Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-10-09
THE STORY OF
TWO FRIENDS.
BY EDGAR AWCETT.

cures in cases of brain trouble. His
practice had grown from nothing To a
constituency of solid breadth, in about
eight years. At the end of this time
he found that he was a rich man, for
certain investments made with his ear
ly patrimony had resulted fortunately,
besides what had already accrued to
him from professional labors.
Without being desirous of perma-
nently renouncing his medical career,
he yet felt an inclination to spend sew
eral years at least in wandering over
Europe. There was quite a clamor
raised among his more devoted wor-
shippers (and what physician so ador-
ed as he who makes hypochondria and
nerves" a principal study0 when
DR.. Bleeker publicly declared his inten-
tions. Several ladies emotionally told
him that they should die if he went;
but it must be recorded of him that he
committed the cruelty of going all the
same.
The first few days Of his voyage were
delicious as latter May could make
them. There was scarcely any one on
board the steamer with whom Julian
was acquainted. He was wholly free
from seasickness, and deeply enjoyed
the lovely weather, remaining almost
constantly on deck. 1t was not long
before he found himself much attract
ed by one particular lady, seemingly
not far on in the twenties, who occu-
pied. at certain intervals. lonely chair
on a certain portion of the deck for
which she seemed to have rather
marked preference. Doubtless this
upvarying position of hers was chosen
in order that she might be in closest
possible proximity to some special
stateroom. Occasionally a man-servant
of most mannerly, trustworthy mien
would appear from below and make
some communication which the lady
would receive with smiling or grieved
look, as the case might be. Twice, af-
ter receiving such a communication,
she herself went below, as if in expedi-
tious response to it.
The more that Julian looked at this
lady the more her face fascinated him.
Though of irregular features, it was a
face Of truly dazzling bloom, lit with
large crystals, clear eyes of hghtish
blue, and framed with a crinkled opul-
ence of rich auburn hair. 1t seemed to
him that this woman was eXquisitely
happy; indeed, the expression of her
face appeared most glowingly to dis
pute the contrary Of any such belief.
Who was the mysterious invalid re-
garding whose condition she evidently
received bulletins? Perhaps an aged
mother Perhaps a sister, though i'm
probable Perhaps Julian was al
ways conscious of a sharply unpleas-
ant feeling when he subjected the un-
known to this wild speculative process.
Good heavens!" he declared to him
self, one day. when he missed her from
the usual place at the usual hour, Il
actually believe that 1 am in love for
the first time in my life"
Stormy weather set in after the
steamer had been five days out, and the
nearer she drew toward the English
coast the more violent became wind
and water. On the sixth day. however,
much calmer weather succeeded,
though the seas were still formidable.
That night a sudden alarm of fire was
raised throughout the ship. The panic
was terrible, and the danger appalling.
Famed by vigorous wind, the fire,
however il had originated, gained
frightful headway in brief time. There
was a rush for the boats, though their
prospect of living in such sea was
slight enough. The scene was one Of
mad turmoil and unutterable anguish.
Julian, thrilled as he was, endeavored
to assist into the different boats as
many Of the women and children as 1t
was possible to find room for. The
ship was in imminent danger of sink
| ing before he left her, and it was then
to enter a boat which, loaded with pale
| faced wretches, threatened every mo-
| ment to capsiZe. This boat had not
| gone more than what seemed few
hundred yards from the blazing pile,
when a mighty wave swept over her,
| decimating the number of her inmates.
Julian, a survivor this time, shivering-
| ly awaited the next wave, which he
felt sure would settle his fate-mean-
while, the wave just past had flung
rudely enough at his very feet what he
at first believed to be the corpse of
woman. Whilst each moment expect
ing death, he raised the body to sort
of sitting posture and recognized IN
| its colorless face. seen by almost the
| last glare from the sinking ship, none
other than the lady who had so Inter-
ested him throughout the voyage.
A few signs of life shudderingly shone
in the body which he supported, were,
perhaps. signal with Julian to hope
for his own life. Since this poor cast
away had been lifted as if by mira
Gle from death. he was forced to feel
as if her salvation were not destined
TO be so mOmentarily brief as it prom
iSed. Time passed on and still the
buffeted boat lived with its drenched
and terror smitten freight. 1t was, in
truth. one of but two boats that did
manage to survive. An hour later the
sea was comparatively tranquil, but the
agony of those wrecked wretches can
Of course i'll be told. They were spar
cd. however much that might have
happened to them, being sighted by an
eastward bound vessel few hours af-
ter dawn. and rescued from further
suffering as though through direct
nrOvidential act.
The lady thus strangely cast into the
boat at Julian's feet so far recovered
life as to speak several times during
the awful interval between them ana
their final rescue. But the perfect IN
conference and strangeness of her words
soon convinced Julian that reason had
by no means been restored to her with
| the restoration of consciousness. The
unhappy survivors from this frightful
disaster were treated with charming