The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-09-08
Salvage

]
! younG girl who sat near him; "Ill
light her up, storms a.brewin'."
Then I'll go with you, my daddy
cap'n. We can stand any wind that
1 blows, can't we?"
The girl had scarcely placed her
hand on the rail of the walk around
! the light when she turned to the keep
er, and in the teeth Of the stiff wind
managed to say: Look over there,
daddy; isn't that boat, and O row.
boat. too? Give me your glass, quick"
Steady. May; we don't want to be
keeled over too easy"
Yes. but a woman's aboard, and l
/ cant see another soul. must take
the Spray and go to her. Can't you
/ whistle for SAM"
| Sans away, and I must stand by
hero; if he'd only come"
We'll. he isn't here, and | am, so
not another word, daddy; Pm no
scarecrow, and you wouldn't own me,
dearie, if | were,"
The girl flew down stairs, and in
an incredibly short time Captain
Bearse watched the sailboat dance
over the waves, AS the Spray drew
nearer the fragile rOwboat, May shout
ed: Sit perfectly still and try not
to be frightened Cor I'll take care Of
YOU"
At that moment another skiff shot
from the distance. while the girl dex-
terously brought the Spray close to
the side OF the smaller craft.
I'm coming, May" a strong voice
called; hold her close to the wind"
The salt spray was in their faces-a
long whistle from Sam was more ex-
pressive than words.
oh" exclaimed May, II wanted to
do it all myself, Sam. Why didn't you
let me?" But it was no time for
back answers; just as the tiny fig
ure of an old lady was lifted into the
girls boat, the lightning flashed and
thunder roared. George. she's all
in," said Sam; you manage your
boat, May, and I'll tow the other"
There now" the mans voice
sounded strangely tender, as he wrap
ped his REFER about the frail shoul.
ders, you're safe; but what in time
did you venture out here for In such
craft?"
AS they rounded the Point. Captain
Bearse stood ready to lift their bur-
den into the living room of the light
house. Soon cup Of coffee was
made, which May gave to the woman
as gently as if feeding a sick child;
wrapper was brought, and, as the
OriIs hA IL,
exquisite lace fell to the floor.
"Why, why" gasped May, that is
exactly like some lace l have"
Like this? And where did you buy
it? But pardon, signorina, will you
tell me who this man is?" The wom-
ans eyes were fixed upon the keep
er.
DO you mean my-the keeper of
the light? My daddy-captain?
The little woman became half-dazed
again, and the keeper said, GO fetch
her taste of brandy; she's all used
up"
When May placed the liquor to her
lips the color came back into the
worn face. With great effort she
controlled herself and said, Il want
to tell you, sir, why | am so trem-
bling and nervous. That little word
about the lace--will you not show it
to me? | do love pretty laces!"
Yes, yes" the girl answered sooth-
ingly. and slipping into an adjoining
room, she soon returned with a tiny
garment, which she laid in the old
lady's hand.
See! do you not see? This is my
own pattern. My fingers made it. Yes.
| sewed it on myself! Oh, the dear
little bambino, But wait, please
don't say a word until | tell you my
story-if this strange feeling in my
head will only be quiet!
MY home used to be in Italy; my
daughter married sea captain, and
they had one child. A terrible fever
made the bambino motherless. | can't
talk about my Lucia's death. The
captain did not love my country and
one day he snatched the baby from
me. | was about crazy after that,
but | turned to lace making; earned
money and sailed for the States. |
taught lace making, but one morning
| found all my precious laces stolen.
My heart was broken again. The doc
tors told me l must never use my
eyes over those fine patterns again,
but | worked just one short strip like
my bambino's, and l always wear it
close to my heart. l was poor and
drifted into the country farm at Sea
View. My name, Marta Monaldi,' is
written in the book. This afternoon
the water looked so calm I took the
little boat. Now, will you tell me
who this girl is?"
The captain brought chest from
the secretary in the corner; took
from it a statement Of Captain Her.
mann Baker written two days before
his vessel was wrecked. His money
was left for his daughter, Marta Mon