Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-08-14

storm was on US once more, and we
drove madly in another direction.
There was sudden crash, my father
sprang, half dragging us toward the
compa nionway. saw huge wall of
water rolling down upon us-it fell
| and all grew dark. I remember a SEN
sation of sinking, of being whirled
\ around, dull, booming noise in my
ears, and I opened my eyes to find
myself lying on sandy beach, two
rough men looking down on me, while
a third and younger one, kneeling be-
side me, was chatting my hands. Fright
ened, but too weak to scream, feebly
said:
| Where am To-
"'On Watlings Island, Miss said
the young man.
| "'Yes, said one of the older men,
and narrow squeak you had for it,
| too. II / hadn't thought it was
mighty queer seaweed washing in over
yon reef, you wouldn't have been talk
ing now.'
"'Where's my father? I said.
"'With all the rest was the reply.
"'Hushl' said the younger man,
see how weak she is?'
"Then tainted.
81 awoke to find myself on rude
cot in small cottage, tended by a
native who only spoke Spanish
patois. The wreckers, for such they
were, had carried me there. The sun
was shining brightly and the storm
was over. Days passed, and when
could go about I learnt that I had
been the only one saved of the entire
bark's crew. The wave that had en-.
quilted her and drowned all but my
self had washed me over the coral reef
on which the bark had struck. The
wreckers on the shore had seen me.
and daring the waves, high even be.
tween tho reef and the shore, had
rowed out and rescued me just as ]
was sinking.
"Utterly crushed as I was, I did
not at first realize my position. Twas
told I could go to Nassau on a
schooner in about month, but I felt
no inclination to do aught but stay
where fate had thrown me. The young
wrecker was very kind to me.
Meanwhile I grew we'll and strong
in the soft warm air and under the
tropic skies. learnt to like the wild
life, and the few white people and all
the natives half worshiped me. One
day schooner brought some papers;
and l read our bark had been given
up as lost and my name was among
those drowned. These papers recalled
me to myself and 1 determined I
would go to Nassau, and, if 1 could,
thence to England.
81 told the young wrecker, who had
become my firm friend and companion,
and whom I had taught to read, of my
decision.
"'Well, Miss, he said, if you feel
it is so, suppose you're right, but l
hate to think of losing you
"Hhis and his evident sorrow touched
me, ana made me think whether in
the world to which 1 was returning
would find such simple, loyal devo
ton as had here been mine. When
the day came for my departure all the
inhabitants turned out to bid me fare.
well. A queen could not have had a
more loyal leave taking than the Eng.
lish Miss as they called me. The
young wrecker went with me. He said
he had business in Nassau. That
night-a night so soft and sweet it
seemed as if storms had never brooded
there, the Southern Cross blazing low
on the horizon-the wrecker came to
where sat ON the deck of the little
schooner.
"'Miss, he said, I am nothing but
"Conch," a poor ignorant Bahama
native, but I can't bear to have you
go away. We all love you, and I more
than all. must tell you. You know
our life is poo and rude, that we are
far away from the world, but if you
won't blam, me for even daring to
hope, Miss, you know I have the
handsomest schooner of the Watlings
fleet and the best cottage on theisland.
am sure I'd do my best to make you
forget your troubles, Miss, and the
sponge fishin' is better, Miss, and
there's good many wrecks yet, Miss
and love you, Miss"
Here she stopped and checked her.
self and blushed.
"Of course you spoke kindly to
him." said, "and told him you were
sorry, but he mustn't speak again.
"Of course 1 didn't. You're like
all men. What's the name of this
schooner"
Lillian" I replied wonderingly.
"Well, that's my name, and here, ."
as tall, broadshouldered, roughly
dressed young man appeared on The
wharf, bunch of roses in his hand,
and eyed me curiously, "here's my
wrecker, and his name is john"
Hare Church Offering.
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