The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-04-06
riaAt A c. NeciurE ? -. IA
CHAPTER XIV.
In Which We Learn the story Of the
Donna Isabel.

QG opportunity LOT lle WOrk on deck
However, ! kept the men employed as
long as possible, first setting them at
hauling up the lonGboat and slowing
1t safely away under shelter, and then
at untanglingsome Of the rattle forward
They went at this last task rather
unwillIngly, for It was carried on in
full view Of that lce.casketed figure
guarding the forecastle. yet they got
out two fairly servfceabie spars and a
considerable amount OF cordage SO
protected by the Ice coating as TO
be still Of value. When we finally
knocked OF and started aft In a body
a dark, cloudy night was about US, the
snow falling so thickiy as to make II
impossible to see across the deck.
Dade was buslly preparing supper in
the wrecked galley. the red glare Of
his fire shining forth through the
drifting fakes. while glImpses Of light
stole out in welcome from the forward
cabin windows.
The latter appeared shipshape and
cheerful enough as we slid back the
door and stepped within. Scarcely
n reminder was left Of that horrible in.
terror dominated by death which had
been revealed to me a few hours be.
fore by the smoky glare Of the torch.
While we were l4borIng forward to
clear the deck, Doris and Celeste evi.
IDENTIFY had also been diligently EN-.
ployed, and with Womanly intuition
had given to the desolate interior a
home-llke touch which was Irresistible
could only come to a pause-EazinE
about and wondering II We could real.
ly be afioat upon a century-old wreck,
tossed helplessly on the waters OF the
Polar sea. The odd. old.fashioned
swinging lantern threw viOlet-hued
rays over the snug scene, while in the
center the table, covered by a spotless
cloth, was fairly glistening in bril-.
Liant display OF ancient silver, newly
polished, and OF decorated glass. Doris,
who had been engaged in giving the
arrangement some final def touches.
turned instantly at the sound OF our
entrance. her sweet face Frightening
with interest as she read the amaze.
ment pictured in my eyes.
you have actually worked a
MARVEL" l exclaimed, admiringly.
Where in the world did you unearth
such a display"
From a locker behind the stewards
pantry" she replied, smilingly. But,
oh" with a SILVER, at was most bitter.
ly cold in there when we first opened
the door. l actually had TO walt half
an hour before yenturIng In. Yet you
should have seen what we found; this
is not half-the silver service was
simply magnificent; and see-every
piece is beautifully engraven with a
facsimile Of the ship, and a master.
piece Of art"
gazed at the bit OF plate handed
me, weighing II in my hand. and study.
ing the decidedly elaborate scroll.
Il have read that these old galleons
were often furnished regardless Of ex-
pense," said. "and the Dons were
high livers. Did you make any other
discoveries?"
Only several cases Of liquor, but all
were frozen solid. The lazarette opens
from the pantry, and we succeeded in
lifting the trapdoor, but the cold of
the air which came up was so intense
that we were compelled to drop 1t
again Immediately. | never imagined
such an atmosphere possible"
1T is the breath OF 1876 years OF
polar winter" explained. This very
cabin was of that same temperature
when We first broke through its ice
covering"
She pressed her palms to her TEN.
pies. staring about her at the gray,
gold-decorated interior.
DO you actually mean to tell me
that-that this wreck has been drift,
ing and tossing about all that time?"
she questioned unbellevlngly.
No. not drifting and tossing about,
but solidly imbedded within the ice
far south OF this. This vessel is the
Donna Isabel-the same one futile
saw-and her log.book lies In that
farthest state.room yonder. Its last
entry was made in September, 1863"
She sank down upon the bench, her
eyes upon my face, and heard her
lips repeating softly: September
1853. September, 1753." as though the
conception could hardly find accept
ance In her mind. The men were
grouped close beside the entrance,
while De Nova and Celeste had gone
forward to assist Dade in bringing his
supper from the galley, so that for the
moment we were comparatively alone
As I bent over. wondering what had
best say, she questioned quickly, with
o little sharp indrawing OF the breath:
4 'And-Rnd the people, Jack,-the-
crew? What became OF them"
I Dead more than a century ago."
answered solemnly, 81 did not STOP
this morning TO read the log, and SC
4 know little Of their story. But ths
vessel itself tells OF storm and Of Ions
struggle in the ice; probably most Of
those on board persisted from expos
ure and cold"
: Her hands elaSped mine, her cheekl
white from apprehension.
%were-Wsrs there any-any bOdisi
-herer
Yes" l replied reluctantly, not dlr
ting to say otherwise.