The Last Voyage
of T5he
Donna Isebel
By Randall Parrish
Author of Bob Hampton ot Placer.
Illustrations by Deaborn Melviil
cabin cleared and habitable, made new
men of all of us. The bedding was
brought forth and aired before the
open ports, the furniture restored to
position, and a Are started in the huge
box-stove. This quickly warmed the
Icy Interior and yielded a new aspect
of cheerfulness. De Nova and Kelly
explored the steward's pantry, discov
ering a quantity of frozen biscuit,
several hams rigid as rock, together
with numerous flasks of some liquid
turned into solid Ice. We found can
dles, also, hard as nails though they
burned fairly well after a period of
sputtering, and we fitted six of them
into the great lantern. l!y noon we
had completed the work, and had
brought Lady Darlington and Celeste
aft for dinner.
CHAPTER XXV.
In Which We Learn the Story of the
Donna Isabel.
The short Antarctic day left us lit
tle opportunity for the work on deck.
However, I kept the men employed as
long as possible, first setting them at
hauling up the longboat and stowing
It safely away under shelter, and then
at untangllngsome of the raffle forward.
They went at this last task rather
unwillingly, for It was carried on in
full view of that lce-casketed figure
guarding the forecastle, yet they got
out two fairly serviceable spars and a
considerable amount of cordage so
protected by the Ice coating as to
be still of value. When we finally
knocked off and started aft in a body,
a dark, cloudy night was about us, the
snow falling so thickly as to make it
impossible to see across the deck.
Dade was busily preparing supper in
the wrecked galley, the red glare of
bis fire shining forth through the
drifting flakes, while glimpses of light
stole out in welcome from the forward
cabin windows.
The latter appeared shipshape and
cheerful enough as we slid back the
loor and stepped within. Scarcely
a reminder was left of that horrible in
terior dominated by death which had
been revealed to me a few hours be
fore by the smoky glare of the torch.
While we wore laboring forward to
clear the deck, Doris and Celeste evi
dently had also been diligently em
ployed, and with womanly Intuition
had given to the desolate Interior a
home-like touch which was Irresistible.
I could only come to a pause gazing
about and wondering If we could real
ly be afloat upon a century-old wreck,
tossed helplessly on the waters of the
Polar sea. The odd, old-fashioned
swinging lantern threw vlolet-hued
rays over the snug scene, while in the
center the table, covered by a spotless
cloth, was fairly glistening la a bril
liant display of ancient silver, newly
polished, and of decorated glass. Doris,
who bad been engaged in giving the
Arrangement some final deft touches,
turned instantly at the sound of our
entrance, her sweet face brightening
-with interest as she read the amaze
ment pictured in my eyes.
"You have actually worked a
marvel!" I exclaimed, admiringly.
"Where In the world did you unearth
such a display?"
"From a locker behind the steward's
pantry," she replied, smilingly. "Hut,
oh," with a shiver, "It was most bitter
ly cold In there when we first opened
the door. I actually had to wait half
an hour before venturing In. Yet you
should have seen what we found; this
is not half the silver service was
simply magnificent; and see every
piece Is beautifully engraven with a
facsimile of the ship, and a master
piece of art."
I gazed at the bit of plate banded
me, weighing it in my hand, and study
ing the decidedly elaborate scroll.
"I have read that these old galleons
were often furnished regardless of ex
pense," I said, "and the Dons were
high livers. Did you make any other
discoveries?"
"Only several cases of liquor, but all
were frozen solid. The lazarette opens
from the pantry, and we succeeded In
lifting the trapdoor, but the cold of
the air which came up was 10 intense
that we were compelled to drop it
again immediately. I never Imagined
such an atmosphere possible."
"It Is the breath of 126 years of
polar winter," I explained. "This very
cabin was of that same temperature
when we first broke through its Ice
covering."
She pressed her palms to her tem
ples, staring about her at the gray,
gold-decorated interior.
"Do you actually mean to tell me
that that this wreck has been drift
ing and tossing about all that time?"
she questioned unbelievingly.
"No, not drifting and tossing about,
but solidly Imbedded within the Ice
far south ot this. This vessel Is the
Donna Isabel the same one Tuttl
naw and her logbook lies in that
furthest state-room yonder. Its la h t
entry was made In September, 1"!3."
