The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-05-13

For answer Mr.. Meyer elevated his
black eyebrows, assumed an attitude
OF listening. looked at his watch and
went TO the door, which as he opened
admitted the sound of carriage wheels.
in here" be called 10 his clerks. then
faced the captain.
What do | mean. Captain Bryce
he Numbered. Il mean that you have
concealed in your sworn statement all
reference 70 der fact that you collided
with and sunk the ship Royal Age on
der night before the wreck OF your own
ship
who says so? How do you know
it:' clustered the captain. You have
only that bulletin statement of the man
Rowland, an irresponsible drunkard."
The man was lifted aboard drunk at
New York. broke in the first officer.
land remained in condition Of delri-
um tremens up to the shipwreck. We
did not meet the Royal Age and are in
no way responsible for her loss"
Yes" added Captain Bryce, land
man in that condition is liable to see
anything We listened to his rawlings
on the night Of the wreck. He was on
lookout-on the bridge. Mr.. Austen
the boatsw'n. and myself were close to
him"
Before Mr.. Meyers oily smile had in
| dictated to the fiustered captain that he
had said too much the door opened and
admitted Rowland, pale and weak. with
empty left sleeve, leaning Oh the arm
| II Il .Ist
giant who carried little Myra on the
other shoulder and who said in the
| breezy tone OF the quarter deck:
We'll, I've brought him half dead.
But why couldn't you give me time to
dock my ship! A mate can't do every
| thing"
And this is Captain Barry Of der
| Peerless" said Mr.. Meyer. taking his
| hand. 1t is all right. my friend; you
| will not lose And this Is Mr.. Row.
! land. and this is der little child. Sit
down, my friend. | congratulate you
on your escape"
THANK YOU" said Rowland weakly
as he seated himself. They cut my
arm off at Christiansand. and | still
live. That is my escape"
Captain Bryce and Mr.. Austen. pale
and motionless, stared hard at this
| man, in whose emaciated face. refined
by suffering to the almost spiritual
softness of age, they hardly recognized
| the features of the troublesome sailor
Of the Titan. His clothing, though
clean. was ragged and patched.
Mr.. Sefridge had arisen and was
also staring. not at Rowland. but at the
child. who. seated in the lap Of the
| big Captain Barry, was looking around
with wondering eyes Her costume
was unique a dress Of bagging stuff
put together, as We're her canvas shoes
| and hat, with sail twine In sailmak-
er's stitches. three to the inch. covered
skirts and underclothing made from
old flannel shirts. 1t represented many
an hours work of the watch below,
| lovingly bestowed by the crew Of the
Peerless, for the crippled Rowland
could not sew Mr.. Selfridge approach
ed. scanned the pretty features closely
and asked:
what is her name?"
Her first name is Myra." answered
Rowland "She remembers that But
| have not learned her last name
though knew her mother years ago
before her marriage"
"Myra, Myra." repeated the old gen.
tleman. "do You know me? Don't you
know me-" He trembled visibly as he
stopped and kissed her. The little
forehead puckered and wrinkled as the
child struggled with memory; then II
cleared, and the whole face sweetened
to smile.
"Gwampa." she said
80 God. I thank thee" murmure6
Mr., Selfridge. taking her in his arms
Il have lost my son. but have found
his child-my granddaughter"
But. sir" asked Rowland eagerly
you this childs grandfather? Your
son is lost, you say. Was he on board
the Titan? And the mother-was she
saved or is she too He stopped I'M
able to continue.
"The mother is safe in New York
but the father. my son, has not yet
been heard from" said the old man
mOurnfuly.