The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1920-12-18

planned TO herself what lnpul"' look Hel 'i'i,.
1t was somethine' outside herself some strange
power working detached, yet competing her !"
obey its behests
She crolched up in the howS, watching the
sparsIe of water spring gurglipg from the fore
foot watching the frothng bubbles stream away
on either side the black bluff bow.
vainIy she shook herself and assured her own
heart of its fOOlishness Vainly she tried to drag
herself away from her self-appOinted post. The
air was chill with the beginnings of the dawn
wind; she shivered repeatedly and remained.
Mrs. Hapsnott lifted her eyes end searched the
seas far rim. Her gaze returned only 10 De
lifted again; suddenly she stiifened where Sic
Stood and her ears strained
She sprang upon the rail and stood there erect
her eyes peering intently. Was II fancy or coulo
she actually see something?
There, in the middle distsnce-a veritabie
sneck in the waste of waters-was it shadow,
was II the fin of a lurking shark or was Twas
TT Two seconds she looked, then she ran ART
the men watching her in wonder
"Hiram-out there-what is it, what is itf
Hiram, / heard cry!
She was clutching at him hystericaily anu
pointing with trembling finger. To humor her he
fetched his binoculars and focused them. MAJ
daninglv slow she thought him. He searcheu
a
"Rack tl, mainyard!" he roared in mighty
,-oica From the forepeak whittier he had &C.
seconded. the mate came aft at run; the men
following fast. . ;,
"Tbare,s raft out there-sOme one on IT,
said Hapsh9tt slowly. his voice almost drowheu
nv the clattpr of the swinging yards.
If was Captain HapshOtt himself who sprahe
ito tho boat that was hastily lowered; it was he
who urged the rowers onward. Mrs. Hapsnott
now that tile thing was done. was possessed by
q curious camness that yet held expectancy
something itrange happening out there pe
vond the range of her vision; but all was WORK
inc together for good. She tried to focus th'
binoculars On the boat and on the fragment tNa
Aooted ahead but she was all unused TO the tash
and could make out nothing but a blur
THE boat turned-hung motioness thos
oboord were busy at some task. Then the oar
shot ont like the limbs of a gigantic spider; MrS
uanshott's heart beat faster and faster-so las
tbat only with difficulty could she draw he
breath. .
"ShalI we haul you up, sir| hailed the n'p
reaching far cupboard, and from captain hal
ebott,s Inns came a hOarse, unreal cry that Jone
took as an affirmative.
The boat shot alongside; still the captains WI
did not move from her position by the mlzZel
mast The tackles were hooked on, men sWarilt
ND them and added their weight to the fallS; II
boat leaned upward swung nboard
"Bear a hand here" she heard her husDaI
saw. and then the mists vanished from her e.!
and she saw clearly. Captain Hapshott was COZ
ing aft talking earnestly to the mate Ana
his arms he carried little child!
Mrs Hapshott acted exactly as If she had De
expecting this gift from the sea! She .hed o
ber arms and took the wang mite hushng
deftIv against that broad maternal bosom or ne
coaxing it, smiling down into its crumpled fa
If mattered nothing to her how the babe n
come-it was there; it's tiny fingers around i
, finger; its little head nestled against her heart
"a dead woman and living child-no signs
=. Identification" The words came to her ttful
forcing themselves through the strange, halloN
= 10y that flied her being. "No telling what S NJ
pened-must be wife of some skipper-sole
vivors-who knows? The wOmans dead, p
thing-but the child seems strong enough
d be later"
o eff we'd been sailing yesterday we'd HI
IS passed il in the dark likely" said the ma
D. ''we'd never have seen it, God! look at N
Hapshott; she's grown younger.
s The skipper walked across to his wife
"a "WeIl have TO advertise" he said shaR
towing with the little grasping hands. But
o " no one will claim it--it's as much ours as
one's-rll tell the steward to make some
h ready
"Unto us child is given" said Mrs. +
ty shott soemnly. Hiram this is Gods Christ
err present to you and me-"