Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1881-11-24

cpala Iind in their way, ever anon
darling long tongues Of flames
down 70 the door, TO clasp IN the
light chairs, and tlbles nnd sefle6s
in their fiery embrace.
The people daFfed down from
the blazing upper cabin 90 the for
ward deck below, where as yel
the foe had made but little head.
way. and there orr brave captain
who was that rara oBis, the right
man III the right place -succelsded
in partially Quelling the panic.
Keep quiet r he ordered Hlkeep
quiet and sfav insl where YOU ere
or ] VIII not ANSWER l0r the lives
Of any Of you. The steward viii
provide every one Of you with life
presefvers but there is no reason
for any person to get overheard
vet awhile, at any rate, unless sui
eide is desired. Keep quiet, say |!
Screaming won't frighten the fire
away. Pilot head her straight for
the island half d mile ahead -n-
(We were at least twice that dis
tance from the mainland on either
shore.) Then he shouted TO the
engineer: sPut on all steam
crowd her on. We will run a race
with the foul fiend that has board
ed the Mabilia." a
There was an instantis pause.
and then with q erOan and a surge,
with the fifnbeis creaking and
straining, and the windows rattling
as though in mortal terror, the
Mobilia gathered herselfup to run
her last race.
Each passing moment, the flames
crept on and on, never pausing in
their terrible march. Fortunate
ly, they leaped upward rather than
downward, so that there was as
yet but little danger to the panic
striken crowd on the lower deck.
But the pilot house was directly
IN the track of the flames, and al
ready their advance guard was
beginning to surround me, sing
ing my hair and elbows.
Suddenly there was a murmur
among the people below, and the
next instant a light form flew up
the ladder leading to the deck by
the pilot house, and before | could
utter word, my precious MolIie
had thrown open the door; and
closing it again, stood by my side.
"Molliel ATallie |" l cried, @for
Heavens sake, 20 back. 90 back
Don't you see how the fiames are
creeping towards us hereg Go on.
my dearest, my own true wife
Don't unman me by making me
fear for you. Go down where |
can feel that you have a chance
for safety"
Rob Thorpe" she exclaimed,
with her eyes looking bravely,
right into mine, tam your wife ?''
"Surely, surely, thank God" /
uttered. "Bnt 20, go.n
my post is here, just as much
as your is,T she answered firmly.
81 will stay here, Rob, and if Won
die / will die too. We will make
our wedding trip together,my hus-
band. even if it be in the next
world. Keep TO your duty, and
don't mind me, Rob. There is
hope for us yet, and if it comes to
tho worst, why and a brave, sweet
smile crept round her lips-we are
still together, dear love.n
saw it was no use 10 urge her
any more.
"Thorpe! shouted the captain,
"come down. Lower her and
yOurselfover the rail. Well catch
you. You cannot stay there any
longer. We are very near the
shore now, and the rest we'll take
chances for"
1t was an awful temptation. /
knew that did | follow the cap
tain's advice. both MolIie and l
would be safe, for / was a good
swimmer, and should the boat not
reach the shore, | could save her
and myself, but then, If | did this,
would | not deliberately expose
every onel of the three hundred
souls on board to destruction
True, the boat might keep her
course during the short space re-
naming to be passed, merely from
the rapid impetus of her approach.
but again she nlightnot-and then!
l locked at my wife inqaiiring-
..'Stick to your post, Rob" she
no, sir,'' l shouted back: Il
shall stick to my post. 1 shall
stay here until / run her ON tie.
shore, or die first
"My brave Rpb--my noble Rob. >
murmured M0llie.
At last, just as the glowing
tongues of flames began ID reach
in through the window, d crash
and a shiyer passed from stem to
stern of the noble steamer. and
with a sharp quiver and d shake.
her bow ran high upon the shelly
ing beaah, and in less time than Il
takes 70 tell ii. every man. woman
and child sprang from the heated
decks and were saved
But alas for my devoted Mollie !
Alas for mel Not the piIst-house
only, but the entire deck around
it was now surrounded In flames.
Ii was too late 30 lower ourselves
to the deck below. The railing
was all ahleze.
by arms, released from their
guardianship over the whetsl clasn-
IL 2E.1le.- a - -