The Delta independent., 1902-05-16

lie In repaylng you.
tition of the outward until half the
distance was accomplished. The
hearts of the watchers beat high with
coast for sixty year. an never saw.
such sea-
The captain gently raised the old
man to lis feet
Why. dad. you'd disown me II /
didn't do my duty" he said. "ye know
you would. 1t don't run in our blood.
It's all right. We are pretty husky
lot. l guess we kin get through"
1t was thrilling sight to the watch
hope. Winnifred had never expert
enced such emotions in all her life.
Suddenly great wave arose direct
ly in the path Of the boat. which
dashed into it as into a stone wall. In
an instant it capsized, and these with
in were thrown INTO the roaring sea.
Part of the crew and a few of the
rescued succeeded in grasping the
overturned boat and one by one
crawled upon its slippery bottom. The
tall figure of the captain was seen
helping others out of the water. 1t
was soon evident that there were
more than could retain hold in the
pitching refuge. Two or three slipped
off in despair. Then the watchers saw
the captain rise and wave his hand to
the shore and then plunge into the
sea. 1t was after the two lone sur
vivors were eventually washed ashore
that the watchers learned tina. Captain
Will said to the others:
well. boys, there amt room for
all. Goodbye
When he leaped into the water
great groan went UP from the crowd
ashore.
Hes powerful swimmer, but no.
body can live in that sea-" remarked
the weatherbeaten fisherman. grimly.
But they all waited and watched
breathlessly.
Suddenly the white-haired father
uttered a cry and dartet down the
coast. A dark, soft object had been
thrown up by the waves and landed
with a thud on the beach. Winnifred
was scarcely behind the father in
reaching 1t. 1t was the captain, limp
ar white and motionless. The old
man was down beside him, chatting his
hands and calling to him. Involuntar-
lily Winnifred dropped onto the cold,
wet beach and drew the mans head in
her lap, while she tried to infuse
warmth into the icy temples. The old
fisherman poured the contents of J.
| flask down mis- throat. and all meas
ures to revive him were soon in prog
ress. 1t was not new work to these
fishermen, and soon they were reward
| ed by perceptible movement of the
chest.
Winnifred insisted on his being car
ried into her cottage. which was by
| far the nearest, and he was snugly
ensconced in her softest bed. Through
| tine days following she nursea him as
| siduously. 1t had been fearful strain
and his recovery was slow. As the
| days passed she realized that she had
| found the hero of her dreams in this
| scantily educated. splendid young
| giant who had SO little fear for death
and SO high devotion to duty
Nor had the charms OF this beauti-
full and cultured girl been lost on the
man. When he came to depart he
thanked her awkwardly for her care,
and bluntly told her he wished his
convalescence had been of longer
| duration.
She dropped her eyes and told him
1t had been a pleasure and privilege
| to minister to him. As she raised her
eyes their glances met. and he saw
something that caused him to gasp
for breath and then to saw eagerly:
"If you were Of my class. and dar-
ed to hope you could live after the
modest manner of my people, would
ask you to let me spend my life In
repaying you"
They were standing close together.
and he held out his arms appealingly.