Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-07-04


SIZE WAS HEARD ny THE CAPTAIN
ON THE BRIDGE.
The door of her stateroom, gave one
hurried look round the room and
then saying to the sailor: Take care
OF her he was off to stop the ship
A moment later the bell rang sharp
ly. The engines were reversed aud
the ship tloundered helplessly, dan
gerously, in the trough of the sea.
The boat-gang clattered up from be-
low and there was a faint, storm
muflled shouting of commands as "a
boat was being lowered
TOO late!' yelled the captain, This
sea would send us to the bottom! Moth
ing can be done now!"
There was a moments pause in tie
noisy manipulation Of ropes and aclle,
then the sailors drew the boat back TO
its place and fastened it there. The
ships engines throbbed sluggishly and
there was an attempt. perhaps only for
the sake Of appearances. to send the
ship back in the vicinity Of the spot
where it was when the alarm was
given; but dangerous head winds rem
cered this mpracticabe. In few min
utes the Cleopatra was forging ahead
as if nothing unusual had happened.
Mrs. Nolan refused to remain in her
stateroom. She escaped the sailor
when his back was turned and ran
along the deck wringing her hands and
wailing. group Of passengers had
yentured TO the head of the stairs and
stood shivering in the wind and spray.
woman in this group caught Mrs
Nolan in her arms and tried to console
her
Don't take on" she said. "You are
not 10 blame. She was crazy as a looo.
She told me to-day that the captain had
been hired by some enemy 10 put her
in irons. What did her folks mean bv
sending her over with just you-such a
frail Woman?"
"Oh, | don't know, don't ask mel"
cried Mrs Nolan. She's dead, oh. she's
dead"
The captain was approaching and
Mrs, Nolan showed signs of MYSTERIES
"Sa'H'
! u take her TO her state-room." said
the woman
Il wish You would said the captain,
with an oath. Shes as crazy as her
mistress!"
The woman who had proFered her
kind Offices accompanied Mrs. Nolan IN
the state-room.
"Now, try not to think Of IL" SHE
SAD y know II is awful but the poor
thlng is better off as she is than 10 90
on having such strange notions. OF
course l mean II there was no cure for
her. ana there seldom Is you know"
MIS- Nolan, now that she had such
easy credulity TO play upon, saw the
eNpen'encv or getting rid Of her visitor
SO she Gained down wonderfully.
when ! once get TO s,erD ~. he al
rgh' She declared 81 shall want the
d"or locked, can't stand The idea Of
her poor woman"
I'm ask the captain to let me STAY
with you II you like" and the speaker
looked round at the elegant appoint.
ments Of the comfortable room with
soFetous look IN her eyes.
NO, thank you. I'd rather be bv
myself was accustomed to hcing
alone till she and left New York"
"Oh, just as you feel about III" said
the woman, slightly disappointed.
well, think I'd better be going. II
they know I'm here all the PASSENGERS
Wi! want to nock round YOU"
She had hardly left when the can
tain looked in. His face ,voe 9oorI,,
troubled.
II shall want all fine detons obou+
Mrs Goddard so ns IN mal.o on,
report to tbe Shin. con,nor,. or5 a.,
authorities ,vhe, ,.o 49, H.
morrow will do"
81 shau have n hettar bood t,a, -
said Mrs Nol,, "r 49,, .,r'.u.
set"
"You seem tn he b,o7rino vorrs.,sr