Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-01-07

confusion by the demon of carnage. She
comes to stand head to wind all shak-
ing. In that condition we may hope to
sight her; in none other
1t was 4 little before IL O'Clock the
same morning when the sailors wit
messed a sight novel indeed aboard the
Wellesley. First of all Mr. Hardy came
up the companion hatch hugging an old
folding chair to his heart. He opened
and set it down i'll the great rolling
shadows cast by the trysail; then
through the skylight received a couple
Of pillows. which he placed in the chair
with ceremony, patting and smoothing
them. A little later the figure of the
commander uprose, backing and stag
gering as he assisted the young lady to
mount the steps. She moved slowly.
She was weak and needed the help of
his strong and gentle hand.
She came out of the hatch into the
flying sunshine. with a frown at the
brilliance, but smile that showed her
white teeth as she drank in the liberal
rush of wind that whistled in her pale
lips. The sailors forward stared. They
had seen her lifted out of the sea, a
drenched and streaming body, CHASTITY
with its gag and black lines Of brine
glued hair, and now they beheld Gne
figure Of q young woman clad in Grim.
son with rope of colors round her
waist. Her hair was coiled down upon
her head, aid its abundance was mani
fest in spite Of the round, white canvas
hat oh g., I1-
eyes, charging them and deepening
their soft, luminous glow.
Yet poor Miss Margaret Mansel look
ed exceedingly pale, and any one could
have seen that she was fresh from a
violent shock or a dangerous illness.
She had been admired by some Of the
gentlemen aboard the Queen, particu-
larly by Mr.. Masters. She was without
beauty; but her features held grace
which brought them near to it. On
board the Queen she had chiefly pleased
BY her pensive expression, her habitual
down and thoughtful regard. SO that
the faint bloom on her cheeks was often
shaded by the long lashes of the upper
lids. They had also considered her teeth
and figure unusually good, and her hair
very fine.
- She was tall and stood up bravely,
holding by the companion hatch, to the
admiration Of Mr.. Hardy, and when
she had gained the deck Commander
Boldock let 60 her hand.
Il feel now that I am alive indeed"
che said as she looked aloft with a bright
glance and then smiled at Boidock.
ut is ladies' weather-very charm
ing" said the commander. LET me
seat you"
He led her to the folding chair, and
Mr.. Hardy laid q rug over her knees.
She smiled with gratitude at both men.
This is a little ship after the
Queen" said she. where is this fine
wind driving us?''
"We are bound to part of the ocean
where there are rocks and shoals whose
position is improperly shown on the
charts. That DONE" continued the COM
mander, 1--WE shall then proceed to sur
vey certain islands. We then return to
Sydney. We are at present off our
course.
lit will DO hard upon me-" said Miss
Mansel, 'to return to Sydney. have
no money. The little had was in my
box in the Queen. All that possess in
clothes, books, keepsakes and other
things was in that ship. suppose they
are lost forever"
1--WE shall not allow such considera-
tions to be trouble to u.s." said the
commander stoutly, a brave smile max
ing his wide sunset Of face as engaging
as If he were handsome, ION SO bright
day as this, and with the memory of
your deliverance as green as yesterday
morning can let it be-
She hung her head. touched by the re-
luke, and her eyes filled with tears