The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-06-25

At last an answer. .. >. w. OF LIZ
ard; about one hundred miles off; in
struments damaged; rudder broken;
can keep afioat few more hours-is
help :" The rest was unreadable;
still the Taper clicked again rs
help"
With horrible vividness he saw 500
mon and women huddled together on
the sinking ship in the midst of the
raging tempest waiting. for that an
swer. praying heaven that II might
he Yes" trusting, believing II would
be yes"
His hand moved slowly, steadily
now. as he spelled out four words in
the darkness.
Impossible to send help"
Five hundred men and women. hus-
bands. wives, lovers! Children, too
He had sent death.
He jumped from his chair and
rushed 10 the window and stared out;
black, black everywhere! Impotently
he beat his hands against the window
and mercilcssly the rain and the wind
and the sea spume beat back.
Back to his seat he rushed, and OF
sudden an inspiration came. If, per-
chance, there was another boat any
where near that he could telegraph
to.
He relit the lam pand turned up the
book giving the names of vessels fitted
with wireless telegraphy. The last
boat on the list. the Scotsman. there
was just chance she might be in
tho English channel. the vaguest
chance he knew, but is was possible
Hastily he telegraphed now: "Am
trying to signal Scotsman; II within
distance will send her to help you"
He waited for an answer but none
came. Had she already gone down?
If so-hastily he changed the signal
call-the machine clicked-and wait
ed. He was fighting the storm now,
fighting Nature who gives no quarter;
fighting earth who open-mouthed,
painted for 500 lives.
Why dint she answer? Wherever
she was she should receive the mes
sage! All, at last
m. S. Delilah sinking fast. Are
you near enough to help?"
Presently the answer:
Fear impossible but will look out
for her-trying to beat down Channel
myself Then after long pause Am
trying to get into communication with
her"
Again Priest flashed: For Gods
sake do your best-50O passengers
He waited and for an instant the
silence lifted and he heard an exult-
ant shrek from the wind and sea out
side and the house trembled. Where
were those 500 souls?
Click.
Close. over the table he bent and
held his breath.
Cannot keep afloat until the morn
ing. Have you been able to send help?"
Yes. Spoken Scotsman betting
down Channel. She is looking for you.
Keep anoat as long as possible. All
can do" his fingers ceased to move,
the horror of having done no more,
the weakness of that message!
AShlH lut upper liONtu, anu UOW lie
feared what it would spell.
Thanks. Don't leave instrument.
Communicate with us long as possible
or until Delilah sinks"
A few minutes elapsed and no fur
ther message was SENT then. sudden
ly with long pauses between each let
ter
I'VE are getting out the boats" An
other pause that semed hours. A
fash of lightning momentarily filed
the room with blue glare, and the
crash of thunder deafened Priest for
died away he heard the wireless in
strument again clicking. Had he
missed something during that appalling
crash? Have launched one of the
boats" A pause that seemed to last
for hours. Then, Boat has over
turned with 20 passengers. All lost"
Another wait longer than the first. In
imagination Priest saw men and WON
en- struggling in the relentless waves.
He pictured the others huddling at
the side of the helpless liner, and at
each fash of lightning thought he
could see the CHASTITY terror on pale
faces. Good heaven. they will drown,
drown!" he cried aloud, in agony.
Again the instrument ticked out its
piteous message: 1.-TWO more boats
launched. Both overturned. Fear
must abandon hope; fast filing"
A long pause. Priest sat motionless,
his eyes steadfast on the machine
coldly ticking of approaching doom
to the only man in the world who
knew and could not save.
Then-"Passengers have behaved
splendidly. Perfect order; no panic.
A still longer pause. Priest dropped
from the chair to his knees and began
hysterically to pray, while he watched
with staring eyes the Taper and
heard the click-dot-bea hammerlike
into his brain.
Passengers four hundred and forty
two fifty men, one seventy wome;,
twenty children-remainder crew, off,
GERS"
Save them. save them!" cried