The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1903-06-26
CHAPTER Ix.-(Continued.)
X X X X x X X X X;

The Indian now, with a savage grasp
on Don's throat, had pinioned him
against the gunwale and Don, unable
to utter sound, was fighting desper-
eately with his hand for dear life. Then,
as through a thick mist, he saw Lii
lies sweet face near him, convulsed
with anguish, and terrified officers
rushing forward. A great lurch of the
vessel blotted out the rest. Locked in
dis antagonists ruthless embrace, he
felt himself whirling backwards into
the boiling sea and the waters closing
over him.
Instantly the captains voice came
ringing out in quick command:
Sentry, let go the lifebuoy! Bosun's
mate, call away the lifeboat crew."
Quick as the order, it. was obeyed.
The great ship was swiftly hove to.
But what agony of heart was every
second of delay to the paralyzed young
bride!
Officers and men had now gathered
on the scene, scanning the choppy sea
with telescopes and speaking in tense,
,awed tones as they watched the gal
liant cutter straining might and main
to reach those black specks which rose
so often to the surface only to disap-
pear. Lille stood apart, speechless,
almost sightless, in that wild endeavor
to peer through the gloom of night,
while the remorseless deep was lit up
Writ NV ,,riJ
light with which the lifebuoy was
charged. Once the ships surgeon went
to her side and begged to take her be-
dow. She only shook her head. She
was past speaking now.
At last! at last! A thrill of excite
ment passed from lip to lip. The look
out man on the mizen-mast had de-
.scried the rescue of both the drowning
,men-aliye or dead, who could tell?
1mpatience to know the worst was
checked as the boat came alongside, in
Difference to the young wife, who
stood in their midst waiting-waiting
for what?
She followed blindly as they bore
Dons PROSTATE form to his cabin and
laid him on his couch. The seaman
was dead. Had Don, too, passed away
across the mystic ocean, w'ence the
voyager no more returns?
In the weird lamplight that still, I'M
conscious face looked indeed as if it
already bore the stamp of death; and,
with despair terrible in its calmness.
sshe turned from doctor to steward
while they unfastened coat and vest
and laid bare the CHASTITY wound and
Its streaming blod.
"Tell me-" she said, "is he dead?"
oh, what whole history of pain and
,pathos lay in that brief question!
The doctor looked the sympathy he
felt. He was bluff, stole Scotchman,
Injured to scenes of sorrow and suffer-
ing, but there was something in that
pathetic picture of the strong young
man struck down in his prime, and the
lovely girl wife in her accomplishing
strength of endurance that touched
him infinitely.
"He is not dead" he answered. "Be
assured 1 will do everything that is
possible to save him." he added cheer
lily, as his busy fingers sped at his
work.
She stood aside in GREATNESS excite
ment.
'This is a nasty wound" he spoke
lat last; "but fortunately the salt wa
ter has stanched the bleeding. 1t is
off Of @e
SHOULD like to get two trained nurses,
who happen to be on board, to under
take the case. They are very clever.
i could thoroughly rely on them"
For an instance there was tense ST.
Ience.
Gould you not rely on myself for
one?" was the answer which faltered
through her parched lips.
Are you strong enough?" he que
'ried kindly. IF it is a matter of ex-
2pense, think you will find I will ar
range"
She interrupted him with little
gesture almost of scorn. All her life
she had known nothing of the bitter
ness of poverty, and now it seemed
like mockery to her to mention ex-
pense in conjunction with her love and
Don's life
Spare nothing that mon
ey can buy!" she spoke breathlessly.
The doctor paused to take her slim
wrist between his finger and thumb
and calmly count her throbbing pulse.
We'll make compromise" said he
sOothingly "You shall relieve my
nurses from duty now and then; but
you must remember his life depends
on constant care night and day.
That settled the question definitely,
sand Lille allowed herself to be led
saway to partake Of a strong cup Of tea
and some refreshment to>flt hersfor the
long hours of watching which lay be-
fore her, for she insisted on the nurse
mot being summoned at least till morn-
Ing. as the doctor himself meant to
sbe In close attendance on his patient