Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-08-08

Miss Brand, gipc mc QUO moment"
thanksgiving, the offering of those who
had been snatchea from death and
from mortal fear more painful than
death.
The singing ceased rs suddenly as it
began. Mir. Emmett and the purser
We're warning the first watch.
The interruption did not seem to
help Mrs. Nansittart. She spoke awk-
wardly, checking her thoughts as
though fearful she might be misunder-
stood or say too much.
II am better" she explained; quite
recovered. l gave up my bunk to one
who needed it."
Il am sure we are all doing our best
to help one another" volunteered Enid.
But am restless. The sight--of
your sister-aroused vague memories
Do you mind-I find it hard to explain
your name is familiar. lncw--some
people-callcd Brand-a Mr.. Stephen
Brand-and his wife"
She halted, seemingly at a loss. Enid,
striving hclplessly to solve the reason
for this unexpected confidence, but
quite wishful TO make the explanation
easier, found herself Interested.
YES" she said. THAT is quite pos
sible, of course, though you must have
been quite a girl. Mrs. Brand died
many years ago.
Mrs. Nansittart flnchcd from the fee
Bile rays of the lantern.
THAT is SOL think l heard of-of
Mrs. Brands dcatli-in London, /
fancy, but they had only one child"
Enid laughed
Il am a mere nobody" she said
Dad adopted me. | came here one
day in June. nineteen years ago, and
must have looked SO forlorn that he
took me to his heart, thank Godw
Another solemn chord of the hymn
floatcd UP to them:
Let all thy converse be sincere.
Thy conscience as tho monday clear
The rest of the verse evaded them
Probably door was closed.
Mrs. Nansittart seemed to be greatly
perturbed. Enid. intent on the occupa.
ton of the moment. believed their lit
tie chat was ended. To round it off, SO
to speak, she went Gu quickly:
Il imagine am the most mysterious
person living-in my early history, !
mean. Mr.. Brand saw ne floating to
ward this lighthouse in n deserted boat.
l was nearly dead The people who
had been with me We're gone-citliel
starved ana thrown into the sea o..
knocked overheard during Il collision
as the boat was badly damaged. Ny
linen was marked Il. r. That is the
only definite fact can tell you. Al
the rest is g,csswork Evidently no
body cared TO claim me. and here |
am"
Mrs. Nansittart WAS leaning bacl; In
the deep gloom. supporting herself
against the door of the bedroom.
what Il romance" she sail family.
gossip about It, Can l get you any
thing?"
Enid felt that she really must not
prolong their conversation, and the
other womans exclamation threatened
further talk.
mo. thank you. You'll excuse me. /
know. My natural Interest,"
But Enid with parting smile. was
halfway toward the next landing, and
Mrs. Nansittart was free to re-cntcr
the crowded apartment where her fcl-
low sufferers were wondering when
trrI,
did NOT stir. The darkness was intense,
the narrow passage drafty, and the
column thrilled and quivercd in an I'M
ncrving manner. She heard the clang
of a door above and knew that Enid
had gone into the second apartment
given over to the women. Somewhere
higher up was the glaring light of
which she had faint recollection,
though she was almost unconscious
"neii unbound tr0ni TIE rapp aid car.
1lcd into the service 1Sm.
And at that moment, not knowing it.
she had been near to Stephen Brand
might have spoken to him, looked into
his face. What was lie like? she won.
dered. Had he aged greatly with the
years? a lighthouse keeper! OF all
professions in this wide world how
came he to adopt that? And what ugly
trick was fate about to play her that
she should be cast ashore on this desc.
late rock where he was in charge;
Could she avoid him: Had she been
injudiclous In betraying her knowledge
of the past? And how marvellous was
the likeness between Constance and
her father. The chlvalrous, high mind.
cd youth she had lncwn came back to
her through the mists of time, The
calm. proud eyes, the firm mouth, the
wide cXpanse of forehead were his
From her mOthcr-thc woman who
died many years ago" when she, Mrs
Nansttart, WAS quite IL girl'-the girl
inherited the clear profile, the wealth
of dark brown hair and grace OF
movement not often seen In English
women.
Though her teeth chartered with tho
cold. Mrs. NanSttart could not bring
herself to leave the vaultlike stairway
Once more the hymn singers cheered
their hearts with words of praise. Eyi.
IDENTITY there was one among them who
not only knew the words, but could
lead them nightly in the tunes of
many Old favorites.
The opening of n door-caused by the
passing to and fro of some of the ships
ofilccrs-br0ught to her distracted ears
the concluding bars of verse. When
the voices swelled forth again she
caught the full refrain: