The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-07-31


the other side of his patrOnizng. Theress
said very well, and that was the reason
she sat on the doorstep wishing that she
could die, until her father came and she
WAS wicked.
Perhaps the worst thing that he did was
when he told Eleanor about all this. She
listened TO him just little startled, and
then she laughed and pretended to give
him good advice. while all the time he
knew by her tone that she was laughing
al him and mis- story.
That made him desperately hard on
Therese, for singularly enough he began to
think that she had done q mopstrously
clever thing in getting him to fall in love
with her.
He talked about himself to Eleanor a
good deal more than ever that evening, and
when he went home be was well started
toward being very disagreeable young
man.
Otto had done enough certainly to deserve
to lose his sweetheart altogether. aud no
doubt that is what would have been II
something had not happened that brough:
him TO his senses. Fortunately, however,
something did happen.
There came great storm one night, and
in the morning when the clouds began to
scatter and the waves to subslde the people
on the shore saw that during the NIGHT a
huge coast ng vessel had drifted upon the
sand bar.
She was caught there fast enough, but
it did not appear that she had suffered any
serious damage.
When it grew calm enough the captain
of the vessel sent boat ashore and offered
large pay to men that would come out and
help throw enough of the cargo over board
to tighten the ship and release her from
the bar.
There were plenty who were willing to
turned at night to their homes.
There was another days work before
thsm. Then it was hoped the vessel
would float clear OF The bar.
Therese'S father was one OF the men that
went out 10 do the work, and on this
second morning Therese wanted to go out
with him. There was room in the boat
and ii was quite calm, so there did not
seem any reason why she should nat 60.
Her father took her quite willingly.
Otto did not go. Under ordinary cir
cumstauces he would have been one of
the first to undertake the work. but the
change that had como over him extended
to his habits of industry as we'll as to
other things.
Late in the morning of this second day
Eleanor came down to the shore. and
Otto. seeing her from a distance, joined
hor there.
Il want to go out thereto the Ship"
said Miss Southland.
Otto looked at the sky and shook his
head.
81 don't like the looks of things" be
said Il wish so many Of our people were
not out there already"
Eleanor laughed mockingly. $50 yOn
are afraid" she said. Il thought that be-
louged to women, but IL am not afraid. 3"
You do not know the signs" ventured
Otto.
Never mind the signs. I want to 60 ont
there; have you boat?
Otto bowed.
"Then you will take me, will you not?''
Her tone had lost its mocking ring and
she was looking up at him dangerously.
He hesitated moment and then there
came laughing light again into the great
dark eyes OF the girl, for she saw that he
had yielded.
"Wait for me here" be said. as he started
no the beach. III you will go, Of course
l will take you"
Presently be returned to his d0ry and
took her out to where his boat, a clever
little sailing craft, was lying AT anchor
There was just enough breeze to carry
the boat along at an easy speed. 1t was a
glorious day. but Otto looked troubled.
The little piece Of bunting at the head Of
his mast tapped unsteadily, and the sea
gulls were making their way shoreward.
toward the great ship when dark clouds
began to pile up above the horizon.
Eleanor saw them and began TO be
frightened.
There is going to be storm" she
cried.
They reached the ship just as the storm
Droke. Therese was standing with her
Iather watching the approaching gale.
Inc work OF Tightening the ship had been
abandoned.
IL was an awful moment, for the wind
began TO blow perfect gale, and the little
craft was In danger every moment OF being
dashed to pieces against the large one.
OTTO managed TO get up under the lee,
however, and then there was panic on
beard the ship. for there were twice as
many persons as the little boat would hold,
even if it could reach the shore ia that
terrible storm.
Otto quickly pushed his boat as far as he
dared from the side Of the ship and called
for Therese and her father
IL won't take one of you" he shouted,
until they are Ia the boat"
Not one of the men and women on that
ship were lost that day, although before
the sun set all that could be seen of the
great vessel was q piece of broken SOAR
held ND gaunt and naked through the dash.
ing spray and waves
Before Otto reached the shore the life
saving crew had gathered on the shore.
and they drew his little craft up through
the dangerous breakers.
Then they sent out the big lifeboat and
the rest Of the townspeople. and then the
crew were taken off.
Eleanor tainted before they reached the
shore, and Therese had her taken to the
little cottage on the shore. There she
cared for her as tenderly as sister
would; all the jealousy was gone. Eleanor
was in a condition that excited pity rather
than any less gentle emotion.
That evening Therese and Otto walked
together down to the chair on the shore
The wind was still blowing furiously and
the waves were booming on the shore. but
the lovers, for they were lovers again, did
not mind these things.
ION, it frOZe the blood In my veins, u
said Otto, when l saw the storm coming
and feared that would not reach you in
time"
But it was Gods Storm" answered
Inerese, smiling, "for it sent you back te
mel. T. Newcomb