Year: 1871

1871. .
my other arm ID lame with rheuma-
tism!" He beheld me glancing towari
the half hidden ring, and I was surs
I saw him start and turn pale, while At
the same time looking mucE surprised.
He however opened his right hand, as
II perfectly willing that I should shake
II I chose. Then I had good look at
the ring, and felt ashamed Of my sus.
picions. The device was common
heart which certainly bore no rcsemb-
lance toa chariot wheel.


After little conversation. to recover
my self possession, turned away re-
solved In future to have better opinion
Of my fellow creatures.


The strangers good looks seemed to
attract the attention Of many Of the
ladies. One especially, = modest look.
Ing little thing attired In black, kept
dirscting furtive giances 1t the hand
some passenger. Finally she glided 10
close to him that In turning he brushed
against her.


An apology, smilingly received by
the lady, remark about tie weather
on the part Of the gentlemen the
two were soon conversing with anima
ton. Meanwhile the blushing cheek
and bright eyes OF the fair one seemed
10 betoken that she was well pleased
with her companion, whose air was
now more conceited than ever.


II am afraid we shall have . storm,
she remarked, pointing towards dark
cloud, upon which the captain Of the
boat was anxiously looking.


1--WE may, but do not feel alarmed
madam"


With an air Of nonchalaucc he pulled
a red cigar case from his pocket, asked
his companion IL she objected to smo-
king, and being answered in the mega.
tive, opened the case. Then he started,
aud quickly returning this to his pocket
pulled forth another of glue color.


"How many cigars do you smoke
day?" inquired the lady, evidently
amused at the sight Of the two cases.


The man colored, aud 1t struck me
that his voice faltered slightly, and luis
hand trembled, as he made some laugh
ing retort.


Soon the storm CO me bouncing down
In tho
channel, 30 that we caught the full force
of the sea and gale. Both were terrific.
The sea swept the boat. which lay 90
far over that her machinery WAS soon
damaged SO that It could not work.
The wind screaming like . demon.
threw her over still further.


Suddenly we observed the sailors en-.
deavor to loosen . long boat on the
davits astern.


Meanwhile there was an ominous grind
Ing, smashing noise under the counter.
The truth could not long be concealed
we were sinking!


The ladies screamed, the handsome
passenger lost his self-possession, and
ran wildly hither and thither. Mean
willie the cool behavior "f the little
lady in black contrasted strangely with
the agitated demeanor Of those around.
There she stood calm aud immovable,
the bright, steel-blue eyes fixed upon
the handsome stranger, Of whom she
did not loose sight Of for momen:.


keep quiet, ladies and gentleman"
sang out the captain, keep quiet and
DO not crowd about the boat 80! There
will be room for all Of you; and, besides,
there is schooner coming to our assist
cnce," pointing to . vessel bowling
toward us before the wind.


There was however, q panic among
those addressed. Thr moment the boat
was lowered, intoit they all bundled,
among them the handsome passenger.
A huge soa coming along roaring like
thunder, parted the tackles, tearing tho
boat from the steamer before either the
lady In black or I could enter It. The
handsome passenger, losing his balance,
fell over the gunwale, and unable to
swim, wildly threw up his arms.


must acknowledge that l was 80
engrossed with the periIous situation Of
my fair companion and myself-now
the only two left aboard tho steamer
that paid but little attention to the
drowning man. The steamer was in
fact going down fast-was already near
ly engulfed in the stormy waves, her
heated aud half submerged boiler hiss.
ing, aud the steam came gushing out
like the spout of whale.


1 was advancing to throw an arm
around the little lady, fearing to see her
her washed away, when. quietly and
coolly motioning me away with one
hand, she seized . coil OF rope AMI
threw the end to the handsome passen-
ger. He caught 1t. when turning to me
the lady requested me to help haul the
man aboard.


complied. marvelliug at the love
and devotion thus shown by . woman
towards an acquaintance Of an hour.


His power over the female sex must
be great, l thought; he is conceited but
not without reason. This idea flashed
clearly across my mind in spite Of my
danger. The schooner. however, was
now quite near, and had every reason
to believe we would be picked up.


WAS right. We were all taken aboard
the schooner, the handsome stranger
among the rest. Then the lady in
black quietly pulling forth 4 revolver,
pointed It at the head Of him she had
enecunA