The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1915-04-14

ing, / found no Maud.
| discovered her in the steer
age, by Wolf Larsen's bunk. /
looked at him, the man who had
been hurled down from the top
most pitch of life to be buried
alive and be worse than dead.
There seemed a relaxation of his
expressionless face which was
new. Maud looked at me and
understood.
His life flickered out in the
Storm | said.
But he still lives" she answer
ed, infinite faith in her voice.
He had too great strength"
Yes she said, but now 1t no
longer shackles him. He is free
spirit"
''He is a free spirit surely"
answered; and, taking her hand,
! led her on deck.
The storm broke that night,
which is to say that it diminished
as slowly as it had risen. After
breakfast next morning, when
had hoisted Wolf Larsen's body
on deck ready for burial, it was
still blowing heavily and a large
sea was running. The deck was
continually awash with the sea
which came inboard over the rail
and through the scuppers The
wind smote the schooner with a
sudden gust, and she heeled over
till her lee rail was buried, the
roar in her rigging rising in pitch
to shrek. We stood in. the wa
ter to our knees as ! barred my
head. N
IL remember only one part Of
the service" l said, land that is,
And the body shall be cast into
the sea. sa3
Maud looked at me, surprised
and shocked; but the spirit of
something ! had seen before was
strong upon me, impelling me to
give service to Wolf Larsen as
Wolf Larsen had once given SER
vice to another man. | lifted the
end of the hatch cover, and the
canvas-shrouded body slipped feet
first into the sea. The weight of
iron dragged it down. It was
gone.
"Good-by, Lucifer, proud spir-
it," Maud whispered, 30 low that
it was drowned by the shouting
of the wind; but l saw the move
ment of her lips and knew.
AS we chung to the lee rail and
worked our way aft, / happened
to glance to leeward. The Ghost,
at the moment, was uptossed on a
sea, and | caught clear view of
a small steamship two or three
miles away, rolling and pitching,
head on to the sea, as 1t steamed
toward us. 1t was painted black,
and from the talk of the hunters
of their poaching exploits recog-
nized it as United States reve-
nue. cutter. l pointed it out to
Maud and hurriedly led her aft
to the safety of the poop.
l started to rush below to the
flag-locker, then remembered
that in rigging the Ghost | had
forgotten to make provision for
a flag-halyard.
1--WE need no distress signal"
Maud said. They have only to
see u.s."
1--WE are saved" said, soberly
and solemnly. And then. in an
exuberance of Joy, 81 hardly know
whether to be glad or not"
! looked at her. Our eyes were
not l0ath to meet. We leaned to-
ward each other, and before I
knew 1t my arms we're about her.
Need II" / asked.
And she answered, There is
no need, though the telling of ii
would be sweet, so sweet"
Her lips met the press of mine,
and, by what strange trick of the
Imagination know not, the scene
in the cabin of the Ghost flashed
upon me, when she had pressed
her fingers lightly on my lips and
said, Hush. hush"
my woman, my one small
woman" ! said, my free hand
petting her shoulder In the way
all lovers know though never
learn in school.
my man." she said, looking at
me for an instant with tremulous
lids which fluttered down and
yelled her eyes as she snuggled
her head against my breast with a
happy little sigh.
looked toward the cutter. 1t
was very close. A boat was be-.
ing lowered.
"One kiss. dear love-" l whis-
pered. One kiss more before
they come"
And rescue us from our
selves" she completed, with O
most adorable smile. whimsical as