Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1889-10-26
AN OCEAN DISASTER,
CHAPTER I.

Night settled down so gradually,
as it often does at sea after a clear
day, that it was dark before they
were aware oft. Along the horizon
stretched a clear amber streak OF
fading light that seemed Fastened to
the sky by silver stars stuck here
and there in its upper edge. In the
northern heavens the pole had al
ready flung out its starry remnants,
and they fancied that they saw the
two dippers flutter moment before
beginning their glorious round.
He laughingly spoke of the north
star as the center ofa hugh carousal,
and proposed that they take turn
on the Great Bear. All lovers are
poets. At least in the first flush of
passion. They were very happy, but
neither thought of inquiring into the
cause of the foolish ecstacy. They
laughed Mt the odd fancies with
trembling ioyousness that sent the
blood coursing through their veins;
she felt her face flush, and instructive
ly put her hand up to it. Forgetting
for the moment that it was
night, they laughed because they
loved each other: though both
were deceived, and thought it was
their droll fancies that made them
mirthful. 1t seemed natural to them
to be together, and to be happy.
They did not seek explanations
of that which demanded none. They
stopped now and then in their walk
on the deck of the great steamer to
look over the side at the streaks of
phosphorescence coursing back in
the foam from the prov, or at the
Him heaving waves, and their white
arms tirelessly tossing" in the gloom;
or they watched II gay company OF
emigrants on the lower deck, dane
ing boisterously to the music of an
ACCORDION. Everything gave them
pleasure. They looked at the world
1.-THE mierocosm of an ocean steamer)
through the golden tinted atmos-
phere of dawning love, and were I'M
conscious of the source of this
fresh beauty. 1t grew late, the pas
sengers one by one went be-
low. the sounds from the lower deck
died away, the deck steward folded
up the line of steamer chairs one af-
ter another and slowed them away
for the night. Soon all was quiet,
save for an occasional sound OF
laughter from the smoking room or
the shuttle of sailor across the deck,
or the voices of the forward watch
speaking to the officer on the bridge.
Behind all this was the pulsating
throb of the great engines, of which
after q few days at sea one becomes
almost unconscious; it seems as nat
ural as the sound of your own voice
or the noise of your own footsteps.
They wandered up and down the
dark, deserted deck in joyous free
dom, talking fitfully on Indifferent
topics, that suddenly seemed to take
on fresh and lively interest. In
the atmosphere of love common
r!aces become delicious epigrams,
and conversational trifles glow
with poetic feeling. Hedared not be
serious in his talk, some vague force
restrained him; the volcanic fires of
love and passion were gradually
working to the surface of conscious
ness, but were not yet ready to burst
forth.
A slight SILVER brought him to o
sense of present realities, and a ma
tive thoughtfulness asserted itself.
''It is getting chilly. You ought
to go below" he said.
"Ohl it is beautiful here. | could
stay for ever" she replied in a tone
that showed that she expressed
simple, natural feeling, which APP
parently had no relation to hercom-
panion. He perceived this, but
nevertheless his soul was glow in
an instant; he felt his heart futter
and his mouth and throat parch as
by a sudden heat. Words, images,
utterances-ferce, passionate, tender
mingled ina confusing, burning mass
in his mind; another instant and the
lava streams of passion would have
burst the crust.
"This air isn't the best thing for
the young lady, SIR" said voice,
which aroused and restrained him.
The Captain had just stepped out of
his cabin to go up on the bridge.
"The breath of the banks is in the
atmosphere, and he tentatively
shifted the air. "We'1l run into the
fog before morning." he added, as he
went up the ladder to his post.
They walked slowly back to the
main hatchway in silence. Once
more he felt the impulse to passion
ate utterance, but the delay had
brought a feeling of conscious hest
tation, and he restrained himself.
The lights in the dining room sa-
loon we're turned low. They linger-
ed an instant before parting, though
neither spoke word. He felt the
storm coming. and with sudden
L.. r., A. x..n,,IA H. H.. In.I