The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-07-26

w." said he, I'll row you oNeh " hSA'
it's only a two-mile pull.
Miss AIMS eyes danced. I'D like II
of all things" she said. Il am SO much
obliged to you"
1t was an appalling breach of disci-
pline. but then Jennings was desper-
ate.
He felt sure that the post of second
mate would not be rendered him again
on the Nereid, so II made little diner
ence what he did. He ordered boat
lowered and pulled his fair passenger
toward the derelict.
The schooner was waterlogged and,
as expected, lumber laden; her whole
deck forward of the main mast was
submerged even with the rail. but the
poop was above the sea line.
Lets go aboard" exclaimed Miss
Ann. What an experience to go on a
ship with the crew all lost or run
away"
Jennings pulled alongside and leap
ed on the after rail. then he reached
down and drew Miss Ann on to the
poop. The cabin was half full of wa
ter, but the after deck was dry. Her
masts were gone, all save the main,
which had lost its topmast. The rig
ging hung slackIy and the whole craft
gave a melancholy evidence of a long
drift in her present condition.
Il say go back" said Jennings; "a
ship like this gives me the shudders."
Suppose" said Miss Ann. in a whis-
per and shyly grasping Jennings by
the coat sleeve, suppose some dead
sailors are floating in the cabin"
NO." replied Jennings. you see
she's only waterlogged. The crew had
lots of time to get away. Well get
away too-Heavens and earth
Whats the matter" asked his
compa Mon fearfully.
What bungling fool 1 am" ex-
claimed Jennings. The painter has
slipped and the boat has drifted away"
And that means"
until some one takes us off. It's all
your fault" he cried, passionately.
.Minew she calculated.
Yes, yours said he savagely.
when l am near you 1 can think of
nothing else. l know I'm a fool, but I
can't help it,
Miss Ann did not seem very angry
at being blamed. At least she said
nothing.
See that smother of fog settling
down." said Jennings, even If your
father looks after us he can't find us
to- night"
"A QTedTy night Game OH anu tno
breeze, what there was of it, impreg-
mated with dampness, was chill. Jen-
nings insisted on Miss Ann wrapping
his coat about her and then she hud-
died closely to him, for 1t seemed I'M
canny and ghostly on that deserted
ship with her grim idea that corpses
were floating in the submerged cabin
Jennings turned abruptly from her
IF the blessed sun was shining
couldn't say it," said he; IF saw your
face 1 couldn't say it, but now when
cannot see you smile in scorn / will
say it. l love you dearly and have
loved you two years. Can you care a
| little for me? If it's no, say 1t while
| it's dark and when they come for yor
tomorrow I'll stay on the derelict."
The girl drew away from him.
Il don't see how you can talk OF
| such things" she said; its so lonely
on this wide sea and who knows wha
| is in the cabin?"
| Il understand" he said. bitterly
Thank you for your answer"
| The fog lifted with the dawn and tn,
Nereid was disclosed about three mile,
to the southwark. A boat put off from
the brig and presently Captain Som
| ers, his face dark and stormy, wa.
| alongside.
| What l nthunder does this mean?'
| he began
| Papa" put in Miss Ann. Don't raw,
| unless you rave at me. 1t Is all m,
fault. l made Mr.. Jennings row M
| over and the boat came adrift."
Miss Ann scrambled down the ex
tempore ladder into the boat.
| Come on, jennings" cried the cap
| tain.
Thank you" replied Jennings, "I'v,
made up my mind to stay on tn,
| wreck
| You surely don't want me to pas
another night on the wreck" said Mis-
| Ann.
| What have you t. do with my STAY
ingY said Jennings, glumly.
| only II you stay l will, too"
| Then the answer was"
| yes replied Miss Ann, sweetly.