Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1894-06-09
FROSTBURG, Md. SATURDAY, JUNE 9. 1894.

81 haven't it, said SiIaS
Didn't you take it from me while
slept
For your own good
What did YOU do with it:''
Il flung ii from the window to tn
sea-
Jcm uttered Il dc>uniring cry an
staggered back. Then he Sprang upon
SilaS
You have killed me" he cried.
You don't know what it is, this cray
ing for the stuff shall 20 mad or
die without it. 1t was mine. What
right had You to mcddl":"
Si.aS tried to rid himself of his as.
Sailant. II" waS the stronger man cot
the two. but Burke fought with super
human power. Around and around
the room they rcclcd. Suddenly SilaS
stumbled over some obstruction and
went down. He threw out his hand
as he fell and his fingers closed over
the knife Jrm had east away.
Burke now had the mastery. He
pressed SilaS to the floor. his eyes
cleaning. At this moment there came
Il fearful shock. The table waS over,
turned. the candle fell from it and
went out. The room was left in dark.
ness save for the faint beams thrown
by the lamp overhead.
The shock hurled Jcm across the
room. and gave SilaS IN opportunity
To regain his feet. The men stood
glarinG at one another. Suddenly Il
shock more violent than the former
occurred. There came Il tremendous
crash from overhead. and then total
darkness
"rhr lamp! The lamp" shrickcd
Silas.
He stumbled blindly toward the lad
der. but Jrm barred his way
You must settle with me first" he
said
Let me pass" cried Silas.
NO"
Man. man. can't you see: The
lamps gone OUT
Boom, Above the upronr of the
storm came the sound of Il gun at
sea.
"A ships in danger" said Siia>. The
lamp must be lii '
He plunged bln,lly forward. Burk"
met him, Hopkins raised the knife he
held.
Il must do my duty at any COST he
said IF YOU try to hinder me you're
Il dead man.,
But Burke WAS beyond the reach of
reason. III" hinged heavily forward ::
the knife entered his breast and he fell
to tn" floor
Il had I" Il" it," Hopkins gaSpcd. as
stumbled up the ladder
Boom, Boom. Two guns. and near
"r. The vessel was drifting ON the
rocks SilAS reached the lamp and
thanked GGd when he found that no
thing WAS broken. Each gust of wind
II seemed. would sweep him from tn"
PLATFORM. The driving spray blinded
hlm. but, ohliviouS to all else. hr turn
"d his attention to lighting the lamp
All 1T once II" felt that some one
W;iS behind him. He turned and crap
pied with Jcn. who had been badly
but noi m"rtally hurt He was II,
match for SiIas. and step by step was
forced back till they reached the iron
railing. Both men were breathing
hard
'on" push and | can send you over"
said Si.aS. and as there's Il heaven
above us I'll do il. unless YOU promise
not To lotlrh me till I've lii the lamp"
Jrm wound his arms about the
others body.
well 20 together" he said
There WnS moment silence, broken
by he boom of the "lln
Irm. think of the many souls on
board that vessel. doomed if the lighr
ain't lit, What's to become of thrm:'
Il don't care"
'Will You rc.caSr me-
"No!'
"For til" last time
"\or'
With one jerk SilaS tore himself
free, lem Sprang ut him. Like Il
flash the lonyShorrman'S fist shot cut:
1t struck the madman square b. tween
the eyes. He staggered back with Il
Groan alId his knees came in contact
with the railing He put out his hands
us if to catch Somrthiny lost his bal
anrr. and with Il last cry. went hlrl,
ing downward and disappeared be
meath the Winl-toSScd waters.
Boom. Boom. And then from every
throat on board that great ship there
rang Il cheer. The lighthouse lamp
threw forth its beams of hope once
more
But at the foot of the great lamn
lay the motionlrSS figure of a man.
ii" lay there for Il long time uncon-
SriouS of wind and rain At last hr
moved. and struggling 10 his feet.
went below. Tc sank with his face,
upon the floor. and his hands pressed
over his "arS. as though to shut oul
forever thai last shrek of his doomed
mate. -Wav"rly.