Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1899-11-02

du.eAy ciasplng her hands upon his
arm she said, with face pale in it. in
tensity: "You must not 90
| OF GO" was his astonished ren,r
should have supposed you would
urge NE to go to the relief of those who
are IN such Distress"
duncan, she responded, in tones
"hose faimness was beied by the ter
for depicted in her face. Won must
not go, Tor ! know now it was Of th,s
that | Dreamed" -
Lofa, can you think Of those suf
ferln5 souls out there and permit such
super stitlons to bar me from render
ing them asaistance?"
How can I let YOU 90 came from,
the qulvering lips, ''when l know YOU
| are gong to your death?"
Firmly he unclasped the cline;ae
lIngers from his arm and with heart v
Good by, Dora" his hand was upon
i the latch
with cry she attempted to spring
between the door and him whose life
{ he was striving to reclaim before if
was too late. His strong arm caught
her' helo her Tor one moment and then
gently brushed her away. Suddenly
glad !ight-a light os hope-shone
in her eyes.
our PROMISE she exclaimed.
your promise to me that you would
not lmperil your life-you surely re-
member and that promise YOU will
keep"
My promise. he answered; "I do
remember, but that. promise I must
| break.
Like statue carved in marble stood
Dora, and in voice of befitting cold
ness came the words s'Then Duncan
Gray, love you not more. I hate
you"
Dora, he sasped as his face grew
pale. surely you are not conscious of
what you say"
In the same cold, even tones came
the response Il retract not word. ;"
The door opened, letting in great
cloud of snow, which the shrieking
wind was driving along in its fury,
Immediately closed, and Duncan
passed on through the storm, half
dazed and unbclieving what had oc-
cured.
The men who had been summoned
were surprised at his delay, but there
was no time to explain. Had there
been suspicion, however, in any
mind of his unwillingness to attend
them on their perilous mission such
thought was instantly dispelled when
it was noticed with what energy ana
daring he threw himself into the work
the almost superhuman strength with
which he handled the oars.
One boat load was brought to shore
in safety, and it was necessary to re-
turn for those who still remained
aboard the now fastsinking ship.
They had almost succeeded III launch
ing her for the second trip, when a
tremendous wave swept IN, hurting
boat AID brave life-savers back on the
beach to try all over again. In spite
of the thunders of the storm old Joe
swore to himself that he heard groan
from one Of his companions with
whom he was working so desperately.
oval, [ don't much blame yer for
Gavin in,' said he; s'it's a mighty
tough night
Bother the night, replied Dun
can; 81 sprained my wrist when that
last big wave smashed us mp So"
''Ho, men.' shouted Joe. "Might's
we'll let up-Duncan' broke his arm.
Have to let those other fellows out
there go to Davy Jones locker
"Hold on, cried Duncan, 81 have
one arm left. Now then, shove her
off. And though maddened with
pain he was again with them, fighting
their way to those half-froZen, des-
pairing victims of the wreck They
had secured the last man and were
again making their way to shore when
one oar suddenly stopped its brave
work and Duncan, unconscious from
pain, fell, aud from hoarse throats
came the cry, MAN overboard,'
For a second only did despair pos
sess those heroic hearts, then rescued
turned rescuers. Those who were
not too benumbed by their long ex-
posure on the doomed vessel gave a
hand~and after a severe battle with
the waves Duncan's inanimate form
was recovered and the shore was
gained where the exhausted ones
were soon cared for. i
Through the binding storm a little |
muthed figure crept up to Joe and in
uuired IN voice which was half a
moan: where is hep"
Guess they carried him home"
came the thoughtless response, as in /
vonderment he flashed his lantern in /
to the face OF the inquirer. For an
instant he saw the white face with !
eyes dila.ed IN. the agony of eompre- |
hension of the dreadful truth, then
cry, without a sound she
fell at his feet IL the driftel snow.
All that night lights burned IN one
cottage home. Where loving hands .
worked unceasing Y 10 restore 80 CON
sciouSness him who had SO nearly
lost his own life in saving the lives Of
others. and when that long. dark
night had vanished and with il the