Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-12-12

my shoulder to look at it.
At that moment a crash Of thunder
sounded, and brilliant flash of light
ming illuminated the ship | looked up.
The sky had grown black as night.
The sea, with its inky waves, seemed
to bound toward us. 1t hissed under
the sing of the wind. The vessel rock.
ed from side to side, and the water
splashed upon the deck. l sprang to
my feet and, thrustng the picture into
my bosom, seized my companions
hand.
Another and still another clap pealed
through the air. In a few moments
we were almost In complete darkness
save when the lightning shot in fash
Ing lines across the sky. The fury of
the storm was indescribable. The
wind seemed to have gone mad. Salt
spray dashed on my face, cutting like
knife. In the darkness l turned and
threw my arms about the girl. AS my
lips sought hers there came suddenly
Il cry-a cry that rushed upon me like
resurrection. | felt my companion
slip from my arms. By vivid flash of
lightning | caught glimpse of her
face. 1t was like shadow, but wear
ing still that sad smile upon the lips.
The next instant a light flashed be-
fore my eyes. The storm had abated,
had ceased. All was calm. Beside me
stood tall man in uniform. His ap-
pearance seemed strange to me. He
suggested that which l had forgotten.
He had his arm thrown about me, and
he seemed to be supporting me.
Feel better now?' He spoke In
loud, gruff voice, and it was to me like
the memory of a dream.
He held something to my lips. 1t
was like liquid fire. 1 g&sped and
turned from him.
"Psyche" l cried.
The ship, the crew, my beloved, all
were gone. l stood alone upon the
ruins of the Fleur-de-lis. The sea
was calm and placid, the sky blue. The
rotten planks We're beneath my feet.
Come hurry" said my companion.
''This won't last much longer" And
he dragged me to the side of the YES
sci, where there was boat. Just be-
yond l saw the masts of an English
frigate. | felt myself being transport
ed to the boat, and though l shrieked
and struggled, begging that those l
had been with on the Fleur-de-lis
might be saved or at least that l
might remain there also, it was of no
avail.
'He is raving," l heard the officer
mutter. "The strain has caused insani-
ty, not unusual in such cases."
thought of Psyche, of my love, and
with the despair of the thought 1
swooned away.
remained unconscious, ill, for many
days, and when l was myself again
we were nearing the shores of Eng
land. AS l tottered weakly upon the
deck and, wrapped in a heavy cloak,
reclined In my easy chair | suddenly
bethought me of my portrait. l put
my hand in my bosom. There, close to
my heart, / felt 1t. Tremblingly |
drew 1t forth. l gazed with sense of
joy and relief upon it. Just as it had
been completed it was now-the beau
tiful, perfect features, the exquisite
turn of the head, the sweet, melan-
choly smile.
| pressed 1t to my lips in a delirium
of joy. l spent myself upon it. AT
least l had this tangible proof of the
past. 1t was more than had dreamed
possible, treasure. For when l re-
lated my experience to those on board
l saw from their incredulous faces
that they regarded my words but as
the incoherent wanderings of a dis
traught brain.
| The captain told me that he had es-
| pied a floating wreck, that with his
glass it had appeared to him that some
one was signaling, and he had sent to
investigate. This story and not mine,
was everywhere received among my
friends, and as | noted their plying
glances when eagerly related my mar
rative, | ceased finally to make any
mention of it.
But in the solitude of my chamber /
kissed the loved face which l carried
against my heart and heaped every
dear and endearing name upon it.
had a case of chased gold made and
uIIeu Lne picture 10 IL. "A line, almost
invisible gold thread was fastened to
this, and it never left my person. AS
often as | gaZed upon the sweet face
which looked back at me l longed with
an intense longing for the original. My
heart cried out for my lost one. Will
ingly would have spent all my days
upon that ghastly wreck to have pos
sessed the joy of her presence.
l mingled but little in society, for it
held no attraction for me. l was con-
sidered woman hater and looked
upon with curiosity. But l was pros
porous in my business. Fortune smiled
upon me. l made rapid strides and all
that l touched seemed to yield ten
fold. But whatever art l had in paint
ing was lost, gone from me forever.
Vainly l strove to restore my talent. 1
could accomplish nothing. Since the
painting of that one perfect picture all
else was of no avail. Finally / aban-
doned the effort in despair.