The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1920-12-24

0"u u Walk DrlSkIy along the deck until M
reached the forecastle. She could not have ex-
planned to herself what impulse took her there !;
IT was something outside herself some strange
power working detached, yet compelling her to
obey its behests
She crouched up In the bows watching the
sparkle OF water spring gurgling from the fore
fsot. watching the frothing bubbles stream away
on either side the black blum bow.
vainiy she shook herself and assured her own
nedrt OF Its foolishness Vainly she tried to drag
herself away from her selfappointed post. The
air was chill with the beginnings Of the dawn
wind; she shivered repeatedly and remained.
Mrs. Hapshott lifted her eyes and searched the
seas far RIM Her gaze returned only to be
lifted again; suddenly she stffened where she
stood, and her ears strained.
She sprang upon the rail ard stood there erect
her eyes peerIng intently. Was 1t fancy could
she actually something?
There, in the middle distance veritable
speck In the waste OF waters-was 1t shadow
was 1t the fin Of a lurking shark or was twas
it--7 TWO seconds she looked, then she aft
the men watching her in wonder.
"Hiram-out there-what is 1t, what is IT?
Hiram heard cry!'
She was clutching ut him HISTORICALLY and
pointing with trembling finger. To hufnor her he
fetched his binoculars and focused them. Mad
deningly slow. she thought him. He searched
became
Back the mninyard |" he roared In mighty
voice From the forepeak whittier he had de-
scended the mate came aft at run; the men
following fast.
"Theres raft out there-some one on IT,"
saic Hapshott slowly his voice almost drowned
by the catter of the swinging yards.
II was Captain Hapshott himself who sprang
into the boat that was hastily lowered; 1t he
who urged the rowers onward. Mrs. Hapshott,
now that the thing was done, was possessed by
curious camness, that vet held expectancy
something strange happening out there he
yond the range of her vision but all work
ing together for good. She tried to focus the
binoculars on the boat and on the fragment that
floated ahead, but she dll unused to the task
and could make out nothing but blur
The boat turned-hung motfonless; those
aboard busy at some task. Then the onrs
shot out like the limbs of gigantic spider; Mrs.
Hapshotts heart beat faster and faster-so fast
that only with difficulty could she draw her
breath
vShall we haul you up, sir7" hailed the mate
reaching far cupboard, and from Captain Hap
shotts lips came hoarse, unreal cry that Jones
took affirmative.
The boat shot alongside; still the captains wife
did not move from her position by the mizzen-
mast. The tackles were hooked on, swarmed
up them and added their weight to the falls; the
bout leaped upward swung inboard
Bear u hand here" she heard her husband
say and then the mists vanished from her eyes
and she clearly. Captain Hapshotf was CON-
ing aft, talking earnestly to the mate. And In
his arms he carried little child
Mrs. Hapsiott acted exactly as II she had been
expecting this gift from the sea. She held out
her arms and took the wailn. mite hushing IT
deftly against that broad maternal bosom OF hers
coaxing 1t. smiling down Into Its crumpled face
1t matered nothing to her how the babe had
comet was there; Its tiny fingers around her
finger; Its little head nestled against her heart
"A dead woman and living child-no signs OF
Identification" The words came to her ftfuliy
forcing themselves through the strange hallowed
Joy that nlled her being. mo telling what's hap
pened-must be wife OF some skipper-sole sur
vvors-whs knows7 The womans dead poor
thing-but the child strong enougi,-wi
be later"
IF we'd been sailing yesterday we'd have
passed II IN the dark likely" said the mate
wed have it. God look nj Mrs.
Hapshott; she's grown younger"
The skipper walked across TO his wife
"Well have t. ADVERTISE" he said shakjtv
toying with the little grasplng hands "But like
~ no will claim tits as much ours MS any
one's-rl tell the steward to make some milk
ready"
Unto as a child Is given.'" snid Mrs. Hap
shott solemny. "Hiram. this is Gods Christmas
present to you and me-"