Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1908-03-05

effect her words might have on the
others. Although the salon was
warm-almost intentionally hot ow-
ing to the closing of the main air
passages shivered.
Mr.. Somerville drew a book from
gently, may suggest that we seek
aid from one who is all powerful? We
are few and of different religions, but
in this hour we can surely worship at
a common altar"
Right" said the taciturn English
man. varying his adjective for once.
The missionary offered up a short but
heartfelt prayer and. finding that he
carried his congregation with him. read
the opening verse of hymn No. $40,
For Those at Sea"
The stewards. most of whom under
stood a few words of English, readily
grasped the fact that the padre was
asking for help In a situation which
they we'll knew TO be desperate They
drew near reverently and even Joined
In the simple lines:
Oh hear us when We cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea!
During the brief silence which fol-
lowed the singing of the hymn II did
indeed seem TO their strained senses
that the fierce violence of the gale had
somewhat abated. 1t was not so in
reality. A steady fall in the barom-
eter fOretold even worse weather to
come. Courtenay. assured now that
the main engines were absolutely use
less, thought 1t advisable 10 get steer
ing way on the ship by rigging the
foresail double reefed and trapped.
The result was quickly perceptible.
The Kansas might not be popped
again, but she would travel more rap
Idly into the unknown.
Yet this afforded only another in
stance Of the way men reason when
they seek 10 explain cause from effect.
The hoisting of that strip Of stolt can
vas was one Of the time factors in the
story of an eventful night. for Il was
with gray faced despair that the cap
tain gave the requisite order when
the second engineer reported that his
senior was dead. the crown Of two
furnaces DESTROYED and the engines
closged II not irretrievably damaged
by fallen debris. None realized better
than the young commander what a dis
astrOus fate awaited his ship in the
gloom Of the flying scud ahead. There
was faint chance Of encounterilg an
other steamship which would respond
70 his signals Then he would risk
all by laying the Kansas brosdside on
in the effort TO take a tow rope aboard.
Meanwhile il was hest to bring her I'm
der some sort If control. the steam
steering gear. driven by the uninjured
donkey engine. being yet available.
In the salon Elsie had shielded her
face in her hands 10 hide the tears
which the entreaty Of the hymn had
brought to her eyes. Some one whis-
pered In her:
Won't you sing something. Miss
Ma1welIT'
Il was the American. He Judged
that the sweet voice which uncon-
sriouzIy led the singing Of the hymn
must be skilled In other music
Sire looked up at him. her eyes shin
ing
sing. Do you think II pOssible?"
she asked.
Yes You can do 6 brave thing. /
guess. and that would be brave"
I viii trv- she said. and she walk
ed 70 the pisuo. which was screwed
sthusrt the dsck in front of the pol
iShed msho-sny sheath Of the steel
mainmsst- II was In her mind TO play
some lively excerpts from the light o.
erzS then in vogue. hut the secret frfu-
s1css Of the hour were stro1gsr thza