Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-16

accustomed 10 tho wpys Of ships 10 tnin ,1
Of doing il herself. although there couiu
be no doubt that there were lanterns su m5
bic for the purpose on the steamer.
there been a light upon that vessel vessel.
should have watched IT'S glimmerL a., u mit
frequently to peer ont into the darkncss
and TO liston FOR hail from speaking
trumpet.
In the morning there was the black spot
upou the horizon. / fancied that IL was
little nearer than when last saw "; OUT
in the course OF the forenoon it faded away
altogether. Then despair seized upon me
and / cared not whether lived or died. !
forgot to eat and threw myself upon .no
upbraiding myself for my monstrous. IN
parlonabie folly IN noglecting the oppor-
tunities which were now lost. :. -.
Over and over again I told myself BIZ
terIy that when i had been near enough
20 the vessel which bore Bertha Nugent
to converse with Mary Phillips without,
the aid of O speaking-trumpet L should
have tried 10 reach that vessel, no mat
ter what the danger or the diincuitles;;
have tried TO swim-I should have done
something.
And more than that, even had 1t been
impossible for me TO reach the steamer,
should have endeayored to reach Bertha
heart. should have told her that loved
her. Whether she were lost or were iost,
or both Of Us, she should have known
loved her. She might not have been aole
to answer me, but she could nave nearu
me. For that terrible mistake-tnat
crime-there was no pardon. NOW every
chance was gone. What reason was there
10 suppose that these two dereiicVs ever
ooair, would Ir,f4 4ooathprr
In the afternoon | rose languidiy ana
looked about me. / saw something on tho
horizon. and Selling the glass knew ~ 70
be La Hdelete: | could recognize tpe slant
OF the hull of the masts. -
New hope blazed up again. III she were
nearer she must come nearer stu; re-
covered nay ordinary state OF, mind sum;
GENTLY TO know that | was hungry, ana
that 1 must eat TO be strong ana ready
for what might happen. =.
Upon one thing | was determined. III
Bertha should ever again be brought near
enough TO hear me would tell her that
loved her. The object Of life, however
much Of it might be left me- should be 10
make Bertha know that loved her. III
swan toward the vessel or hoated on
plank, must get near enough 10 tell her
that loved her.
But there was no wind, and the apparent
was q reyion or season of Gains or htful
winds. During the rest of the day the dis
tant vessel continued to be q black speck
upon the smooth and gently-rolling sea;
Again ! spent the night on deck, but did
not wake 10 listen or watch. was worn
out, and slept heavily.
The day was bright when | was awakened
by chilly feeling; strong breeze was
blowing over me. | sprang 70 my feet;
There was quite heavy sea; the vessel
was rolling and pitching beneath me, and
not far away, not more than half mile per-
haps, ia Fidelete was coming straight TO-
wards me. Lightly laden and with great
part of her hull high out of water the high
wind was driving her before 1t, while my
vessel, her bow TO the breeze, was moving
at a much slower rate.
ASH looked at the rapidly-approaching
steamer it seemed as If she certainly must
run into the Sparhawk. But for that l
cared not. All that l now hoped for was
that Bertha should come TO me. Whether
one vessel sank or the other or whether
both went down together, | should be
with Bertha. would live or die with her
Mary Phillips stood III full view On the
stern of the on-cOming steamer. q speak
ing-trumpet in her hand. could now SEQ
that it was not al all probable that the two
vessels would collide. The steamer would
pass me, but probably very near. Before L
could make ND nv mind what 1 should do
in this momentOus emergency Mary
Phillips hailed me.
when we get near enongh," she shout
cd, throw me rope. I'll tie II 10 the boat
and cut it loose
Wildly | looked about me for a line
which might throw. Cordage there was
in abundance, but it was broken and fiut-