Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-12-17

Bolton TELL upon an iceberg drifting
past the wreck. The next moment he
was out of Darkle's sight in the gloom.
There, hope l am rid Of him for
ever he muttered. - will probably
be suspected, but nothing can be
proved against me. will say that Bel
ton .slipped and fell overheard acct
dentally!"
The captain was surprised to see the
boats crew come back without their
officers.
When informed why Darkle had sent
them, the skipper shrugged his shoul-
ders.
He had his own thoughts about it,
but he did not express them, lest he
should alarm Bessie.
He at once veered ship, and headed
in the direction of the wreck, but, be-
fore he could find it, an unexpected
gale came bowling and roaring upon
them.
Bessie was now alarmed. Pale with
anxiety upon her lovers account, che
erasped her uncle's arm, saying she
feared he would now be lost. as the
wreck would certainly go to pieces in
such blow!
The captain endeavored to cheer her,
telling her there was a bare chance that
Bolton and Darkle might save them
selves by getting on the ice.
"They will freeze to death there, y
gasped the unhappy girl.
To this her uncle made no reply.
The dismal creakiag of the ships
timbers and the weird shrek of the
gale in the shrouds, were the only re-
Spouse to her remark. AS there would
be danger Of the vessels going ashore,
if he kept on his present course. the
skipper now was obliged to head in an
other direction.
The night and the next day passed,
and the one which was to have seen
Bessie happy bride dawned upon the
sea.
No sign of the wreck--no sign Of
either Of the two young officers.
The girl went down into her cabin
and gave way to her grief.
The gale still roared, and the ocean
was white with foam and flying spray.
Occasionally an iceberg was observed
in the distance, and the captain scrutin-
lied it with his glass, but he saw no
one upon it.
Hours passed; the gale abated, en-
aiding him to alter his course towards
the land.
Now number of bergs were seen,
far ahead.
Bessie, worn and haggard with grief
was by her uncle's side as lie again
pointed his glass.
All at once she saw him start,
"You see something ?" she gasped.
eyes, a human form on one of those
bergs"
AS the vessel drew nearer to it the
agitated girl took the glass from her
uncle's hand. He steadied it for her in
the right direction.
TT is HE!' she shrieked; "but oh,
uncle, is lie alioe9 Remember it is two
days since he left us!''
The captain made no reply, but his
hand trembled as he again took the
glass.
Bessie knew that he shared her fears.
cit is really Belton," he said, as if
he had hoped he had been mistaken.
"Oh, yes, uncle. I recognize his
cloak-the one lined with white and
black fur"
Nearer came the ship to the berg.
" lie does not more" whispered the
third mate to the skipper.
"Bessie, think you had better go
below" said her uncle, in a faltering
voice.
She made no answer; she stood as if
trans6xed, her gaze riveted on the
figure on the berg.
They vessel was soon near enough for
the form to be plainly seen with the
naked eye.
Seated in Mich near the summit of
the berg, that form did not move "a
muscle.
Straight and rigid it sat, propped
against the crystal wall behind it, only
the mustache, the ears, and the upper
part of the head visible above the high
collar, which was drawn we'll up over
the face. The hair projected outward,
stiffened with ice, the coat was glazed
with frosty particles as if sheathed in a
thin scaly armor.
81 will 60 toor' cried Bessie, when
the captain backed the main yard and
lowered boat.
He objected, but she insisted on
going, and he allowed her to have her
way, thinking that after all it were best
she should learn the worst as soon as
possible, for the suspense she would
suffer, if left aboard, would be terrible
to bear.
The boat approached the berg.
Belton!' called the captain, when
within speaking distance. There was
no reply.
Harry, oh, Harry, speak to mel
shrieked Bessie.
Still no respopse-still no movement
of the form.
"God help you, niece, it is as
thought cried the captain. "He is
dead"
"Ay, ay, frozen to DEATH" murmured
one of the crew.
The girl uttered despairing moan n,
and bowed her face on her hands. Sobs
OF anguish escaped her-she shook like
leaf.
Not man was there in the boat
whose eyes did not moisten.
Behind them the ships bell sounded
four strokes.
Dismal fell its clang upon the ears