The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-06-23

But the captain did not like to answer
this question, for he knew there would
be scarcely a chance for anyone to be
saved when the ship would he hurled
and shivered to fragments on the treach-
crous rocks.
He walked away To speak to his mate,
who was o bending over the rail, peer
ing i~ntently through the mist that half
obscured Il long jutting p%romontory Of the
island 10 the windward.
Forward and amidships stood the crew,
silent and appalled,, awaiting the dreaded
moment of the shock, which, it seemed,
could not be delayed more than a quarter
of an hour. 80 close were the rocks To the
vessels.
We are doomed, Langforl,' said the
skipper To the mate, who was still gazing
Ia windwarl. Nothing can save us
now"
AVE" answered Langford. But. If !
mistake not, there is Il boat with someone
in making for us, from the IL of that
p%romontory yondcr."
You are right" said the captain, after
Il brief survey. What can he want At
such atime"
The boat-a good strong one, contain
ing the stalwart form of Il Young man
was headed diagonally, So that il struck
the ships side a few moments later. \
rope had been thrown to the occupant,
who now clambered aboard, revealing
plainly the compact, bruad-shouldered
form and good looking, sun-embrowned
face of one familiar with the sea.
He east Il quick look about him, and
then looked ahead, ere he spoke to the
Captain.
Il have come To save your ship, sir
he hen said.
NO living man can do that now, sir"
replied the skipper.
Il can do it," answered the stranger,
as he quietly shook the spray from his
brown hair.
Gertrude and her aunt, who had hith-
erto been screened from the Young mans
gaze by the cabin house, now bent for
ward to look ut the new ONE
He, turning at the same moment, met
the full gaze of the girl.
Frank Marlin ~ she cried.
What, Gertrude Wilson here" he
exclaimed, Il CLEAN of pleasure for Il mo-
ment lighting his blue eyes.
Then Il look of sadness fell upon his
face, and bowling slightly, he turned away
towards the captain.
II, as you say, you can SAVE my craft,
| think there is no time To lose. | put
her III your hands, cried the skipper.
TIP helm! Square yards" shouted
Marlin in the voice of one accustomed to
cammand.
He was promptly obcycd and now
with added velocity, the craft was driven
on towards the rocks.
Marlinquictly waited until she was OPP
positc Il certain rock, when his second
order came:
"Steady-steady as YOU 20"
1t now seemed as if, in a few minutes,
the ship must he hurled, crashing, on the
rocks ahead.
But when she was within ten fathams
of it Martins ringing voice was again
heard
Keep off, there, at the wheel"
As the hcImsman raised the wheel, the
ships bow pointed past the rock, 80 that
she now headed directly towards Il foam
ing. tumbling mass of water, not six
fathonrs oil.
" Breakers roarc,l the captain to the
the Young man. Iou are driving the
ship straight upon them"
And he bounded towards the wheel.
Marlin. smiling, caught him by the
arm.
You will spoil ALL" he said wait"
\ few seconds after he spoke, the YES
sci plunged through that flaming ca!dron
of white water, which the skipper had
thought WAS a sure sign of breakers, but
which proved to be merely a sort of Il
whirlpool, and dashed safely on.
Steady, MAJ steady at the wheel"
shouted Marlin.
swiftly, the vessel, rushing past a high
rock, glided into Il bay where she WAS
sheltered from the gale.
Now you can anchor" said Marlin.
The skipper gave the order, and the
ship was soon lying snugly at anchor.
You saved u.s. cried the captain,
grtsping the young mans hands.
Ave, sir, because ii residence of eigh-
teen months on this island has made me
familiar with every nook and corner of
IT,"
"Oh, Frank, and have YOU indeed been
living here 80 long, said 4 timid voice
at his elbow, after the captain had walk
ed forward.
He turned to see the fearful, pleading
eyes of Gertrude turned up towards his
face.
She thought she read encouragement
in his loving glance, and, with Il faint
cry. She fell sobbing ond weeping upon
his breast.
80 !ong-so long" she murmurcd (;
but il has come at last-the meeting |
have hoped for"
"Do YOU then love me 50 much, after
all, Gertrude ?"
God alone knows how much" she
replied.
And will You be my wife if ] 90 home
with YOU? You will be tw~enty-one by
that time"
"Yes-oh, yes" She answered in a low
thrilling voice of pleasure
Il am poorer nov than | ever was be
fore he continued. After ! left YOU,
nearly three years ago, ! found that
could take no interest in anything. |
could only think of the dear girl from
whom | had 50 ruthlessly torn myself.
| was promoted aboard my ship, but that
gave me no pleasure and finally, i'll my
w~retchedness, | threw upmy commission
and came to live all alone on this island,
little dreaming that it would be the
means of my being united 10 the only
woman | ever could love"
"Ah, Frank, how happy you make me
with those words" she answered, "for