People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-09-21

uOn seem lucky tnOugn. CRIED lne
captain.
The port-fres burned out, and the
ocean plunged into darkness as
OPAQUE to the vision as the night to
the eye after a fash OF lightning.
Instantly the singing recommended.
There was no melody, no meaning in
the notes. 1t was as if little child
sung to her doll, the voice being a
yoman's.
"Mr Jansen" cried the captain.
"Sir9n
"Get lanterns along. Stand by
with another port fire and send some
hands aft to the quarter boat here"
The commotion, such as it was,
had aroused the watch below. The
tall, black bearded mate had risen
like an ostrich through the cOmpan-
ion hatch, and most Of the ships
company were now on deck. The
excitement OF this incident had got
strong hold OF the men. and with
man-Of-warlike promptitude there
were lanterns flashing in the gang
way, pOrt-fre sparkling and his
sing over the forecastle rail, and she
Lady CharlOtte's" starbOard quar-
ter-boat in the water urged to where
the black form Of the mysterious
little fabric showed, by four rowers
in charge Of the second mate. The
blue glare spread a broad circum-
ference Of ghaStly sheen over the
the water, in the midst Of which we
could see our boat approach the
other, and then make for the ship
again. Once more the pOrt-tire ex-
pired, and the blackness rolled down
to us like a thunder.c cloud again,
but there were lights enough aboard
us to direct the boats crew, and we
could very easily discern their APP
prOach by the gathering brilliance
of the phosphoric fires which flashed
up under their lifted and falling
oars, and girdled the boat like a
band of emeralds,
"Have We got the poor woman all
right?" shouted Captain Christian
from the gangway.
"All right, sir, came the answer
from the second mate.
In few minutes she was handed
up on deck. She stood mOtionless
on being released from the grasp
which had lifted her oder the side.
saving her head which she turned
to and fro, staring from one lantern
to another as if there was nothing
worth looking at but the flames OF
them. The light was too puzzling,
too thin, too conflicting no enable
me to view her with any clearness.
All that | could distinguish was that
she was a woman of the average
stature with wonderful growth OF
! yellow hair floating down over her
bosom, whilst portion of it was
still confined to the back of her
head by a comb She looked to be
clothed in a sort of dressing
gown. Her feet were naked and in
lifting her arm in strange flourish
ing way to her head the sleeve fell
and exposed the limb white and
polished as ivory, in the lantern
light bare to above the elbow.
'See the boat overhauled. Mr..
Marling, will YEP" exclaimed the
captain, land report whatever you
find in her, and look for a name.
Get the quarter boat to the davits,
Mr.. Jansen, and swing the main.
tOpsail. Mr.. FurlOng, perhaps you
will accompany me and this lady
below? Madam, allow me to lead
you to the cabin"
/ She started as though not under
standing him, while she took her
hair in both hands and flung it with
dramatic gesture over her back.
She then laughed most piteously,
ard pointed to her lips with shake
of her head which she followed by
clasping her hands in a gesture of
entreaty.
Thirst" | cried. "For Gods sake,
dear lady, let us take you below"
| gently grasped her by the hand.
and she walked with me without a
moments hesitation or rebellion
By the light that streamed through
the open sky-light spied her star
ing at me, frowning and smiling all
in breath as it we're, with move
ment as of whispering to herself. in
her lips. over which she once or
twice passed the knuckle of her
fOretinger. | retained her hand.
going down the companion steps
first, and the captain followed us.
you will know this sort OF suffer-
ing better than |, Captain Christian, q"
| exclaimed. "she needs drink. How
much should she haven
The skipper, without answering.
took tumbler from a swinging tray
and little less than half filled it
with sherry and water She watched
him, smiling and whispering. and
when he extended the glass she
snatched it from him passionately
and emptied it, then sunk with a
! deep sigh upon locker close against
the table upon which she leaned
her brow with queer sort of I'M
earthly sob0ing at one moment while
she gazed down, then glancing up at
me and from me to the captain with
a smile and an eye that was large
and liquid, and OF dreadful beauty
as | now saw with the feverlsh fire