The Elbert County tribune., 1903-01-29

Indifferent to my own fate. But the
sounds of excitement had their effect
on me. and | was soon cropping for my
clothes and struggling to get them on
before joining the frantic mob on
deck.
succeeded in getting myself clad.
as regards shirt and trousers. At this
point l became panic-stricken. and
feeling that | was surely doomed II
the ship sank. breathed a prayer and
Edith's name Mt the same time and
sank on the floor.
Just then the door OF my stateroom
was flung open and MaubilSeck ap-
peared. He picked me up from the
floor. wrapped my overcoat around me.
and taking me in his arms as II was
a child. he hurried out and up the
companionway onto the deck. Here
was a scene OF almost indescribable
confusion. The lights on the deck
gllmmered but dim1y through the fog,
and the whole scene was enveloped
In dense biacSness. Ye. l could dis
tinguish the forms OF men rushing
madly to and fro. curslng, shouting.
and crying. having no aim except to
save themselves, regardless of the fate
of others
But how grandly different was the
llon-tnmeri with me in his arms. he
sped over the slippery uphill deck to
place at the rail where a boat was
being lowered.
saw the forms of women in It. and
realized that the Queens officers had
insisted upon the rule at sea of saving
the women first Maubikeck was about
to step into the boat.
stand back therel" some one
shouted. There's room for only one
more in herel"
"You got" said. "Nlta needs you"
Keep stilll" he said stornls. and
as calmly as II nothing stood in the
way OF our safety. Calling to the Off
Ger in charge of the boat, the lion
tanner said: "Herel II there Is room
for one more. take him. This Is Mr.
wilberton OF the Lotus Club. New
York. He is Ill. Do your best for
him"
felt myself taken by other hands
and gasped out word OF gratitude ia
my preserver.
"Listenl" he said. "If you are saved
and am not, save Nlta from Maligni.
II will save her at any cost" | an
| swered at the same time thinking that
my promise amounted to little, &c
weak was |, and SO poor n stick in this
emergency.
But there was no time for further
words The boat that was in plunged
out into the darkness, and all could
see was the great black hull looming
up in the fog, her bows now almost
under water. and through the thick
black night came the agonized cries
and shrleks of those who had been left
behind. And as heard them, thought
of Maubikeck. That noble. stalwart
hero. standing there-I could almost
see him. so clear was It in my mind
peerlng out into the darkness to watcl
If possible the progress of our boat
and not a murmur nor a sound OF fea
over his own probable fate.
Other boats had been put of, ant
the hope OF those in our boat wal
that their loved ones might be in on'
OF the other boats. and might. there
fore, be rescued by some passing yes
sci. II was unanimously agreed tha
for those who remained on board this
Queen there was no hope.
All night we were buffeted by the
waves and chilled by the damp. COLI
air that swept around us, and from
which we had no protection. Tina
night seemed intermlnable. II time
could be measured by misery. theI
1t was nigh unto eternity before th'
morning broke.
The sailors were weary and nearl,
exhausted by their labors at the oars
The murmuring and sobbing of th'
women had given way to condition
OF mute despair. But even misery endi
sometimes without being relieved b,
the great Destroyer.
ITO be contlnued)
Increase in Cremation.