Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1901-03-27


CHAPTER IX.- (Continued)
The Indian now, with savage grasp
on Dons throat, had pinioned him
against the gunwale, and Don, unable
to utter a sound, was fighting desper-
ately with his hand for dear life. Then,
as through thick mist, he saw Lii
lies sweet face near him, convulsed
with anguish, and terrified officers
rushing forward. A great lurch of the
vessel blotted out the rest. Locked in
his antagonists ruthless embrace, he
felt himself whiting backwards into
the boiling sea and the waters closing
over him.
Instantly the captains voice came
ringing out in quick commands.
Gentry, let go the lifebuoy! Bosun's
mate, call away the lifeboat crew.
Quick as the order, it was obeyed.
The great ship was swiftly hove to.
But what agony of heart was every
second of delay to the paralyzed young
bride!
officers and men had now gathered
on the scene, scanning the choppy sea
with telescopes and speaking in tense,
awed tones as they watched the gall
liant cutter straining might and main
to reach those black specks which rose
so often to the surface only to disap-
pear. Lille stood apart, speechless,
almost sightless, in that wild endeavor
to peer through the gloom Of night,
while &c remorseless deep was lit up
with a spectral terror by the lurid
light with which the lifebuoy was
charged Once the ships surgeon went
to her side and begged to take her be-
low. She only shook her head. She
was past speaking now
At lastl at last! A thrill OF excite
ment passed from lip to lip. The look
out man on the mzen-mast had de-
serted the rescue of both the drowning
men-alive or dead, who could tell?
Impotence to know the worst was
checked as the boat came alongside, in
Difference to the young wife, who
stood in their midst waitng-w waiting
for what?
She followed blindly as they bore
Don's PROSTATE form to his cabin and
laid him on his couch The seaman
was dead. Hsm7on, too, passed away
across ttaHb tsia-npaaau, whence the
voyager no moi6 returns?
In the weird lampllght that still, I'M
conscious face looked inceed as il it
already bore the stamp of death; and,
with despair terrible in its calmness.
she turned from doctor to steward
while they unfastened coat and vest
and laid bare the CHASTITY wound and
its streaming blod.
Tell me-" she said, is he dead?"
Oh, what whole history of pain and
pathos lay in that brief question!
The doctor looked the sympathy he
felt. He was bluff, stole Scotchman,
Injured to scenes of sorrow and suffer
ing, but there was something in that
pathetic picture of the strong young
man struck down in his prime, and the
lovely girl wife in her accomplishing
strength of endurance that touched
him infinitely.
HE is not dead" he answered. BE
assured will do everything that is
possible to save him. he added cheer
lily, as ais busy fingers sped at his
work.
She stood aside in breathless excite
ment.
This is nasty wound" he spoke
at last; but fortunately the salt wa
ter has stanched the bleeding, 1t is
after effects ! am more afraid Of. |
should like to get two trained nurses,
who happen to be on board, to under
take the case. They are very clever.
could thoroughly rely on them"
For an Instance there was tense ST.
lence.
Gould you not rely on myself for
one?" was the answer which fai ed
through her parched lips.
Are you strong enough?' he que
lied kindly. "If it is matter of ex-
pense, | think you will find will ar
range"
She interrupted him with a little
gesture almost OF scorn, All her life
euS udu hhO"H Hotiiih5 VI Inc pittoi-
ness of poverty, and now it seemed
like mockery to her to mention ex-
pense In conjunction with her love and
Don's life.
Spare nothing nothing that mon
~ can buyl" she spoke breathlessly.
The doctor paused to take her slim
wrist between his finger and thumb
and calmly count her throbbing pulse.
Wen make compromise" said he
soothingly ''You shall relieve my
nurses nom duty nov and then; but
you must remember his life depends
on constai,A care night and day.