The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1903-09-10
luck, and proudly paced the deck AS the
Fairy bounded over the waves.

luck, and proudly paced the deck rs the
Fairy bounded over the waves.
Billy shouted to him to shorten can
vas, but he might as well have yelled to
the man in the moon to throw down
his bundle of sticks. The spars alOft
bent ominously, but the Fairy, with
the wind almost aft, did not keel over
as she would have done with the wind
on the beam, and the sagacious fruit
dealer was not conscious OF his peril.
Evening was settling down, and it
would soon be dark. 1t was doubtful
if the harbor would be reached while
the faintest CLEAN of daylight remain
ed. Destruction doomed ahead, and
none knew it better than Billy. But
he manfully kept in the wake of the
Fairy, risking everything for James
sweet sake.
ut may be my lot to rescue her from
watery grave" he thought, land
from her gratitude love will spring."
There is some confusion about the
narrative told by people ashore about
the disaster which finally wound up the
day. Some say that the Fairy ran
straight into the pier. Others assert
that the Pedguin drove her into it.
One thing is certain, however, and that
is, both yachts came to grief, going to
pieces like pair of bandbOxes dashed
together, and all aboard were tumbled
into the water at the harbor mouth.
Happily nobody was drowned. BoaIs
were about, and the seamen were swift
ly picked up. Jasper Stoneham was
sustained by his obesity long enough
for the owner of tug to hook MIN on
board by the waistband OF his unspeak-
able garment. Last of all Billy, with
Jane on one arm and Hester on the
other, was duly rescued by the revenue
cutter.
The ladies were in an insensible con,
dition, but far from being drowned, ana
they were taken to their home IN ny.
Billy walked to his own domlclle, yacht-
less, but happy. He had rescued Jane
from the vastly deep, and now had only
to await her expression OF gfatltude.
In the morning when he came down
to breakfast he found two notes which
had been sent by hand awaiting him.
Roth were in the delicate writing which
is essentially feminine. He took up
one and opened it.
Dear Sir,-I am directed by my papa to
ask YOU what steps you intend to take 10
meet the loss of his yacht Fairy, when was
witness of the persistent way You Kept near
MS. and why YOU should be SO wicked =! do
not know. If | had my way, would place
the matter in the hands OF the police.
JANE STONEHAM.
Billy blindlv felt about for the other
letter laid hold of it, and viciously tore
open the envelope.
Dear Mr.. Jerningham.-1o GU saved my
| life last night, riSklng your lie. can Only
express my gratitude in return, and 1t VIII
remain with me while | live. Yours ever
| sincerely. Hester bfooiiie'
Billy sat down and wrote two answers
thus:
| Dear Madam.-Mr. Stoneham was entire
| ly to blame for the wreck, ana he can 40
William birmingham.
| Dear Miss Broome,-There is one way
| YOU may show your gratitude. and hope l
| / am not asking too much. have long
| loved YOU in secret. Will you be my wife
Forgive me if | have been too presumptu-
Gus. William birmingham.
Hester gave him an answer promptly.
| She wanted change Of cOmpanlonshlp,
and her gratitude could not be express
ed in a better way than by accepting
Billy.
They were soon after married, ana
neither repents of it up to date. a
grateful woman is bound to be treas
ure to her husband.
Jasper Stoneham's action to recover
the value of his yacht from Billy result
ed in verdict for the defendant.
Wooden Barker was witness for the
defence.