The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-07-09

There was little trouble now in reaching the
ship and at last this was accomplished and
we saw Captain McTavish clasp the girl ~
his arms at the rail. Then, as we backed
to the hanging falls Finnegan, directing
two to remain and hook on, the rest to
climb, swarmed up the bow tackle hand
over hand, and reached the deck. ] and
! the others followed, and in short time we
had the boat up and secured. Though over
seeing the job paid little attention to il,
being keenly interested in what was happen
ing on deck. The captain, with one arm
around the girl, stood at the main rigging
holding himself steady with grip on the fall
of the maintopsail halyards, whose iron
block ard wire whip we're but SIX feet above
( his head. Finnegan was facing him. "I
don't follow you," the captain was saying.
"What are you talking about? ! know
nought o your wife"
"you lie" said Finnegan. "Where is the
wife you stole from me when at sea2 Dere is
the lcctle girl-ny leetle girl Where is der
muttera Speak, before ! kill you with mine
hands,
A cloud Of anguish passed over the cap
tain's face. He Strengthened up, looked
wildly around at bis crew, and said: Come
into the cabin if you want to talk in this man
.ner. We are before the men"
"And we are before God Almighty" am
swered Finnegan, advancing step. "Ws
speak it out right here. Where is mine wife
that you stole2"
"Who are you3 What is your real name 7"
asked the captain, hoarsely.
Father Of dat leetle girl. Who made her
blind? Where is her mutterl"
Captain McTavish reeled, hanging tightly
to the halyards,
You are Gurth Ericsson, he said. II am
compelled to believe you. The mother is
dead; she died ten years ago."
1t was the mate s turn to reel now, but he
recovered himself as quickly. II
"And why did she say in der letter from
London dat der leetle girl was dead3 Answer
me, or kill you now" f
To stop your possible pursuit" B
"And what made my lee,le girl blind2"
"a sickness that left blood clet on the
brain. She viii never see again"
"Neffer see again!"
Ericson-as he must be called now-stood
silent, his face growing darker and his eyes
more lurid with thoughts that found fit
accompaniment in the rumbling thunder and
ftful flashes around us. |
"Neffer see again." he snarled Then
with the whole expanse Of his upper teeth
showing under the upcurled lip, with fingers
extended like claws, be sprang at th captstj
But he did not reach him.
A report like that Of hundred-to gun
struck our ears, and in binding fash a
light we all went down. There was crack
ling crashing sound aloft, and even on mv
back | knew that the mainmast had beer
struck by lightning. AS / scrambled to my
feet, unhurt, the whole fabric above the lows
masthead went by the board and, as the top-
sail halyards slackened, Captain McTavish,
still supporting the girl, sank to the deck
looked for Ericsson; he wss picking himself
up with the fendish look gore from his face,
and sprang to the girl. But Ericsson vas
there second behind me.
She was unhurt, but frightened and her
eyes turned from my face to Ericson's tbeu
back We lifted her up. and her eyes wnu.
dered about, resting en- this object and thu:
"What is it3D she asked. "What hap,
pencd? | can see My blindness is gccs,
but oh, it hurts!" She covered her eyes
with her hands"
"You can seel" roared Ericsson joyo,slp.
"My leetle Hedwigl You can see! Leo. d.
me. Tell me who am, Hedwigp"
She uncovered her eyes, looked closeh at
his face, and doubtfully said, "Gurth /
think remember. Gurrh. "
"Your father, Hedwig," he said, sobsslw
"Your real father, from whom you v.;s
stolen"
| seemed to be third party. Turnng
away for moment examined the car.sin,
He was stone dead from the bolt that has. 70.
stored sight to the girl, and across his hady
lay the steel wire maintopsail halyards.
Three months later Captain Ericsson AID a
bright eyed young lady stepped aboard sttm
a visit to the consul.
Exonerated," he said, dyly, from s:le
charge Of murder, or manslaughter, because a
good seamanship in rigging jury mainn,ass
and getting the shin out OF storm &c. .-r
and to port Also, made permanent skip. Z.
by cable from the owners. But almost lost
my case" he locked quizzioally at the smils
ing girl--"o on account of this young person.
/ ought not have shown her to the consu;,
He said he didn't blame the mate, and Il Il