San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-05-21
A MAIDEN FAIR.
BY CHARLES GTBBON.

She nd not care now VINO knew II. she
loved him and she would help him though
everybody else should turn from him.
She knew by the sounds on deck-tramp-
ling of feet, loud vOices-and the varying
movements of the engine, that they were
nearing port. Whether or not the noise had
any effect in rOuSing him, Ross at length
stirred from his ethargy.
He moved slightly as if to turn on his
right side. With anxious face and ready
hands she assisted him. He muttered some
thing in husky whisper, but she was unable
to make out what he said.
She called him by name twice and her
voice seemed to reach him at last. There
was a spasmodic movement of the body, and
this time his muttering was distinct enough
for her to comprehend
''StarbOard, starbOard, cOnfOund We. There's
the Dun Buy-we must hold Off"
The rest of his words faded into indis-
tinctnesS again.
The turmoil above grew louder, and the
movements of the engine more eccentric
than before.
She dipped the towel into cold water and
bathed his face and hands. He breathed
more freely and regularly than he had been
doing for some time, and presently he open
ed his eyes.
What weary, wild eyes they were, staring
at her without the least sign of recognition.
They frightened her, and yet they brought
the tears which relieved her own parched
eyes.
"DO you ma ken me. {. BOb?" she hesitat-
I'd little over the name.
The wild expression disappeared and
slowly there came a smile of recognition.
ma ken you, AnnieI how could that ever
beP . My lass! But what dream 1 haze
habitat got fou and let the boat gang on
the rocks and"
But there the glimmer of intelligence
faded, and vacant expression took its
place. This was not the expression of i'm
becility, but that of one who is looking at
something he cannot see and searching his
mind for something he cannot find.
Suddenly he made an effort to rise, but
fell back helpless.
TRY again." she said eagerly; ''if you
could only get on to the seat, it would make
me less wac to look at you"
Mechanically he made the effort, and with
her strong help succeeded, after few trials
in getting on to the seat lie leaned back,
unable to support himself, still looking at
the something he could not see.
Can you bide there that way till get
you a drinkP'
She brought him glass of water and held
1t TO his lips. He drank greedily as if his
throat were parched, and he seemed to re-
yive. She took both his hands in hers and
gazing earnestly at him said
Can you ma tell me how this happened?
Try to mind. Where did you get the drink?'
Il Gamma tell. | got whisky, and / saw
the Dun Buy and the Buffers, and l wanted
to keep clear of them. But something aye
pulling the wheel out O. my hands. There
was"
He ended the sentence by shaking his
head hOpelessly and muttering YEARLY, II
Gamma tell dinna KEN"
She saw it was no use pressing her ques-
tons further at that time, and indeed she
had no opportunity of doing so. Although
the noise above continued, the engine had
stopped, and she knew that they were in
port Her father came down. Partly in
consequence of his dread of any further ac-
cident, and partly out of wise discretion,
knowing his own temper, he had delayed
coming until the Mermaid was safely moor
gu III CtclnSdu lldIDOl' NOW NHtl nc
came, he found her holding ROss's hands
and speaking softly to him. His passion
blazed up in spite of himself.
what are you doing there with that
scoondrel? Come DOT O. that this moment"
She did not move, and Ross was apparent
ly quite unconscious Of the angry and bitter
words.
Did you ma hear me?" shouted the faith
err. Il tell you that you are ma to disgrace
yourself by speaking another word to him."
Father, he is ma weel," she said gently,
but without releasing her lovers hands.
ma weel HE'LL be well enough when he
gets over his drucken fit"
This is not drunken fit father. He is
really not well, and you should get doctor
TO see him."
me get doctor for the scOOndrel that
nearly ruined me as weel as drooned usa'r'
exclaimed the captain, as much astounded
by his daughters calmness as by her first
disobedience. II tell you he was drinking
when he was at the wheel, and that would
hae been enough for me even If he hadna
put us a. in siccan danger"
''IIow do you know that he was drinking
when at the wheelg' she asked calmly.
"Cargll told me. He took dram from
him."
"Ahr' The exclamation was short, quick,
with drawing in of the breath. "And he
gave it to him."
"Ay, but he maun haze been drinking be-
fore that, because ae dram wouldna maxi