, 1898-10-04

tuo putter, pdtttr, patter, OF the Dig
drops rs skirmishers. Then came the
downpour.
The iloodgates Of heaven seemed open,
while peal after peal of thunder followed
the iDcessant flashes of the lightning.
Lawton and Joe kept steadily at their
oars, but the great strain was beginning
to tell ON them. when to their JOY the
shore doomed up on their starboard bow,
The searchlight. however, was also
coming, and 10 was the cutter.
Nearer and nearer came the glare
across the water until first one arm,
then the body, Of II Of the terrified
Cinnamon was within its focus. Pres
emily the entire boat was in the broad
path Of light.
BOAT ahoyI" came from the cutter.
"Pull, Joe. pulll" growled Lawton.
we'll make it yet"
Boat ahoyr' came down the breeze.
The only reply was a binding flash,
which came simultaneously with a
deafening crash, followed Immediately
by the rending Of timber and q cry of
agony.
The cutters mainmast had been
struck.
For a moment all was confusion
Then the commanders stern voice was
heard: "Take him below. To the light
Don't let those men escape"
The brief interval Of confusion had
given the tired rowers an advantage of
which they were not slow to avail them.
selves.
"Give 'em a shot across their bows,
Tom. Easy, man. easyl Aim close, but
don't shatter them this time"
Scarcely were the words out Of the
captains mouth when the small gun
belched forth a fiery order to stop.
Whistling through the atmosphere
the leaden messenger. true to the gun.
ner's aim. buried itself with a thud in
the seething water about ten feet ahead
Of the boat.
"Egad, they're a nervy set!" said the
commander as the smugglers only re-
doubled their efforts to gain the shore.
Hard ~a-starboard, therei Quickv'
he reared. run inside of them and
shut them out. Bear down close, but
watch out and don't run them down."
The last hope of the fugitives had
fed. Lawton turned in his seat and
said calmly to Joe, tits all up, part
ner; we're caught like rats in a trap"
Suddenly, like one seized with the
frenzy Of despair, the desperate speaker
gave q quick, vigorous stroke with his
oar. thus throwing the frail craft
directly in the steamers path.
The captain saw the move and rang
the backing bell, but too late; the sharp
Prov Of the vessel cut through the boat
like . knife. cledving her in two.
A wild shrek of despair rang out on
the night air and was borne away ON
the wings Of the storm. The turbulent
waters embraced six struggling forms.
Life preservers were quickly thrown
into the stream, while the pinnace was
lowered in q hurry. The crew went Wig
orously about the work of rescue aud
succeeded in getting four out of the six. /
One Chinaman and Lawton were
Nothing could be seen of the
while the %latter's head could be
discerned bobbing up and down on the
waves as he struck out for shore. The
boat at once gave chase, when
suddenly the swimmer threw up his
hands, and, with one wild cry, disap-
peared from view and was seen no more.
He deliberately sought death rather
than be captured. So the officers thought. |
In a small cabin Nesting amid the |
timber on a back road some miles from
Windsor sat a woman. Her once hand |
some face showed the lines of care. /
While rocking the baby to and fro her
dark eyes kept wandering to the door
an anxious expression as she lis
tened to the storm without. From her |
faithful heart u prayer went up for the
Of her husband. the daring SNUG |
gler.
Lawtoa was a lawbreaker. an enemy
Of society. and should DO suppressed,
but he was all in all to this III in
the wooce, who watched for his coming |
eagerly. 1t was to be his last trip |
and they would again seek their home
IN Virginia. His father had forgiven
The marriage against his wishes. Wealth
md comfort awaited the pair.
Will he never Gomez" she said rs
The laid her sleeping infant on the bed.
The wind sang m%ournfully around the
,orner of the cabin. Hank, there were
he swapping Of twigs and a heavy foot
all on the doorstep.
The food Of light from within shone
m the dripping figure Of the smuggler
v his wife opened the door. The ex.
,~ression Of savage triumph gave way to
owe light in his eyes, as ~unheeding his
garments she clasped her arms
'round him with a murmured. Thank
iod, you are safe"
you will stop now, won't your" she
continued, gazing at him with her soul
her eyes.
Softly he stroked the brown hair,
;hinly streaked with gray. and whis-
pered in her ear.
A bright light spread over her face as
he led the drenched man inside and
,losed the door.
The storm was over. The rising sun
touched the top Of the hum
lie home. A squirrel scurried out Of
he open door. The hut was empty. A
lew day had also dawned for the daring
awbreaker, now on his way to his
outhern home-Detroit Tribune.
In many part Of France the coffin Of
------.--- T. 49, $500