The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1897-11-26


the infection of enthusiasm, and
joined the crew. A moment more, and
Richard Wardour appeared again in
the doorway, carrying man in his
arms. He staggered breathless with
the effort that he was making, to the
place where Clara stood, held up in
Mrs. Crayford's arms.
Saved, Claraw he cried. oaved for
your
He released the man, and placed him
in Clara's arms. Frank! Footsore and
weary, but living! Saved-saved for
her Now, Clara" cried Mrs. Cray
ford, (which of us is right? l, who
believed in the mercy of Color you,
who believed in dream"
She never answered; she chung to
Frank in speeches. ecstasy. She
never even looked at the man who had
preserved HMM the first absorbing
joy of seeing her lover alive. Step by
step, slower and slower, Richard
Wardour drew back and left lem by
| themselves.
Il may rest now" he said family
Il may sleep at last. The task is done.
The struggle is over"
His last reserves of strength had
been given to Frank He stopped, he
staggered, his hands wavered fee
| bly, in search of support. But for
one faithful friend he would have
fallen. Crawford caught him. Cray
ford laid his old comrade gent
ly on some sails strewed in a corner
and pillowed Wardour's weary head
on his own breast. The tears streamed
over his face. Richard. Dear Rich
ard" he said. "Remember-and for
give me-"
Richard neither needed nor heard
him. His dim eyes still looked across
the room at Clara and Frank.
Il have made her happy he muir
INJURED. 81 may lay down my weary
head now on the mother earth that
bushes all her children to rest at last
Sink, Meart! sink, sink to rest! Oh
look at them he said to Crawford
with burst of grief. They have for
gotten me already"
1t was. truel The interest was all
with the two lovers. Frank was
young, and handsome, and popular.
Officers, passengers, and sailors, they
all crowded round Frank. They all
forgot the martyred man who had
saved him-the man who was dying in
Crayford's arms.
Crawford tried once more to attract
his attention-to win his recognition
while there was yet time.
Richard, speak to me! Speak to
your old friendy'
He looked round; he vacantly repeat
ed Crayford's last word
"Friend?" he said my eyes are
dim, friend; my mind is dull. l have
lost all memories but the memory of
her Dead thoughts-all dead thoughts
but that one! And yet you look at
me kindly! Why has your face gone
down with the wreck of all the rest?"
He paused. His face changed; his
thoughts drifted back from present to
past He looked at Crawford vacantly;
lost in the terrible membranes that
were rising in him, as the shadows rise
with the coming night.
"Hark We, friend" he whispered.
| Never let Frank know it. There was
a time when the fiend within me hun
| gered for his life l had my hands
on the boat. l heard the voice of the
Tempter speaking to me: Launch it,
and leave him to diep l waited, with
my hands on the boat and my eyes
on the place where he slept Leave
! him! leave him! the Voice whispered.
| Love him. the lads voice answered,
moaning and murmuring in his sleep.
| Love him, Clara, for helping mep l
heard the morning wind come up in the
silence over the great deep. Far and
near, heard the groaning of the float
ing ice, floating, floating, to the clear
water and the balmy air. And the
wicked Voice 'floated away with it
away, away, away, forever! Love
him.! love him, Clara, for helping me-
No wind could float that away, Love
| him, Clara"
His voice sank into silence; his head
dropped on Crayford's breast. Frank
saw it. Frank struggled up on his
bleeding feet, and parted the friendly
throng round him. Frank had not for
gotten the man who had saved him.
Let me go to him. he cried. Il
must, and will, go to him! Clara,
come with me-"
Clara and Steventon supported him
between them. He fell on his knees at
Wardour's side; he put his hand on
Wardour's bosom. "Richardr'
The weary eyes opened again. The
sinking voice was heard feebly once
more.
An. poor Frank. l didn't forget
you, Frank, when l came here to beg.
remembered you, lying down out
side IN the shadows of the boats. l
saved you your share of the food and
drink. Too weak to get at it nowl
A little rest, Frank l shall soon be
strong enough to carry you down to
the ship"
The end was near. They all saw 1t