She sank down upon the bench, her
ryes upon my face, and I heard her
lips repenting softly: "September,
I"'-. S'jMtomhoj. 17.5 V as though tlw
conception could hardly find accept
ance In her mind. The men were
grouped close beside the entrance,
while De Nova and Celeste had gone
forward to assist Dade in bringing his
supper from the galley, so that for the
moment we were comparatively alone.
As I bent over, wondering what I had
best say, she questioned quickly, with
a little sharp lndrawlng of the breath:
"And and the people, Jack, the
crew? What became of them?"
"Dead more than a century ago," I
answered solemnly. "I did not stop
this morning to read the log,' and so
I know little of their story. But the
vessel Itself tells of storm and of long
struggle In the ice; probably most of
those on board perished from expos
ure and cold."
Her hands clasped mine, her cheeks
white from apprehension.
"Were were there any any bodies
here?"
"Yes," i replied reluctantly, not dar
ing to say otherwise.
"How how many?"
"Four men, a woman, and a child."
An Instant she stared into ray face;
then swept her eyes about the light
ed cabin, only to bury them within her
hands, her whole body trembling.
"A a woman and child! Here!
here! for 126 years! Oh, merciful
3od!" she lifted her eyes again, filled
with horror, her hands clenched.
"They they were actually here, ap
pearing natural? looking as they did
In life?"
"Yes; they seemed to be Bleeping,
for they had been solidly frozen In the
very attitudes In which they died. 'The
woman rested on the couch yonder.
She had beautiful dark hair and eyes,
and must have been about 30 years of
age. The child was in a bunk, a little
flaxen-haired girl of three or four."
"And and you burled them?"
"As best we could. We wrapped
them in blankets, and consigned them
to the deep, with a prayer for their
souls." I bent closer. "Doris, dear,
don't let this rest so heavily upon you.
I wish I might have kept it all hidden.
It was ohly the end of one of the in
numerable tragedies of the sea. We
must face our own needs now" and
that task Tvill require all our courage."
I thought she did not hear me, the
tears continuing to fall between her
fingers, half-suppresed sobs shaking
her 'form. Yet as I rested my hand
upon her shoulder, she looked up at
me out of moistened eyes, her lips
firmly set.
"Ye3 yes; I know, Jack, but but
it is all so terrible, and and has come
to me with such a shock. I can not
comprehend it that they should have
actually been here here, all those
years waiting! But I will not think
of It any longer; I I will do some
thing to make me forget."
We all messed together, sitting upon
the long benches drawn up about the
table, Dade waiting upon us, with Dor
is and Celeste occupying places be
tween De Nova and myself. At the
beginning we spoke little, the strange
ness of our surroundings holding us
silent, but the minds of all being busy
with the same thought, we insensibly
drifted into conversation regarding
our chances of rescue, and the history
of the old vessel In whose cabin we
floated. Once De Nova Introduced the
subject ot the treasure which might
be stored away below deck, and the
men exhibited their Interest by nu
merous question; but I gave them lit
tle encouragement along this line, re
alizing that for the present our earli
est effort should be to transform the
wreck into some degree of Bafety a
sail first, and a clean rudder; these at
tained, the search for treasure might
begin.
What a scene and group that was!
the wintry night without, the drifting
fog of snow, the helpless hulk rising
and falling upon the treacherous heave
of the sea, that odd, violet-colored light
gleaming over us. The faces are even
before me the girlish looking Celeste,
with her dark curls and white teeth;
Lady Darlington, her gray eyes still
moist as she glanced about the In
terior, unforgetful of its memories; De
Nova, Jaunty as ever, with no thought
beyond the present, recalling to my
mind with every movement the face ot
that dead Spaniard who for more than
a century had sat where he was sit
ting; Sanchez, pale and with that
hunted look, a counterpart no doubt of
some seaman this ship had known in
other days; McKnlght, burly and red
necked; Kelly, his blue eyes filled with
the merriment of 'old Ireland; John
son, broad-shouldered, and sober faced,
eating steadily, with never a lift of
his shaggy brows; and Dado, fluttering
about like a waiter ashore, with hit
eternal smirking and suggestion of a
tip.
When the dishes had finally been re
moved I gave the men permission to
smoke, went back to the after state
room, and brought forth the log book,
which wo made an effort to decipher.
