The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-11-11

They have been successful, then, so
far They have taken those five half
dead creatures into the blessed lifeboat
Surely, if the rescuers could go through
such sea in safety. they can return.
y blessed relief comes to her, so sharp
~, so unpreparedly, that she almost gives
way beneath it. The good ship, indeed,
is gone, Where the black, indistinct mass
stood a minute since, now all is bare
there is but sea and sky, and the memory
| of it. But the lifeboat still lives.
Every onward dash of the tempestuous
waves drives the lifeboat the more sure
| ly into shelter, until at last it touches
ground. y hundred eager hands are
stretched out to prevent the returning
wave from carrying it backward. some of
/ the men, more adventurous than the rest,
rush into the surging tide up to their
waists and seize the boat and drag it for
chilly into safety.
Dysart, springing to land, helps out the
rescued men, now exhausted by fear and
eXposure-one of them. indeed, has faint
ed-bnt there are kindly arms open to
receive them and kindly voices to bid
them welcome-and to praise the God of
sea and land for their delivery from
death this night.
With hurried wave of the hand he
turns abruptly away from the cheering
crowd and the dancing torchlights, and
makes his way through the heavy dark
ness toward the small pathway that will
lead to the road above. Stumbling. I'M
certain, and feeling altogether exhausted.
he nevertheless finds it, and puts out his
hand to grope for the rock that he knows
stands at the right side of it, where the
beach commences.
Good heavens, what is this? He
starts violently, and then his fingers fast
en- with almost conyulsive energy over
the small cold hand that has been thrust
| into his. A sharp little cry breaks
through the darkness, and then the cold
hand is hurriedly withdrawn, and two
arms are thrown round him, and cling to
him with passionate yehemence.
1T is you-you. And you are safe.
Oh, SeatOn, Oh. thank heaven, thank
heaven"
Whose voice is it? Not Vera's? Vera
and yet the clinging arms are warm. Hv-
ing, and genuine; the sobbing voice is
real; small disheveled head is very close
to him-yery, What has happened? Has
he gone mad?
He is CHASTITY pale, white as the death
from which he has but just now so mar
rowly escaped, and across his right tenn
pie there is slight streak of blood, still
wet This adds to his pallor. Vera, sec
ing it, shudders violently, and invoIun-
tarily, almost unconsciously, lifts her
hand, and presses her handkerchief to
the wound.
Speak says he, and now the word
is a command. 1t rings sharply. There
is 4 very anguish of doubt in his tone.
and his eyes. burning into hers. are so
full Of desperate question, that they ut
terly unnerye her.
| The strain of the past terrible hours
has been too severe. and now she sinks
beneath it. She bursts into tears.
ooh, yes, yes, yes" she cries, giving
him thus vaguely the answer he requires
| In moment his arms are round her,
crushing her against his heart. To him
those incoherent words are full of sweet
est meaning. Yes, she loves him. Who
! shall tell the joy this knowledge brings
| him-joy that is almost pain?
Darling darling" whispers he, softly.
! And then after a little while, Il am too
| happy. | do net know what to say.
! cannot speak" And then again, May
l kiss you?"
| He does not wait for permission. but
presses his lips to hcrs-dear lips, that
! kiss him back again, with honest, heart
| felt gladness.
(The pnd