The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1892-03-15
The Sinking Ship, or The Outcast's
ReTenRe.

Inc last boat had pushed OF from
the sinking ship, but one man had
been left behind in the cabin. He
was old Philip Carew, who had lin
gered behind togather up his money
and valuables. A friend had prom
ised to let him know when the boats
would be ready, but no one came;
in the rush to be saved he had been
forgotten.
I Fifteen minutes longer he waited,
but without any tangible result.
1t was clearly tempting of Provi-
dence to remain longer among his
money bags. He sprang up, and
still clinging to the leathern case
which contained his most precious
vaIuables, hurried up the narrow
stairway, or rather ladder, which
led on deck.
Ii was lonely and deserted. No
living soul was near-no human
voice responded to his wild cry of
agonlzed appeal.
But not far off boat was rock
ing leisurely over the waters-a
boat containing one man.
"Help. helpls shrieked the white
haired old man, wildly beating the
air with his arms. "There has been
treachery hcre-base, cowardIy
trcachery, and 1 am left to diel-
Helpl and I will make you richl"
The little boat paused about twice
its own length from the sinking
vesscl-its solitary occupant rose to
his feet with folded arms.
"Upon my word, Mr.. Carew,
that's bad box to be in2' he called
out, jeeringly. "A very bad box,
particularly as think 1 once heard
you mention that you couldn't
swim. Don't trouble yourself to
jump overheard. 1 shan't pick you
up. Quiet, now-quistl''
"Who are your" demanded the
trembling old man, his hair blowing
to and fro in the breeze.
"Who am /? Pet Griffin, at your
service. Pet Grifinl You don't
remember the name2 Well, then
you may remember the person bet
ter. A ragged little wretch who
picked your friends pocket of a
red silk handkerchief, eleven years
ago; little whining villain, who
begged and prayed for mercy, but
in vain. Now it is your time to
cry and plead in vain. Lets sec
how you like it, Mr.. Carewl"
"Surely, surely you don't mean
to let me die here like drowning
dog2" gaspcd Philip Carew, catch
ing for his breath.
"Don't II That's precisely what
l do mean. swore I'd be revenged
on yon then, and 1 have never for
gotten my oath. Diei 1t is easy
enough to die compared with what
have gone through
He stood listening with u fiendish
smile to Philip Carew's wild cries
and incoherent appeals.
"Shout awayl There is no one to
hear you. Long before the passen-
gers in yonder ship mistrust any
thing, your tongue will be silenced
forever. Hal hal used to think
things werc ordered rather unjustly
in this world of ours, but now 1 be-
gin to sec that they come out about
right, after ALL
"Listenl" pleaded Carew, abjectly.
81 will make you rich if
"Thank you, 1 don't want to be
rich. j want to be revenged. And
| mean to be. In the meantime go
on offering-I like it. 1 like to
hear the terror of your voice-I
enjoy your white face. Pray pro-
ceedl"
wretch fiendr' gasped the old
man, his lips parched and furred
over.
"Exactlyr returned Griffin, with
a fierce CLEAN of the white, even
teeth. "My character to a T. 1
called names once, and much good
it did. Ahl it's worth a lifetime
like mine TO taste this bit of revenge
at the end Of III"
The boat was gradually drifting
nearer the wreck, Carew watching
it with greedy eye. Griffin caught
up one of the oars and struck it
away, cxulting in the old mans cry
of despair. At the same instant a
through the whole vessel-she
parted with a crash and went
strong, shuddering creak went
down, while on floating spar and
blue, sparkling waves the cruel