The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1909-06-05

he didn't wait for the answer to his
query, but turned quickly and beat
an inglorious retreat.
The Alcestris having lost mum
Der of precious hours, was doing hel
best to make amends. The captain,
with an eye out for the woman who
talked, was watching the ships pro-
gress with glowing satisfaction.
1t was midafternoon of Sunday.
There was heavy sea running and
the Alcestris was steadily butting her
way through it with fine display Of
snowy spindrift rising from her sturdy
bows.
There were few passengers on deck,
the sea was too rough for comfort,
but among the half dozen who ven
tured out was the woman who talked.
The captain, at the rail, caught
sight of her.
"That gabbling nuisance can't even
take time to be decently seasick," he
grumbled, and turned again to watch
the hazy sea.
With much care the woman who
talked made her way along the un-
steady deck. Several times she stop
ped and stared up at the foggy sky.
Then she resolutely resumed her way.
And with every careful step she
approached nearer the captain.
Some hidden influence seemed to
tell him of her presence.
He turned and saw her coming.
She smiled.
about where are we now, cap
tain ?"
He fairly groaned and his frown
was dark indeed.
And then he saw a swift change
come over the woman's face. Her
smile faded, look of wild terror di-
lated her gray eyes. She was not
looking at him, but at some fearful
object behind him. Her lips moved.
She was trying to cry out.
Before the captain could turn, a
wild shrek rang out and something
struck the ship crashing, stagger-
ing blow. The captain was hurled to
the deck and remembered no more.
The woman who talked had gone
down, too, but she was better pre-
pared. She had seen the peril ap-
preaching and had crouched to meet
it. AS she fell she clicched at coil
of rope and clutched at the captain,
too. She got her hand In his collar
and hung on for dear life-one hand
clinging to the rope the other holding
fast to the unconscious mans collar.
A deluge of water poured over
them, but she did not release her
grip.
The Alcestris, staggered by the
blow, heeled far over. The decks
were swept by the mighty wave, the
water poured below through every
opening, the engines stopped, the
steamer swung from her course.
There were wild cries of dismay.
For moment 1t seemed as if the ship
could not rally. Then she slowly
righted.
The woman who talked pulled her
self to her feet. She was sorry fig
-gasping, dripping, half drowned.
A dozen men of the crew ran by
her.
"She's going down l'' shrieked
one.
The woman staggered forward.
The men were at one of the boats.
They were in frantic haste.
"Stop that p screamed the woman.
"Don't be towards The danger is
over. Get back to your duty |"
She pushed among them, shaming,
entreating.
They stared at her, sullen and
wondering.
"Help those who are hurt p she
cried. ''Save the ship | Be men
Pick up your captain there !"
The crisis was passed. The men,
shamefaced, drew back.
And then the first mate ran for
ward, and the woman, cold and shiv.
ering, sank down against the rail-.
1t was late in the evening when the
captain regained consciousness. A
familiar murmur awakened him. He
seemed in confused way to recog-
nize the voice. He slowly opened
his eyes. He was in his cabin-in
his berth.
His head throbbed, he was full OF
soreness. He tried to raise his right
arm. 1t dropped back from weak.
ness. He groaned.
A man stepped to his bedside. II
was Carlton, the second mate.
"Well, cap'n," he cheerfully said
He bent a little lower. Anything
you want?"
The captain stared at him. He
noted that his arm was in sling.
"What hit US, Carlton p
1--WE shipped big sea, sir. Regu.
lar tidal wave. Hit us on tn PORT
bow"
"And the ship?"
"Pretty near Topped over, sir
Shifted the coal an broke down {
bulkhead, an smashed up some rail
ing. Hurt dozen or so, but nobody
went overheard.
"The captain groaned again.
whats wrong with your armF
elbow dislocated, SIR"
The captain groaned again.
Cant get up? Where's th'
doctor 7"
Hes worse, sir
"Worse? Who's looking after th'
wounded 7"
Zone of tn passengers, sir. No
body's neglected"
The captain drew sobbing breath
"What's all that racket ~
"It's the carpenter, sir. He''
patching up things. An we're keep
in one of the pumps workin'. Sh'
took in an awful lot of water, sir
But we'll have everything prett!
much shipshape by morning."
The captain souirmed and a thouS