Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-06-13


are so steady and sure-tell me how
to be. want to make good this
time"
They talked a long time that after
noon Of many things. She told him OF
her life In Vermont. Of how long she
had wanted to 60 to China. of how
happy she had been to be sent.
suppose we get shipwrecked and
go down before we reach China; what
them"
She was silent a moment, but pres
emily she smiled
ITS all light-all light and JOY on
the other side, and one-one would be
there in mOment!"
For you-yeS," he murmured, but
I've been a drifter-Im afraid for me
1t would be going out in the dark"
For long time after he left her
Jean sat thinking. He was so gentle.
so lovable, SO good to look upon. and
he only thought Of her as somebody
to pass friendly words with. That was
three days. ago, and In those three
days Lansing Webster had become the
day, the sun, the blue Of the sky, to
Jean. She had gone to sleep each
night with wet cheeks. because they
were one day nearer land. Once they
reached harbor she knew she should
never see him again. And now the
Aurelia would never reach harbori
Presently Jean saw him, his head
bare, carrying some bits Of children
to the boats. Behind him came Bow
man with little Billy. and the nurse
followed. carrying the baby girl. clad
only in her little nightgown. Jean
drew Off her sweater and hood and
wrapped her in 1t. A man, seeing her,
threw her a raincoat he carried, aud
another handed her cap.
No men were allowed in the bonts
with the women. but some members Of
the crew, who could row them prop
erly. The young farmer handed his
boy to the black nurse.
ELIZA" he bnde her. hoarsely, IF
/ don't come take them to their Aunt
Eleanor"
Quite suddenly the lights went out.
The water was over the lighting
plant, and only the few lanterns the
crew had lighted and the pale light Of
AS the last boatload Of women filed
jean shrnnk back in the shadows In
her mans garb. She would wait
walt
There were two Loats left. Each
would hold thirty, and there were
hundred men! The boats were full
when one of the crew touched Bow
mans shoulder. "Quick, sir-a man
on last boat just missed you-want
you to take his placer
I'm with you, Bowman" 1t was
Webster's voice. "You were getting
yourself left. mani"
Before Bowman could utter a pro-
test two sailors took hold of him and
swung him in.
God keep you, Lansng!" he cried
brokenly as the boat swung to the wa
ter.
Webster turned away from the rail
and the light fell on his face. To
Jean he was more beautiful than any
human creature she had ever before
seen! Then he stepped back-his
hand fell against hers and her icy
fingers slipped In his.
''oou Nou-SOu mere, jean lie
cried out. II thought you went with
the womeni"
She looked up in his white, distress
ed face.
II waited for you" she whispered :;
II could not leave you to go in the
dark alone!"
For al instant his eyes were incred-
ulous, rs though he could not believe
he had heard Alright, then he drew her
into his arms and laid his cheek, wet
with spray, on hers.
1.-The boat will stay up perhaps a
half hour longer" he told her; "let us
sit down and talk"
He got bit Of rope and tied her
loosely to him. well cling togeth-
err" he smiled into her upturned face
that was strangely joyous, unto the
last-but I'm good swimmer-maybe
there'll he something to hold US up
afterward
Then they sat still-waiting-hold-
ing one another's hands.
"If I could have lived" he whis-
pered over and over, as II life were
already over for them both, "Td have
quit drifting-rd have made you
happyl"
Then there rose up a great cry from
the crew and the men who had been
looking death in the face. The little
steamer, that was to save them all