Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-10-07

into one, was about to take hi own Mace
forlom figure stretched out its arms ID
him. In dumb show, for words could
not be heard, 1t indicated it had hurt it.
self. and needed help to gain the boat.
Don't leave me, its hollow eyes said !;
"give me chance.
The miserable thing was Ralph Hollo.
way, covered with blood, faint with pain
and horror.
Revenge, why here it was offered ia
Dick. He could cast away those cling.
ing hands, jump into the boat, and leave
the man who had stolen his sweetheart
TO his wretched death. He could look as
he left the ship, and see him in his
misery stretching out imploring hands
toward him. Yes, he could. What he
did was to take the miserable being on
his back, and risk his life to tumble him
into the boat
shes too full already" yelled one
too full by hanged sight"
Its the sick one, matesl" roared Dick,
And when there was calm enough he tore
his own garments TO bind Holloways
wounds.
Storms do not last forever, but when
the gale subsided and the scorching sun
shone down, and they tossed about,
knowing that the time must come when
biscuit bag and water keg and brandy
flask must be empty-then came the
worst horror of ALL They doled the bis
cult out by crumbs, the water BY drops,
but even so it would not last forever.
Dick, good FRIEND" said Ralph one
day, "all pray for is to live and see
Effie, and ask her pardon for anything
I've done wrong. She liked me, though
she was was touchy. She'll grieve il
leave her a widow, poor grill"
For awhile Dick sat silent and said
nothing. 1t was the day on which they
divided the last of the food.
Two days after man arose in the boat
with knife in his hand.
II won't starve for one, he said. "One
of us has got to go to save therest; you're
the one.
He pointed straight at Ralph; there
was frenzy in his eye.
The others hauled him down. AS vet
they were not mad enough to join in q
cannibal feast. But starvation was do.
ing its work.
Dick kept stronger and clearer In mind
than the rest. He watched the man who
had welded the knife. In the night hs
saw him creeping toward Ralph. A
blow sent him sprawling; his comrades
were aroused.
Why not?" they began to whisper.
@They will kill me yet" moaned
Ralph. "Effie will go crazy If she hears
the story"
Revengel Why, It was offered to
Dick in overfiowing measure. And he
put his strong, stout body between the
miserable Ralph and those others and
cried out
Mates, we won't starve yet I've kept
something to the last. I've got flask OF
whisky and six biscuits in my pocket.
l kept them for the last moment, share
and share alike.
The eager eyes turned on him-they
allowed him to portion out the food. II
was very little, but it meant that they
would not starve that day. And each
time they drank from the flask Dick for
bade himself half his own portion and
gave larger allowance to Ralph; SO
with the biscuit also.
Alasi when these were gone there wa.
nothing more.
Again fiends' eyes glared at Ralph. AZ
last two, cast back from their attack on
hin by Dick, clutched each other, and in
O mad struggle went overheard. Another,
quite insane, fancied he saw a feast
spread near him sprang toward it, and
was gone.
Others slept and awakened no more.
And now Dick and Ralph were alone ip
the boat.
II shall never see Effie again, said
Ralph. ~Dick, good friend, if in my
life I've ever done any harm that made
anyone want revenge on me, they have
1t when think that OIL for just alook
at her or word from her.
Dick bent over and looked in his face.
did you ever feel as il anyone wanted
revenge on your" he asked.
81 amt aware of any cause for it, said
Ralph. "But I've been as unIucky as il
/ was cursed since the day / married
Effie
Lord bless you, Ralph" said Dick.
sand il there is a curse may it be lifted. :"
And as he spoke he raised his eyes and
saw, where the water and the heavens
met, a sail.
sid never have seen you again, Efie
but for this good friend" Ralph said
sHe saved my life more than once.
Effie had come to him in the hospital
where he was getting well, and found
Dick at his side.
sGod bless him!" said Efie. Il thinb
he's one of those that would do good t.
folk that harmed him, and knew it wa
the best revenge he could have.
Hes good enough for that, RALPH
said.
Then Efie held out her hand to Dick
God bless you, she said. My chill
dren win pray for you every night foi
saving their father. And may you fine
O good, sweet wife, for you viii makA
her happy woman.
She sighed, but there was peaceful
look upon Dicks face as he said @Good
by, and left them forever. But Ef1ie'.
hope was fulfilled. and happy love cam.
to him before many days.
Half Rates via b. & o. u. r.. to the
National Encampment OF the
Union Veteran Legion at
Reading. Pa.
For the above occasion IN October