The Republican journal., 1909-07-29

it was not l. My sister came and she
sisted, and putting on my hat and cloak,
so that no person might guess it was she,
she sat down in the boat and sent me be-
low to sleep. You said you pushed her
into the sea, but of course you are Jest
ing. You do not mean it. -
"What have | done?" screamed the
miserable man, almost frantic 81 see
now it was my own wife l pushed over
board.
He leaned against the rail for support.
He wrung his hands and tore his hair.
But she is not lost! No, mol" he
shrieked, almost beside himself. mabel,
Mabel, come back to me!' he added in a
plaintiff, despairing voice, stretching out
his hands over the wild waters.
"He is going mad, said the mate.
But at length the captain became
calmer although his face was as CHASTITY
as that of the dead. He retraced his
course toward the island, and within
mile of it he ordered boat lowered.
All the day the skipper searched about
the island for his wife, but no sign of her
could be found The moment he reached
the ship Barton was taken down with
raging fever. For many days he lay in
a delirium. When he recovered he was
a mere wreck of his former self; but his
mind had recovered from the shock it
had received. He could now talk in
rational manner about his wife.
''She is lost! Lost! But | will soon
join her, he said mournfully. Il am
not long for this world"
In due time the ship reached Java, the
port of her destination. The vessel was
not long anchored when the skipper went
below and took from the pantry some
prussic acid, with which he intended to
put an end to his wretched life,
He mixed the poison in cup and was
about lifting it to his lips when light,
beautiful form descended the companion
steps He turned, still holding the cup
to behold most unexpected vision.
For a moment he stared wildly, as if
looking at a ghost 1t was his wife-his
own beautiful wife he saw before him.
A wild cry escaped him and the two rush
ed into each Others arms.
Then from the deck there rose cheer
that made the vessel shake from keel to
keelson and seemed to split her very
Sides The crew had seen Mrs Barton
when she came aboard from shore boat,
and were now expressing the wild JOY
that thrilled them all. Explanations
We're soon made by the happy wife.
The very moment she struck the
water, on that night when she fell over
board, she had walked, and, instinctively
throwing out her arms, she had clutched
the boat mast, which had fallen with her.
To this mast she chung.
Her skill as a swimmer assisted her in
keeping her position. She was carried
past the island By that time the storm
had subsidized and the moon shone.
Ahead of her approaching, she beheld
small schooner 1t passed so near to her
that, by shouting, she attracted the
attention of the crew. A boat was low
cred and she was picked up half sense
less. As soon as she could speak she
told her story But she could not make
herself understood by the crew, who were
natives Of some neighboring island and
did not understand a word of English.
They were evidently traders in cocoanut
oil, and were bound to some port not far
distant. At dawn she looked about her,
but owing probably to an intervening
headland, she could not see her husband S
ship.
The schooner kept on and in few
days arrived at Rennell's island. There
to Mrs. Barton's joy she found small
steamer bound for Java.
She took passage aboard of it and thus
arrived at this port forty-eight hours
before her husband.
A happy day for the captain. For
Jack Wilton, too, who again and again
embraced his noble sister,
From that hour Barton was never
known to give way to his hasty temper.