The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1916-11-22
Boats were pushing out from both

meant his safety. Why, he could pass
as a passenger!
The heat was almost intolerable up
on his face. But, arm owe arm, he
fought his way onward until at last
he found himself in the water, almost
level with the decks edge, while over
head the boats which could not be
launched, writhed in the twisting
flames.
On the other side of the deck, along
the edge, which lowered high above
the Waterline, the boats, half-lowered.
had been broken against dhe side. A
group of passengers was clustered
there, making desperate efforts to
launch the last boat that remained,
while the smoke drifted and coiled
about them.
Dent looked quickly across the wa.
ter after he had scrambled aboard.
The oncoming boats seemed immeas-
urably far away. There seemed no
possibility that they could arrive be-
fore the sweeping fires engulfed the
vessel. Men We're already beginning to
jump. Then Dent was aware Of q
woman and child that stood helplessly
at the extreme edge of the boat. The
woman was shielding the ehild's face
from the flames and looking down
wildly into the water.
As Dent neared them a fat man
came bursting through the crowd. He
snatched a lifebelt from a slighter man
and began hurriedly to adjust it. The
other turned upon him, grasped the
lifebelt again, and began putting it up
on the woman The bully turned on
him and knocked him senseless.
Dent grasped the belt out of his
hand, and a wild fight began. The fat
man, coward though he was, fought
like the devil for that n chance Of
life. He smashed Dents face with his
fists, but Dent, who had tossed the life
belt to the woman, stood up to his an
tagonist until a sudden lurch of the
ship threw the fat man from his feet
and sent him sliding acros the deck.
TIe entered the fiery hell. His
screams rang out for an instant above
the cries Of the panic-stricken crowd.
Then Dent turned to the oma
*'No" he said, seeing her fitting the
belt about the baby. II will take care
of it. Save yourself! She is helpless
without you'll!
The woman tremblingly submitted,
but it was not until Dent had fitted T.
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 husbandT he asked grimly.
"No. He is dead. He died last
year. That man is a stranger"
"He left you with money"
Lucille nodded. 1t 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 waiver from
indecision. She had gathered the child
to her and poised, herself for the
spring. STEADY. There may be time
to escape by boat before the fire
reaches us. If not, jump, and I will
jump with the child. 1t is mine?"
"Yes. She is called Mary. She"
"she thinks your second husband
was her fatherw
Lucille nodded. "Listen!" she said,
laying her hand on his sleeve, II may
as well tell you. That man is not a
stranger. He cares for me. I refused
lim-I don't know howl am not
rich, though I have a little to live on.
For the chlld's sake"
eyes, go on" said Dent, feeling i'm
m%easurably removed from it all, and
watching her as if he were a spectator
at a play.
II can't come back to you," she cried.
II live among very decent people"
"Don't worry about me-" answered
Dent quietly. 81 only wanted to know
that the baby would have opportunities
in life-that she would be cared for. l
am a jailbird. I am good for nothing.
I have no intention of entering your
life again."
Even then he realized her heartless-
ness in that she never even glanced
at the man OF the deck beside her.
And suddenly Il new thought came to
Dent. He had wanted to die; now he
wanted to live. The desire Of life
swept over him like a f1ood-like the
fire that was sweeping toward them,
them with its hot breath. But
the boats were very near.
"Jump!" he cried, and seized the
child and leaped.
He heard the bubbling cry; but he
was treading water now, and holding
his little girl in his arms. A boat drew
near. He reached up and placed her
A few strokes carried the row.
ers to where Lucille foated, gasping,
upon the surface.
"There's room for YOU" said the
Doatsman, when Lucille had been taken
aboard.
Dent smiled grimly and swan away.
lie trod the water until he was as.
sured that the stunned man had been
saved. He saw the flotilla Of boats
about the ship picking up the passen- /!
gers from the water. Then he struck
)ut steadily toward the shore.
Life was before him--a new life,
somewhere. He knew now all that he
lad ever wanted to know. Some day
he would redeem hlmself-and some
lay, when she was grown, Mary should
lnOw him.