The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-07-27

I continued TO gaze at her my heart
throbbed with a love which became
sacrifice.
Doris" | managed TO whisper at
last, whatever you believe to be
right l will think right also Only let
me be alone for a little while-just a
little while. until l can fight this out
and conquer"
She lifted her head, her hand on my
hair, her gray eyes looking frankly
into mine.
II thank you, Jack" she smiled
tremblingly. The next moment l was
alone.
While l was sitting up and partially
dressed that evening, Marsden. the
chief mate. came in and told me brief
ly the story of our rescue.
We We're considerably to the west
OF our course" he said, gravely, be
cause We had met headwinds and a
heavy sea all the way down the coast.
1t was just at daybreak when We
sighted your boat in longitude IS de-
greeS west and latitude 50 degrees,
Il minutes south. I've been knocking
about at sea for 90 years, Mr.. Ste
phens, but l never saw a mere pitiful
sight than that longboat presented
when We got up alongside. The jib
held, but the mainsail was in tatters.
and for a minute or two | didn't think
there was a living soul aboard. There
was man forward dashed down with
ropes, dead; man and a woman were
wrapped up i'm blankets amidships.
leaning against each other. their eyes
closed. Close up to the stern another
woman was lying with her arms about
your neck and hiding your face"
Doris. with her arms about me-"
l thought How we'll | knew the desper-
alton that could lead her to the en-
brace she had ever refused me. Mars
den went on:
A big fellow held TO the tiller as
if he was frOze there. but he'd dropped
down until his head hung dangling as
the boat rocked. There wasn't one of
them took any notice of us until We
We're fairly alongside. Then this big
sailor lifted his head and stared dull
eyed like he thought he saw a vision
and when l spoke to him the woman
that had her arms about you stag
sered 10 her knees and began TO cry.
Good Lord. sir. but il made my heart
ache, and never saw so much misery
in any human face before. Well, We
g,gf al ~ \
hoisted the whole outfit over the rail,
and. barring the dead man. l reckon
you're all good for a spell of life yet"
They told you our story
"IeS-moSt of il, anyway; and |
understand all right what it was did
You up so. II wasn't hunger or cold.
nut just The loneliness an strain"
| looked away from him, out
through the open port at the gray
vista of sea.
That was it. Mr. Marsden." | said.
my voice shaking 10 the memory of il.
1T was the he'll of the great ocean
ii broke our hearts"
AS the FL Cid sped on her way up
the Patagonian coast my strength
came rapidly back. and l soon found
my way on deck. where, wrapped
against the chill of the wind, passed
much time talking with Doris, seeing
De Nova and Kelly now and then.
Celeste was often with US, her eyes
rocuish as ever. but her face thin and
white Once. when We CHANGED to be
left alone together, l undertook to
question the girl.
What is the matter between you
and De Nova, Celeste? Have you two
fallen OUT"
She tossed her head. flashing her
eyes at me.
Il not know We ever fall in" she
said, pouting prettily. He YER Lice
for sailor. but Wy do l want a sail
or? l want Re sea no more ever"
Yes, but De Nova can quit the sea-"
Non. nom" she cried. shaking her
head roguishly. Il have a very good