Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-10-28

Fighting with her despair, this
stricken woman cried out, unselfsh
even in her agony:
"Marcl Marc my husband! 7
would make you happy If l could!"
They were nearing their journeys
end, and Marc had perceived no differ
ence in his wife. His thoughts we're
elsewhere. Had they not been, he
would have seen how pale and thin she
had grown, and that never of her own
accord did her lips caress him.
Then came the night when they were
startled from their sleep by the cry of
danger.
Women shrieked and clasped their
little ones to their breasts, while men.
white to the lips, hurried on deck to
be driven back by the fierceness of the
storm. Waves like gigantic mount
aims hurled themselves against the
ship, under which she staggered and
reeled and righted herself again, only
to be struck down anew.
Valiantly the good boat fought her
fight against the deep. Mast after
mast was torn away, till she lay bare,
trembling like q wounded human being,
at the mercy Of the angry waters. She
had sprung a leak. All night the men
worked at the pump, cheered by their
brave captain, who told them thew
must be close to the Dover cliffs, and
they might yet all reach the shore in
safety.
Inez chung trembling to Marc, while
Estelle, calm and collected, moved
oh LII
with a ready hand.
Little children grew quiet at her
touch, and mothers ceased to bewail
their fate.
Marc never forgot the pale grandeur
of his wife's face as she passed to and
fro among all the confusion.
Towards dawn the storm abated
somewhat, but dense fog enveloped
them like g. shroud.
At last the order was given to man
the life-boats. Sobbing women and
frightened children were quickly lifted
over the ships side; while warm-heart-
ed sailors bade them cheer up for land
was close at hand.
AS they lowered the last boat, Es-
telle, laying her hand upon her hus-
bands arm, said
"Marc, if anything should happen
to me l want you to believe that my
greatest wish was for your happiness.
You once said that perhaps some day
you would put my love to the test
You wondered if it would fail you 1t
shall not failyou. Marc, my husband,
kiss me just once as-as if you loved
me-"
"Estelle! my wife, /" and Marc
clasped his wife to his heart with some
thing of the love that should have
been hers from the first. For a mo-
ment she chung to him; then gently
withdrawing herself from his arms, she
said:
"See, Inez is faint. Take care of
her. [ am strong now. [ can see to
myself"
The little crowd pressed eagerly for
ward, and were rapidly lowered to
their places. The captain was thelast
to quit the ship. With one last look
round to see that none we're left he
drew his hand quickly across his eyes
to dash away the tears that would
come at the thought of the fate Of the
good ship that had carried him in
safety for many year. Then, drop
pinginto the boat he gave the word to
pull off.
In the darkness and hurry none had
missed the gentle woman, who had
comforted them all in their hour of
need. Estelle's husband, TO Go him
justice, believed her safe in the boat
with them all; but instead, she stood
alone upon the deck of the now fast
sinking ship, her eyes trying to pierce
the darkness that hid the man she
loved better than her life, forever from
her sight.
Alone, no, not quite. Something
touched her hand. It was Carlo, her
husbands great New Foundland dog.
Patting him, she pointed to the water
and babe him go; out he only whined
and licked her hand. Then Estelle
knelt down upon the deck, and with
her bead resting upon her faithful
friends shaggy coat, awaited her fate.
Almost at the same moment as the
last life boat was drawn up on the
beach by eager, willing hands, the great
ship, with one heaving toss, went down
into the mighty deep, and Marc Darcy
learned too late the value of a true
Woman's love.