The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-11-13

edge the little bark as their sea nome.
Both sought for a prouder ship. and in the
early part Of lS9. while AZ Riga. Russia.
Miss Taylor. In the name OF Capt. Craigsn,
purchased the Melsnope. 200 tons. for
s.. 90 In hard cash. Built Ike clipper,
fast and commOdious." as the sea-faring
advertisements phrase II. she was consid-
cred a bargain and the purchase a stroke
Of business.
Thsy painted the Melanope white. fitted
her as the Delta had been fitted, like a
yacht. and entered upon more ambitious
schemes OF merchandising and trade. She
made money, and Craigen spent 10 with
lavish hand In most of the ports where
the Aelanope came to anchor IL was sup
posed that the free-spending couple mad
millions at their back. and were merely
touring the seas for pleasure. SO the ex-
elusive draving-roOms were thrown open
TO them and life seemed very joyous and
very dear
Then. at the height of their romance.
retribution swept suddenly upon them.
Along about last Christmas they closed
a brilliant season at Newcastle ~ S W,
and set sail for Panama CTaigen had
loaded with coal. and intended to pick I'D
al Panama cargo OF that scrap iron
which the failure OF the Panama canal
ditch. Craigen and Miss Taylor. as usual.
devoted themselves TO their books their
music. and their love-making, leaving the
mate 10 run the ship.
Al Panama, they registered at the hotel
and prepared for their usual series of
entertainments. Suddenly Capt. Craigen
was met by the news that on file with
the American consul was a duly attested
legal document and copy of a marriage
certificate showing that the only lawful
Of To
ange, n. j.. and that consequently the
beautiful girl registered as Mrs. Craigen
az the Panama hotel was an imposter-a
social outcast.
Elma Taylor was busy with her dress
maker at the hotel when Craizen ap-
peared. white of face and wild W eye. TO
tell her the news of his wife's reVense
The girl hardly WINGED She affected 20
make light or the matter, and told Craig
en- 70 go to the dining-room. where she
would Join him In few moments.
Fifteen minutes later he received a
quick summons TO her room. She Law
there with her young life Just ffuttering
away, and died in his arms as he tried 10
bring her back to consciousness. They
called IL heart failure. The wife I'm far
New Jersey had been revenged. Elma
Taylor had been stricken when at he
zenith of her romantic glory. She died
on April 10. of this year
Craigen acted like a mailman for days
advice of the doctors that he must be
careful of his health, and after the Mel
anope sailed for San Francisco he would
not take the medicines his mate prepared.
Daily. I'm sick man." he said to the
mate. Now that she is dead, / do not
want to live. / hope / shall not reach port
alive"
His hope was fulfilled On the morning
OF June 1S-strange how that unlucky
thirteen ran through his life-he died at
sea. The mate read The service-'I am
the resurrection and the life"-and the
body of Capt. Craigen was cast into the
deep.
When the Melanope reached San Fran
cisco Mate Daily found two kilograms
awaiting Capt. Craigen. One announced
the death of Craigen's old mother In G!as-
gov. She had died OF sorrow for the mis-
doings of her son.
The other dispatch was from East
Orange, n. j. II told of the death of Mrs.
Craigen, who had not long outlived her
rival and her revenge. The mother and
the wife had died the same day, July IL.
Thus ended the story of sin and retribu-
ton, love and death.
Now Miss Taylor's relatives are trying
to get the Melanope. And they are OPP
posed by the representatives or that little
son at East Orange. The last voyage was
a financial failure, and suits have grown
out of that The public administrator is
trying to get his clutches on the vessel.
The United States authorities have some
claims against her.
idly in the stream. victim of the barnacle
and the seagrass, while on her decks stalk
the ghosts from the graves so widely scat
tered from the homes so strangely sor-
rowed, from the loves so strangely won,
so harshly lost.