It was roughly written and by a num
ber of different hands, and between us
our knowledge of early Spanish s'-rlpt
was barely sufficient to enable us to
read a portion of It. The earlier en-
billy failed, were legible enough,
biruing the story of the voyage down
to the Litter part of July, and recount
ing a series of severe gales. Involving
the loss of sevriaj members cf the
crew. Then a new baud took up the
pen, "Dalaza. first officer." the captain
having been killed by a falling spar;
for a week or ten days the tale was
of fierce struggles in the Ice-pack, and
a steady drift to the southward. Others
followed "Alcassar, second officer,"
"Salvatore, government agent," every
line the record of new disaster, gales,
wrecked rigging and death. They
were locked in beyond all hope early
in August, vast hummocks overhang
ing the deck, the forecastle sealed by
ice, the cold so deadly the red-hot
stove scarcely kept the numbing chill
from the cabin, the doors and windows
of which they had covered with
blankets. Not a day passed but that
they carried out their dead upon the
Ice, leaving them beyond Bight of the
deck. The names were all written
down. There came a time when the
survivors were too few and weak even
for that service; when they could do
nothing but cower within the cabin
and cast dice to settle on who should
go down Into the Icy hold and bring
up the fuel which alone kept life in
them. They drank and played cards;
they quarreled, forgetting everything
human and reverting to brutes. The
child of Senora Alcatras died; the next
day the mother went quietly to sleep,
never to wake again. They did not
even know when her final breath came.
She was the last of the women. The
boatswain, Pedro Heo, passed away
that same night, sitting on the deck;
and there was left only Salvator,
who had gone mad, a seaman named
Juan Ruiz, and a passenger, Antonio
Saltere, It was the latter who wrote
the final ejjtry, September 11, 1753:
"I touched Ruiz Just now, ne was stone
cold; there Is only Salvatore left, grin
ning at me across the table; the last
candle Is jjoing out, too, and I haven't
strength to go after more. Jesu,
mercy." It ended In the blank page.
I straightened up, unable to articu
late, scarcely able to see. Celeste clung
convulsively to De Nova's sleeve, her
eyes staring at me, her Hps parted as
if for a scream; Doris had bowed her
face upon the table; the men sat hor
rified, breathing heavily. So Intense
was the silence that I could hear the
crackling of the coal, the sharp swish
of snow against the window. And that,
awful thing had actually happened
here, here where we were sitting!
Here In the pitiless darkness, those
last two lives had gone out to meet
their God despairing, hopeless;
Scarcely realizing what I did, I bout
low over Lady Darlington.
"Doris, sweetheart," I whispered, my
words barely audible to her alone,
"this will drive us all mad unless we
can do something to bring back faith
and hope. 1 beg of you to sing to us,
sing to us here."
She looked up, white-faced, wet-eyed,
her hands trembling violent! as they
touched mine.
"Oh, I could not, I could not; the
words would choke me."
She arose unsteadily to her feet,
gripping the table, then the back of
the bench, and thus helped, tttaggered
rather than walked forward. A long,
breathless moment she stood, grasping
the window-casing, staring blindly out
Into the dark, the snow flecking the
glass, her shoulders bent and trem
bling. She turned slowly, ashen-lipped,
one band shadowing her eyes. Twice
she endeavored vainly to find voice;
then, clear, yet with the glistening of
tears clinging to each word, she sang:
Jesus. Saviour, pilot mt
Over lift's tempeituoui sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding- rorlc, and treacherous ahoal,
Chart and compass come from Thee;
Jeiua, Saviour, pilot me.
While I live I remember the won
drous change in her face as she sang
the effect pictured In those faces
watching her.
Ai a mother stills her child,
Thou carmt huMi the ocean wild;
Boisterous wavea obey Thy will,
When Thou sayr.it to thrm: "Be still,"
Wondrous Soverelun of the Sea,
Jaaua, Saviour, pilot ioa.
She straightened, her fine eyes dark
ening, and I noticed Johnson leaning
forward, clenching tho table with his
hard hands.
Whn at Inst I near the shore.
And the foarful breakers roar
'Twlxt me 8 nil the peaceful rest.
Then, while leaning on Thy brount,
Mny I hear Thee aay to me,
"Fear not, I will pilot thee."
In the Intense silence that followed
she crossed to where I sat, placed
one hand upon my shoulder, and bent
down until her cheek pressed my
sleeve. One by one the men filed
gravely out into the darkness of the
deck, leaving us there alone.
