The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-28

moment the stiffness was SO complete
that the surging Of the sea could
be heard outside the harbor bar.
Then it was broken by the footsteps
of the clerk going toward the west door
10 open it In the usual manner for the exit
of the assembly. Before, however, he had
reached the doorway the latch was lifted
from without, and the dark figure of a
man in a sailors garb appeared against
the light.
The clerk stepped aside, the sailor closed
the door gently behind him and advanced
up the nave till he stood at the chancel
step. The parson looked up from TIE pri-
vate little prayer which after SO many for
the parish he quite fairly takes for him.
self, rose 10 his feet and stared at the in
trnder.
II beg your pardon, SIR" said the sailor,
addressing the minister in a voice dis
tinctly audible to all the congregation.
81 have come here to offer thanks for my
narrow escape from shipwreck. l am
given to understand that il is a proper
thing to do, il you have no objection
The parson, after o moments pause,
said. hesita,ingly, ~ have NO objection,
certainly. 1t 10 usual to mention any such
wish before service, so that the proper
words may be used in the general thanks
giving. But, if you wish, we can read
ron the form for use after storm at sea- 4"
'.-ay, srre; / amt particular" said the
sailor.
The clerk thereupon directed the sailor
10 the page in the prayer-book where the
collect of thanksgiving would be found,
and the rector began reading it, the sailor
H.. ffwo oh hoS
after him, word by word, in a distinct
voice. The people, who had remained
agape and motionless at the proceeding,
mechanically knelt down likewise, but
they continued to regard the isolated
form of tbs sailor, who, in the precise
middle of the chancel step, remained fixed
on Lis kuees, facing the east, his hands
;ained and quite unconscious Of his ap-
pearauce in their regard.
When the Thanksgiving had come to an
end he arose; the people rose also, and all
went out Of church together. As soon as
tae sailor emerged so that the remaining
daylight fell upon his face, old inhabitants
began to recognize him as no other than
Shadrach Jolliffe, young man who had
not been seen at Havenpool for several
years. A son of the town, his parents had
died when he was quite young. on which
account he had gone to sea early In the
Newfoundland trade.
He talked with this and that townsmar
as he walked. informing them that since
leaving his native place years before he
had become captain and owner of & small
coasting ketch, which had proyidentially
been saved from the gale. as well as him
self. Presently he drew near to two girl:
who were leaving the churchyard in front
o; him; they had been sitting in the nave
at mis- entry. and had watched his doing,
with deep interest. afterward discussing
him as they moved out of church toge
Their One was slight and gentle crea
ture, the other a tail, large framed. de
iberate girl Captain Jolliffe regarded
the loose curls of their hair, their back:
and shoulders, down to their heels. fol
some time.
who may those two maids be2" b,
whispered 10 his neighbor.
THE little one is Emily Hanning; tn,
tall one Joanna Phippard."
"Ah. recollect 'em now, to be sure
He advanced 10 their elbow and genially
stole gaze at them.
Emily, YOU don't know me-" said tn,
sailor, turning his beaming brown eyes on
her
ii think do, Mr.. Jollife," said Emily
shyly.
The other girl looked straight AZ him
with her dark eyes. The face of your