The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-08-13
SAVED BY A CONVICT.

While Mark Mold. convict, still
waited on deck for the officers to stow
him in the dark hold with his fellows
q boat from the Liverpool dock came
alongside with several passengers,
among them a handsome lady of thir-
ty. Mrs. Rowland, wife of Colonel
Howland, quartered with his regiment
near Port Jackson, Australia. where
she was going to join him, and her
little daughter Grace, beautiful child
of six years.
AS Mrs. Rowland was assisted up
the gangplank she noticed Mark Mold
and shuddered.
You need not be afraid, ma'am."
said the captain. "The criminals will
be kept in the hold chained. They can
do you no harm"
Can you not send them away from
here? l wish you would"
II regret that cannot, as l have
agreed to take them"
AS day after day passed the bright
little cherub Grace spread light and
Joy throughout the vessel.
Soon she noticed on deck the con-
vict, Mark Mold. who, having been
taken Ill in the confined air below, had
been relieved Of his chains and led up
to breathe the fresh air. A pleased
look crossed his haggard face as he In
haled the pure breeze and looked out
on the broad, blue, rolling ocean.
won't you have some? Here, take
it. You may have it ALL" fell child
ish voice on his ear, and, looking down,
lie saw Grace at his knee holding up
her cake.
He seemed about to put his hand on
her head when Mrs. Howland gently
but quickly drew the child away.
The man showed no emotion at this
action of the lady.
"You must never go near that bad
man again." said Mrs. Rowland.
Just as she spoke a heavy squall
struck the ship, hurling her down and
almost on her beam ends and driving
her through the water with everything
humming.
Suddenly there was q wild shrek
from Mrs. Rowland as little Grace,
cabin. was literally blown to ieeward
into the sea.
MY child! o God. save my child"
screamed the distracted mother, whose
voice, however, was nearly drowned
by the booming thunder of wind and
ocean, the rattling of canvas, the slat-
ting of sheets and ropes and the swash-
ing, kissing noise of the sweeping
spray.
The sailors looked with appalled,
faces on the form of Grace as she was
borne along by the merciless waves.
Not one of them dared to venture over
board in that tempest, and, as to low
ering boat 1t was simply impossible,
as no boat could live in such u storm.
Save her. Will no one save my
child?" screamed Mrs. Howland, con-
fronting the seamen with clasped
hands and frenzied beseeching eyes.
They looked at each other, and not
one moved. for all felt that certain
death awaited the man who should
plunge into that wrathful ocean, but
Mark Mold plunged overheard, and
the mother clung to backstay, eager
ly watching for his temperance; but,
seeing nothing of him, she bowed her
head on the rail- moaning and raving
like maniac.
Still ragged the storm and on tore the
ship farther and farther from the
place where the man and child had
gone overheard. The seamen exchang
ed ominous glances and shook their
heads.
Soon the squall swept far away to
leeward. the ship righted and the sun
cleaned from a clear sky upon a
clearing sea.
From the captain, who, having now
brought his ship to, with main top
sail aback, had run aloft, a wild cry
went ringing to the heavens, sending
an electric thrill Of joy to the hearts
of all on deck.
81 see something two miles Off the
lee quarter. God grant it be the man
and childv
His boat was soon down with good
oarsmen in 1t, with Mrs. Rowland, full
Of wild, anxious hope, in the stern
sheets. Nearer to that distant speck
drew the boat
There he is?' cried the watchful
captain at last. II think-I believe
but am not certain - he yes, yes,
thank God-hooray. hooray-he has the
childv"
Yes, there was the convict in the
water, holding up the child that the
mother might see It.
Such a scream OF Joy as burst from
that mothers lips it would have done
you good to hear.
A few minutes later Grace nestled
on her bosom, weak and faint, bui
showing signs Of rapid recovery, as
the happy woman strained her to hel
breast. showering kiss after kiss upon
her face.
Almost exhausted to unconscious
ness, Mark Mold lay IN the bottom OF
the boat, scarcely hearing the mother
hardly feeling the pressure Of her lips
upon his hands, when at length she