Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The Falls City tribune. (Falls City, Neb.) 1904-191? | View Entire Issue (Dec. 4, 1908)
CHAPTER I. I Wave-Tossed and Castaway. HE beginning was at Cape Town, when Itlake anil Winthrope boarded the steamer as fellow passengers with Lady Iiayrose and her party. This was a week after Winthrop' had arrived on the tramp steami from India, and her ladyship had e\ plained to Miss Leslie that it was as well for her not to be too hasty in accepting his atlentions. To be sure, he was an Englishman, his dress and manners were irreproachable, and he was in the prime of ripened youth. "Yet Lady Bay rose was too conscien tious a chaperon to be fully satisfied with her countryman’s bare assertion that he was engaged on a diplomatic mission requiring reticence regarding bis identity. She did not see why this should prevent him from confiding in her. Notwithstanding this, Winthrope came aboard ship virtually as a mem ber of her ladyship’s party. He was 00 quick, so thoughtful of her comfort, and paid so much more attention to her than to Miss Leslie, that her lady ship had decided to tolerate him, even before Blake became a factor in the situation. From the moment he crossed the gangway the American engineer en tered upon a daily routine of drinking and gambling, varied only by attempts to strike up an off-hand acquaintance with Miss Leslie. This was Win thrope's opportunity, and his clever frustration of what Lady Bayrose termed “that low bounder’s impu dence” served to install him in the good graces of her ladyship as well as In the favor of the American heiress. Such, at least, was what Winthrope Intimated to the persistent engineer with a superciliousness of tone and manner that would have stung even a British lackey to resentment. To Blake it was supremely galling. He rould not rejoin in kind, ami the slightest attempt at physical retort would have meant irons and confine ment. It was a British ship. Behind Winthrope was Lady Bayrose; behind her ladyship, as a matter of course, was all the despotic authority of the captain. In the circumstances, it was not surprising that the American drank heavier after each successive goading. Meantime the ship, having touched at Port Natal, steamed on up the east coast, into the Mozambique chan nel. On the day of the cyclone, Blake had withdrawn into his stateroom with a number of bottles, and throughout lhat fearful afternoon was blissfully unconscious of the danger. Even when the steamer went on the reef, he was only partially roused by the shock. He took a long pull from a quart flask of whisky, placed the flask with great care in his hip pocket, and lurched out through the open door way. There he reeled headlong against the mate, who had rushed below with three of the crew to bring up Miss Leslie. The mate cursed him vir ulently, and in the same breath or dered two of the men to fetch him up en deck. The sea was breaking over tne eteamer in torrents; but between waves Blake was dragged across to the side and flung over into the bot tom of the one remaining boat. He served as a cushion to break the fall of Miss Leslie, who was tossed in after him. At the same time, Win thrope, frantic with fear, scrambled into the bows and cut loose. One of the sailors leaped, but fell short and went down within arm’s length of Miss Leslie. She and Winthrope saw the steam er slip from the reef and sink back into deep water, carrying down in the vortex the mate and tic few remain ing sailors. After that all was chaos to them. They were driven ashore be fore the terrific gusts of the cyclone, blinded by the stinging spoondrift to all else but the hell of breakers and coral reefs In whose midst they swirled so dizzily. And through it all Blake lay huddled on the bottom boards gurgling blithely of spicy zephyrs and awaying hammocks. There came the seemingly final mo ment when the boat went spinning stern over prow. Half-sobered. Blake opened ills eyes and stared solemnly about him. He was given little time to take his bear ings. A smother of broken surf came seething up from one of the great breakers, to roll him over and scrape him a little farther up the muddy shore. There the flood deposited him for a moment, until It could gather force to sweep back and drag him down again toward the roaring sea that had cast him up. Blake objected—not to the danger of being drowned, but to interference with his repose. He had reached the obstinate stage. He grunted a protest. Again the flood seethed up the shore, and roiled him away from the danger. This was loo much! He set his jaw turned over, and staggered to his | feet. Instantly one of the terrific wind-blasts struck liis broad back anci sent hint spinning for yards. He brought up in a shallow