Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-10-28
4 Gildod Hero.
BY E. L. SABIN.

rho steamer had been buffeted by
a.. cliff gale for tWenty-six hours, and
shon tho second day dawned the wind
.od increased to hurricane. The sky
40. a leaden mass, gloomy, inert, and
hrooding, offering no hope OF change
ond no glimpse of the sun. Clouds
which have a distinct outline look as
n thew might eventually be driven
ovav. but a suIlen sheet of gray is
bopelessly dispiriting.
The waves had attained tremendous
momentum, and were being piled
bipber and higher by the storm. Gray
like the sky, they tumbled in savage
gIee aboard the vessel, rushing trl-
umnhantlv from the forward quarter
AFT It seemed as if legions of sea
demons were fastening from all direc-
tions riding upon the snow white
crests of the angry pillows, to assail
the struggling ship.
But ocean steamers, such as the
Kaiser Wilhelm, are not easily daunt-
ed, and the stout craft was steadily
pAnging ahead, the captain with diff
Guilty maintaining his position on the
bridge, the stokers in the depths shov-
cling coal into the greedy furnaces,
and the cabin passengers trying to
keep right side up in their state rooms
Or in the saloon. The steerage pass
engers were praying. Cabin passen-
gers pray only in extremities.
Three days out of Bremen-three
days of NAL de mer and general I'M
pleasantness; for who, even the most
seasoned mariner, could survive the
weather. and smile? One storm had
followed in the path of another. This
morning, the saloon was sparsely oc-
cupied. Ladies, save one, were either
i'll In their berths, or with closed eyes
were languidly lolling in deeply cush-
Toned chairs. Gentlemen, save one,
were either in their state rooms or in
the smoking apartment.
The two exceptions to the rule were
Edith Petit and Roger Melton Thorn
son. Talking in low tones they sat
in chairs snugly established on the lee
ward side, so that the feet of the sit
tiers could be braced in case of an I'M
usually severe roll.
Edith Petit was what men and
women alike call "an aWfully nice
girl" There was nothing dainty or
ethereal about her. She was healthy,
WeII-groomed American damsel, able
10 play golf or tennis half the day, and
dance rather more than half the night.
Inc rays from the electric globes fell
on her abundant hair, light but not
golden, and her smooth cheeks, and
shStened on her even, white teeth
When she spoke Or laughed. Perhaps
her chief charm lay in her gray eyes,
lull and clear, and as honest as could
oe-a standing challenge to mankind
10 WIN an approving glance from them.
thomson was little different from .
hundred other men you meet at the
eluo; regular features, brown mus
tache and eyes, hair of the same color
ana brushed straight down from the
part IN the middle; a wholesome-look-
ing boy, but not noticeably brilliant.
lie and Miss Petit were engaged.
l don't know" he was saying, twist
Ing tassel on her chair, "that I care
10 nave more of this weather. The
mater has not been out of her room
since we started, and I fancy you can
Aol stand my society much longer at a
suetch. Otherwise I should say,
niow, We breezes, blow"
Oh, any port in storm can be
to read any man in storm,
II !. wanted to say something mean.
speaking in earnest, Roger, I do not
see what I should have done without
'ou' as poor mamma has been so mis-
eIaole. YOU have been so good and
y, actually denying yourself to
The smoking room"
Wen, you have had an opportunity
" md out how angelic I really am.
", nen we are married you will be on
sue watch for wings to grow from my
Suouiuers." His voice had a slightly
Oitter tlnge as he concluded.
After our ups and downs of the
We can find anything smooth
sahng, think, don't your" she re-
smiling into his eyes as he