Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-02-06

"Cap'n Burgess" he said. 1--WE got
somethin' to tell you-somethin' awful.
The whole life savin' crew but one Is
drownded, and Cap'n Erl Hedge
An exclamation from Mrs. Snow in
terrupted him. The housekeeper clasped
her hands together tightly and sank
into a chair. She was very white.
Elsie ran to her.
"What is 1t, Mrs. Snow" she asked.
"Nothin', nothin'! Go on, Mr.. Mayo.
Go onw
The bearer Of iii tidings. gratifed at
the result Of his first attempt, pro-
ceeded deliberately:
"And Cap'n Hedge and Luther Davis
are over Mt the station pretty nigh dead.
II 1t want for the cap'n. Luther d have
gone too. Err took dory and went
off and picked him up. Perez come
over to my house and told US about 1t,
and Pashy's gone back with him to
see her brother. l didn't 90 down to
the store this mornin', twas stormin'
~, Uul db 6OOu 10 uColo huA hSccSA
up to come and tell you"
Then, in answer to the hurried ques-
tions Of Captain Jerry and Elsie. Mr..
Mayo told the whole story as far as
he knew 1t. Mrs. Snow said nothing,
but sat with her hands still clasped IN
her lap.
Luther is ha'f drownded and frOze,"
concluded Abner, land the cap'n got a
bang with an oar when they jumped
out of the dory that, Perez Is afraid,
broke his arm. I'm goin' right back to
git DR.. Palmer. They tried to tele-
phone him, but the wires down."
Dear, dear, dear!' exclaimed Cap
tain Jerry, completely demoralized by
the news. That's dreadful! l must
20 right down there, mustn't l? The
poor fellers"
Mrs. Snow rose to her feet quietly.
but with determined air.
"Are you goin' right back soon's
you've got the doctor, Mr.. Mayo" she
asked.
"Why, no, I want. amt been to
my store this mornin', and I'm 'fraid
ought to be there"
"Then, Josiah, you'll have to harness
Dan'l and take me down. mustn't
wait another minute"
"Why, Mrs. Snow" expostulated
Captain Jerry, you mustn't go down
there. The Doctors goin', and I'll go.
and Pashy's there already"
But the housekeeper merely waved
him aside.
II want you to stay here with Elsie"
she said. There's no tellin' how long
may be gone. Josiah II drive me
down, won't you, JOSIAH"
There was no lack Of enthusiasm In
the liable seaman's" answer. The boy
was only too glad Of the chance.
"But it amt ft weather for you to
be out In. You'll git soakin' wet"
II guess II Pashy Davis can stand
1t can. Elsie, will you come and
help me git ready. while Josiah's har-
nessln'?"
As they entered the chamber above
Elsie was thunderstruck to see her
companion seat herself In the rocker
and cover her face with her hands.
"Why, Mrs. Snow" she exclaimed,
"what Is it?'
The lady from Nantucket hastily rose
and wiped her eyes with her apron.
"Oh, nothin,," she answered, with an
attempt at smile. "Tm kind OF
fidgety this mornin', and the way that
man started of to tell his yarn upset
me, that's all. I mustn't be such a
fool"
She set about getting ready with a
vim and attention to detail that proved
that her "fdgets" had not affected her
common sense. She was pale and her
hands trembled little, but she took
covered basket and packed in 1t cloth
for bandaRes, q hot water bottle. mus
tard, bottle of liniment and numerous
other things likely to be Of use.
Ralph and Captain Perez were sur
prised men when the housekeeper,
dripping, but cheerful, appeared on the
scene.
Mrs. Snow took charge at once Of the
tired men, and the overtaxed Miss Pa
tience was glad enough to have her
do 1t. Luther Davis was In bed, and
Captain Err, after an hours sojourn
In the same snug harbor, had utterly
refused to stay there longer, and now,
dressed In suit belonging to the
commandant, was stretched upon
sofa in the front room.
The captain was the most surprised
of all when Mrs. Snow appeared. He
fairly gasped when she first entered
the room, and seemed to be struck
speechiess, for he said scarcely word
while she dosed him with hot drinks,
rubbed his shoulder-the bone was not
broken, but there was brulse there as
big az saucer-with the liniment and
made him generally comfortable. He
watched her every movement with q
sort of worshipful wonder and seemed
to be thinking hard.
Captain Davis, although feeling 1T
tie better, was still very weak, and bis
sister and Captain Perez were with
| him. Josiah soon returned to the Mayo