pool, beside t hummock. Under the lee of the knoll lay Win thrope and Miss Leslie. Though con scions, both were draggled and bruised and beaten to exhaustion. They were together because they had come ashore together. When the boat cap 'zed, Miss Leslie had been flung against the Englishman, and they had held fast to each other with the des perate clutch of drowning persons. Neither of them ever recalled how they gained the shelter of the hum mock. Blake, sitting waist-deep in the pool, blinked at them benignly with his pale blue eyes, and produced the quart flask, still a third full of whisky. “I shay, fren's,” he observed, "ha one on me. Won’ cos’ you shent— notta re’ shent!" “You fuddled lout!" shouted Win thrope. "Come out of that pool ." “Wassama’er pool? Pool's allri'!" The Englishman squinted through the driving scud at the intoxicated man with an anxious frown. In all j probability he felt no commiseration for the American; but it was no light matter to be flung up barehanded on the most unhealthful and savage stretch of the Mozambique coast, and Blake might be able to help them out of their predicament. To leave him in the pool was therefore not to be thought of. So soon as he had drained his bottle, he would lie down, and that would be the end of him. As any attempt to move him forcibly was out of the question, the situation demande^ that Winthrope justify his intimations of diplomatic training. After consid ering the problem for several minutes, he met it in a way that proved he was at least not lacking in shrewdness and tact. “See here, Blake,” he called, in an other lull between the shrieking gusts, “the lady is fatigued. You're too much of a gentleman to ask her to come over there.” It required some moments for this to penetrate Blake's fuddled brain. After a futile attempt to gain his feet, he crawled out of the pool on all fours, and, with tears in his eyes, pressed his flask upon Miss Leslie. She shrank away from him, shuddering, and drew herself up in a huddle of flaccid limbs and limp garments. Winthrope, how ever, not only accepted the flask, but come near to draining it. Blake squinted at the diminished contents, hesitated, and cast a glance of maudlin gallantry at Miss Leslie. She lay coiled, closer than before, in a draggled heap. Her posture sug gested sleep. Blake stared at her, the flask extended waveringly before him. Then he brought it to his lips, ann ! drained out the last drop. “Time turn in,” he mumbled, and sprawled full length in the brackish ooze. Immediately he fell into a drunken stupor. Winthrope, invigorated by theliquot, rose to his knees, and peered around It was impossible to face the scud and spoondrift from the furious sea; but to leeward he caught a glimpse of a marsh flooded with salt water, its reedy vegetation beaten flat by the Sleeping the Sleep of the Ju*t and the Drunkard. storm. He himself was beaten down by a terrific gust. Panting and trembling, he waited for the wind to lull, in hope that he might obtain a clearer view of hl» surroundings. Be fore he again dared rise to his feet darkness swept, down with tropical suddenness and blurred out everything The effect of the whisky soon passed, and Winthrope huddled be tween his companions, drenched and exhausted. Though he could hear Miss Leslie moaning, he was too miserable himself to inquire whether be could do anything for ber. Presently he became aware that the wind was falling. The center of the cyclone hud passed before the ship struck, and they were now In the out ermost circle of the vast whirlwind. With the consciousness of this change for the better. Winthrope's fear racked nerves relaxed and he fell into a heavy sleep. CHAPTER II. Worse Than Wilderness. WAIL from Miss Leslie roused the Englishman out of a dream in which he had been swimming for life across a sea of boiling oil. He sat up and gazed about him, half-dazed. The cyclone had been followed by a dead calm, and the sun. already well above the hori zon. was blazing upon them over the glassy surfaces of the dying swells with tierce heut. Winthrope felt about for his hat. It had been blown off when, at the stri king of the steamer, he had rushed up on deck. As he remembered, he straightened, and looked at his com panions. Blake lay snoring where he had first outstretched himself, sleeping the sleep of the just—and of the drunkard. The girl, however, was already awake. She sat with her hands clasped In her lap. while the tears rolled slowly down her cheeks. "My—ah—dear Miss Genevieve, what is the matter?" exclaimed Win t In ope. “Matter? Do you ask, when we are here on this wretched coast, and may not get away for weeks? Oh, I did so count on tlie London season this year! Lady Bayrose promised that I should be among those presented.” “Well. I—ah—fancy, Lady Bayrose will do no more presenting—unless it may be to the heavenly choir, you know.” "Why, what do you mean, Mr. Winthrope? You told me that she and the maids had been put in the largest boat—” "My dear Miss Genevieve, you must remember that I am a diplomat. It was all (piite sufficiently harrowing, I assure you. They were, indeed, put into the largest boat— Beastly mud dle!