The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-08-31

| NldlCl Win luu Dtth sweeping III VIZ
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 Nep-
tune.
There was no light of stars or moon,
and then the hail descended in hurricane.
l had difficulty in reaching home, though
/ knew every inch of the way, so dark
was it.
Gan awful night, Paul." said my wife,
taking from me my wet oilskins.
eyes, lass, awful night it is There'll
be many wrecks to night"
Good grant there'll 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 booming
of "a gun. Boom, boom, boom!
Marie looked at me. Her face was
CHASTITY. She knew as well as | did what
that sound meant.
cts ship on the sands" she faltered
They'll want you, Paul. Shall you
go'
'Shall, lass? There's no question of
shall Must is the word. Hark
Footsteps were staggering up the road,
the handle of our door was turned, and
Peter Ericsson entered. "There's a ship
adrift on the sands, Paul You're wanted
for the life boat
"Right, Peter; I'll be with her in two
minutes. Hand down the oilskins again,
LASS
The sea was running so high that we
were thrice beaten back before the life
boat was launched. Launch it at last we
did, and there was n 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 sturdicst
veteran in the boat feel a bit upcanny-
like.
But we pulled with will and at last
came in sight of the sinking vessel. The
jbboom, with the masts, had gone over
board, and she was settling down.
When we reached her side, there were
only four solitary beings clinging to the
taffrail.
"Jump for it"' shouted our captain Hal
Moxon.
Even as he spoke 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 2" said Hal
Moxon.
''There's sick man in the cabin, with
little girl who won't leave him, said
one of the half drowned seamen.
"Oh, you don't say so! We cant
desert them. Will anybody volunteer to
board ~
81 will!'
''You, Paul Allison? There's no time
to lose then. God be with you!' he cried.
The boat was again swung around to the
sinking vessel, and l leaped up and caught
its side. had clambered to the deck in
the twinkle of an handspike. Then |
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 man lying in one of the berths
Kneeling by his side, her head bowed in
prayer, was little girl. She looked up
quickly as entered.
Save papan' she cried, running to
me.
That's just what I've come for, my
little lass, and heaven willing, to save y,u
as well. Gomez said to the man, lifting
him up.
''!Save Else!' 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 bit
closer. 1t was the scoundrel who had
robbed me of my greatest treasure-Wil-
loughby Seaton.
| did not stop to prley with him. |
put Il lifpbelt round the girl and made it
firm with connecting cord to my own.
Then wrapped blanket round the man
and carried him to the deck. Little Elsie
cntchtd firmly to my jacket.
The foam dashed up into my face.
could not see the life boat, but above the
roar of the storm | heard the voice of
MoXon:
Jump
| leaped blindly forward. The waves
struck me with terrific force rs | fell.
heard the cry of a man, the shriller cry OF
child | seemed to be tossed up to
the clouds and then to sink, sink, sink,
until could sink no further. The
mighty sea rolled over me, and | knew no
more.
When | came out of that awful pit, it
was to find myself in bed in my own snug
home. A pair of loving eyes were looking
anxiously into mine.
| 'IIJ)n vou fool haftpr nov paul ~ ask ed