The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-12-12

| began to come on deck a little, ana
when she gained some flesh and color
we would see how pretty she was, and
how full of charming ways. Another
thing was soon easily seen also, and that
was that whatever might be the state OF
her husbands affections, she simply
worshipped him. Her eyes followed
him about with kind of reverence, aud
when be spoke she listened with parted
| lips and glistcning eyes, as though she
heard the very angels singing in haven.
| 1t is sad enough to sec such madness
where it is mutual, but when, as is almost
always the case, one gives all, and the
other takes and gives noth'ng-well,
well-that's no part of my story.
81 should say that he was quite kind
to her, and wrapped her up in shawls
and made her sit in the deck house while
he read to her, for fear she might take
cold. But of an evening, when she had
gone to her cabin, he would always re-
turn to tke deck to finish his cigar, and
the little governess, who was as strong
as lion and not afraid of any weather,
would be out there with him, leaning
over the taffraiI, and the two would stand
there talking in low tones, until the
officer of the watch sent them below.
eve had been about fortnight out
from Madeira when the weather, which
had been pleasant enough, though cold,
changed suddenly, and we were driven
by storms every way but the way we
wanted to 90. For several days the
matches were on, and none of the passen.
gers were allowed on deck. Most of the
ladies, myself among them, were ill, and
the rest were too frightened to notice
ANYTHING; but l was tod afterward that
the only woman who was neither sick
nor terrified was the governess, and she
seemed fey-full of wild spirits. and
keeping up a constant banter with the
bridegroom, with whom she played at
cards half the day.
81 do not remember how long the
storm continued; but, just as we were
beginning to take courage and pull our
selves together a little, we heard one
morning a sound that made our hair rise
with new tcrror--a peculiar, slow. regu-
lar clanking-and q whisper went round
that the ship had sprung aleak and the
pumps were manned. Oh, you who have
only made this luxurious voyage of o
week cannot imagine the feelings of
those who have been for days together
in straining, struggling ship. pitched
back and forth and from side to side
like cork on those tremendous waves,
and then to hear, hour after hour, the
dull, steady clauking that proclaims the
presence of the enemy within the walls,
gaining upon you hour by hour:
ssFor two mortal days and nights
those brave, indefatigablc men struggled
with the encroaching foe, while signals
were hoistcd and rockets sent up to at
tract passing ships. At last the Captain
came to tell us he had no hope of saving
the ship, that the storm had abated, and
that as soon as it was broad daylight he
would get the boats out. He begged US
to take some food, and added, as he left
the saloon: Il hope, by Gods help, to
save every one: but remember, 1t Is
women and children first, and if any
mus stay behind, shall remain with
them
Nobody attempted to eat anything,
but most of US went to our staterooms to
secure such portable valuables as we
thought it worth while to take, and then
sat through the live-long hours waiting
for the order to go out and trust our
lives to those frail boats upon the toss
ing. The gradual sinking of the ship
made her steadier, and besides, the wind
had almost subsided, and the heavy
swell of the sea was being beaten down
by the steady rain which began to fall.
81 was standing at the foot of the
companion when the bride came out of
her cabin, which was Immediately be-
hind me. She was deathly pale. and her
eyes was slightly distended, but other.
wise was perfectly cool and collected.
She had on thick waterproof cloak and
a wooden hood, and CARED little satchol
in her hand. where's your husband?'
I asked. She made little movementof
her head toward the cabin. 'He is secur-
ing Isome important papers, she said,
aud I think she added, our marriage
certificate and my will.
cat this moment the officer came
down the companion. 'Mrs. Cdcll, he
said, seeing me, there are but two
scrviceab,e boats-the others were in
iured during the storm. Come up at
once. and l will put you in the first.
Oh. Mrs. Blank he added, seeing the
bride-come, too; and I will try and
put you toaether.'
"Slrr said the poor grl, 4 will not
stir without my husband
"'Come, then,' he cried; there is M
time to lose-I will call your husband
but 60 up stairs with Mrs. Odell. and
will bring him to you-take her up,
there's good soul,' he added to me. I
took her hand and almost forced her up,
but further than the top OF the com
panion she would not move.
THE sight that met us there was
startling enough. The ship had already
sunk so low that I cannot imagine how
the water kept out of the saloon; 1t
seemed as if we could step on board the
life boat that had already been manned
and was raised by every wave almost
to the level of the deck. All on board
was perfectly orderly, except for the
CRYING of one or two of the steerage
passengers who were being separated
from their male companions and passed
into the boat. 1t was nearly full when
the Captain saw US, and grasping Mrs.
Blanks arm was about to haLd her for
ward, when she wrested herself from
him, and with sudden fury flashing over
her face, exclaimed in tone / can never
forget: L can die here, if necessary,
CAPTAIN, but will not stir without my
husband
''He did not say another word, but
seized me unccremoniously. and before 1