Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-06-03

CHASTITY. She knew as well as did what
that sound meant.
"It's a ship on the sands" she faltered.
"They'll want you, Paul. Shall you gof''
"Shall, lass? There's no question of
shall. Must is the word. HarkP'
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 lifeboat."
Fright, 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 lifeboat
was launched. Launch it at last we did,
and there was a 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 uncannylike.
But we pulled with will and at last
came in sight of the sinking vessel. The
iibboom, with the masts, had gone over
board, and she was fast settling down.
When we reached her side, there were
only four solitary beings clinging to the
taffrail
Jump for itp' 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 lifeboat.
Anybody else on board" asked Hal
Moxon.
"Theres 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 sol We can't
desert them. Will anybody volunteer to
board?' "
II will"
"You, Paul Allisonp 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
it's side. I had clambercd to the deck in
the twinkling Of handspike. Then I
staggered down the companion way to the
cabin.
While life is In this old hulk of mine I
shant forget the spectacle saw. There
was dim light still burning. BY it saw
man lying in one Of the berths Kneel-
ing by his side her head bowed In prayer,
was little girl. She looked up quickly
as I entered.
"Save papa!" she cried, running to me.
"That's just what I've come for, my lit
tie lass, and heaven willing to save you as
we'll Come!'' said to the man, lifting
him up.
no HNnxy-
er mind me-"
Elsie! Even in that moment Of peril
the name cut at my heartstrings as with
knife. I looked at the sick man bit
closer. 1t was the scoundrel who had rob-
bed me Of my greatest treasure Willough-
| by Scaton.
did not stop to parley with him.
put lifebelt round the girl and made 1t
firm with connecting cord to my own.
Then wrapped blanket round the man
and carried him to the deck. Little Elsie
clutched firmly to my jacket
| The foam dashed up into my face. l
| could not see the lifebcat, but above the
roar of the storm heard the voice of Hal
| Moxon:
"Jumpp
I leaped blindly forward. The waves
struck me with terrific force as fell.
heard the cry of man, the shriller cry OF
q child 1 seemed to be tossed up to the
clouds and then to sink, sink, sink, until
| could sink no farther The mighty sea
| rolled over me, and knew no more.
When came out of that awful pit, 1t
was to find myself in bed in my own snug
home. A pair of loving eyes were looking
anxiously into mine.
''Do you feel better now, Paul." asked
my wife tenderly.
IT don't know exactly how I feel, my
lass, but how did get here, and-ah, now
| recollecti That man tried to save last
night
"Last night! It's three weeks ago."
"Three weeksf Surely not? But was
| he savedp'
"Alas, mol He was washed away whe1
you jumped from the sinking vessel
Here's one who was saved, however"
A pretty golden haired girl entered. i
was Elsie. She came to my bedside he
face radiant with smile when she saw
that was conscious.
"You-you saved my life!" she said.
Then she leaned forward and kissed THU
IOuSuy WCuGAOI UCtbUCA ACSC VI AAAAAOs A.
that kiss the treachcry Of the mother wai
forgotten.
soon learned her story. Her mother
she little guessed knew her-had died II
Bombay Her father had lost all his mon
ey in a sugar plantation over there ant
was returning to England in the Rum
nuggar to- commence life afresh when III
was stricken down with fever. Then the
storm came which wrecked the ship.
We'll, to cut long story short, got tx
love that girl, though in a different way
from the love had for her mother. When i
came to question Of parting with her
Maria and me put on our considering cap
and talked the matter over.
Well, we didn't send her away. Iwa'
to her father. Maria was to her moth
er, and she-heaven bless her-was to III
the best Of daughters. But she's left III
now.
"Why9" you ask. Can't you see how tt