Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-09-24

hurried along WlIn In6 rest 10 WntIe
the ships crew were straining every
nerve in their efforts to clear and launch
the boats.
snow, my lads, quick Women and
children first !" called out Captain
Langton briskly.
One boat had been safely filed and
despatched, when two OF the crew, de-
taching themselves from the rest pushed
roughly to the front.
"Stand back there !" cried Captain
Langton.
'-Confound it all, we amt going to
die like rats in trapl Come on,
Bill -
s'I'll shoot she first man who attempts
to leave the shipr" shouted the Cap
tain, drawing his pistol.
Every man for himself, and God
for us all ~ muttered the fellow sui
lenly, seiZing the rope i'll his hand.
There WAS the report of pistol, a
cry of rage and pain, the flash of a
knife in the red lamp-light, and wO-
mans scream as Helen dashed madly
between the uplifted blade and Captain
Langton.
1t was with very different feelings
from those of the preceding night that
the crew of the Inflated EdinbrO' Castle
approached Melbourne Bay, and be-
held from the deck of the steaQer that
had wrought the mischief the new land
which some of them would reach bank
rupt of all save life and hope.
The passengers were most of them
below, occupied with preparations for
their departure, when Helen Stanley
hurried upon deck, where the evening
shadows were collecting mistily. With
hurried glance around her eyes en-
countered those of Captain Langton.
"My own dear Helen u he began in
an ecstasy.
"Stopl'' she cried excitedly. swat
till L have finished. You have won
your wager. George!'
"My wager ?" he questioned, bewil-
dered.
"And l have won the 'long-headed
Scot! " she continued, with an hyster
ical peal of laughter.
"What on earth do you mean ~
"Don't you understand? How dull
you are Mr.. McBriar has asked me
to be his wife -
"And you said NO. of course ?"
81 said Yes of course"
"Helen ~
''Why did ! come this voyage? Do
you forget 2"
Captain LangtOn gazed at her in Ut
ter perplexity. In all his experience he
had never beheld her in such a strangely
reckless mood. Some faint glimmer OF
a possible explanation of her conduct
began to dawn upon him.
"YOu don't care for him, Helen," he
said Cravely.
Married people get on very fairly
without much of that sort of thing, !"
quoted she moekingly.
lie must be at least twice your
age"
"'What do few years more or less
matter 3fter Il man Is past fCrtyr See
how well l remember your lessons -
''This is absurd, Helen; YOU shall
not marry him ~ cried Captain Lang
ton warmly.
"Who will pre- 5ent NE ?''-''I will. :"
"May l inquire how ~ she asked
scOrnfuIly.
Il will find some means, if have to
tel him the whole story"
81 have left You nothing to tell-he
knows am not widow"
"Dnes he know also that you are not
my sister 2"
"She burst into a reckless fit of
laughter.
ut was the sight of my sisterly de-
vOtiOn and courage, he says, that per-
fected his regard No. have not told
him that but will. Do not be afraid /;
he shall have nothing to find out"
Helen. YOU are mad, think Wait
here for moment"
She did not appear to have sufficient
energy to move she sat with her head
| leaning against the woodwork of the
cabin and her restless hands clasping
and unclasping themselves in her lap.
After short delay Captain LangtOn
returned, ushering before him Mr..
McBriar, who began tine moment he
caught sight of Helen
What is this, my dear what is this ~
She raised her eyes to his inquiringly.
sYe should have been more straight
forward wi Inc, We should indeed he
continued querulously,
"What has he been saying 2" cried
Helen, starting to her feet.
| leave him to settle it wiz We. i
don't understand women and theirways.
With this confession the "canny
Scot" withdrew.
"What have you done ?" asked Helen
fiercely, when the door had closed Oh
the Scotchman.
"Saved you from yourself, Helen, y
Captain LangtOn answered quietly.
"By what right do you presume to
interfere in my affairs 2" she asked
haughtily.
''By right you cannot question
by the right of love, DEAR" he whis-
pered.
"IIOw dare you mock me p" she cried,
beside herself with passion.
"FOr Heavens sake be quiet, Helen,
and listen to mel Last night
Last night l was mad" she inter.
rupted-'mad with fright. What
did or what said meant nothing-no.
thing at all-and you take advantage
and think Oh ~ She broke down,
and. covering her face with her hands,
wept passlonately.
BE reasonable, Helen-do be rea
sonable, dear" eItreated Captain Lang
ton gently.
Leave mel Col hate you !'' she
sObbed lmpetuously.
"And l love you and Will not go til
you confess that you love me tOO,'' re-
Piled he, seating himself determinedly
beside her.
Il will never say so, never P' she re-
rurned emphatically.
Captain Langton said not a word, but
sat listening to her vehement sobs til
they grew less and less violent, and be-
came at length helpless long-drawr
signs then he drew nearer, and ever
ventured to put an arm round the list
less drooplng figure.
"Helen darling," he murmured soft
ly, 81 love you, and have always LOVED
you, l think-don't move, dear-I sweal
L have Do you rememt er the nigh