CHAPTER XXVI.
In Which Wa Hnd Treasure.
We began to dream of treasure as
soon as the fierce winds ceased and
the waves fell. The lust for wealth,
partially blunted by the requirements
of hardship and peril, rovlved within
us tho Instant nature granted a tem
porary respite. The memory of the
three million pesos that might be
towed away below began to haunt
our Imaginations, and the story of It
found utterance on our Hps. The ne
gro blurted It forth, his eyes rolling,
and Ie Nova camo direct to me, ask
ing, In behalf of the men, tho privi
lege of mnklng search. There was no
excuse for refusal, even had I desired
to find one, as the decks were
cleared of tho debris left by tho storm,
and the Donna Isabel rode her course
easily to a lashed helm. Leaving Dado
above to Veep a watchful eye on tho
weather, I willingly led tho others In
to the steward's pantry, where wo
pried open the door leading down Into
tho lazaretto,
(To bo Continued!
A lean
uit
INCLUDING BLUE SERGES-6izcs 3 to 16
Just Three Prices, $1.39, $1.99, $2.49!
Do you realize what this means?It means that you can buy boys wool suits that
sold for S3, $4, $5, $6 and $7 at one of the three prices above. You know what
kind of boys suits we handle. All splendid, well-made dependable suits. No
trash; no kike goods. No goods bought to sell at a sale price, but our regular
quality line of boys suits. We have been so successful in cleaning up our other
lines that we have determined to make a clean sweep of all that's left of our boys
suits, l hat s why we have made these unheard of low prices. We have bought
a big new line d boys clothing for Fnlland wewant to clear our tables of every single
garment now in the house. Some of these suits are light.some dark. Light, medium
and heavy weight; blue, black, gray, brown, green and all colors and styles sizes
3 to 16. It will pay you to buy goods at this sale for future needs. You cannot
buy them cheaper at auction. Come early while the picking is good;
Copynht I'M
ctoppenheira one D'l chance of the year to buy
Remember these Prices are for
THE
Italians no on Strike,
The Burlington Is suffering from a
strike among its extra gang forces.
This morning the gang of Greeks or
Italians which has been working In
this vicinity under Foreman Scott
concluded that they were not get
Ing pay enough for the work they
were doing and refused to go out.
They demanded that the rate of pay
be raised to seventeen and a half
cents per hour In plnce of fifteen
which they were getting.
As the foreman hnd no author
ity to rnlse their wages they went on
strike. This noon they moved out
of tho bonrdlng cars which they
have been occupying on the tracks
south of the depot to await a train
for Omaha. The action of the com
pany on the matter Is being awaited
with Interest but It Is probable the
gang V 111 he allowed to go and
another gang be ordered to. finish
their work. They seemed to have
talked the matter over and conclud
ed to either get what they wanted or
quit.
I Hack From the IUiikIi.
County Treasurer Schlater and
Cashier H. N. Dovey of the First
National bank, returned this morn
ing from their foray Into the wilds
of western Nebraskn, having been
spending the past week or ten days
on Mr. Schlater'a ranch near Hrldge
port. The gentlemen are looking
fine and apparently have hnd a
great time while there. Mr. Schlat
er Is the proud possessor of many
hundreds of acres of fine grazing
and farming lands out on tho North
Platte river and It was upon theHo
that tho time was put In. Con
siderable rough life was Indulged
In during the vacation of the two
gentlemen and they returned pretty
wlel limbered up for the remainder
of the Bummer and fall.
A. II. Young and v.tfe returned
hint evening from Omnlin, where
Mrs. Young has been an Inmate of
a hoHplnl fur n number of months.
The lady returns quite Improved In
health nml feeling belter than fur n
1'Hig time past.
- Up of Every Boys
in the Mouse!
We Have Made 3 Prices in
en's Suits:
$7,90, $9.90, $11.90
Such suits as these you cannot bu for $12 to $20. They
are mostly Summer weights, but styles and colors you can
wear 9 months of the year. You can never buy good suits for
less than these. We still have some of the big bargains left in
shirts at 37, 54 and 69c
Underwear 25c, a few gowns only at 54c, boy's wash
pants 26c, boy's shirts 23c, boy's stockings 16c.
