Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1888-02-04
A Terrible Moment.

Yes. terrible, for such. indeed. Il
was! ! shall never forget Ii, even IL |
should live 10 be hundred years old!
Many weighty events pass from the
memory. but certainly not the moment
which brings man to the very brink
Of the grave. aud in which he finds
himself face to face with q horrible
death.
had lived TOR nearly five years in
Australia where | had amassed quite
a handsome fortune. when suddenly a
longing for home took possession Of
me. doubtless intensified By the fact
that ms ailianeed bride was about to
sail for Europe. and could not en-
dnre the thought that the " do ocean
was 70 roll between US So resolved
10 accompany her and our marriage
was to be celebrated ia our native land.
May Broistone was the daughter Of
a wealthy farmer. agd the most beauti-
fnl and attractive maiden for miles
around Before knew her. she had
been. perhaps wee bit coqueilis h.
Fact which was destined TO cost me
dear.
Among her admirers WAS a certain
Albert Slrriier. With his dark COM
plexion. hs black hair and eyes. he
belonged 10 that class Of people who
feel everything mos, kecnly. and never
forge, an injury. lie worsbipped the
very ground May trod upon. and fear
she j i not always resist the tempta-
ton TO dirt with him. although she as
sarcd me. (and could not doubt il for
\ noinenO. tina, she had never given
him any rgAl encouragement
About this time | appeared on the
scene and from the first moment Of
meeting. ws felt that fate had destined
us tor each other She Immediately
turned her back upon all her former
admirers. became rs staid and quiet rs
an Ind a.fubiicr tree In n calm day, aud
iinallr whispered the little yes"
which Was 10 seal my happ ness for
ever
Old Mr.. Broislouo was satisfied with
his daughters choice. aud. rs there
seemed TO be no obstacle 10 our union,
the engagement Was announced at
once. Glanced 10 b. present when
Albert SlrclIur first heard the news
With compressed lips and contracted
brows. he glarud. first ai May and then
a, myself. until / felt that lie would
gladly have aanihilated me, had Il been
poss BILE
Without u,lcring word. he turned
and went away. His conduct impressed
me most uupleasantiy. aud May con-
fcsscd TO me later that she involuntari.
IL shuddcrcd when she met his look OF
bitter hatred.
From this time. although business
often brought h m TO our ncighborhood.
we saw S,rciIcr but seldom; yet this
man cast a shadow oyct all our happi-
no.s and We were mot nj all sorry when
we found ourselves on board the ship
which was 10 bear us 10 our home.
We had not lost 81 lIt Of land, however.
when, with CRY Of surprise, May Ia d
her hand upon my shoulder. and, point
ING 10 the lower deck exclaimed,
.Scc, Alfred. there he is!'
Aud so in very truth IL was Lean
ing quietly over the rail, apparently
watching the rcccding land, stood Al
fred SlrriIrr, passenger upon The
snme ship a. ourselves This discovery
was far from being an agreeable one
"a mo, although could not help laugh
inc when NAV nestled closer TO my
side and whispered anNiously:
"Drnr Alfred. don't know why y
~ bpt am afraid ot that man,
cannot rid myscf Of the thought that
hc has some evil design against us.
| did my best 10 dispcl her fears ana
In this attempt Slreiler's own conduct
nssI.ted mo materially, for except q
fow words VIII ch we casually cN'
changed. he did not intrnde upon us IN
nny wny. aud our voyage had been
most prosperous. when one h'gh1
violent huTT cnno arose. ~,
Our good ship battlcd brayely WIN
tho storm. but Ia vain. The masts leil
overheard with terrific crash, drag,
ciny some Of tho sailors with thcm'ani
before they could he cut away one OF
lhem was hurled with such vo ehce
ac,inst tho vessel rs to cause dagger
ons leak. and on all sides tho fearful
crv was heard. ~ -,
Wa arc snklng! Lower the boat
The pumps are useless! .a
Tho captains admirable GOODNESS anu
presence of mind could not iall 70 IN
sniro ms with confidence. Tho boats
wore oulckly lowered and while tue
nnssengprs we're taking their places IL
pi,,Ji,,,iv incurred to me that IN my
hnsle | had left my mothers picture
iying IN nv trunk. 10 hurry to my
siateroom aud III the lid OF my runs l
was but tho work of n moment; alreauy
/ held The pictures In my hand when
heard steps descending the gangway,
AMI IN tho dim light which fell from
above recogn scd Albert Stroller
The dinboIical expression OF nus race
aud The evil look in his troacheronS
ewes. revealed his purpose put 700
clnnrlv--he had come to murder me-
/ seized my revolver and prepared 70
1ofcnd myself But II was not lls in-
,nntinn 10 attack mo openly beiore
, aaniI nroyent 10 he had closed the
,,Oroom door aud locked IL on the out
SIDE .,,,.,o, a,shed
go mo m n momneL was y prls'
Mar son tho sinking ship. with
pry Of rage IkpranS 10 the door, nay