Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-09-15
in the insanity Of the moment, swearing,


lixi Felixw Yes, he heard her voice
over on the starboard side. With almost
brutal force he shouldered path across
the deck. Back and forth he ran. That
part of the deck was almost deserted and
very dark. The fare of the lights and
torches made only broad streak where
it came through the entrance to the
main stairway. adele" he cried,
"where are your Then he caught sight
of dark form moving on one of the
benches. He was by her side in an in
slant. She threw herself into his arms
with low happy cry, and buried her
head in his breast, sobbing for joy. al
knew you would come" she murmured,
How my heart cried out for you"
81 heard it, Adele" he answered So
berly.
1t will be so beautiful to die to-
gether," she said. There was no reserve
in her voice or manner, but the perfect
assurance of her mutual love.
Her words, though they sent surge of
exultant joy through his whole being,
brought back the sense of present dangers,
which, for the moment, had slipped below
the threshold of consciousness. Now he
heard again the horrible din on the lar
board deck, terrified cries of women, shouts
| and curses of men, hoarse calls of officers
to the men; he felt again the ominous pull
, ing away of the deck beneath them. Faint
| calls and sounds came floating out of the
gray gloom; the other ship was sending
out boats to take them off. Felix was
aroused to action in an instant.
81 will save you, Adele. Wait here one
moment"
In that state of supersensuous happiness,
which the first delicious abandonment of
self to love brings to woman's heart, she
scarcely understood his words They
sounded rough and strange. She wished
She could not bring herself to realize their
danger. With a sudden touch of the CO.
quetry of new born love, she exclaimed:
"Ah, Felix; you do not love mep'
He clasped her in his arms.
The confused sound of voices became
more tumultuous; they were taking off
passengers in the boats.
adele" said he, in sudden agony, 1--WE
must be saved. We cannot give up this
beautiful life so soon"
what is this life? Our love will not
end here. But it would have been very
sweet, for the world is so beautiful when
one loves" There was rapture in her
tone and manner that made his own emo
tion seem feeble, though he felt its hight
and depth. This complete, sweet sur
render of herself awed him, it was so
strange and beautiful. He kissed her fore
head reverently, and then rushed away to
the other side of the steamer
A sickening feeling of sympathy struck
into his heart as he saw the crowd of mad
dened, despairing wretches trying to get
to the boats that had been lowered. In
the horrible confusion only two had been
manned, and the officers were fighting
back the men and trying to single women
and children out of the trampling mass of
humanity.
He went back to her side.
at is of no use, Adele, the boats cannot
take them all" They sat down together
on the bench where he had first found her.
He put his arm about her, her head rested
on his shoulder, and they looked into each
others faces. Felix bent over, threw him
self passionately across her breast, and
kissed her full on the lips. As he drew
back the CLEAN of the love-rapture in her
eyes sent thrill of fresh intense happi-
ness through his soul.
"Why did you leave me last night,
Felix?" she asked. "Did you not see that
| loved you? l hardly knew it myself,
but it was that. | was so happy with you.
/ did not try to think why. And after you
kissed my hand and went away / knew
why it was. 1t was because love you and
you love me. | felt as sure of you as / did
of myself.
81 could not go to bed and to sleep, so /
| lay down on the couch in the cabin and
dreamed out whole beautiful life for us.
| thought it was real, and was happy. But
now that | know it cannot be | am none
the less happy. Are we not together, and
do you not love me? / ask for nothing
more. Felix, my beloved
She lay back on his breast, his arms
were about her, and she looked up into his
eyes with infinite love and trust and hap
piness. Their lips met in a long rapturous
kiss.
Dearest" he said, "this moment of love
cannot be all for US. 1t is too pure and
sweet and glorious. We die together"
The ship gave a sudden lurch and began
sinking rapidly, swaying, falling away
from under them.
"Oh, God p cried Felix, II cannot give
you up-the kisses of your mouth, your
warm, sweet breath on my face, your beau
tiful loving eyes, the touch of your hand.
! can not-I can not. What will it be,
Adele? Not to take you in my arms, not
to kiss you, not to hear your voice Oh,
God it must not be. l will save us-I
mustw
He sprang up. 1t was too late. The
deck was level with the waters edge. He
looked about in agony. The shrieks of
the passengers rose above the roaring of
the water that surged over the great yes
sci. He turned and looked down into
Adele's eyes. Then sank on his knee by
her side, her arms slipped about his neck,
his head was pillowed for moment on
her breast.
''My darling" she murmured, at will
be well. Death has no more mysteries
than life. Love will take us through the
dark ways, love that is of the soul and
spiritual. | know not perfect faith until |
loved you. We are going into the I'M
known, but together, my beloved, and
something smiles and beckons usp'
The great ship trembled as in final
agony.
She leaned her face down closer to his.
'Kiss me, darling" she cried "Let me
feel your lips against mine. Oh, God, for
give us and make US readyp
Their lips met. His head was on her
breast, and his cheek against hers; they
were clasped fast in each others arms.
A great gulf yawned in the sea. The
steamer half turned on its side, then
plunged down, down, down. Huge waves
toppled over into the abyss, and then all
was seething, whirling confusion of rag
ing waters, wildly tossing and roaring in
the night and -Courier-Jomndi
THREE MONTHS TOO LATE.