The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-11-30
much physical suffering among tn

Although there were several men,
bers Of the crew on BOARD. more hands
was II of the first to volunteer. \
new place was found for Miss New
som near the bow Of the boat. and
Behr took Il starbourd oar In about
the center of the boat.
For hour after hour he pulled. being
relieved from time to time by other
male passengers. Most of the passen-
kind. made but inept sailors. and
Behr VAS therefore made to ear the
brunt OF the work.
No one could help admiring the big
fellow as he put all the power he couu
summon into his strokes. Miss New
som begged him from time to time
to rest, fearing that he would over
strain himself. but he stuck to his
task Until his strength gave out, and
even taen they had to drag him from
the oar.
How the Hero Proposed.
Once or twice Miss Newsom herself
lent IL hand. and proved herself to be
Ia good oarswoman.
The main object OF the crew was
to keep the boat from pounding or
the huge blocks OF drift ice with which
they were surrounded.
After several hours of the most ar
iduous work in the bitter cold passen-
Gers and crew sighted the Carpathia
in the distance. and then for The first
time they were able to take a much
needed rest.
Making his way to the side Of Miss
Newsom. MIR. Behr sank down, thor
oughly exhausted. They were sitting
in the bow and got the full benefit Of
the heavy sea in which the boat la
bored. Both were thoroughly soaked
to the skin.
You don't mind. Helen. do you:"
Behr asked. as he threw his arms
around her shoulder. I'm afraid If
we ever get out of this you'll get your
death Of cold.
You are in greater danger than l..
Karl" replied the girl. softly, for
you have been exercising violently and
YOU are soaked through"
They huddled together in the bow
Of the boat to get what warmth they
could from contact.
Karl" whispered the girl. after u
long silence. I'VE have been as near to
death tonight as we shall ever be.
Even now it is not sure that the YES
sci will stop to pick us up. But. il
we are saved. mother and father and
what o have done for as"
But l have done nothing, Helen,
replied the big fellow.
But for o having thought Of US
and summoned us when the crash
came, Karl. We should all have been
left on the boat. 1t is too horrible to
think Of! We owe our lives to you!"
Karl said nothing for some time. but
IN the quiet which reigned in that
boat load of sorrow he had plenty of
time to think.
III we are saved. Helen. as I am
sure We shall be now" he declared,
slowly. a little later. will you let me
row by our side through life? To-
night we have faced death together.
BY some kind Providence we have been
saved where hundreds Of others have
that We should be saved for each
other. II we are saved. Helen, will
you marry me?"
The crunching of the ice against the
frail sides of the boat. the means Of
passengers overcome by thoughts Of
the vast. catastrophe they had been
through. n the shrieks Of drowning
could still be heard in the distance.
combined to make a confused roar in
the ears Of the anxious sutton as he
bent his head toward the girl to hear
her answer.
The Compact Sealed.
KARL" she said at length, II have
known you a long while. I have nown
la oASAA6 llldI yOu WcIc DIs anu 6IIOUk
and able, good and worthy. all that a
girl could ask in a husband. I didn't
know until this dreadful night that
you were also a hero! I would sail
by your side through eternity!"
The compact was sealed then and
there. When the boat was finally
picked up by the rescue ship the
Beckwiths, Miss Newcom, and Mr..
Behr were reunited.
The grief Of the survivors on that
homeward trip was SO intense. grow
ing deeper and deeper as the full ex-
tent OF the catastrophe became more
thoroughly appreciated. that neither
Mr.. Behr nor his fiancee felt equal to
happiness to the Beckwiths. and 1t
was not until the party reached New
York that the secret vas revealed.
Even then it was considered seemly
to keep the matter a strictly private
affair until the horrors of the disaster
had somewhat abated.
For the past few months, however,
the engagement has been known to
the intimate friends Of the family,
who regard the match as a particu-
|larly appropriate one.
A few weeks ago the engagement
was formally announced.
I'VE might have been married, any,
way" says Mr.. Behr.
known him a long while. Perhaps our
Joint experience on the Inflated IT,
tanic expedited matters. and vet we
might have been married, anyway
Who a tell?" Is the way Miss New
som puts It.