Montgomery County sentinel., 1890-09-19

SAVED BY A SWEETHEART.

had been for two years chief Gu
gineer of the steamer Norma, that piled
between New York and New Orleans.
Soon after our arrival in this city one
day was walking up Broadway, when
came face to face with an old sweet
heart of mine named, Fannie Forten,
whom | had not seen for years.
In few minutes conversation /
learned that she was married to Mr..
Frank Allisoh, who she informed me
was of decidedly jealous disposition,
and that by n a singular chance they
had engaged passage to New Orleans on
the Norma, which wns to sail in few
days.
| The day on which the Norma was to
sail arrived My place, Of course, was
in the engine room, until the vesse
passed through the narrows--then
went ou deck ! found Mrs Allison
standing near the cabin companionway
alone
"Well, Fanny" said, "Fm glad
you got aboard all right"
Eyes, Harry, but we nearly missed
the steamer, for my husband-ah. here
he is Frank, this is Mr.. Selinder, the
chief engineer, m old acquaintance Of
mine"
Muttcring something about being
pleased to make my acquaintance, he
seized his wife BY the arm and led her
down stairs, growing at the same time
"Fanny and Harry, ch? You seem to
know each other pretty well Where
did you meet the fellow 7"
did not catch Mr.. Allison's reply,
and soon after went to attend TO my
duties.
We had only about dozen passen-
gers with us that trip, and except Fan
ny and two or three of the masculines,
| did not see any Of them until dinner
time when | found that the steward had
so arranged places at the saloon Table
that Fanny was my vis-a-vis, aud along
side of me sat one Of the most bcwitcl
ing little damscls that ever caused a
susceptible bachclor's heart TO palpitatc
beneath an embroidered vest.
The captain addressed her as Miss
Everett, and soon discovered that she
was journeying to New Orleans alone,
her friends having placed her in charge
of the skipper Of the Norma.
AS the weather was very fine Miss
Everett spent good deal OF her time on
the deck, and though it was usually my
custom. when at sea, TO devote the
greater part of the watches during
which was of duty to reading and
sleeping, this voyage | did not seem tt
have any desire to do aught but enac
the part Of shadow TO the pretty passen
ger who had won her way SO easily h
my heart,
At length, one starlight night, as w
sat together near tho stern of the vessel
watching the white trail that marked
our pathway over the somber waves,
summoned up sufficient couragc to ash
her if she would be content to share ny
destiny.
"Say you will be mine, darling"
implored.
keep our engagement secret unit
we arrive in port, she said an hou
after as | kissed her good night.
Before | left the deck Mrs. Allison
came up
II wish you joy. Harry! You'll
marry Fanny after all, you see, she
said.
/ thanked her, and then for the frs
time the similarity of Christian name'
between my old fame and my present
betrothed struck me.
Fanny was always my favorite
name," said.
"The deuce it was I--hic-lik'
that !" cried Mr.. Allison, appearing
suddenly.
Mrs. Allison led her husband below
and | went of TO bed.
Next morning my betrothed was re-
ported to be very sick.
At noontime she sent me little note
however, begging me not to be anxious
about her, and when | came of watct
at 4 o'clock | wrote her a reply full o
glowing expressions of endearment.
ran upon deck and went down int
the saloon. No one was around, SO
tapped lightly at Mrs. Allison's door
and slipped the letter through the vene
tiaDs.
Give that to Fanny, please" | whis
pered
went down into the engine roou