The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1909-06-25

II COdI anu q uo"h DSSAN -
The woman, as he did SO, drew down
the coverlet a few inches so thai he
might see the little pink face lying
against her bosom. He leaned over,
more to hide his own whitebess than
to caress, and stroke the baby's
cheek with a big forefinger. n
woman took his other hand and
pressed it happily. She spoke no
word, but when the man raised him.
self to look into her face he saw the
great dawn OF the new life shining
adoringly in her eyes. After a time
the woman said:
"Jim!"
"Yes, dear"
"Are you-very glad?"
The man pressed her face to him
with passionate tenderness. He did
not answer in words, but the woman
was satisfied. Then he gently drew
himself away, the young wife's eyes
following him inquiringly.
You're not going back-now?" she
asked. Il thought
"Yes-Flick is in charge" he said
quickly. But l must see-that every
things all right" Between his words
he hesitated, listening to a sound IN
der his feet that thrilled him 1t was
like the humping Of floating cargo
against the deck. The water was ris-
ing faster than he supposed, but he
showed no sign of the fear that was
In him.
"You will be back soon?"
Fright away, Jen!"
He came back to kiss her, the sick
ening throbbing at his heart almost
sutfocatins him as he looked down
into the woman's confident eyes.
,urs!upus with a touch of the OLD
fever. He was glad that she did not
know. 1t would make the end easier
for him-and for her, If the end had
to come. And he knew there was only
one chance in ten thousand against IT,
As he passed out of the cabin he saw
the life belts strung along the cell
ing. For an instant 1t flashed Into
his mind that he might use them. AS
quickly the thought passed from him
They would only prolong their misery
a little longer, and the oman
shuddered as he pictured what those
few minutes of life battling in the sea
would mean for her. The end woulo
come easier in the cabin. In he las
minute she would understand, ant
would love him for it. So he passed
out, closing the door carefully behind
him, and scanned the deck for Flick.
For a few moments he listened TO,
the sound under his feet. But III
heard and felt only the jarring o.
the ship which came of the seal
pounding against her. With his eyes
on Flick he went to the midship hatcf
and thrust an arm through the hole
that had been made for a pump. HI
did not expect to touch water. Thu
fact that he did brought him to hi
feet as though something had bitter
him. Flick had seen him, and stoot
huddled just out of the sheets OF spra!
that shot oyer the bow, watching a.
If the sight, Of the man rising from
his knees was curious and interesting
Connolly beckoned to him.
!, A great shudder ran through th.
schooner. II she had possessed
tight hold Connolly would hav'
thought that she had struck a rock
The leeward drift that had won thes'
last hours of existence for her agains
the rushes Of the sea seemed sudden
~ stopped, as il she had steadted her
self for the final engulfment. Conn0i.
turned and ran for the cabin. HI
heard Flick's cry behind him an,
caught a glimpse Of the little mar a
he staggered out Of the mess forward
But It wal too late to stop, even t
give q last word to Flick. Over hi
shoulder he saw the starboard raj
hidden In a mass Of seething water
and as he reached the door it swishe'
about him ankle deep and followed
him in a torrent into the cabin. Again
he heard that cry Of Flick's, but h
shut the door, as he had planned, ant
bolted 1t to give himself a few las
moments Of life with the woman.
When he turned to her with tn
tragedy that had overtaken then
written in his face. his outstretche'
arms dropped slowly to his side. Onl.
her name fell from his lips. TIL,
words that he had meant to say wer'
left unspoken. The woman wa
asleep. Her face was toward him, ant
In the dim lamp glow he saw deepen
~S~S@S@