The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1916-12-28

on his face. But, arm over arm. h
fought his way onward until at las
he found himself In the water. almos
level with the decks edge, while ovel
head the boats which could not b
launched, writhed in the twistin
flames.
On the other side Of the deck. alon
the edge, which lowered high abov
the waterllne. the boats, half-lowered
had been broken against the side. 1
group of passengers was clusters
there, making desperate efforts t
launch the last boat that remained
while the smoke drlfted and coile'
about them.
Dent looked quickly across the wa
ter after he had scrambled aboard
The oncoming boats seemed immeas
urably far away. There seemed n
possibility that they could arrive be
fore the sweeping fires engulfed tn
vessel. Men were already beginning Il
jump. Then Dent was aware Of
woman and child that stood helplessl,
at the extreme edge of the boat. Tn
woman was shielding the ohild's fac
from the flames and looking dow
wildly into the water.
AS Dent neared them a fat maj
came bursting through the crowd. HI
snatched a lifebelt from a slighter mai
and began hvrriedly to adjust it. Thu
other turned upon him. grasped thu
lifebelt again, and began putting 1t up
on the woman. The bully turned OF
him and knocked him s~enseless.
Dent grasped the belt out Of hi!
hand, and a wild fight began. The IA
man, coward though he was, tough
like the devil for that one chance o,
life. He smashed Dents face with hi.
fists, but Dent, who had tossed the life
belt to the woman, stood up to his an
tagonist until a sudden lurch Of thu
ship threw the fat nan from his feet
and sent him sliding across the deck.
He entered the fiery hell, Hi
screams rang out for an instant abov'
the cries Of the panic-stricken crowd
Then Dent turned to the woman.
"No" he said, seeing her fitting thu
belt about the baby. II will take care
of it. Save yourself! She is helpless
without you'll"
The woman tremblingly submitted
but 1t was not until Dent had fitted +
about her that he knew he was speak
ing to Lucille.
She recognized him too, with a cry
Dent looked at the unconscious man
beside her.
"Your husband" he asked grimly.
"No. He is dead. He died last
year. That man Is a stranger"
HE left you with moneys"
Lucille nodded. It was a strange
colloquy upon the deck Of the doomed
vessel, but neither seemed to think Of
that.
STEADY" said Dent, placing his arm
about her as she began to waver from
indecision. She had gathered the child
to her and poised herself for the
"Steady. There may be time
to escape by boat before the fire
reaches us. If not, jump, and I will
Jump with the child. It is miner
eyes. She is called Mary. She"
"She thinks your second husband
was her fatherT
Lucille nodded. "Listen" she said,
her hand on his sleeve, II may
as well tell you. That mar Is not a
stranger. He cares for me. I refused
don't know howl am not
rich, though I have a little to live IN.
For the child's sake"
Eyes, go on" said Dent, feeling i'm
neasurably removed from it all, and
watching her as If he were a spectator
1t a play.
y cant come back to you" she cried.
4 live among very decent people"
"Don't worry about me-" answered
Dent quietly. II only wanted to know
hat the baby would have opportunities
n life-that she would be cared for
I'm a jailbird. I am good for nothing.
have no intention Of entering your
life again,
Even then he realized her heartless-
less in that she never even glanced
It the man on the deck beside her.
And suddenly u new thought came to
Dent. He had wanted to die; now he
to live. The desire Of life
wept over him like a flood-like the
ire that was sweeping toward them.
them with Its hot breath. But
he boats were very near.
slump" he cried, and seized the
HID and leaped.
He heard the bubbling cry; but he
vas treading water now, and holding
is little girl In his. arms. A boat drew
ear. He reached up and placed her
,ithin. A few strokes carried the row.
r. to where Lucille fioated, gaspins.
pom the surface.
there's room for you" said the
oatsman, when Lucille had been taken
Dent smiled grimly and swan away.
[e trod the water until he vas as.
ured that the stunned man had been
aved. He saw the flotilla Of boats
bout the ship picking up the passen.
ers from the water. Then he struck
ut steadily toward the shore.