The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-11-13

ing up her cake.
he seemed about to put his hand On
her head, when Mrs. Rowland gently
but quickly drew the child away. The
mar showed no emotion at this action
of the lady. 1t was natural that the
mother should deem there was con-
talnlnation-poison-in his touch; that
she should not have permitted him
even to lay his hand on the golden hair
of the child.
you must never 60 near that bad
man again." said Mrs. Rowland.
"Why, mamma, isn't he a little
good? I've heard uncle-and he is a
minister, mamma-say that every one
is a little good"
"You have heard him say that the
worst person has some good quality;
but differ with him. | don't believe
that convict. who, l have learned from
the captain, was a thief. house-breaker
and drunkard for years, has a single
good trait"
Just a she spoke = heavy squall
struck the ship, hurting her down al
most on her beam ends. and driving
her through the water with every
thing humming. The wind blew with
terrific force, and the vast ocean was
vailed for miles by the whirling, driv-
ing spray, which flew like snow-fakes
all round the vessel. s%hrouding her in
a white mist. Suddenly there was a
wild shrek from NM. Rowland, as lit
tie Grace. who had attempted to run
into the cabin, was literally blown to
leeward into the sea!
my child! @ God! a Y my child!'
screamed the distracted mother, whose
voice, however, was nearly drowned
by the booming thunder of wind and
ocean, the rafting Of canvas, the slat-
ting of sheets and ropes. and the
smashing, Kissing noise of the sweep
ing spray.
The sailors looked with appalled,
faces on the form of Grace, as she was
borne along by the merciless waves.
Not IL of them dared to venture
overheard in that tempest. and, as to
lowering a boat, it was simply impos-
sible, as no boat could live in such a
storm.
"Save her! Will no one save nv
child?' screamed Mrs. Rowland. con-
fronting the seamen with clasped
hands and frenzied, beseeching eyes.
They looked at each other, and not
one moved, for all felt that certain
death awaited the man who should
plunge in that wrathful ocean. But
Mark Mold plunged overheard, and
the mother chung toa backstay. eager
ly watching for his temperance; but
seeing nothing Of him, she bowed her
head on the rail, moaning and raving
like a maniac. Still ragged the storm
and on tore the ship, further and fur
Their from the place where the man and
child had gone overheard. The sea-
men exchanged ominous chances and
shook their heads. Soon, the squall
sweeping far away to leeward, the
ship righted and the sun cleaned
from a clear sky upon a clearing sea.
From the capita n, who, having now
brought his ship to with main topsail
aback. had Il aloit, a wild cry went
ringing to the heavens, sending an elec-
trio thrill of joy to the hearts of all on
deck.
II see something two miles off the
lee-quarter. God grant it be the man
and child"
His boat was soon down with good
oarsmen in it-with Mrs. Rowland full
Of wild. anxious hope in the stern
sheets. Nearer to that distant speck
drew the boat
"There he isl" cried the watchful
captain at last. II think-I believe
but am not ccrtain-he-yes, yes,
thank God-hooray, hooray! he has
the child.'
Yes, there was the convict in the
water, holding up the child that the
mother might see it. Such a scream
of Joy burst from that mothers lips it
would have done you good to hear. A
few minutes later Grace nestled on her
bosom, weak and faint, but showing
signs of rapid recovery as the happy
woman strained her to her breast,
showering kiss after kiss upon her
face.
Almost exhausted to unconscious
ness. Mark Mold lay in the bottom OF
the boat, scarcely hearing the mother
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