Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-04-29

VINO wns now bending over the rail
Ipeering intently through the mis-
that half obscured q long jutting PROM
ontory Of the island to windward.
Forward and amidships stood th,
! crew. silent and appalled,, awaiting th,
dreaded moment OF the shock which. Il
seemed, could not now be delayed NOR.
than quarter Of an hour, so close wer,
the rocks to the vessel.
u 1--WE are doomed, Langford,r saif
the skipper TO the mate, who was still
gazing to windward. Nothing cat
! save us Dow.u
i "Aye,n answered Langfard. "But
III / mistake not, there is boat with
someone in 1t making for us, from the
i way Of that promontory yonder.''
"You are right,n answered the cap.
| tain, after brief survey. "What can
he want at such time"'
| The boat-a good, strong one, contain.
Ing the stalwart form of a young man
was headed diagonally, so that 1t struck
the ships side a few moments later. A
rope had been thrown TO the occupant,
who now clambered aboard, revealing
plainly the compact, broad-shouidered
form and good-iooking, sun-embrowned
face of one familiar with the sea.
i He cast quick glance about him, and
then looked ahead, ere he spoke to the
captain.
u have come to save your ship, sir,''
he then said.
mo living man can do that now,
sir, y replied the skipper.
II can do it,n answered the stranger
as he quietly shook the spray from his
brown hair.
Gertrude and her aunt, who had
bhitherto been screened from the young
mans gaze by the cabin-house, behind
which they stood, n ow bent forward to
look at the new conner.
He, turning at the same moment,
met the full gaze of the girl.
Frank Mariin,n she cried.
"What! Gertrude Wilson here?u he
exclaimed, gleam of pleasure for a
moment lighting his blue eyes.
Then alook of sadness fell upon his
face, and bowling slightly he turned
away toward the captain.
I'll, as you say, sir, you can save my
craft, think there is no time to lose. +
put her In your hands, cried the skip
per.
"Up helm! Square yards!r shouted
Marlin, in the voice Of accustomed
to command.
He was promptly obeyed, and now,
with added velocity, the craft was driv-
en- on toward the rocks.
Marlin quietly waited until she was
opposite . certain rock, when his sec
ond order came:
STEADY steady as you go!,'
1t now seemed as If, In few minu-
tes, the ship must be hurled, crashing,
on the ROCKS ahead.
But when she was within ten faith
oms of it Marlin's ringing voice was
again heard:
Keep off, there. at the wheel.u
AS the helmsman raised the wheel.
the ships bow pointed past the rock SO
that she now headed directly toward a
foaming mass Of water, not six fathoms
off.
"Breakersr' roared the captain to the
young man. You are driving the
ship stri5ht upon themp'
And he bounded toward the wheel.
Marlin, smiling, caught him by the
arm.
''You will spoil all, y he said, '.wait!rl
A few seconds after he spoke, the
ship plunged through that foaming cal
dron Of white water, which the skipper
thought was the sure sign of breakers.
but which proved to be merely sort Of
whirlpool, and dashed safely on.
Steady, man; steady at the wheel!u
shouted Marlin. @ N
Swiftly the vessel, rushing past Il
high rock, giided into q 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 have saved us!, cried the cap-
tain, gratefully, grasping the young
mans hand.
Aye, sir, because residences OF 18 |
months on this island has made me
familiar with every nook and corn
er Of it.u
..Oh, Frank, and have YOU indeed
been living here 80 long?'' said timid |
voice at his elbow, after the captain had |
walked forward.
He turned to see the fearful pleading |
eyes Of Gertrude turned up towards his
face.
She thought she read announcement
In his loving glance, and with faint
;ry, she fell sobbing and weeping upon
his breast.
$50 long 80 longl,' she murmured:
but II has come at last the meeting i i
nave hoped for
A Do you, then, love me 50 much after
III, Gertfude?n
God alone knows how muchu, she \
And viii YOU be my wife il i u