The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1910-06-16

] turned my eyes away before ron.
turing to reply. yet I dared not utter
an untruth.
Two; the being picked up by some
passing vessel. OF the attaining Of In.
habltable land"
Are there any vessels in this sea
at this s~easong"
1T is hardly probable there are. IN
less It should be some whaler blown
from her course around the Horn"
Then our only practical hope lies
in reaching land by our own enorts?"
She leaned forward, her hand touching
mine as II Erasped the tlIler. her earn.
est eyes compelling me 10 look at her.
Eyes"
"How-how far away is this land?"
I hesitated, actually afraid myself
to speak the answer. but her hand.
clasp merely frightened,
Please tell me. IL wish to know
the very worst Such knowledge Will
be easier to bear than this awful
doubt
But / hardly know myself" / con.
fessed desperately. Il have had no
observation for several days. and can
only guess the rate OF progress OF the
Sea Queen. or our drift during the
storm I will be perfectly honest with
you. though. and give you my best
| Judgment. i believe we must be be
tween four and five hundred miles to
the east and north OF Dougherty Is
land. and not yet beyond the limit OF
drift ice. There would be no use In
our attempting 70 turn back for that
point Of land. as Il is nothing but a
rock. and we could Eve find Il by the
mere guidance Of a compass. our only
chance is to bear away 10 the north
east toward land and the track Of
ships
How far' What land?"
The western coast OF South Amer
lea; at least 1900 miles.
1 felt her shuddcr. and scarcely re-
allzlug that ! did 30. pr the signih-
canoe OF the action. impclled by m
impulse beyond al control. I drew her
hand within both my own as though
In pledge Of protection,
1T can be done. / insisted. such
boat voyages have been accom-
plished"
She made no effort 10 draw away,
her eyes sun upon mine,
Not through such a sea as this
not az this season OF the year"
/ could o answer. my lips dry. my
throat parched.
"You know the utter hopelcssucss
OF H." she wen on. stimulated boy my
silence. "You know We can never
survive the cold. the closing In Of the
ice. tho certainty OF storm You are
a sailor. and a brave mau-trust ms
with the whole truth"
1t would be almost a miracle" ! fl
tered. the words fairly forced from
my lips by her insistonce. This IL
the beginning Of winter In the storm
/. lest ocean on the globe. God ooulC
do Il. but not man
Her head sank. the white chool
touching my sleeve. but this fearlesi
gray eyes were srll open, gazinJ
straight INTO mine.
Then n Is the certainty Of death.
she said soberly. Death together
Ny heart leaped as though q, ha'
/ received an electric shock.
Together you mean"
, THAT J should rather be- here, iscin.
: death with you, than anywhere els
alone" she exclaimed swiftly. "Ol
/ can say Il frankly now say Il hor
before you and God; say IL IN al
= purity and honor. Perhaps TO nigh.
2 perhaps tomorrow somewhere ami
this awful waste Of waters We win q
together into eternity What are IN
dictates OF men to ua now VIVA
meaning ls there any longer TO ~
hldeous requirements OF tho world
. We are beyond them an Here. nov
We can be ourselves. ourselves. r,
night we are free tonight ] can hea
q You speak what | have already road /
/ your eyes. and am not afraid 10 hea
IT,"
. "You-you love me?"
with all my heart and SOUL
/, With everything else blotted GU
a with all else forgotten. ! sat speecl
= less. gazing down through tho mist {
tears into her eyes.
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