Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-05-15

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to the manner Of 1t. Would he strike
on the lee quarter, or would he 90
overheard? And might he not catch
something? There was rigging below
him. The lee royal backstay stretched
farthest out from the mast, and II he
brushed 1t there was q possible chance.
| he was now face upward and with
the utmost difficulty moved his eyes
he could not yet. by any exercise Of
will or muscle. move his head-and
there. almost within reach, was dark
line, which he knew was the royal
backstay. Farther In toward the spars
was another, the topgallant backstay,
and within this two other ropes which
he knew for the topgallant rigging.
though he could see no ratlines, nor
could be distinguish the lay OF the
strands. The ropes appeared like solid
bars. This. with the fact that he was
still but few feet below the topgal-
liant yard, surprised him. until 1t came
to him that falling bodies travel over
sixteen feet In the first second Of de-
scent, which Is at rate too fast for
distinct vision, and that the apparent
slowness of his falling was but rela-
tive, because of the quickness Of his
mind, which could not wait on slug
gish optic nerve and more sluggish
retina.
Yet be wondered why he could not
reach out and grasp the backstay. 1t
seemed as though invisible fetters
bound every muscle and joint. though
not completely. An intense effort Of
will resulted In the slow extension OF
all the fingers of his right hand and
little Strengthening Of the arm toward
the backstay, but not until he had
fallen to the level Of the upper topsail
yard was this result reached. 1t did
no good; the backstay was now far
ther away. AS it led in straight line
from the royal masthead to the rail.
this meant that he would fall over
board, and the thought comforted him.
The conclusion would kill him. Of
course. but no self pity afflicted him
now. He merely considered that she.
who had relented, would be spared
the sight Of him crushed to pulp on
the deck.
AS he drifted slowly down past the
expanse of upper topsail be noticed
that his head was sinking and his body
turning so that he would ultimately
face forward. But still his arms and
legs held their extended position. like
those Of speared frog. and the
thought recalled to him an incident OF
bis infancy-a frog hunt with an older
playmate. his prowess, success, wet
feet and consequent illness. 1t had
been forgotten for years. but the chain
was started and led to other memories.
long dead. which rose before him. Bis
childhood passed In review, with Its
pleasures and griefs; his school days.
with their sports. conflicts, friends and
enemies; college, where he had ac-
quired the polish to make him petted
| Of all but one-and abhorrent to her,
Almost every person, man or woman
boy or girl, with whom he had con-
versed in bis whole life came back
and repeated the scene. and as he
passed the lower topsail yard, nearly
head downward, he was muttering
commonplaces to brown faced, gray
eyed girl. who listened and looked him
through and through and seemed to be
wondering why he existed.
And as he traversed the depth Of
the lower topsail, turning gradually on
his axis, he lived 1t over-next to bis
first voyage. the most narrowing pc
riod of his life-the short two months
during which he had striven mainly to
impress this simple natured sailor girl
with his good qualities, ending at last
with his frantic declaration Of love
that she did not want
"But it's not the least use. John"
she said to him. IL do not love you.
and l cannot. You are gentleman,
as they say. and as such I like you
well enough. but ! never can love you
nor any one like you. I've been among
men, real men. all my life and perhaps
have ideals that are strange to you.
John"-her eyes were wide open In
earnestness-"you are not man."
Writhing under her words, which
would have been brutal spoken by an
other, be cursed, not her nor himself,
but his luck and the fates that had
shaped his Life. And next she was
showing him the opened door, saying
that she could tolerate profanity In
man, but not In q gentleman, and that
under no circumstances was he to
claim her acquaintance again. Then
followed the snubbing In the street.
when, like q lately whipped dog. he
had placed himself In her way. hop
ing she would notice him. and the long
agony of humiliation and despair a.
bis heart and soul followed her over
the seas in her fathers ship until the
seed she had planted-the small sus-
picion that her words were true-de-
yeloped into q wholesome conviction
that she had measured him by higher
standard than any he had known and
found him wanting. So be would 60
to her scho, and learn what she knew.
With lightning-like rapidity his mind
rehearsed the details Of bis tuition
the four long voyages; the brutality o.
the officers until he had learned his
work; their consideration and rough
kindness when he had become useful
and valuable; the curious. incongruous
feeling Of self respect that none but
able seamen feel: the growth In him
of an aggressive physical courage; the
triumphant satisfaction with which he
finally knew himself az complete
man, clean In morals and mind. able
to look men In the face. And then
came the moment when, mastering at
the capstan with the new crew Of her
fathers ship. he had met her surprised
eyes with steady glance and received
no recognition.
And 30 he pleaded bis cause dumbly.
| By the life that he lived. Asking moth
ing BY word or look, he proved himself
under her eyes-frst on deck, nrst In
the rigging, the best man at weather
caring, the best at the wheel, quick.
obsdient, intelligent and respectful.