.
Finding the lid open, my hand was
} already upon the likeness. when l heard
foot upon the stairs. l turned, and
: by the dim light yet swinging from the
roof perceived Jacob Klel.
Good Heavens The diabollcal ex
preston of his face, the fiendish malice
In his dark, snake.like eyes, revealed
his intention In a moment. He haC
come to do me some deadly harm.
Leaping up, seized my revolver, t.
be on my guard, put an attack was moi
; his purpose. Before l could preven
him he had quickly closed the cabiI
. door, and locked 1t on the outside.
Like fash of lightning all the nor
: rOrs OF my position instantly tasheC
before me. was a prisoner in tn,
. sinking ship
Uttering a loud shout of fury,
| M