The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-16

;, threw his free arm about her shoulders
 and drew her to his side. Naturally as
 a tired child her head found d resting l place upon his big shoulder, and so they 1 drfted on, out into the gathering gloom A white mist had hidden the lowland astern and soon the air was filled with 1 large white flakes of snow falling si- lently into the dark water. The lightship, , looming through the murk was almost i hidden, when all at once out blazed two l great lights, cleaving the darkened, snow 1 filled air and seeming to shine a wei | come. Higher they loomed. and soon Carl 1 ing could see the dark hull and heard 1 a gruff shouted order. He leaned over 1 gently and kissed Doris on the lips. The l hand nesting in his gave back an an ] swering pressure.
 We are at the ship, sweetheart he
 whispered, then raised his voice to d l hail.
 "Lightship a-hoy''
 'Hal-lo-o-o!" came back a lusty answer. l Can ye fetch up alongside, r shall 1 lower?'
 T can make it, captain" called Carling, and a moment later laid the launch on 1 the lee side of the vessel where a sea 1 ladder had been dropped. Doris glanced 1 overhead and saw several bearded faces l looking down curiousy.
 Bless my soul-thar's a lady.' ex- claimed a heavy voice, and burly form slipped over the side and descended the ladder half way.
 "Can ye make out to get up, ma' am % asked the captain anXiously "Good-my, but you're as spry as a mackerel Jump up, cap-my boys will drop her astern, and l reckon she'll lie all right"
 Doris had already reached the deck, and Carling acted on the advice of the captain. They locked about them curious I,.. tl, tie f1,., Tor, half mast high. the big horn and other massive gear for warning vessels of the dread Shark Shoal were strangely im- pressive as seen in that half light and through the flying mist of snow A group of men were about them, and they noticed that all were clad in clean, new uniforms and regarding them with unob- trusive curiosity.
 Suddenly Doris turned to the group. Merry Christmas,' she cried holding out both hands with a charming gesture of good will
 Merry Christmas. ma am = Merry Christmas!" . came back a delighted chorus.
 Glad to see you aboard!" cried the captain hosptably. Come below-it' s gettin right chllyn'
 They followed him down to a comfort able cabin, spotlessly clean and nicely furnished. The first thing to catch Doris eye were some pathetic little garlands of holly draped along the bulkheads
 Make yourselves at home" said the captain hospitably. Broke down, l reckon?' he inquired We see you work in down under that jury rig jes' before it got dark and l would have sent a boat after you but 1 see that you could make the ship all right. Never thought of there bein'y lady aboard" Carlng explained the nature of their accident Presently a shadow crossed the captains kindly feat ures.
 Pm right sorry I've got so little to offer you," he began respectfully Christ mas night, too. Our lightship tender got aground three days ago. and they only got her off yesterday so we didn't get our Christmas stores-"
 And do you mean to say that you poor fellows have not even had a Christmas dinner?" cried Doris pityingly
 Mary thing but salt horse and tobs- couse. maam." replied the captain. "I reckon we'll get it some time. though but 1t ain't the same when you don t get it on Christmas, is it?"
 Dick" said Miss Chester If the cap- tain will let you have few men to help go down to that launch and bring up everything aboardi" She turned to the captain. "I believe that a kind Provi- provide you poor fellows with a Christ mas dinner. No" She held up her hand seeing that he was about 10 protest Wait until you see what We have. You think perhaps that we simply had a few things for ourselves-just wait until you seei"
 Much mystified the captain permitted himself to be led on deck by Carlng. A whip was quickly rigged and soon the