The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-08-12
A STORMY WOOING.


quarter deck of one of the steamers tina,
ply between New York and Havana,
and gazed with feelings of horror and
indignation at tie scenes which were
being enacted at the vessels sides.
He was second mate of the Duchesse,
and this was his first voyage on her.
The steamer, as he had seen when day
out of port, was unseaworthy, and the
owners had put her in charge OF an in.
competent captaiu, and an insubordinate
crew had been SHIPPED.
A storm had come up, off the Jersey
coast and tie captain had from the tirsl
shown either ignorance or willful disre-
gard OF danger, in heading directly for
might have run before the gale to the
south ward.
Van Anden did not know what he
afterward learned, that the Duchesse
was insured tor more than her value !;
but he did know that the captain was
acting unwisely.
He vCntured to demonstrate, but
Captain Butler replied with brutal
oqth, and an admonition to "mind his
own business" that silenced Van An
den.
He devoted himself to keeping the
crew at work properly, and feeling free
from responsibility, watched the ap-
preaching danger with a clear con-
scier ce but heavy heart.
There were eleven passengers on board,
three of whom were ladies, and he trem-
bled for their safety.
For himself he did no. care much.
He had little TO tie him to life, and al
though he was not romantic, and had no
foolish desire for death, yet he had
schooled himself to expect it at any
time in the discharge of his duties as q
sailor.
And now it looked as though death
was staring him in the race. The
steamer had sprung leak, the m en- had
abandoned the pumps, and there were
breakers ahead.
At this juncture Captain Butler
showed the white feather. Careless Of
his passengers, he had called the crew
to the long-boat, and had given orders
to launch it.
1t seemed madness to get into a small
boat in such Il sea, but it was equally
dangerous to stay on the steamer, and
the crew gathered around him, wild
with selfish terror. In moment the
boat was loosened from its fastenings
and the cowardly captain was the first
to jump into her. Enough of the crew
to fill the boat followed him, and in
stantly pushed away, leaving the
steamer to her tate, and going to meet
an almost equally certain death.
Van Anden stood with sneer on his
lip, watching the proceeding. He could
not interfere with the captains doings
although there had been little discipline
on deck for the few minutes that had
just passed. But now the captain had
deserted the ship, and the com.
mand devolved upon the firsg-officer,
whom he knew to be brave man, al
though not a skilliul seaman.
"Where is Mr.. DyerP" he shouted tc
sailor who was left behind in the
rush that was made for the long-b boat
Washed overheard, SIR" said the
man.
The command then devolved upon
him. He looked around with a fresh
sense OF responsibility. There was
yet one chance of saving the passengers
and one of these passengers was 8
woman he would have died to save
even under other circumstances.
This was Mary Danforth. She was
magnificent beauty, and, as Van An.
den had long known by report, was ar
independent woman, living her life il
proud defiance of Mrs. Grundy, and re-
lying successfully on her unsullied name
and immense fortune to keep scandal al
a distance.
She was fond of travelling, and trav.
eled a great deal alone.
She stood now little apart from tn
other passengers, her proud head liitet
as if in defiance of fate. looking deatl
in the face without a tremor.
Van Anden had fallen in love wit
her the first time he had seen her, ,whicl
was on this voyage,
She had looked at him once or twic
with admiration for his manly beauty
but he had not even spoken to her, an
did not suppose that she knew of hi
existence.
Yet he loved her, although it was til
kind of love that d poet gives 10 q sta
that he knows is out of his reach.
AL this passed through his mind as h
stood looking at the captains desertion
and he saw his own scorn reflected in he
eyes.
Tnen he began calculating th
chances. The steamer, he knew, woul
sink in few moments more.
There were eight men of the ere,
left on deck, and among them he sa,
three of the best sailors that had shiI