The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-10-03
By JOHN FOX.

fore. Turning, ! saw two young wo-
men leaning against the bulwarks
Their faces were turned from me, but
there was little difficulty in distin-
gushing the maid and mistress. Pres
emily they were joined by plump,
comfortablc.looking English matron
and tall young American who was
evidently the escort of the party.
never saw an English girl with the deli
catcly.cut features the slender, grace.
full figure, and the air of refinement
which characterized this one, and /
certainly never met any man with the
graceful bearing of this tall young
American.
was glad that had ansopportunity
of seeing more of Them and | found
myself watching them with great
deal of interest us they sat on deck, the
mother lying in n big arm chair, the
daughter seated close by, and the young
American lowering around them with
gentle watchfulncss of every comfort.
Occasionally the mother would nod a
little, her head would sink back, and
she would draw some wrapping of
delicate texture over her face to pro
tcct it from the warm sun rays. In
stantly the aspect of the young couple
would change. An ali of frank un-
consciousness would yield to one of
great reserve and his eyes would
deepen with tenderness and his face
grow more earnest and flushed as he
leaned toward her and talked in low
tones
soon concluded that these young
people were more than interested in
each other, and one night | heard, or
rather saw, the whole story.
1t was the last night of our voyage.
The stars were dimmed by the moon,
which hung alone in a big dome of
blue. The ocean had sunk into Il
smooth, quiet plain, broken only by
dancing mOOnbGams, and the steamer
with its restless throbbing seemed
an impcrtincnt atom in the vast silence
around.
They came slowly toward me, rs !
sat smoking, from the bow of the YES
sci, She was leaning on his arm, and
occasionally she would turn her fair
face up to his with an air of mingled
timidity and confidence. \ little dis.
lance away they stopped and, leaning
against the bulwaris, began talking.
Presently she turned her head for an
instant and looked thoughtfully out
into the moonlight, which seemed to
gather around her head and leave its rich
yellow tint in her hair. He was plead
ing very earnestly now, and her face
sank slowly down as she TREMENDOUSLY
plucked at her dainty nubia, whose
gnft folds nypr bpr MASON, r,u. on1 ell
with the gentle tumult within. Then
he took one of her hands and paused.
4 moment later she raised her head
slowly and turned her face frankly TO
his.
When looked again he was holding
II ring up in the moonlight, and both
were looking at the pale-bluish light
which seemed to shoot from the stone
in its rich, yellow setting lie was evil
IDENTIFY explaining its history, for pres
emily she held up one pretty, fair hand
and he slipped the ring on and kissed
the dainty fingers, She blushcd and
looked pleased, and both walked TO.
gcthcr TO the cabin steps.
" u
1t was after midnight, | suppose,
when | was aroused by shock which
made the huge ship trcmblc for an in
slant. hurried on deck. The waves
were dashing against the ship and
frothing over the deck, the lightning
was flashing on all sides, and the thun-
der seemed TO shake heaven and sea.
We had struck upon reef, and evil
IDENTITY ! had not felt the first shock, for
nearly all the boats had left the ship,
and the captain and crew were prepar-
ing TO launch the rest. Suddenly Il
succession of vivid flashes seemed to
cncrclc the ship. The seamcn fell
| PROSTATE, and shower of splnterS
struck the deck forward \ little puff
of smoke arose, little tongues of fire
crcpt up mast, and before any one
could shout the terrible cry of Fire ~
one of the sails leapcd into flames.
The frightened people crowded shrek
ing to the stern of the ship, and among
them | saw the tall form of the young
| American, with Il woman fainting in
his arms. \ moment later ] saw him
again rs he disappeared down hatch
way which was bclching out smoke.
The brave sailors worked with will,
and the last boat was launched before
the flames had reached the middle of
the ship. Only one was left and into
this all of us who remained Clambcrcd,
The captain stood ready TO push the
boat of, when the young American $
nags"ru laco re"Ppeafcu III inc ho'ch'
way, , -, c,,
My NoH ~, ne crIcu' lr''n'caiIyj
" ,,W - sue Fl, .,.....,,.
,. Ntt aDo"ro Sho"'cu inc captain
s'G,rrhnly, ,,.,,,,.,, ,,,,,.,,i,,,,
Nc Soulg Htlcr'T"ll Sl'ooN ms llc..u,
~ Mol''u.i Ml''l SrlioM nun s''Guli'!lls
| over IlGt "Il'u sntilltlls WIZ uarIlhS
toward tilt noM q thG snip, sue looked
once ut lhc li nii Wn.cn were ItaPins
up we n,ns, Urn,nU ng, "llu' In,,r'tilitg