Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-09-15

beside me, was cnaung my nanos.
frightened, but too weak TO scream 1
feebly said Where am IT On Wat
lings Island, Miss, said the young man.
Yes said one Of the older men, and
narrow squeak you had for il, too IL /
hadn't thought it was mighty queer sea-
weed washing in over yon reef, you
wouldn't have been talking now.'
Where's my fathery said. With all
the rest was the reply. 'Hushr said
the younger man, see how weak she isg
Then tainted.
II woke TO find myself on a rude cot
in small cottage, tended by negress
who only spoke a Spanish patois The
wreckers, for such they were, had car
ried me there. The sun was shining
brightly and the storm was over Days
passed, and when could go about /
learned that / had been the only one
saved of the entire barque's crew. The
wave that had engulfed her and drowned
all but myself had washed me over the
coral reef on which the barque had
struck. The wreckers on the shore had
seen me, and daring the waves, high
even between the reef and the shore,
had rowed out and rescued me just as
was sinking. Utterly crushed as was,
did not at first realize my position.
was told / could go to Nassau ON
schooner in about month, but felt no
inclination to do aught but to stay where
fate had thrown me. The young
wrecker was very kind to me. Every
day he patrolled the beach in search of
AL, bol;o. .c ,,,xv 60 a,,I esufoxs
last one day they came ashore. He told
me of il, but said mustn't see them.
wondered then why, but learned after
ward that the sharks had mutilated them.
They were buried in little lonely GEM
etery, and the next year, when the Bishop
of Nassau came in his yacht on his
annual visitation, he read the burial
service over them. Meanwhile /
grew we'll and strong in the soft warm
air and under the tropic skies. /
learned to like the half wild life,
and the few white people and all the me-
groes half worshipped me. One day
schooner brought some papers, and l
read our barque had been given up as
lost and my name was among those
drowned. These papers recalled me to
myself, and / determined would go to
Nassau. and, if / could, thence to Eng
land. / told the young wrecker, who
had become my firm friend and compan-
ion, and whom had taught to read, Of
my decision. We'll, Miss, he said, If
you feel it is so, suppose you're right,
but hate to think of losing you This
and his evident sorrow touched me, and
made me think whether in the world to
which was returning would find such
simple loyal devotion as had here been
mine. When the day came for my de-
parture all the inhabitants turned out TO
bid me farewell A queen could not
have had more loyal leave taking than
the English Miss, as they called me.
The young wrecker went with me. He
said he had business in Nassau. That
night-a nightso soft and sweet it seemed
as if storms had never brooded there, the
Southern Cross blazing low on the hori-
son--the wrecker came to where | sat on
the deck of the little schooner. Miss
he said, I'm nothing but "Conch, a
poor ignorant Bahama native, but can't
bear to have you go away. We all love
you, and / more than all. | must tell
you. You know our life is poor and
rude, that we're far away from the
world, but if you won't blame me for
even daring to hope, Miss, you know
have the handsomest schooner of the
Watlings fleet and the best cottage on
the island. I'm sure I'd do my best to
make you forget your troubles, Miss, and
the sponge fishing is better, Miss, and
there's good many wrecks yet, Miss
and love you, Miss.
Here she stopped, checked herself, and
blushed.
@Of course you spoke kindly to him,
said, "and told him you were sorry, but
he mustn't speak again"
@Of course / didn't You're like all
men, What's the name of this schooner
Lillian, / replied wonderingly.
swell, that's my name, and here, as
tall, broad shouldered, roughly dressed
young man appeared on the wharf,
bunch Of roses in his hand, and eyed me
curiousIy, "here's my wrecker, and his
name is John. - James b. Townsend.