The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-06-12

U
Each man fought bltndIy for himself,
needless nOtD of all restrictions.
aided, no doubt, by the singing,
drenching showers of spray, had gone
far toward terminating Isobel and her
maid, while Mrs. Somerville, a woman
advanced in years, was able to walk,
though benumbed with the sudden
cold. Courtenay unlocked the door Of
his cabin. Elsie, her face pale and tear
stained, but outwardly composed, was
yet standing near the table, and the
dog sprang from her arms the moment
his master appeared.
THANK Godv' she said, all of a flut-
ter now that the solitary waiting for
death which came not was ended. II
feared l should never see you again.
Is the ship lost?'
The wild soughing of the wind rem
dered her words indistinct. and the
captain had no time for explanations.
I'm here" he shouted to Gray, who
had helped Isobel to enter the chart
room, the first refuge available on this
exposed deck.
SHARP with it!' he Numbered when
Isobel was unwilling to face the storm
again. The men took their cue from
his imperative tone. Gray clasped Iso-
bel in his arms and lifted her bodily
through the doorway. The others fol-
lowed his example. Soon the three
women were with Elsie in the cabin.
Isobel, by sheer reaction from her pre-
vious hysteria. was sullen now and
needless Of all considerations save her
own misery. When she set eyes on
Elsie she snapped out:
"You here?"
eyes. Captain Courtenay brought
me to his cabin after our return from
the fore salon."
"Oh, did he? And he left me with
those devils beneath"
They both heard Courtenay's hur-
ried order:
leave the ladies here until we can
come for them. Follow me at once"
The door slammed behind the men.
Elsie helped Mrs. Somerville to chair.
Then she turned to Isobel and said
gently:
1T is a slight thing to discuss when
any moment may be our last, but the
captain placed me here while he went
to bring you. He had gone only few
seconds when the ship struck
The crest of a wave combed over the
upper works and pounded the solid
beams and planks Of the cabin until
they creaked. The ship lifted some
what as the sea enveloped her.
"Oh. this is awfulv shrieked Isobel.
"If | must die, let me die quickly! I
shall go madv'
Calm yourself, dear. There must
be an end of our sufferings soon. Per-
haps we may escape even yet"
Eyes, l know. If any one is saved 1t
will be you. You left me down there
to take my chance among those fiends.
You have been here hours with your
precious captain, no doubt Were he
looking after his ship this might not
have happened. Why did l ever come
on this wretched vessel, and with
you, who ran away from Ventana? 1
should have been warned by it. When
he could work me no other evil he
sent you. Oh, you have taken a fine
Pedro Ventana! May you
70 denied mercy as I am denied It
low! Go away! If you touch me I
shall strike you! / hate you! | tell
'ou l am losing my senses! Do you
wish me to tear your face with my
lails?"
Elsie, who would have soothed her
listraught friend with q loving hand,
rev back in real fear that she was
onfronted by maniac. The utter
of this new infliction
'rought tears to her eyes. Yet she
hoked back her grief for the sake Of
he others.
Another heavy sea pitched on board.
he Kansas trembled and listed sud-
emily. Isobel screamed shrilly and
urst into n storm of dry eyed sobs.
Ter mood changed instantly into one
( abject submission. She sprang to-
yard Elsie with hands outstretched.
"Oh, save me, save mev she walled.
God knows, am not fit to der
There are some noble natures which
nd strength I'm the need to comfort
ne weakness Of others. Elsie drew
he distracted girl close to her and
laced an arm around her neck.
1t was thus that Courtenay found
hem when he appeared at the door
fter lapse Of time which none OK .
hem could measure.
Now, Miss Maxwell, you first" he
aid, with an air of authority which
etokened some new move of utmost ]
Importance.
"First-for what2" she manageable
SIX.
you are going Off In a boat IL Is