Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-08-31
Adrift
The Story of a
Castaway
By CLARISSA MACKIE

the two rivers that flow east and west
Of Manhattan Island and the great bay
south OF n yachts were being over
hauled, their engines oiled, their sails
repaired, their furniture uncovered.
Indeed, everything was being done to
prepare them for commission.
From the dock Of a yacht club I'm the
East river party was pulled In
TO trim auxiliary craft anchor
ed a short distance out In the river.
1t had already been prepared for a
trip. They were DIR. and Mrs.
Mortimer and their daughter, Evelyn.
a girl OF eighteen. Frederic Doerr.
engaged TO Evelyn, went out with the
others to the yacht, but after going
down the companionway. oetensibly to
inspect the cabin, but really to bid
each other a fond Roodby, the young
couple returned to the deck. and Doerr
was pulled ashore. There he fingered
while the anchor OF the yacht was got
up and began to steam down the river.
Then, with last wave. Which was re-
turned by his young fiancee. he turned
away.
Dr. Mortimer and his family we're
bent on cruise In southern waters.
IL was late In the season for land
trip 10 the south, but not on the ocean,
and IL was their intention TO visit
Cuba. the Panama canal and other OBJ
iects OF interest, remaining ashore
only a day or two at time.
They had reached point of the coast
n Florida and were steaming along at
I'm a fog when there came
rash. Those In their berths below
lrose. dressed hastily and went on
leck Down in the hold the water was
'oming through hole. DR.. Mortimer
Examined II and. believing that the
YACHT would surely sink. went on deck
igain and told his wife and daugh-
ter that they had better prepare for
such a result Mrs. Mortimer preferred
TO die aboard the yacht rather than
ommit herself TO the black waters, but
Evelyn. remembering her lover and
hat 1t was her duty to try TO live for
him, suffered her father to get together
articles for raft, and when he had
bound them together and dashed her to
Il he launched her upon the deep.
This was unfortunate. The water
lid not gain in the yacht as rapidly as
had been expected, and when dawn
came and the fog cleared away there
was steamer on the port bow not a
nile away. Assistance was immediate
" afforded. and the pumps were man
ned. Before the day ended the yacht
was in condition to pursue its journey
and arrived safely at a Cuban port
The sun shone down on the stretch
}. white beach O. the fringe cf palms
bending In the soft south wind.
Blake Worthing mt the wheel OF his
motorboat idled In these pleasant Flor
da waters. wondering II II was time to
'eturn TO his cottage on the beach and
for his mothers signal that
luncheon was veady.
Something strange came bobbing over
he waters toward him. In the distance
L looked like a gray island. Later Ii
into various articles OF ship
with human being dashed upon it.
AS soon as Blake made this discov-
cry he turned the motorboat about aud
net the approaching raft.
When he had made IL fast 10 his
,wn craft be gently touched the sea
soaked bundle OF humanity and dis
covered It TO be a girl-a girl so pale
md lifeless that he believed her TO be
lead
His mother met him at the little pier
and took the bundle from his arms
She was tall. majestic woman. strong
and vigorous and young.
Where did you find her. Baker
asked Mrs. Worthing
Blake told her I'm few words.
I'm going over 10 Barnacle after the
loctor-do the best you can for her,
mother" said Blake, as he changed his
vet clothing and hurried off up the
beach.
Mrs. Worthing put the castaway into
Ter little spare room under the cot
age roof, and with the help OF Mandy.
he maid. she endeavored 10 bring con-
'ciousness To the girl.
But I'm vain. IL was not until after
he physician had arrived anf worked
,ver her for another hour that at last
he girl opened a pair OF forgetmenot
Jlue eyes and smiled family at the
anxious face bent above her. Then
,he went to sleep.
She did not awake until morning.
md Mrs. Worthing discovered that
while she remembered many things
about the dreadful wreck of a vessel
pound for South America. she could
lot piece together her past life or
IDENTIFY herself completely.
my name" she said slowly, els
evelyn Ames-my father is Or. Ames
and we were taking a vacation-fa-
her-oh, my poor father Then she
)roke down and cried because she
'ould only guess her fathers fate. She
.ould not even remember where she
lad lived. and although Mrs. Worthing
Ind her son labored patiently 20 bright
IN the dulled memory their efforts
we're I'm vain.
"Please don't bother about me.
'snnot remember" she would cry
YEARLY.