The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-11-24

after-cabin was either locked or had
become stuck; / did not wait to learn
which, but burst It open with swift
heavy kick. The light streamed in
upon a scene of chaos-oVertuned
furniture and broken glass. Celeste
lay In one corner screaming hysteric
ally; Lady Darlington was upon her
knees, holding herself partially erect
by clasping the brass rail of the bed
quick" ] cried, before either could
speak Gather up all the warm cloth
ing you can reach. We must get on
deck Here, let me help you!"
We We're scarcely a minute at the
task; and the four of us, laden with
apparel, slid and scrambled down the
slope Of cabin floor to the companion.
steps Here / caught Lady Darlington
more closely to me, helping her climb
the inverted stairs Her face was pale,
her eyes fearless.
What is it? What has happened?"
81 hardly know myself; only that
we have hit something and are badly
damaged"
It was like night on deck, the en-.
veloping fog so dense that a human
form was indistinguishable five feet
away. Fortunately but little wind
stirred, and the sea had gone down. ]
could distinguish De Nova's voice as
he sang out a sharp order. 1 followed
my hands, and hailed. A dim smudge
leaned over the rail above, and poered
down.
Was Zat you monsieur"
"Ay, with the women. What is It,
De Nova, a total smash?"
by gar, oui! Ze whole bow cave in;
re deck crush to re main-hatch; ze
after-bulkhead was re only sing wat
hold US up. Sacre, 1t not hold long"
[ grasped the entire situation in,
stantly, realizing the desperate need
of haste, of cool, intelligent command.
Send a man down here to help
Dade tote up provisions. Jump live.
ly, now; get biscuits and canned
goods, my lads, and whatever blankets
you can find. Hustle for your lives!
Now, De Nova, reach over, and help
the women up-easy; that's right"
l held tightly to my lady, clinging to
the rail, as I crept across. The black,
shapeless figures of several men,
whose faces 1 could not distinguish in
the gloom, were clambering about the
longboat.
Everything fitted?"
"Ay, ay, sir"
What have you got?"
oars, mast canvas, and fresh wa
ter"
l reached forward to assure myself
that the rudder had been properly
shipped and the plugs securely
driven in.
"All right; here come the provi.
sions. Dump them in anywhere. lads.
Yes, go back for another load, but
for Gods sake hurry! De Nova, help
me stow the women; gently, but
quickly now. Stand by, all of you
Here is the rest of the provender
Now tumble in, lads, and let fall. Ease
her off, ease her off, you fools!"
The black smudge dropped down
ward, and leaning far over the slant
ing rail could see it strike the water
and ride free. The sodden, wrecked
hull beneath me rose and fell with
heavy, sickening motion which brought
the heart up into my throat.
Are those all the living men left,
Mr.. De Nova?" 1 called down, for the
first time realizing how few they we're .
"Zey was all know"
Another voice spoke, gruff from eX
element.
The fellows for'ard had no chance
sir; all alive are here"
swung over the side, and shot
down the line into the boat.
Cast off, then. Oars, men! the
yacht is going under"
With a single sweep of the hastily
olied blades we were beyond sight OF
he plunging hull, yet we had not
aiken half a dozen strokes before We
we're tossed roughly by a sudden con
rulsion of the sea.
my God, she's gone!" shouted
1oice forward.
At / could distinguish within the
,o&t we're the two women next me al
he stern-Celeste, with her face buried
n her arms, and my lady staring into
he icy fog.
(To BE CONTINUED)
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