The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-04-14

sent her over the very brink Of hope
into the chasm through which flowed
the river OF sorrow. 1t was a headline
that stared up at her from a newspa-
per:
Steamer Richards Sinks in Storm;
All Aboard Lost"
1t happened in the South Seas, so
the story went. The British steamer
Thurston answered the Richards wire
less S. o. S. and arrived ~ the scene
Just in time to see the distressed YES
sci go beneath the waves. That part
of the ocean was searched as diligent-
ly as possible with the storm in prog
ress but not survivor could be
found.
Inza broke down completely and the
doctor warned that severe. illness
was ahead of her unless she experienc
ed radical change. Her father Offer
ed to finance voyage to Europe, but
she said she cared nothing for a Wis
1t On that continent.
make it Australia, and I'll co." she
said, and Mr.. Richardson consented to
this, promising that her mother should
accompany her. Inza demurred, ~
want to go alone" she contendsd and
her father. after q few moments OF
silent debate with himself. said he
would agree even to thai, If only it
would improve her health. However,
he succeeded in arranging with anoth.
cr passenger on the same ship to keen
INA under close watch without her
knowledge.
Fair weather was enjoyed until the
Hawaiian Islands were reached.
Shortly after traversing that part OF
the sea the steamer encountered Sc.
we're storm. which grew more violent
rs he Geys passed. The ship was
tossed on giant waves and even the
veteran ocean travellers were indls
rosed.
Finally warning was issued by the
officers fur every passenger to keep a
life pressiver on, awake or asleep. The
precaution was we'll founded, for that
very night the big ship was driven Oft
her course and in the darkness hurled
itself on rock. She chung to the OBJ
struction for two hours which gave
ample time for the life boats to be low
cred. The sea was running so hgh
however. that many of these we're
swamped before they could get any
distance from the wrecked vessel. FL
nally the steamer slipped from tho
rock. the sea poured into the hold
through the hole that had been made,
and one more craft Joined the armada
ot.sunken hulks on the bottom of the
South Pacific.
Just how she got, there INA never
knew, but she came out f. long time
Of Inconsistencies to find herself ly-
iEg high or beach, where she had
evidently cast by the waves. She was
bedraggicd and cold, her clothing ,1av-
lag been drenched by the brine. while
The life rreserver about her was an
oppressive weight. Nearby was life
boat. overturned, also high and dry on
the shore.
INA scanned the sea which was al
most CALM The sun was high in the
heavens and the sky was clear. Lock.
ing back toward some low hills, her
eyes caught a black speck which APP
peared to be moving. While she watch
ed it grew larger and finally developed
into the shape Of man.
But ouch man! His hair fell In a
tangled mass over his shoulders anil
his heard vas long and kinky whiia his
Clothing was in taatters.
!Gza scrambled to her feet in teigr:.
but the man called In clear vo,ee:
Don't run away, Pm harmless. Let
me Welcome you to Crusoe Island.
named it myself. How do you ike I: -
He came closer, and suddenly as he
looked at her his eyes took on pc
cu!iar glitter. Wonder and astcn;sh-
mont sbone from them. and he nut.
tered inccterently. She stood held
poferless by his gaze, until he was sl-
most upon her. Then:
"Inza!" he cried. TT can't-no, It
can't be-"
The voice sounded familiar. She
scrutinized his face and slowly i. took
on some aspects that made him seem
less like stranger.
A piercing blast shook the island.
and steamer rounded the shore a
snort distance out. But Just then INA
and Arthur were too. busily occupied
with each ether to notice that rescue
1 ,vaa NlOs az haoA -