The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-03-16

He Released His Hold and Swayed
/ Outward.
man reached the turn and, instead of
facing me again, suddenly flung one
arm into the air, gave a half stifed cry
and then sprang to the rail-
Perhaps my experience in nursing
helped me to understand, for his ges-
ture and cry brought me to my feet,
and when an instant later he began
rather c1umstly to climb the rail I
found myself, without stopping to
| think, racing down the deck toward
him. Behind me heard the English
man call out and then his feet steps
overtaking me, but there was no time
to pause, and I raced on, nearer and
nearer to the unhappy man, who now
stood trembling on the summit of the
rail, cIinging to the stanchion.
Just as I reached him he released
his hold and swayed outward, but I
was in time to ding my arms round
his legs, and, though his weight al
most pulled me over the rail- I man
aged to retain my hold for an instant.
The next moment brought the English
man to my side, and he. clutching the
ged him back to safety.
He lay on the deck between US,
where the Englishman had dropped
him. A moment later he sat up and
begged us piteousIy not to tell of what
had happened We promised on cOndi-
ton that he would see the ships doc
tor Immediately This he consented to
do, and together we helped him, white
faoada and froTnhIin<y baIavv
I was rather shaken by this revela-
ton of misery, and after thanking the
Englishman for his presence of mind,
and being congratulated by him In
turn, went at once to my cabin.
Next morning Captain Frazer told
me the mans story. He was an Aus
trian nobleman who had had an unfor-
tunate love affair in the United States
and had determined to return to his
native land. Then the war had come,
and with it knowledge of the nisfor-
tunes of his own country and, more
particularly, Of his own family. Hard
" knowing what he did, the man had
taken the steamer, without realizing
until after the boat sailed that he must
inevita bly, be interned when he reach
ed England This last misfortune had
temporarily unbalanced his reason,
and the scene on the deck in which I
had assisted was the result. Captain
Frazer assured me that he was much |
calmer now, and that the doctor felt
certain he would not repeat his at
tempt Of the night before.
His story finished, he bowed cour-
teouslyl and left me. did not see
him again until we had landed at Liv-
erpool.
While we sat waiting for the exam /
far away, speak few words to his
man who looked as If he
might be prema turely old, but who to- |
day was so beaming with happiness
that ne seemed rejuvenated.
At something he said Captain Fra
ger laughed and replied, @Oh, you are |
generally right, Shipman," in a tone I
Of such friendliness that I felt he |
must be an old family servant. Then
Captain Frazer turned around sudden
ly, came over to me and said pleas
antly:
"Can do anything for you ?''
"No; thanks I answered warmly, /
for I was sincerely grateful for this
little friendIiness We felt rather
alone and lonely, mademoise1le and I.
He paused a second, and said:
"Goodby! Perhaps we shall meet
again. HAS world IS small IAlnK
1t must have been Adam who said
that" he added, with a subtle twin
kle lighting up his eyes.
I replied, smiling, Anyway, Cain 7
knew better
He laughed, lifted his hat and was
gone.
Ny eyes were still following him
when 1 heard a voice say: "Goodby, |
Milford! Goodby, miladyH' I turned
and saw the old valet, bareheaded,
bowling and smiling in reply to
friendly nod from a lady in waiting |
limousine. He seemed suddenly to re-
himself and as he did spoke
with a little chuckle to maid stand |
ing near:
"I said to my gentlepan last night |
as he was dressing, I look to see your |
mother at the dock tomorrow, sir.
Nonsense, Shipman,' he said. But |
saw all the same that he was hoping |
it himself. It's been four years since |
we went out to India. -Four years is |
d long while, especially in war times"
he added soberly.
Ito Be Continued.)