The Portland daily press., 1895-05-15
CHASTITY. She knew as well as I did what

cts ship on the sands,'' she faltered.
"Theyll want you, Paul. Shall you go?"
"Shall lassP 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 ship adrift on the sands,
Paul. You're wanted for the lifeboat.''
Right, Peter; I'll be with her in two
minutes. Hand down the oilskins again,
LASS
The sea was running SO hi,h that we
were thrice beaten back beforS BE lifoboat
was launched. Launch it at last we did,
and there was q wild cheer from the folk
who had gathered ON the beach as we put
off.
Heaven knows VIC 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
jibboom, 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 It'll" shouted our captain, Hal
Moxon.
Even as he spoke big wave came and
swepS away two of the four The other
two sprang over the side and were dragged
safely into the lifeboat.
Anybody else on boardP" asked Hal
Moxon.
"There's sick man in the cabin, with
n 1itf1a ri xyhn rrCn'f 1oouo hin, - n
one of the half drowned seamen.
"My God, you don't say sol We can't
desert them. Will anybody volunteer to
boardP'
81 will"
"You, Paul Allisona 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. I had clambered to the deck in
the twinkling of handspike. Then
staggered down the companion way to the
cabin.
While life is in this old hulk of mine I
shan't forget the spectacle I saw. There
was dim light still burning. By it saw
a 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 paYa!" she cried, running to me.
That's Just what I've come for, my lit
tie lass, and heaven willing to save you as
well. ComeI'' said to the man, lifting
him up.
"Saye Elsie!'' moaned the man. "Nev-
er mind me'
Elsiel Even in that moment of peril
the name cut at my heartstrings as with
a knife. I looked at the sick man a bit
closer. 1t was the scoundrel who had rob-
bed me of my greatest treasure-Willough
by Seaton.
I did not stop to parley with him. I
put a 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.
could not see the lifeboat. but above the
roar of the storm heard thu voice of Hal
Moxon:
"Jumpp'
I leaped blindly forward. The waves
struck me with terrific force as 1 fell. I
heard the CRY of man, the shriller cry of
a child. I seemed to be tossed up to the
clouds and then to sink, sink, sink, until
I could sink no farther. The mighty sea
rolled over me- and knew no more.
When I 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.
"Do you feel better now, Paul?" asked
my wife tenderly.
II don't know exactly how I feel, my
lass, but how did I get here, and-ah, now
recollectl That man I tried to save last
night
"Last night It's three weeks agop'
"Three weeks? Surely not? But was
he saved?"
Alas, mol He was washed away when
you jumped from the sinking vessel.
Here's one who was saved, however"
A pretty golden haired girl entered. 1t
was Elsie. She came to my bedside, her
face radiant with smile when she saw
that was conscious.
"You-you saved my ifep' she said.
Then she leaned forward and kissed this
rough, weather beaten face of mine. In
that kiss the treachery of the mother was
forgotten.
l soon learned her story. Her mother
she little guessed knew her-had died in
Bombay. Her father had lost all his mon
ey in sugar plantation over there and
was returning to England in the Rum
nuggar to commence life afresh when he
was stricken down with fever. Then the
storm came which wrecked the ship.
Well, to cut a long story short, got to
love that girl, though in different way
from the love had for her mother. When it
came to a question of parting with her,
Maria and me put on our considering caps
and talked the matter over
Well, we didn't send her away. was
to her father Maria was to her moth
or, and she-heaven bless her-was to us
the best of daughters. But she's left us
now.
"WhyP" you ask. Can't you see how to
all was? She's now Pauls wife.-London
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