The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-05-01

the sweetest and dearest OF al women,
ard he absolutely happy knowing that
size cared to detain him there, althoG@A
it was his wish 10 90 with his friends
and do what he might, should there be
need.
But shu1der rs they would in the
parior. made brilliant with lights 10
deaden the lightning, huddled in
groups, fearful Of the thunder and
lightning and sea, .he- did not dream
OF a drama enacted upon the Wild
beach With the clouds and lightning
for background and only lanterns for
footlights. Had Alecia known, would
her hands have been so steady OF her
voice so soft with its comforting:
Would she have said that all was we'll
even in that storm?
Far down on the beach the guests.
the hotel hands and the coast-guard
were doing their best for a steam
yachr beating herself to pieces among
the breakers and rocks just beyond.
The yacht contained n pleasure party
upon fishing excursion caught In the
storm and unable to keep of the coast,
the fury of the storm having strained
their machinery and broken the shaft.
50 there she was heating upon the
rocks beyond the beach. Her bow
was scarcely above the waves. Her
stern was under water, and her pas
sepgers were crowded forward and
clinging with the one Instinct Of life to
the last hope. The small boat was Of
no use in that water, and If the coast
guard could not save them there could
come no hope. The rockets had ceased;
the shots also.
In the terrible storm 1t was difficult
to work, but the men on shore fought
like heroes to render help to those
'clinging to the beating wreck. The
first rocket attached to the lifeline
went astray, beaten aside by the fu-
,rious rain and wind, but the second,
well aimed, struck the bow and the
rope was caught. The work Of rescue
was under way, though but few mo-
ments at most were left ere the boat
must 60 down.
One man was saved, scarcely breath
ing, from the fierce struggle through
the breakers, but still alive; another
and another in the same condition.
Hope was reviving, though still death
leaped to grasp them on all sides. For
a time It was difficult to determine
whether life OF death would conquer
in the struggle. But them men on the
beach worked like madmen to save the
men mad with fear in the midst Of that
boiling water. And then, the last man
was fighting his way. buoyed up by his
life-preserver, grasping the lifeline as
he rose and sank and rose again in the
heart of the water.
Harold Gcaham among the men on
the beach was like giant in his ef-
forts to render assistance. He dashed,
unmindful cf himself, into the boiling
breakers to drag the men to land as
they struggled in. His companions
scarcely recognized him, for the lover
of luxury, the pet of fortune and So
ciety had never before been tried.
That his own life might pay for his
reckless bravery he never thought. He
had no fear. He lacked the knowledge
of the beach which the coast-guard
possessed, but he was equal with them
in courage and bravery.
The last man was fighting his way
to life through that sea of death. He
was evidently greatly exhausted, for
his efforts were feeble as he drew
nearer into the light Of the lanterns
and the almost constant glare OF the
lightning. They shouted to cheer him.
and were on the alert at the rope.
But as he came in almost to the Deach
the receding breakers beat him back.
And then it was that the mills of the
gods ground very slowly and exceed
ingly fine, casting into the balance the
good Or i'll Of Harold Graham's life.
For with his reckless disregard Of SELF,
pushing aside detaining hands ere any
other could pass him, he dashed into
the water and let the breakers lift and
bear him out toward the man beyond
and struggled to grasp him that he
might guide him to shore. And then'
with an exclamation of horror, he let
him 90, drifting past him and farther
out upon the black night OF waters.
For in the glare Of lightning, with
earth and heaven rent by thunder, and
death beating about him, Graham rec
oruized his heaviest creditor.