Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-08-26


beast in pain Her bows had climbed the
hidden rock, pointing scornully upwards till
hey had bent with their weight and sagged down
ward again. Now the forecastle half submerged
md the poured in and through great rents
The vessel twisted amidshps, the dcck-panking
had opened in places and part of the music saloon had
fallen in but the stern unnured and lay in deep
water. They carried aft the boats that available
and launched them there.
Beyond the oasis of calm, heavy swept shore
wards in towering green waves until reached comb
Of jagged rocks and poured through the openings in
sheets of foam to a long, sandy beach Three tossing
boats approaching the rocks slowly as the
rent would suffer, looking for passage through The
fourth-the last remaining-was just leaving the ship
The who had lowered II, with appliances but
bare ropes rubbed their chafed hands their
and mopped their forehcads and gathered together
senty-exccpt tall gentleman Of about forty. lie left
the rest and went toward lady, who stood back little,
watching them The rest OF the women, and all the
children, in the boats
She turned when nc reached her and they walked
forward together. He pat.cd shoulder approvingly,
and she smiled family at him. She about hve-and-
thirty; could scarcely be called goodooking but very
iikable when she smiled.
That's why she wouldn't go in the boat" one of the
gathering observed.
"Aye!" said old sailor "She's the right sort"
Then they silent again.
The and the woman were silent too When they
reached the end OF the saloon promenade, beside the
wrecked musc-saloon they stopped and rested their
the rail and gazed at the shore a mile away:
if they wished to look the shore but as if they
feared to look at each other. The chief officer
swiftly down the ladder from the navigation
deck, with two fe-belts on his arm.
RI Best put them on" he advised, but don't think
they'll be much use" He nodded toward the breakers
"Shell 90 in ten minutes"
The laid one belt the deck while he put the
other round the She held up her arms ano
smiled at him all the time When he finished his task
and picked up the other belt she took it from him.
LET do it for you' she offered II should like
to if may"
His grave face Iii up for moment.
II shall like you to-" he told her you brave
woman"
Drawer than thought" she assented II used to
think that was ust-ordinary; that all were. Now
| think it life that ordinary, not What
shall we do with the of 1.-THE ten minutesl"
LET open hearts" the proposed. 1--WE
may venture now Dear lady, have admired you and
liked you all the voyage. We shall go friends to-
gether, Think"
| 81 wish no better company" she told him
us there who has better right? " he asked
mo And you7' 49,.
mo one"
and that" she said els why we thought life or
binary suppose"
again and gazed the boats approaching the shore.
There were only two now-no three, One lay upturned
on the beach Specks of humanity crawled of the
foam Some rushed back at the risk OF their lives, and
pulled out others
"Yes," he said 1--WE are Drawer than thought.
Do you see the bounder man, called him?" He
pointed to the group at the stern. One might have
expected him to fight for place in the boats. When
saw him carry the first child down. thought it was
to get place for himself but he carried half
dozen down and back cheerfuy every
time. He managed to cheer them, wiped their eyes
and joked their fears in his boorish way; got some
packets of from the bar and threw them down to
the boat and kissed his hand to them Now he's light
ing cigarette. Yes, we're Drawer than we thought
You, dear lady the bavcst and the best You gave
up your life when you gave up your place in the boat
Why2"
The children have no mother" she explained; and
he is such good father to them. They need him; and
have one"
He took her hand
You have friend" he assured her.
yes" she said, simply. :" hat was the other reason
why remained"
Me?" He looked at her quickly
"You, ! wonder-it doesn't matter what say now
does It'll wonder if really cared for each other!
"Ah!" said the man. I wondered too, but thought
women always knew"
She shook her head
liked you, Certainly; but nave iKeo otner rle'
never liked any of them enough, You see, am not
marrying have-I had aims in life. Marriage
meant sacrificing much 1t IS sacrifice for an inde
pendent woman--to give up your individuality; to d.
rvs Something Else; not your name left
And for WHAT To be toy and playthng for year
Perhaps not ycar-dont call sclhshness. ia hav
given up everything if had thought that love wou'
last My dear friend it doesn't last You and ! ar
not children We have life We know! But tn
woinan's lasts longest l afraid of that"
IT know" The nodded 81 liked you, too; like
YOU more than was comfortable! thought it man.
a time 1t was more than liking, Marian. I quickenc
at your coming; warmed at your beautiful smile"
Dear friend" she protested, I'VE can be candid now
You know that not beautiful
"Indeed" he declared. I thought you were. II wa