New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-21
Tn wrath remember mercy"

In wrath remember mercy
There was a tragedy once in the second class
cabin OF the Mahanaddy. than which more pop
ular steamer sails from London to Bombay. 1t
was moreover a real tragedy as such usually are
in the second class places Of the world. For the
possession OF money frequently averts things that
go 10 make life tragic-amOng others. death. Mark
Ruthne had his hand in it, for the Mahanaddy's
surgeon was in some sort moral supercargo Of
the load Of humanity that the good ship carried
TO and fro between India and home
II was, for instance. TO Dr. Mark Ruthine that
MIS- Sweedon-Elds appealed. and the surgery
sofa that she wept when Grinding Pontarrow-that
great Overworked, liver ridden civilian-bribed the
steward to give him a cup of milk every morning
from the yellow cow when the small Sweedon-Ellis
Of ten months. who had empted the cabins the
forward starbOard side. required all the yellow COW
could give him 1t was Dr. Mark Ruthne that
Mrs Judge Barrowby took her indignant red face
and self-righteous Observation-Disclosures, when the Hon.
Miss Johnson fell in love with young Stanford-who
was I'm tea If you please-and was careful to
tor who told Grinding Pontarrow that there was
something WTons about the yellow cow milk, and
conveyed to Mrs Judge BarrOwby that when Stan
ford had muttered aUdibly of interfering old cats
Golden Ggeh 8 and 8P4 no to b heqSe smith OF
10 Kuthlne the stewards brought their queer
the good of the ship. For there are pseudonymes
u passengers as Wen as publishers lists and so
elety sends her failures down to the sea in ships
Ior reasons that need not be too minuteIy dwelt
climate-the thirst acquired there. the vices devel-
oped there, the diseases contracted there-the re-
say later An. well; poor fellow, his constitution
Dr. Ruthine for reasons of his own took a deep
interest in human nature as such. and had certain
with sigh of relief he saw them stumble down
the ganEway at last He was not only charitably
disposed toward them, but, being wise man. had
knowledge that there is often good in
it may, however. the doctor averted several I'M
peasant incidents. and the reputation of the Ma
hanaddy increased q thousandfold on Eastern seas
1t happened on a homeward voyage that the
steamer lay one night at anchor at Port Said on
of hitch in the supply Of coal but in reality TO
died of cholera in the canal Thus appears to be
confirmed the poets absurd notion that things are
Ruthine was returning to his cabin bout O'Clock
B eT nag nJvas Dgen pHe on DoarQ 10y oy me
door of the second class saloon open He ran
aft, for he had caught sight Of a shadowy form
hurrying in that direction Then he heard splash
The quartermaster on watch on the main deck
heard It also and ran toward the ga3gway -
=, All right, whispered Ruthine, Selling him by
the arm Z know where she went over. Give
me rope over the stern-l shant want a boat
sound of his fan vas no louder than that OF seal
taking the water from a low rock The quarter
gray shadow stirring the water under the stern
and Ruthtne went there at the quick side-stroke.
He had saved LasCar in earlier days, who in a
laudable desire 10 render all assistance had IN
serted three fingers into his mouth, nearly tearing
his cheek open So Mark Ruthtne approached the
3olect or ms present pursuit with caution. she
soon as her face was above water she struck at
MN Sd dstiS Win uOlA IIdIQS
Let me go! let me gor' the woman spIuttered
By. way Of answer Ruthine captured one wrist
and felt at the moment the nails of her other hand
struggi-tRe woman lighting as folk only do when
there is life, death, in it.
Then Ruthine turned over on his back. having
twisted the woman's arms behind her. Close beside
him as he swan white life buoy bobbed placidly
on the smooth water 1t was attached to a rope
and kept pace with his progress The quarter
master on watch on the main deck knew his bust
The woman Scarcely struggled now. for she was
close prisoner-her arms twisted behind her back.
snTaad ali over P1tbtne!s face ts'
You are breaking my arms" she gasped. and
the voice was that of a lady
Cant help it, answered her rescuer. mindful OF
The quartermaster had lowered the gangway.
and kneIt on the bottom grating Of IL awaiting
Don't let her 60" said Ruthine. and the woman
was handed from one TO the other in sullen help
STAGGERED up the steps with his Wet burden
had de7osited his charge on the doctors sofa The
quartermaster went away with his staring lamp
Ruthns found the electric light Then he turned
and for the first time whose life he had saved
II was a Mrs Mallwaner-a slight. pretty woman,
with hard eyes and a mouth that was much too
small Her appearance was. Of course, known 10
You did that on purpose he said, opening the
Yes She answered. a voice fun OF resent
ment She was putting back her hair. which was
1T is a warm night" said Mark Ruthine whose
as complete a composure as her own. You will
not hurt in your clothes until the captain
comes. Did you swallow much water?"
He was adding something from his medicine
chest to a glass of brandy.
Better drink that" he said You don't feel
any nausea
Mo- snapped the lady.
She drank the mixture with a st0iCal face, though
1t horribly hot and strong. Before she put the
glass aside the captain knocked at the door and
admitted by RuthIne who shot the bolt again
The captain Of the Mahauaddv small man.
with pointed gray beard and thoughtful blue
eyes Of a quiet expression He was reported TO
possess great endurance and strength and the eye
of knowledge in such matters could scarcely fail
10 notice the depth of MS chest He looked at
Mrs MalIwaner and then at Ruthine, who was
wipiug his face with handkerchief.
eide said the doctor, and he handed Mrs Mall
waner towel
There were men in the forecastle who averred
in the picturesque language Of that part of the
hard labor than face the shippers wrath. A Few
explanations put this aUtOCrat IN possession OF the
facts OF the case. and then the captain OF the
/ MahaRaddy Up IN his anger and fell on Mrs
! MaIIWaner. He eXpOunCed 10 her the law per
tanning to attempted suicide, and Mrs NIallwaners
pretty face turned rather Then he said other
/ when he closed his Grafton the little lady was
shive~ing the sofa But she had not told them
why she did ii, Vet could they extract from
her a promise not 10 do the same again,
found herself transferred to a pleasant deck
| cabin OF a central position and lighted by a SKY
| light only Thther. in a marvelOUsly short time
the head steWardess brought her possessions nom
the second class cabins These possessions were OF
a refined quality. The silver fittings OF her dress
Ing bag bore a crest
Ruthine noted these matters when he visited the
lady professionally the next morning after break
fast which had been served TO her IN her new
apartment. He found her restless and more ex-