The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-03-03

they were not many.
She was young and possessed of a
J happy and hopeful temperament.
It was impossible for her to retain
that feeling of humiliation when she
was conscious of no Intentional sin on
her own part.
The loss of her father was a sore
bereavement, but into her girlish heart
a new and delightful dream was steal
ing.
The manly young mate of the Petrol
found many opportunities of making
himself agreeable. and subtle and
delicious sympathy was deepening rap
idly into love.
All this was 80 apparent that the
captain took it upon himself one day to
utter some words of warning.
BE careful, Jim. wouldn't wrong
that poor child for the world; but in
her excitement and fright she may
have been too hasty. That man may
be her husband after ALL
Jim Farlee faced the captain with
flushed face and cleaning eyes.
"Tve thought of that" he said. II
intend to find out as soon as we get
back from this trip. Then. if the coast
is clear, I'll win her. If can. for
there's no other woman in the world
for me-"
'.All right my boy! Luck go with
your and the two men shook hands
with hearty good will.
How long does it take love to grow
in the human heart?
Not many days had the Petrol sailed
from port when a terrible storm arose.
Wind and rain and tossing waves
made hideous tumult frightening the
lady passengers nearly into Mysteries.
Ruth was also frightened. but COM
paratively calm.
For day and night the storm
ragged.
The Petrol was blown out of her
course, and finally. at midnight, went
crashing upon the the rocky coast of a
little island.
Knowing that she would 90 to pieces,
Captain Healy ordered the boats to be
launched.
The passengers, ten in number. in
GLIDING the ladies. were carefully low
cred into two of the boats, and Jim
would have put Ruth with them, but
she refused to 60
Il will stay with you," she said.
simply; Il will not make any trouble"
There was no time for parley.
Captain Healy waved the boats
away, and others were launched for
the rest of the crew.
Ruth smiled in Jim Farlee's eyes
when he said, hoarsely:
Il love you. little woman!'
'.And love you, jim"
And now there were only herself |
and Jim, the captain. and second mate
on board the doomed ship.
They launched the dory, and great |
wave swamped it.
That's the last boat" said the cap
tain; NOW we must swim for the
shorer'
He tossed life preserver to Farlee,
who proceeded to fasten it about Ruth.
Then with strong rope he bound
the girl to himself. Goodbye cap'n
and shipmate," he said, as the other
two men went over the side. Now lit
tie girl. this is our only hope"
II am ready" Ruth responded. but
she shivered little and closed her
eyes.
Jim drew her closely to him and
kissed her lips, all wet with salt spray.
Then he took the fateful leap into
the foaming black waters.
The crowded boats reached the
shore in safety.
OF the second mate nothing more
was ever seen.
Captain Healy was dashed nearly
senseless upon the beach. and when he
recovered himself proceeded to look
for his first-mate Farlee, and the girl.
He found them at last.
Jim was sitting on the beach with
Ruth in his arms.
He looked up with strange smile
as the captain approached.
There was death-like pa1lor on his
face, and a great purple brulse across
his forehead where some floating bit of
the wreck had struck him.
''She's mine at last, cap'n. No one
can take her from me now"
"Good Lord. jim" cried Captain
Healy, as he bent over the quiet little
face on Jim's breast, ''she's deadr'
"Oh. no." said Jim with that
strange, dreamy smile, 'she's tired out,
poor little soul. We've had tough
time, cap'n, but everything is straight
now. I've got it all fixed. She loves
me; and she's my own little lass. now.
Let her sleep awhile-don't disturb
her. My little sweetheartr'
Jim, my poor, old chap, what
ais youP'' said Captain Healy, in dis
may.
But Jim was patting Ruth's little
wet hands and whispering in the ears
that were deaf TO all earthly sounds.
The captain. strong man that he
was, dashed binding teardrops from
his eyes.
One by one the others gathered
about the unfortunate man.
To all he returned the same answer.
She was asleep; she was his.
No one should take her from him.
Reason had been forever dethroned
by that terrible blow on his heal.
AS the sun came up the clouds drift
ed away.
All day long Jim sat there with his 8
terrible burden. deaf alike to threats |
and entreaties.
Toward evening they were rescued i
by homeward bound bark. I
A heavy opiate was administed to q
Farley, and while he was sleeping the {