The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-06-04
ICEBERG
AHEAD
By ROGER M. BLAKEMON

CHdiT well WTdppeu III rugs anu utI
face shielded by veil which also serv-
ed the purpose of keeping on her hat
She was reading some letters she had
received at the ships postofhce and
seemed very intent on them. Jim
passed her several times and on one of
these passages saw letter slip from
her fingers and go sailing before the
wind along the deck. Jim gave chase,
captured the letter and returned it to
the lady.
THANK you very much,' she said so
graciously that Jim was emboldened to
say something in return. Another and
more important reason for his address
ing her was something familiar to him
in the lady's voice.
ITS not pleasant steaming in the
teeth Of the wind" he remarked.
"It is not. I looked for some corner
where 1 wouldn't get it, but couldn't
find one"
IF you will permit me to take your
chair over there behind the officers
quarters 1 think you will be more COM
Portable"
"You are very kind. I shall be much
obliged"
Jim logged the chair and the robes to
the position named, the lady reseated
herself, and Jim spread her rugs over
her. There was a chair standing near,
and the lady turned her face toward
It, This Jim regarded as a hint, went
for the chair and was soon seated be-
side his new found friend.
Have you been abroad long, Mr..
BaxterT asked the lady.
& Jim started. "You know me?" he
asked.
Certainly. I have seen you often.
You were once devoted TO very init
mate friend Of mine"
Jennie Archibald|
Yes. l am sorry to say that from
what she told me you must have treat
ed her very badly"
II treat her badly? supposed that
] was the one who was badly treated"
"Of course l haven't heard your side
of the story"
"Nor will you Men have not the
privilege Of telling their side of such |
stories"
Consider yourself so privileged"
1.-THE permission is not available"
"Why sop
Because a woman in such a case |
will invariably decide in favor of the |
woman. 1t would be useless for me to
give my version of the story Besides,
even with your permission, would not
dispute the word Of Miss Archibald"
That's very nice of you. Is there
no other reason why you would not
defend yourselfT
None except that feel the same
toward her as felt before our break"
There was no reply to this for
awhile; then Baxter added, "Now that
we have finished the subject perhaps
you will make yourself known to me-"
ut Is not finished. / have a wo-
mans curiosity TO know how you felt
toward my friend before the rupture.
Surely had you loved her you would
not have deserted her for that Ellis
girl"
'T did no.such thing" ii
you did," holly.
IT beg your pardon. It was Jennie
off one evening at the as
sembly rooms with an old admirer-
misunderstanding me in the lurch."
You should be ashamed to defend
your action by such statement. You
knew
Pardon me-" Baxter interrupted. IT
io'not care to discuss my private af-
fairs with a stranger" And, rising in
4 huff, he walked away.
The next day the ship steamed in
Fog. The unknown lady sat In the
same position, yelled, as before, and
Baxter walked by her with his nose In :
he air. Suddenly voice came from j
he man in the crows nest: s
Iceberg ahead. Port your helmw
There were many people on deck, and |
they heard the warning with terror. I
the fog suddenly doomed
mountain Of ice. Then was heard a
grating sound, and the ship swerved to
'tarboard. The unknown sprang to
her feet, tore OF her veil and cried out
70 Baxter:
"Oh, Jimr'
"Great heavens! Jennier'
There was a wild scene on the deck
hat the officers vainly sought to quiet.
rhe officer on the bridge through
cried out that no serious e
lamage was done, that the captain had S
rome below to investigate and all were
Idvised to wait without any action till :
lie reported. He was below some ten
when he sent up word that
,ut little water was coming In and that Z
he pumps were abundantly able to a
landle It. Within half an hour all had O
Iuieted down, and it was known that v
he damage was trivial.
Meanwhile Jim Baxter and Jennie
Archibald stood wrapt in each others
rms.
This is the first case on record" :
aid Jim, where two lovers were re-
Inited by an iceberg"
II supposed when we parted after
our barbarous treatment of me that
/ would require the warmth Of June
morning to reunite u.s." "
How about that friend of yours that
treated SO badly? suppose should
make 1t up with her"
ANY penance you may think proper =