Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-08-24
CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER VI.
r. T says good deal for Stephen
Brands courage that he was
able to laugh just then, but it
IS fine thing for man in Il
moment of supremest danger to be
called on to comfort weeping woman.
The next minute might he their last.
Or that lie was fully conscious. Even
before the girls reached his side he felt
curious lifting movement OF the
whole frame Of the lantern. Steel and
glass alike were yielding to the sus-
tained violence of the wind pressure.
Well were they nodded, by men whose
conscience need harbor no reproach Of
dishonest craftsmanship. They were
being tested now almost beyond en-
durance.
Some natures would have found relief
IN prayer. Gladly would Constance
and Enid have sunk OH their knees and
besought the Master Of the winds to
spare them and those at sea. But
Brand, believing that catastrophe
was imminent, decided that In order
to save the girls lives he must neither
alarm them nor lose an unnecessary
instant.
To desert the light-that was impOs-
sible personally. If given the least
warning he would spring toward the
iron rail that curved by the side Of the
stairs to the service room and take his
chance; otherwise he would go with
the lamp. There was no other alterna-
tive; the girls must leave him at once.
The laugh with which he greeted
their appearance gave him time to
scheme.
II ought to scold you. but won't"
he cried. "Are you plucky enough to
hice cups Of cocoaP"
Just think what 1t cost him to speak
In this bantering way. careless Of
words, though each additional syllable
might mean death to all three.
His request had the exact effect he
calculated. For once Constance was
deceived and looked her surprise.
Enid. more volatile, smiled through
her tears. So 1t was not quite as bad
rs they imagined. this gale. Their fa-
Their could never be so matter Of fact
In the face of real peril to oil of them.
Cocoa! Fancy a man giving his
thoughts to cocoa while they were ex-
pecting the lighthouse to be hurled into
the English channel!
He turned again to manipulate the
brass screws.
"Now, do not stand there shivering."
be said, "but harden your hearts and
30. Use the oil stove. By the time 1t
Is ready
"Shivering, indeedv'
Constance, of the viking breed, would
let him see that he had no monopoly Of
the family motto, "Audeo." She. too.
could dare.
"Down you 90, Enidv she cried.
''He shall have his cocoa, poor man."
He looked over his shoulder and
caught his daughter glancing Mt him
from the well of the stairs.
bad nightw he shouted cheerfully,
and he cheated her quick intelligence a
second time.
They were gone. Perchance 1t was
his last sight of them in this life. Three
times the stalwart framework creaked.
Once 1t moved so perceptibly that the
curtain rings Jingled. Then he remem-
bered the words Of Isaiah:
"For thou hast been q strength to the
poor. a strength to the needy in his dis
tress, q refuge from the storm, n shad-
ow from the heat, when the blast Of
the terrible ones Is as a storm against
the wall"
The blast Of the terrible ones! What
vivid pen picture Of the awesome
forces Of nature! How long would this
tornado continue? Already 1t must
have strewed its path with havoc at
sea and on land. His physical senses
were elevated to the supernatural. He
seemed to acquire abnormal powers Of
sight and hearing He could see the
trees bending before the wrathful
wind, hear the crashing tiles and brick
work as houses were demolished and
people hurled to death. But there was
no ecstasy Of soul. no mental altitude.
In quick reaction came the fanciful
memory Of the hardy old salt who
cheered his shipmates during ter
rife gale with the trite remark:
II pity the poor folk ashore on
night like this"
What a curious tumble Of emotions
jostled In his brain. A step from the
sublime to the ridiculousl Not even
step. They were inextricably inter-
woven, the wool and the warp of
things. He recalled the odd expression
Of an officer who had passed unscathed
through the inferno of Spion kop.
II had no sense Of fear" said he.
but my teeth began to ache"
Brand. a student, even Of himself,
discovered that his dominant sensation
was one Of curiosity.
III 1t has to be-" said his nervous
system. ''let it come quickly" He felt
like a man lying on the operating table
waiting for the chloroform.
Suddenly the bright flame of the
lamp lessened. The use that was his
second nature caused him to raise the
wicks and admit more draft. Even
while his deft fingers arranged the
complex burner his ear caught
change in the external din. The shrek
Of the wind dropped to a thunderous
growl. This was gale. not a tempest.
God be praised, the crisis had passed!
The hurricane had lasted thirty.fve
minutes. A similar tornado suff1ced to
wreck one-half Of the city of st. Louis.
This one, as he learned afterward,
swept around the south of Ireland,
created a tidal wave which did great