The Mena weekly star., 1909-08-26

she s going to jump in tho river. Bend to the oars Pull for life.v Elha al. most shrieked her orders. while sbs strained every muscle to increase their speed.
 Clearly outlined by tho crimson glare could be seen slender girlish figure. with arms outstretehed, as if appealing for her help. Eba could not tell wheth CT the woman had seen thesa or not She longed to call to her to try to hold out until they could reach her, but knew she could not make herself heard above the din.
 Faster and faster, went the little boat covering the distance between it and the burning vessel. Fast spread the flames creeping closer to the terrified woman elinging to the side of the steamer. One long tongue, reached out toward her. Elba saw her give one glance behind her. then leap far out into the water. The rescuers leaned over to see her rise. when she was caught by strong hands and drawn into the boat
 Lstenl Welcome sound A long loud whistle. Again, and again, it is re. peated, to encourage the despairing crew. Like the phantom ship, large steamer came bearing down upon the unfortunate vessel.
 "We1l go back,' Elba said. "The coming steamer win save all who can be saved" She wrapped light shawl about the limp figure lying in the bot. tom of the boat, and raised the head to her lap, while she chafed the cold hands, Elba did not row on the return trip. but continued to chafe the hands of tbe strange woman, or rather girl, she seemed scarcely more than child, and speculate about her identity The face was thin. with creamy complexion. Long black lashes rested, like black fringe on the colorless cheek. Luxuriant black hair was matted on low broad brow. 'She must be a Creole,' Elba told herself, as she bent low over the face O., her lap. The delicate waxen fingers she still held between her own warm soft palms. Whose touch had rested last upon the tiny handsf Was it a moth er's tender clasp, accompanied by pray CT for her darlingf Was it the cling ing of tiny baby fngersf Or was it the touch of lover s lips, as low good oye was whisperedf Whose heart would bleed when the fate of the grand old Matches was knowng'
 Thanks to Aunt Debby's heroic treat nent, warmth soon came back to the cold form, and color to the cheeks, but the | 'ong lashes still swept the checks, the ,yes remained closed Elba was anxious % awaken the girl, but the old woman | protested.
 "Let Ter sleep. She n wake rectly. Ill right. She's breaven laik CT baby" Contrary to Aunt Debby's advice to ie down, Elba sat by the bed watching through the night, aud continued her mrmises in regard to the stranger.
 "Wno are her fir endsa Of course one o-young, and as her garments indicated, rich, has friends without number. But | I m all that and more. Young, rich, and the world, says, beautiful, and where are my friendss' Tho lonely wo- man smiled bitterly. as she | glancel arotnd at them. Aunt Debby dozing in an arm chair by l the window, her turbaned laad nodding an oc .asional welcome to the drowsy god. Brave, lying at her feet, dreaming, per. haps, of the little mountain home, and old time romps with Blossom. And last ly. Jocko, sitting in the corner with one eye closed, the other assisting in the | vigil.
 "These are my friends" she told her self. "yet might not be alone. Love and companionship might have been mine, had willed it so. My isolation is my OWE choice. v
 For the first time 1t occurred to her | that her choice was not wise one. Of what use was she in the worldi Not one l life was made better or brighter by her ] existence. Of all her vast wealth, for which she had sold herself, no one en- loved dollar, aside from her immediate l household. God would certainly hold her responsible for life so wasted, for such a misuse of the money in her keeping | She had called hers a life of penance tonight it appeared to her as one Of | wickedpess. She had failed in her du | ty to her husband, while living, now thai | he was dead nothing that she colld dC | would benefit him, in the least. But he had not been altogether unhappy, 7 she told herself. "My presence alon' gave him pleasure, cold and heartless al was my treatment of him. One smili from me made him happy for month. ' 1 Her conscience smote her when she re membered hsw few she had given him ssI gave him Blossom, she was neve ending source of pleasure. To the othe
 I gave nothyg, and left him alone an' hopeless. when I might have made hin so happy, asd wrongcd no one. l won | der if it is too late nowf' Her heart
 beats ouickened, the color mounted to he white face Would he come to me wer to summon him. or has he given to an