Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1926-11-26

SHentlN tHey SAT tnere, watching INC
slow up-Creeping Of the water. Over
the horizon faint light was creeping,
and slowly dawn hung out her flaming
banners In the sky
A dri2zllng rain began, and, forget
ting that In little whll2 they would
be struggling In the waters, they
moved within the shelter OF the little
room that had been occupied by the
wireless telegrapher There they
crouched together
"lt we could live our lives over
again" said Gardiner. II never knew
how sweet life was meant to be-"
1--WE would be wiser dear" an
swered Margery.
Mechanically she turned over the
papers henped upon the little table,
representing messages received for
many on board, but not delivered.
Gardiner stared out into the sea. 1t
seemed impossible that the ship could
remain nhoat more than half an hour
longer.
"Margery," he said, 81 believe there
will be chance for us. am going
to throw this table overheard when
the end comes, and we will spring to-
gether. II will keep us afloat until
until some possible rescue. And, IL we
live, you will come with me. You shall
be mine forever dear. and we will
start our new life in a new world"
Eyes, will come with you" she an
swered mechanically. Her face was
very pale. Gardiner looked at her; he
was surprised at her ready acquies-
cence; he had expected that the pas
sion which swept him off his feet would
at least be met by the plea of duty.
There was no shrinking in Margery's
mind.
II will come with you, to the worlds
end" she answered, slipping her hand
in his.
He strobe out on the tilted deck,
and cllnglng to the rail, peered sea
ward, where the ball of the sun was
springing into the sky. Back against
1t rode tiny craft.
"Margeryl" he shouted, drawing her
to the rail.
1t carried the hope of life. And the
minutes passed aud they stayed there,
watching the ship grow larger. The
vessel had been sighted, and, though
the stranger could not know that there
were living beings aboard this dere-
lict, she was pushing hard toward
them for investigation.
Half an hour had passed. The YES
sci was now plainly to be seen. She
was a British cruiser. II was furl-
GUS race between her and the sea.
Clinging to the rail, Gardiner felt the
deck at an angle Of 90 degrees beneath
him. The ship was trembling precur-
sor OF the final plunge under the waves.
But life was looking at them again,
and the war vessel was very near.
He tore his coat from his back and
waved it frantically. The cruiser was
now less than mile away. Suddenly
boat shot forth from her side.
And the last minutes of the fight
were never clear In the mans mind,
so close was the finish. But he seemed
to remember that, as the ship strained
and heaved, and gathered herself for
destruction, they slid down the up
raised side into the boat that lay be-
meath, manned by dozen sturdy blue
Jackets. There came the hard ply Of
oars to escape the dreadful vortex, and
suddenly where the liner had been was
only great swirl Of bubbling water.
Half an hour later the two sat side
by side upon the warship's decks.
Gardiner was studying his companions
face Would she regret? Would she
changer Would life alter her willing
ness to go with him, while her hus-
band llved7
He knew that, as she had drawn
him, so she had the power to send him
out into life, hopeless.
Margery turned toward him and
slipped a paper into his hand.
"Read that" she said. II found II in
the wireless room"
Gardiner read: "Your husband died
last night"