The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1903-02-19


was attracted to slight, girlish figure,
seated on deck chair in the forward
part Of the boat. To tell the truth, her
proximity was first announced by q
glimpse Of the dsintiest little boot
and most shapely ankle it has ever
been my lot to, behold. Gradually,
but not without an effort, l raised my
eyes, taking in, step by step, the SWELL
ing outlines Of the slender, yet perfectly
moulded figure, until my gaze rested
upon the half sverted face. And such
q face-beautiful beyond description.
"Hair Of gold and eyes Of azure,
Form Of childish. witching grace
were the lines that presented them
selves to my mind as I fessted myeyes
on the beautiful being before me.
There was, however, an indefnable
something in the expression of the del
icate, regular features and troubled
eyes, that at once attracted me to q
closer observation, and I instinctively
knew that "some great sorrow like a
mighty river" had thus early entered
her young life and left its imprint in
marked accent upon the otherwise per-
feet features.
l was aroused from my perhaps too
earnest tho semi-conscious gaze at
the enticing picture before me, by the
sudden appearance of the very antithe-
sis to the person just described. He
for even in sex they were different
was short, powerfully built, forid-
faced man of about five and forty years.
He was lavishly dressed, and great,
livid scar across the right cheek dis
figured and made more evil the already
vicious countenance of the newcomer.
As he approached the object of my
scrutinity, / saw look of repulsion
overspread her face and her eyes diIated
with look akin to terror. Yet upon
word from him, she arose from her
chair, and obediently accompanied him
to a nearby stateroom.
Still in idle reverie, leaning against
the guards, my thoughts constantly re-
verted to the couple who had so recent
ly left the deck, and I found myself
trying to fathom the relationship exist
ing between the two. could not believe
they were man and wife; nor could
conceive that such an incongruous
pair could be parent and child. Occu-
pied with these thoughts, 1 was startled
from my musings by the binding flash
of search-light and the hoarse whistle
of an up coming boat, and 1 realized
that night had settled over the waters.
Leaving off my cogitations, I proceeded
to my stateroom and retired for the
night.
It was one of those intensely hot
nights in August when the atmosphere
seems fetid and suffocating. Even on
the water the heat was so intense that
sleep was impossible. Finding that it
was useless for me to remain in my
stateroom, arose and dressing lightly
-againstthe all pervading heat sought
the deck. Gaining the hurricane deck,
l ensconsced myself in the coolest,
most comfortable position 1 could find
and sought to enjoy cigar. 1 had not
long occupied this position when a
vivid fash of lightning, followed by
low ominous rumble of thunder, rent
the black pail that now enveloped boat,
river and shore. This was followed in
quick succession by another and an
other, until it seemed as tho all the
fiends of hell were at war, bombarding
the heavens with mighty cannon.
Suddenly the great boat itseif-a vast,
but delicate structure staggered and
reeled in the grasp of the mighty storm
that swept down upon us. Then came
terrific concussion, followed by the
rending of iron, the crash of breaking
timber, the hiss of escaping steam; and
/ found myself suddenly hurled
through the gloom, out into the
black depths, helpless and powerless.
Then came an almost stunning shock,
and felt the black waters close about
me. I soon returned to the surface,
and being powerful swimmer, at once
began the battle for life with the angry
waters. .s',1
The lights Of the steamer had disap-
- -.
peared, and I rightly conjectured that
she had gone down, carrying most Of
those on board with her. A hoarse
Ishout from uutsthe darkness now and