Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-07-22
CHAPTER XII.

les knew Uef IN moment
The lurid light Of the tempestuous
morning shone full upon her face. and
on the ehnging dress aud cloak, which
more expressed than hid her lovely form.
Her eyes were wildly Fixed. her face pale
as death. but in her features there was
splendid self-possession far removed from
common fear.
She was fastened 10 the mast by a
rope Her feet were bare, aud | saw, 70
my horror. that all she wore save the
great fur cloak was night dress Of
white cotton, reaching 20 her feet Peer
ing more closely, | perceived that her
lips were blue. and her form shivering
with cold; indeed. il was miracle that
she had not persisted in the chill Of that
cruel night With an eager cry / leapt
upon the h.ek. and staggered up toward
Madeline Graham.
Twice | slipped 10 my knees, ard was
driven back and bruised against the bull
warks, bur the third time succeeded,
and, reaching her side, chung TO the mast,
and gazed into her face
"Madeliner / cried.
Her eyes met mine, but she gave no
sign of recognition. II was clear that
whas / remembered SO vividly she had
utterly forgotten.
Drawing my clasp knife. cut her
free. and put nay arms around her to
bear her back 10 the boat The decks
rocked and split beneath us: she cling
10 me, as IL in terror. Then | watched
my chance. and, raising her bodily in my
arms, carried her 70 the vessels side
and handed her 70 the men.
4 gksstYs rgfIsvsg ..4h.srs
was attracted by a Wild screNul, and,
turning. | perceived the figure OF another
woman craving on the deck She was
dark eomplexioned. like mulatto, and
almost naked. Without a moments hes
itation, | van 20 her. and half lifted. half
dragged her, to the vessels side
| now perceived that We had saved.
in addition to the tive women, two white
seamen and black man, who afterward
turned out to he the ships cock. | chung
70 the bnlwarks. and looked round.
searching for any other signs Of life,
Come. lad, come" cried my uncle,
Quick, the ships breaking up"
| looked az the strange sailors. who
sat shiveriug IN the bottom Of the iife-
boat.
Are there ne more souls sboardY" /
cried.
Not one" they answered. All the
rest had persisted in the long boat. in the
fatal attempt 20 reach the shore.
Give way. lads" cried. Pull for
your tvesr'
Away we went through the surgine
sea- Not minute too soon did we leave
the vessel; for ere we were thirty yards
a 4
the huge funnel TOPPED over and fell like
battsing ram upon the hulwarks, which
broke like finder beneath the blow.
As the keel struck the sends, a dozen
men rushed IN waist deep 10 seize the
boat; orr men Joined them, snd then,
with a eng pull, 4 strong pull aud a
great r..sgiag cheer, the beat was hauled
high aud dry and we were safe
Ny first thought was of Madeline.
carried her into the shelter of the boat
house. Her face and hands were eoid as
ice. and she was stu swooning Sup
porting her hcad on my shoulder,
hreathed her name She looked upon ME
still there WAS no sign whatever Of rec.
ognstion,
Gradually saw the color GONE back
70 her cheeks, but very family.
"Anita,' she marmured. aud looked
round as Il seeking someone
The rough fellows. clustering in the
boat honSe. mRrmured sympathizingly;
whispered euconiiulns On her beauty
passed 'from mouth 20 mouth and IN
dre3 she looked strangely nvely. even
"a her desolation--her eyes Frightening.
her celor coming aud going. her hair
streaming over her shoulders. her neck
ind arms and feet as white as driven
suow. At that moment some of the life
BEATS mea appeared. lealiug with them
the colored woman. who. the instant she
saw Madeline, sprans toward her aud
knelt by her side. Historically sobbing
and kissing her hands.
Madelin bent over her sid addressed
her in some foreign tongne--Portugues
afteFward discovered, She answered.
velubly ID the saw spesch l suspect
ed the truth. that this slack girl was
an attendant or waiSing maid Of some