The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1916-08-31

I'D SVuAN " 0IAu LILY ANSAuCuN
meant his snfety. Why, he could pass
~ 4 passenger
The heat was almost intOlerable mp
on his face. But, arm over arm, lie
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 II 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 the side. A
group Of passengers was clustered
there, making desperate efforts to
launch the last boat that remained,
while the smoke drifted and colled
about them. n
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 were already beginning to
Jump. Then Dent was aware of a
woman and child that stood helplessly
at the extreme edge Of the boat. The
woman was shielding the child'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 1t ups
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 lpprch Of the
ship threw the fat man from his feet
and sent him sliding across the deck.
He entered the fiery hell. His
screams rang out for an instant above
the cries Of the panic-stricken crowd.
Then Dent turned to the m
mol" he said, seeing her fitting the
belt about the baby. Il will take care
Of 1t. Save yourself! She is helpless
without you'll"
The woman tremblingly submitted
but It was not until Dent had fitted II
about her that he knew he was speak.
ing to Lucille.
She recognized him too, with a cry.
Dent looked 1t the unconscious mar
beside her.
"Your husbands" he asked grizzly.
mo. He is dead. He died last
year. That man is a stranger"
HE left you with money!
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
spring. STEADY. There may be time
to escape by boat before the fire
reaches us. II not, jump. and / win
jump with the child. It Is mine?"
.Yes. She is called Mary. She"
"She thinks your second husband
w8s her father?"
Lucille nodded. Listen" she said,
laying her hand on his sleeve, Il may
as well tell you. That man Is not q
stranger. HI cares for me. ! refused
himI don't know howl am not
rich. though I have q little to live on.
For the child's sake
Eyes, 60 on" said Dent, feeling I'm
measurably removed from 1t all, and
watching her as,if he were 4 spectator
It 4 play.
II can't come back to you" she cried.
II live among very decent people
"Don't worry about me-" answered
Dent quietly. II only wanted to know
that the baby would have opportunities
In me-that she would be cared for. I
am q jailbird. / am good for nothing.
III have no, intention Of entering your
life again"
Even then he realized her. heartless-
mess Ia that she never eve glanced
ct the man on the deck beside her.
And suddenly q new thought came 10
lDeAt. He had wanted to die; now he
wanted to live. The desire of life
swept over him like 4 hood-Ake the
Are that was sweeping toward them.
tanning them with its hot breath. But
the beats were very near.
aJumpi" he cried, and seized the
child and leaped.
He heard the bubbling cry but he
was treading water now, and holding
his little girl Ia his arms. = boat drew
near. He reached mp and placed her
Within. a few strokes carried the row
ers 10 where Lucille Aoated, gasping,
upon the surface.
sTheress . Tor you,'' said TIE
boatsman; when Lucille had been taken
aboard.
Dent smiled grimly and SWAN away.
HI trod the water until he ! 4 =
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