Men's Pants $1 .45, $1 .99, $2.48
Men's fancy hose 19c. Lisle suspenders 19c.
These bargains have set the town to talking. If you have
not taken advantage of this clearance sale you are missing the
Wescott's Sonus
"Where Quality Counts."
HOME OF SATISFACTION!
Nebraska State Fair.
On August 11 comes the closing
date for all harness races at tho
state fair, September 6 to 10. One
hundred and eighteen horses have
already been named In tho stake
races. The races embody 3-year-old
2:511, 2:30, 2:25, 2:21. 2:18 and
2:15 trotting; 3-year-old 2:30, 2:25,
2:22, 2:18, 2:14 and free-for-all
pacing. Six of these races will be
for $1,000 each. The 3-year-old
Nebraskn bred running race for a
purse of $200 and the Nebraska
derby, 1 1-16 miles, for a purHe of
$.100, oIho close August 11.
The 2:3.1, 2:21 and 2:1,1 trotting
and the 2:30, 2:22 and 2:11 pac
ing, each for a purse of $1,000, and
the 3-yenr-old 2:30, 2:25 and 2:18
trotting and 3-yenr-old 2:25, 2:18
and free-for-ull pacing each for
$.100, to be raced at tho state fair,
Seplvmber 0 to 10, also the running
1 1-lC-mllo Nebraska derby for
$500, and 4 1-2 furlongs 3-year-old
Nebraska bred colts for $200 will
closo August 11. There will be some
excellent racing this year.
John Lutz, Henry Zuckweller and
J. Ed. Darwlck were passengers last
week for Millard, S. I)., where they
examined some land with a view of
purchasing. Mr. Lutz returned Sat
urday evening and Mr. Darwlck re
turned InRt night, Mr. Zuckweller
going to Lincoln from Millard.
.Messrs Lutz and Zuckweller, be
tween them, took an option on a
hnlf section of lnnd, tho deeds and
title to be examined pending the
purchase. Mr. Lutz was much taken
with tho country and predicts a
great future for It. The corn crop
he regards ns mighty line this year,
while the wheat looks better even
than In this section. The gentlemen
will undobutcclly make a purchnso
providing tho title to the property
shows tip nil right.
The condition of Frank Svohnrta
Is reported today ns not so favor
able and he Is very low. It Is hi
desire Hint his friends nprcclate how
seriously III he I. A cluingo for
the better Is hoped for but at pres
ent lie Indeed qulle ill.
1
good goods very cheap.
Cash Only!
Married In Omaha.
Married At the residence of Mr.
Floyd Knee, in Omaha, Neb., on
Monday, July 26, 1909, at 7:30 p.
m., Mrs. A. II. Knee of this city and
Mr. David Knee of Alturas, Cal.
The above notice will convey to
the many friends of the bride In this
city the news of her marriage to
Mr. David Knee, a wealthy mine.
owner of California The wedding
was quite a family affair, thoaa
present, in addition to the Immed
iate members of the family, being
Mrs. II. C. Kerr of this city, presi
dent of the local V. C. T. U., and a
number of slnte officers In that or
ganlzatlon, of which Mrs. Kneo was
a prominent member. Immediately
following Mie ceremony the happy
couple came to this city and nre now
mnklng a brief visit here prepara
tory to nn extended wedding tour to
Michigan and otner eastern points.
Tho many friends of Mrs. Knee has
ten to extend their best wishes and
hopes for a happy and prosperous
married life.
Mrs. Ilawrlck Improving Xlccly.
Ai. Ilawrlck returned last evening
from Chicago, 111., where he was
summoned some days ago when his
wife, who was visiting there, was
compelled o undergo an operation.
He left Mrs. Ilawrlck getting along
nicely after what the attending phy
sicians described ns ono of tho most
severe operations they had ever per
formed upon a patient. She will not
be able to return homo for a period
of probnbly three or four weks, but
as she was getting along so nicely,
Mr. Ilawrlck concluded It was safe
for him to return, and did so. Mrs.
Hnwrlck's ninny friends will bo de
lighted to hear of her steady prog
ress and trust that her recovery will
bo son and that she can return homo
very soon.
MIms Itlanche Murray of Omaha,
camo down Saturday evening for an
over-Sunday visit with her mother,
Mrs. .1. A. Murray, and her brother
Ah In Murray of North Pintle, who
is nlno lsltlng his mother.