The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-03-10

in he'll. Can't you see? Where did you
hear that song?'
81 heard French woman sing It,"
"AnRile BraZa?"
yes"
"Well--my God she used to sing it
TO me--you understand? oh, why did
l speak? Margaret, Margaret, 1 am
raving."
"No; you are telling me the truth for
once in your life"
Il was crazy--out of my mind"
Coward! stir yourself and get
ashore before the honest sea in its Just
fury swallows you"
These words from the woman he had
wronged struck him like bludgeons. In
the past the knowledge of his unfaith-
fulness had often oppressed him, but
the lightness of his nature had easily
cast aside uncomfortable thoughts.
Now the situation had a vivid vitality
unknown in his past life, and guilt took
on only too definite shape as he looked
at the stricken woman before him. He
buried his face in his hands.
Margaret stood up and looked around.
Already the wind went bowling by. Big
drops were slowly falling, and the
lightning was terrific.
Come. captain" she said in an un-
real, husky voice.
Stewart burst into tears. The SUD
den dreadful change in everything had
unnerved him.
II did love you" he began
stop that" said Margaret quietly.
we had better get out of this as soon
as we can. Heavens, what is that?"
Up the channel, about a quarter of a
mile away, whirled in the teeth of q
driving hurricane by the outgoing tide
was Mary Skely's boat. In it they
could see Marys body, but they could
not tell whether she were sleeping. in q
faint. or dead. They quickly saw that
the elements would take her past them
on to the bar, where the white break
ers were growing harshly for some
food.
"Cut loose and get her" command ID
| Margaret.
"I can't Don't you see that she is
on the other side of that fiat, where the
water is too shallow for us? And
cannot sail up the channel to set
! around the flat because it is impossible
| to sail against this wind. The only
| safe course is to remain anchored here
and ride out the storm. If our anchor
| gives way well go out over the bar
and that will end U.S."
Murray Stewart, are you telling ne
| the truth, or are you too much of &
| coward to try and save that poor wo.
| man?"
lie glared at her.
1T is the TRUTH" he said.
She felt it to be SO.
| But see!" she cried. The oars ar,
in her boat. Swim out in the boat's
way and catch it as it goes by. witt
the oars you can get safety"
! And leave you?'
BAH" 1t was another bludseoi
| stroke
You know | can't swim"
| Yes you can, enough to save tha
woman. Go on, Murray, for Gods SAX,
be a man. That little woman is wortl
ten millions of YOU Go on, | say, g,
on before 1t is too late"
Il cannot. | cannot. But, Margaret
| If | should if / should save her. a
the risk of my own life, will you-wil
| you-forgive and forget"
| Never! Save her, Murray, for tn
deeds sake and your own. Save her
As for me-do not think Of me. | will
never see you again after today wheth
| er you save her or not Save her
| Murray quick--she is to be married to
| morrow"
| Il will. Can you kiss me?'
| Away"
'Tll get her for you, Margaret, i
] can. Goodbye"
She did not answer and, coat am
shoes off, he sprang into the water
Right manfully did he strike out witt
the unusual hope Of doing something
| for another at the expense of himself
The eXhilaration of the self sacrifice
| the really noble feeling in him whicl
| had momentarily supplanted his gros
selfiShness, gave him the nerve ant
| courage of a hero. He was a poo
| swimmer, but he had not far to go il
order to get near where he though
the roWboat would be carried. One
there he tried to float, but the spra
| from the choppy waves nearl,
| strangled him, and he was compelle,
to turn over and strike out again
| Then he found he was getting out o
| position, and he swan sturdily to in
tercept the now swifty-moving boat
! 1t was the struggle of his life, and n
man doing an unselfish deed ever strov
more heroically. At no time did h
| become uncollected or frantic, but wit
grim determination he willed an
| worked.
| Poor hero
| Poor little bride.
The wind and tide carried her far be
yond his reach, and she sought he
father under the whlte-capped waves
Murray, seeing her go by, tried t
return to the sailboat. The attemp
was vain, great gusts of air and waite
beat him down, and he sank, leavin
Margaret kneeling in the midst Of tn
storm, praying for two wandering
| souls
She was rescued later.