St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-06-07

wound would reopen a Bit then,
when looked at little Paul, it would
close again. After all was happy.
Could she, that false one, say the
same?
Paul had reached his tenth year.
have cause to recollect that night.
The March wind had been sweeping
in big gusts over the sands, sending
them like needles into the flesh. The
waves had risen into fury, writhing,
leaping and curling in the churn of
old Father Neptune.
There was no light of stars or
moon, and then the hail descended in
hurricane. | had a difficulty in
reaching home, though knew every
inch of the road, so dark was it.
IAN awful night, Paul." said my
wife, taking from me my wet oil
skins.
"Yes, lass-awful it is. There be
many wrecks tonight"
God grant there'l be none in
these parts!"
Little Paul had just brought me
my slippers, and the words were
scarcely out of my mouth when there
came the booming of gun.
Boom, boom, boom
Maria looked at me. Her face was
CHASTITY. She knew as well as l did
what that sound meant.
ITS ship on the sand" she fall
tered. They'll want you, Paul.
Shall you go"
Shall, lass? There's no question
of shall, must is the word. Hank !"
Footsteps were staggering up the
road. The handle of our door was
turned, and Peter Ericsson entered.
"There's ship adrift on the sands,
Paul. You're wanted for the lite
boat"
Fright, Peter; I'll be with her in
two minutes. Hand down the oil
skins again, lass"
The sea was running so high that
we were thrice beaten back before
the llfeboat was launched. Launch
it at last we did, and there was
wild cheer from the folk who had
gathered on the beach as we put off.
Heaven knows we needed cheering
of some sort, for the bowling of the
wind around us and the swirl of the
waves as they dashed against us
made the sturdiest veteran in the
boat feel BIT uncanuylike.
But we pulled with a will and at
last came in sight of the sinking YES
sci. The jibboom, with the maSts,
had gone overheard, and she was
fast settling down.
When we reached her side, there
were four solitary beings clinging to
the taffrail.
Jump for il !" shouted our cap
tain, Hal Moxon.
Even as he spoke a big wave came
and swept away two of the four
The other two sprang over the side
and were dragged safely into the life
boat.
ANYBODY else on board ~ asked
Hal Moxon.
There's a sick man in the cabin,
with little girl who won't leave
him." said one of the half drowned
seamen.
My God, you don't say so! We
can't desert them. Will anybody
volunteer to board ?"
II will !"
you, Paul Allison? There's no
time to lose then. God be with
you!" he cried. The boat was again
swung round to the sinking vessel,
and leaped up and caught its side.
| had clambered to the deck in the
twinkling of handspike. Then l
staggered down the companion way
to the cabin.
While life is in this old hulk of mine
| shan't forget the spectacle | saw.
There was dim light still burning,
BY it saw a man lying in one of the
berths. Kueeling by his side, her
head bowed in prayer, was little
girl. She looked up quickly as l
entered.
Save papa!" she cried, running to
me.
That's just what I've come for,
my little lass, and, heaven willing, to
save you as well. Gomez ~ said to
the man, lifting him up.
"Save EIsien' moaned the man.
"Never mind me"
Elsie! Even in that moment OF
peril the name cut at my heart
strings as with a knife. looked at
the sick man a bit closer. 1t was the
scoundrel who had robbed me OF
nv greatest treasure-Willoughby
Seaton.
did not stop to parley with him.
| put a lfebelt round the girl and
made it firm with a connecting cord
to my own. Then wrapped a blan-
ket round the man and carried him
to the deck. Little Elsie clutched
firmly to my jacket.
The foam dashed up into my face.
| could not see the liieboat, but
above the roar of the storm | heard
the voice OF Hal Moxon:
"Jump!'
lea ped blindly forward. The
waves struck me with terrific force
as fell. heard the cry of man,
the shriller cry of child. seemed
to be tossed up to the clouds and
then sink sink sink until | could