The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1901-03-09
Select Story.
THE FLEUR-DE-LIS.
/. 5. Bacon in the s.. LouIs star.

ana al Juc OitnO VI "'-~- 49,
held good position and had the respect
of my employers.
/ had been given just at this time a
holiday because of a generally wornout
condition of body and mind, having been
warned by my physician that unless | fol,
lowed his prescription Of absolute rest and
change should succumb to fever very
prevalent then. SO crossed the channel
and buried myself in a little seaport village
in France. It was an ideal place in which
to rest and gather strength. The salt ar
blew refreshingly, and all night long one
could hear the sound of the waves lashlng
up against the shore.
The only thing of interest in this quiet
little place was the story of the wreck Of
the Fleur-de-lis and the fact that good
mart of the ruined vessel still remained inn
bedded in the immense banks Of sand which
cover the coast of this region. My gar
rulons landlord told me the story Of the
ship while [ discussed my rolls and coffee
the morning after my arrival. The big
three masted vessel had been caught IN a
furious gale. 1t had been a storm before
which the fisher folk trembled and which
had since been byword among them.
1t had occurred in December, more than
three months before, and in the fury OF
the hurricane and the blackness Of the
night the ship had completely lost her
bearings and, steered at random, had struck
a terrible reef some distance out. The
crew and the three passengers she carried
had made for the boats, but before their
escape could be effected the vessel was
swung about and the boats dashed against
the rocks. Of all on board only two were
saved. the first mate, and the cook
These, rescued almost by miracle, could
tell of that dreadful night.
Afterward the wind had driven the YES
sci on with its powerful lashings and hurled
it upon the shore 1t was fastened firmly
by two projecting points of rocks and lay
upon its side, a mere discolored carcass OF
what had been the Fleur-de
| was sufficiently interested, especially
as the sun was warm and bright, to follow
nv host suggestion and stroll off to view
the wreck myself. | took the direction
he had pointed out and after brisk walking
found myself nearing the coast The fiat
yellow sands stretched before me, and as |
stepped upon their moist surface felt that
the sea had been there not long before.
There was fresh wind blowing, and the
strong, fragrant salt air seemed TO bring
returning strength with it. walked fas-
ter. [ felt sense Of exultant life.
Finally came upon what had looked in
the distance like black rock. 1t was the
ruins of the vessel But it was not en-
tirely destroyed After climbing over the
lower side | could see into the hold, which
was filed with debris. marveled as the
rotten planks creaked under me that the
ship should have remained here so long.
/ even suspected some of the keener spirias
of the town of making her fast, that their
object of interest and curiosity might not
be lost.
/ stood upon the deck Of the stranded
vessel and looked about me with delight
and admiration. From necessity [ was
with the large manufacturing firm of Da-
venport & Co., but by nature was an ar
fist. With the love of art strong within
me had all my life been obliged to crush
it down until | had the means to justify my
ambition and cultivate what | felt sure was
my gift. Only recently had been able
to begin study and strong encouragement
had been given me. Now / seated myself
amid the ruins, with my back to the shore,
drew ont my sketch book and lost myself
in my beloved work.
| work steadily, for there were several
fantastic points to make, and along the
coast, which stretched to the right of me,
there were many beautiful views to be
sketched. But | was not strong, and the
long walk had tired me- Moreover, the
strong salt breeze carried soothing potion
upon its breath The low surge of the
waves was like cradle song. My pencil
slid from my inanimate fingers, my head
dropped to one side, and my eyes closed
1 slept.
| awoke suddenly. IT was the sensa
ton of cold, of chill, which awakened
me. How long had | slept? The sky
had changed; it was dark, lowering. /
heard the cry of gull flying inland |
rubbed my eyes. Where was I? Was
this the Fleur- de-lis +? | looked again.
Then | sprang to my feet and cried aloud
in horror, for the ship was moving.
The sands of the fast receding beach
were enveloped and concealed by the water
The tide was up, and the vessel, the vessel
upon which stood, was detached from
its hold and headed out to sea
I cried aloud shrieked [ thought
I must jump into the water. Finally
felt the hopelessness of my situation and
resigned myself to despair A strong wind
had sprung up, almost squat, and
it drove the ship on faster The shores
faded, about me was the measureless sea.
Night came on. was faint and worn
with hunger, and crawled down into the
hold and wished for death to come to my
release.
Suddenly as | lay there heard faint
sound. 1t was not like any noise / had
ever heard, and yet it was strangely famil-
lar to me- l strained my ears; while |
listened there passed me suddenly CLEAN
of light. 1t was surely some one carrying
lantern. Some one. Who?
| started up Cold perspiration was
upon me- The next instant knew and
recognized the sounds | had heard. 1t
was the moving of the machinery of a yes
sci, but dim and far away, like the sug-
gestion rather than the actual thing. |
rose and with the sense of returning
strength all fear left me- | climbed upon
deck. The masts were there as they had
been when the Fleur-de lis was happily
sailing homeward. The sailors were at
their post. The captain, tall, slender
man, stood with his glass to his eyes. But
about them all was an air of vague strange
ness. A deep melancholy, mingled with
an unearthly quiet, pervaded them. Their
movements were felt rather than heard.
As 1 stood looking without fear upon the
marvellous scene my attention was arrested
by the figure of young girl She stood
with her profile toward me, the wind
stirred the little curls of her light hair,
with faint, transparent hint of color in
it, as is sometimes seen upon the heart of
4 L. I