The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-09

years will never efface-a picture painted in
coiors so vivid that only death itself can dim
them
The night was dark and lowering it seemed
as though black pail shut in the doomed
snip and her helpless passengers and only
the feeble glow of a few of the ships Ian
terms cast sickly light over the throng of
men, women and children huddled together
against the side
The bows were already under water, a mass
OF debris encountered the deck amidship and
the ngure OF Captain Lane was dimly to be
seen standing erect among it, his face look
ing palld and spectral in the wan light, but
nrm and composed as when his vessel had
gllued over the blue, sunit waves in perfect
peace and safety; while the group of terrified
passengers stood out in faint relief perched
in the stern
Already the water tapping over the
deck in the lower part, and rising every mo-
ment nearer, as though hungry to engulf Its
victims, and, through the heavy darkness
that enveoped all beyond the ships deck
Hllda heard the swift rush of waves against
the sides, that told her the sea had risen
during those hours of sleep, and that storm
was rising rapidly.
There was no sign of the rock which
they had struck, no CLEAN of a friendly light
on either hand; but the crew were hurriedly
working to get the boats lowered while some
of their number had hard task to keep off
the desperate men and women, whose fren-
zled efforts to get in impeded the sailors
movements.
Clamberng slowly over the wet planking,
Hilda reached the stern and looked for Nell,
for madame, for any friendly face to cheer
her in this dreadful moment; but she saw
neither at flrst-she heard only a confused
murmur of sobs and hurried calculations.
I'VE are sjnking-he said SO! Captain
Lane says we are.''
"Will the boats never be ready?" and the
speaker wrung her hands in a paroxysm of
despair, and sank in crouching heap against
her husbands feet.
She is settling down; the water is higher
tall man stopped and took up couple of
scbbing children and put them higher up the
stern.
Then came a sudden lurch, terrified out
burst from the women, more frantic endeav-
ors to get the boats launched and a shout
from some of the men announcing that two
were ready at last
Now then, women irst-only women and
the children roared Captain Lanes stem
torian tones, as a rush was made towards
them. Keep the others back officers; keep
them back by any means! I believe there's
time for all, if you'll only keep your heads,"
There was crash, a shout of warning; but
it came too late.
Captain Lanes voice was still forever as
mass of heavy wreckage came laundering
down, and some portion of it fell upon his
head.
Without sound he swung backwards upon
the deck almost across Hilda's feet.
A man sprang out of the darkness and held
ships lantern over the captains face then
passed a hand gently over the injured head.
rs he-dead?" asked Hilda, in a choked
voice, as she, too, bent over him.
Yes-dead," said Raymond Grant, quietly,
as he stood upe again and flashed the light
over her.
Then a fresh outcry from the direction of
the boats struck their ears, and the next
moment Hllda saw his set, stern face raised
above the struggling throng, saw one hand
held commandingly aoft, and heard his tones
ring out above the clamor-ordering, entreat-
lng directing every movement of the men
who strove so valantly to fill the boats and
get them clear of the wreck
AT last Hllda caught sight of Nellie Mar
ston. limp, forlorn little figure being led to-
wards the waiting boats by kindly old Mr..
Taylor, who was encouraging her in CHEEKY
tones, and begging her earnestly to be brave
And again she wondered what had become
of her fathers friend-her own avowed lover.
Castor Villefranche.
1t had struck her as strange that he had
made no effort to seek her out and ensure her
safety, and she half feared that he must have
been injured, perhaps even flung overheard
in one of those fearful lurches
AS the little crowd shifted she caught sight
of those she had been seeking, just as Neil
called out, family, Come Hilda-for Heav
ems sake, comet as she passed by.
And, while Hilda shook her head in renI~
she caugnt,a sudden view of madame's pallid
face and anguished eyes pressed close against
mans shoulder, and saw Gaston's arm on
cirong her, his face bent over hers.
She could hear his Quick claire, Claire. be
caim!" for Madame Legrand was moanin.
faitnly, like terrified child and era sning he
hands in hers in a frightened clutch. 40
The sight arrested Hilda and brought a CIR
ious little smile to her face.
She saw now why she had been forgotten
neglected.
In the moment of dire peril, with death
staring them in the face, he had turned in
stinctivey towards the woman who had his
heart; and the one whose wealth had dazzled
his eyes, and aroused his cupidity, he had
left to her fate.