The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-12-16
the roaring, devourring enemy that had
caizad 11Ynn tho i1l.faHed- steamer

overheard; not yet awhile, at any rate,
unless suicide is desired. Keep quiet,
say! Pilot, head her straight for the
land, half mile ahead eve were at
| least twice that distance from the main
land on either shore Engineer, put
on all steam-crowd her on! We will
run race with the foul fend who has
boarded the Mobilia."
/ There was an instant's pause, and
then, with groan and a surge, with
the timbers creaking and straining, and
the windows rafting as though in mortal
terror, the Mobilia gathered herself up
| to run her last race. si }-sE- g. q
Each passing moment the flames crept
on and on and on, never pausing in their
terrible march. Fortunately, they leaped
upward rather. than downward. SO that
brows
Suddenly there was murmtr among
| the people below, and the next instant a
light form flew up the ladder leading to
the little deck by the pilot house, and,
before I could say a word, my precious
Mollie had thrown open the door, and,
closing it again, stood at my side.
"Mollie, Mollie!" I cried. "For
heavens sake go back, go back! Don't
you see how the flames are creeping to-
ward us here? Go, go, my dearest, my
there was as yet but little danger to the
stricken crowd on the lower deck.
% But the pilot-house was directly in the
track Of the flames, and already their
advance guard was beginning to sur
round me, singing my hair and eye
own true wife Don't unman me by
making me fear for you. Go down
where [ can feel that you have chance
Of safety ....,.2 s..s.ssy rs,s.,-1. q
"Rob Thorne !" she exclaimed, with
her eyes looking bravely straight into
mine, "am your wife ?"
"Surely, surely, thank ,God!'' [ ut
tered. "But go. go!" --...-----...-.
"My post is here, just as much as
yours is" she answered, firmly CT viii
stay here, Rob, and if you die, I will die,
too. We will make our wedding trip
together, mysdear husband, even if it be
into the next world. Keep to your duty,
and never mind me, Rob. There is hope
for us yet, and, if it comes to the worst,
why''-and brave, sweet smile Ecrept
round her lips-'s::we are still together,
dear love l." r. .z.-~s,a- 80.
[ saw it was of no use to urge her any
more, and, besides, something swelled
in my throat so that could not utter
word, so just gripped the wheel hard,
and looked right ahead, though every
thing looked very dim just then, and my
| devoted darling stood calmly at my side,
watching the flames that were creeping
closer and closer upon us, leaping
around the pilot-house like hungry de-
mons impatient for their prey.
"Thorne," shouted the Captain,
"come down. Lower her and yourself
over the rail. Well catch you. You
cannot stay there any longer. We are
very near the shore now, and the rest
We'll take our chances for.''' 80
It was an awful temptation. I knew
that, did T follow the Captains advice,
both Mollie ard I would be safe, for I
was good swimmer, and, should the
boat not reach the shore, I could save
! her and myself but then, if I did this,
| would I not deliberately expose every
one of the SOC. souls on board to destruc-
ton? True, the boat might keep to her
course during the short space remaining
to be passed, merely from the rapid I'M
petus OF her approach but, again, she
| might not-and then? 9,f - ss4# ~ s
1 looked at my dear wife inquiringly.
/ 7 :" Stick to your post, Rob !" she said.
| "No, sir p I shouted back; ST shall
stick to my post I shall stay here till I
run her clear on TO shore, or die first. ~
| Ny brave koi,--my noble Rob p
nlurmured Molie. .-..sf e,t- ....r f...s r.r4
But alas for my devoted Mollie alas
| for me! Not the pilot-house only, but
the entire deck around it was now sur
rounded by flames It was too late to
lower ourselves to the deck below! The
railing was all ablaze. #1@a'% go ID
Ny arms, released from their guardi-
anship over the wheel, clasped Mollie
close to my heart; but my eyes and
brain were busy seeking for some mode
/ of escape from death that seemed each
instant more certain.
AL at once my eyes rested on the
| paddle-box. It had not taken fire yet ;
the flying spray had saved it. I had
only to. dash across the fame-swept
deck, and fling open little door in its
| side, which afforded ready access to the
wheels, to lower my precious charge to
the water beneath in safety. No sooner
| thought OF than done. !. 'rga,....s. Go
!. Take, my hand, Mollie,'' I said,
-, :" and run with me. We. shall be. saved,
after all. Wrap your shawl across your
mouth. Now, 7now-run !! IS
Leaping down on the deck, we sped,
| hand in hand, to the paddle-box. I
dashed open the, little door, and, push
ing Mollie inside, passed ii myself, and
drew the door close again, shutting ont
the eager flames whose angry roar pnr-
sued us as we dropped gently down into
the shallow water and, erept out from
beneath The wheel. Essl 81 as ..5s3s13s Il )
Our appearance was hailed with a
shout ofsdelight and relief, for all had
given ussup as lost, and we must have
been butsfor the heaven-inspired thought
Of the wheel house % 'as7sa, 1T . 2ss''
Now that the danger, was, over, poor
little. Mol]ie tainted; and no wonder.
But she soon came out all right and as
the people began to find out that the
"brave little. girl, naras, they called her,
was reallyia bride of onlysasfew hours,
/ and that we were on our wedding trip,
! there was regular ovation, followed aup
by nine deafening cheers q g. ID ael
f. The island upon Which the Mobilia
had been Reached vas low, SANDY
and uninhabited, altogethersne an in