Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-06-28

lister, ana Miss Bradley with all hers
to my neck. For nearly minute my
chin repoSed against the top OF her
head, but that ectaSy was vouchsafed
to me no longer. As the ship righted
Millicent parted from me, sprang
down the remaining stairs, grabbed Al
hand-rail. and whisked away to her
cabin. sans adeuN.
| struggled back to the deck for the
rugs and cushions, and found the YES.
sci enveloped in a furious storm. AL,
ready 1t was dark, and the Atlanta
was plunging like FESTIVE horse, the
sea coming in floods over the bull
warks, and the wind tearing and
Shrieking among the cordage. and
clustering against the big roaring fun
mel. The rain came down in slanting
sheets of water. and the sailors were
shouting to each other. and warning
the passengers who had delayed get
ting below. | lost one of my rass, and
how l saved my life l can hardly tell.
My deck chair left strapped to its
moorings. and took refuge In the
smoke-room with half dozen other
white-faced fellows.
With the greatest difficulty we got to
our state rooms, and | clambered into
my berth, simply shedding my top
coat on the floor and kicking off my
Sopping shoes, lay on my back with
my elbows wedged against the sides of
the bunk, TO prevent myself being
pitched out by the violent rolling OF
the SHIP. and listened to the smashing
of glass and crockery. the crash of
hatboNes, bags, and other unsecured
tritles, which We're flying about like
pips in Il dice-hoX, and to the shudder-
ing whirl of the screw as the water
dropped away from our stern and left
the great tianges to beat the air. The
steward came and put the lights out a
red-tape proceeding which added to
the awfulness of things in general.
Then | began to get insutferahly
warm. 1t was summer time, and with
portfolios closed, the atmosphere be-
low decks was always stutfy: but
sion. | concluded that we had got
into the gulf stream. or something OF
that sort, and they had closed all the
ventilators for the sake of keeping
the ship water-tight,
| had to lie there in bath of per-
taking off my clothes. TO unwedge
myself in order to make the attempt
would have resulted in my rolling out
on the floor, where my shoes and n
water-bottle, and a careless compan-
ions razor case were having per-
feet frolc together.
grew parched with thirst. Every
moment the air became more I'M
hreathable. Ten minutes more. and
| gasped aloud: Il must get out OF
this or die" | flung myself down,
taking my chance of the razors, and
CROPPED out of the door. A stifling fog
hung in the saloon. The dim light of
a swinging lantern showed it me.
Peering about me with almost blinded
eyes, l perceived that from every
stateroom abutting on the saloon one
or more passengers had crept out like
myself, and were standing at each
opening like specters, holding on des
perately to anything. The saloon
seemed to be doing its best to subvert
itself. At times the floor was almost
perpendicular. Now | was lying fat
upon the outer wall of my cabin: the
next instant l was hanging from the
rail that ran round it, as If | were
trapeze performer. All about there
was pandemonium of tumbhng
things. The sea Numbered against the
vessel fearfully, and again and again
there was that horrible shudder OF the
screw.
Near me chung an old gentleman in
night attire. "A nice thing this!" he
beloved in my ear To save discus
sion, | agreed with him that it was
very nice indeed.
Across the saloon was the cabin dedi-
Gated to Miss Bradley. / detected a
ghostly figure there, and made my
way over, holding fast to the chairs
anu tue luDle. les. IL WAS sHt, WUItt
as the dressing gown that swathed her
figure. She grasped my hand.
Her dark eyes gazed into my face with
a terrible expression.
Thank God, you have come to me"
she cried, with passionate earnestness.
We had grown very good friends
during those few blissful days Of her
but only by maintain.
ing rigid barrier Of the most respect |
full ceremony. How | blessed the ac-
tempest which made her
now speak to me like that!
kept her hand in mine and brought |
my face close to hers-I had to do this |
TO make my consolation ineligible,
there was such racket! Its all |
right! | shouted. only a gale of
wind. Bit Of a sea on. You're quite
tight to turn out If you feel nervous"
She shook her head. "Oh, the storm
s nothing" she replied.
Nothing at air. / assented scot
ingly, as If / had been used to high
,eas and bowling winds" from infancy.
But in my heart | did not agree with
Ter. She must surely be jesting-mak-
ng light Of Ii In panic-stricken bray.