Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-04-29
caused cid Mr.. Eoyd, the father Of this

ialT-h3lrcd SlTl, 10 >huddtr.
At every shrek Of the wind he
would shiver like an aspen. This BeS-
sic did not fail to notice, though at
Nf>t She said nothing. At lel 9Th,
huwevcr, She put down her knife, and
rose
"tathcr,' she said. 'Nou are cold.
You are all in a shiver. Come nearer
the tire
No, child" replied the former. ~
aliI Icrfectly comfortable. hut | fear
{. e.. re others who may not be so
we, ,,nused. Your remarks really
worr, ne. and fear it may be as You
say. that Nellie i i'll. and not only i'll,
but in want Of shelter from the rude
blasts that sweep mother earth to-
night"
Sin want of shelter, father!' ex-
claimed Bessie
YES, in want of shelter. Yester-
day they were threatened by the land
lord, J know. To-day they may be
hou >eleSs.''
"oh, father; Why did you not go
to the re cue?'
because, my darling, Mrs. REM
ington would have shut the door IN
my face. She is woman who will
allow no one to interfere with her d.
nestle affairs. She is, may say one
who will not have anything to do with
her neghbors."
But. father ~
What Bessie Boyd was about to say
was interrupted by the distant boom
Of ca non
She stopped abruptly, ard a sudden
pallor oyerspread her features. She
caught the sleeve Of the old man be.
side her.
"Fatherl' she cried, edo you hear
that sound"
"Yes,'' answered Mr.. Boyd, with
cheeks almost as white as her own
"ie> Ilark! ere it Is again the
minute gun at sea-
Again and yet again it sounded
that distant ,reverberating boom each
time sending a shock to the listeners
hearts. 1t was cry of warning
cry of distress we'll known to the
treacherouS waters.
DO you think there is any real
danger, father, dear?" asked Bessie,
after moments pause.
The light is in the window and the
lighthouse out at the break water is
shining brightly; can see it from the
Nindo
THE wind is strong, Bessie, very
strong" said the old gentleman, land
the ship that is well anchored is still
p"ccarlously situated. | fear-I fear
.-ome unlucky mariner has been driven
npon the rocks. God help the sailor
To nIght!'
Once more the signal Of distress
b""med out, borne aloft by the raging
Winds
Bessie Boyd stood by the window
peerirg out into the gloom, seeking to
penetrate beyond its Plutonion dark
ness. She stood there but a moment,
and then hastily left its recesses and
ran to the little closet at the other
side of the room
what are you going to dol" ex-
claimed her father.
DO" cried Bessie. Il am going to
save human life, if Ican."
She drew from the closet a thick
wooden hood and an oiled skin cloak,
and adjusted them upon her head and
uIders. Then she flung off her
dainty slippers and thrust her feet into
pair Of rubber boots. Old farmer
Boyd expostulated with her at every
move.
You are mad, Ressie-you are
mad" he cried, "What can a frail
girl like you do in such a storm rs
this?'
~ can do my SHARE" replied the
girl, and | must not hold back when
human life is at stake"
She was soon bundled up warm, and,
lighting lantern, she went toward
the door.
Mr.. Boyd had placed himself before
You shall not GO, Bessie!" he ex.
do no good. 1t needs a strong man,
able to battle the waves and wind.
You would 20 down at the start. 1t
is useless for you to throw yourself
away. 1t is a sin. Oh, my darling
daughter, don't leave me alone-donf
leave me alone!"
~ must father, I must. Precious
lives depend on every effort that can
be put forward. Shall /, though q
girl, stand idle while souls are perish
ing about me. No, l cannot"
But you are too fragile to be of
SERVICE" said the terrified father.
$50 they said of Grace Darling. But
Grace Darling did what men dare not
do. My life is not so valuable that l
cannot risk it, father, dear, and l am
determined, if needs be, to throw all
in the balance"
Again the gun doomed in the dis
lance.
Jpn be back soon, father!" cried
Bessie.
An instant more and the old man
saw her on her way down the road,
holding the lantern above her head.
She turned the bend in the road and
was lost to sight. By this time the
booming of the cannon had ceased.
fro BE Continued