— While they waited for the mate to fetch you. the boat was crushed alongside, and all in it drowned.” "Drowned!—drowned! Oh, dear Lady Bayrose! And she'd traveled so much—oh, oh, it is horrible! Why did she persuade me to visit the Cape? It was only to be with her—And then for us to start off for India, when we might have sailed straight to England! Oh. it is horrible! horrible! And my maid, and all—It cannot be possible!" “Pray, do not excite yourself, my dear Miss Genevieve. Their troubles are all over. Kr—Gawd has taken them to Hint, you know.” "But the pity of it! To be drowned —so far from home!” "Ah, if that's all you're worrying about!—I must say I'd like to know how we'll get a snack for breakfast. I'm hungry as a—er—groom.” "Eating! How can you think of eating, Mr. Winthrope—and all the others drowned? This sun is becom ing dreadfully hot. It is unbearable! Can you not put up some kind of an awning?” "Well, now, I must say, I was never much of a hand at such things, and really 1 can't imagine what one could rig up. There might have been a bit of sail In the boat, but one can’t see a sign of it. I fancy it was smashed.” Miss Leslie ventured a glance at Blake. Though still lying as he had sprawled In his drunkenness, there was a comforting suggestion of power in his broad shoulders and square jaw. "Is he still—in that condition?” "Must have slept it off by this time, and there's no more In the flask,” an swered Winthrope. Reaching over with his foot, he pushed against Blake’s back. “Huh! All right,” grunted the sleeper, and sat up, as had Winthrope, half dazed. Then he stared around him. and rose to his fe°t. “Well, what in hell! Say, this is damn cheerful!” "I fancy we are In a nasty fix. But I say, my man, there Is a woman pres ent, and your language, you know—” Blake turned and fixed the English man with a cold stare. "Look here, you bloomin’ lud,” he said, "there’s Just one tiling you’re going to understand, right here and now. I’m not your man, and we’re not going to have any of that kind of blat ter. Any fool can see we’re in a tight hole, and we’re like to keep com pany for a while—probably long as we last.” "What—ah—may I ask, do you mean by that?” Blake laughed harshly, and pointed from the reef-strewn sea to 'lie vast stretches of desolate marsh. Far in land. across miles of brackish lagoons and reedy mud flats, could be seen groups of scrubby, half-leafless trees; ten or twelve miles to the southward a rocky headland jutted out into the water: otherwise there was nothing in sight but sea and swamp. If it could not properly be termed a sea-view, It was at least a very wet landscape. “Fine prospect,” remarked Blake, dryly. "We’ll be In luck If the fever don't get the last of us Inside a month: and as for you two, you’d have as much show of lasting a month as a toad with a rattlesnake, if it wasn't for Tom Blake—that's my name—Tom Blake—and as long as this shindy lasts, you're welcome to calt me Tom or Blake, whichever suits. But un derstand. were not going to have any more of your bloody, bloomin’ English condescension. Aboard ship you had the drop on me. and could pile on dog till the cows came home. Here 1 m Blake and you're Win tbrope.” "Believe me. Mr. Blake, I quite ap preciate the— ah—situation. And now, WE HAVE YOU IN MIND! We Raise Salaries Over at Scranton, Pennsylvania, is located the “world’s greatest school house, ’ the largest technical educational institution on the face of the globe. Unlike many colleges and schools, it’s principal business is that of raising salaries. During the past sixteen years over a million students have been enrolled, and thousands of these are to-day drawing increased salaries as a direct result of the training received through this great institution, the • International Correspondence Schools Do not fdfl tO SOO it cxh*l,'f °f Diplomas, Corrected Lessons and I)raw - ing Plates of students of this great school will be given in the large window of Wahl At Parchen’s Clothing Store, from Dec. 8th to 15th inclu sive. A representative of the schools will be in attendance to give inquirers information con cerning our SALARY RAISING EDUCATION. “Where there is a will there is a way.” You furnish the WILL we furnish the WAY. Isn’t this offer worth investigating ? Special in ducement given to first seven who enroll. Read What Local Students Say: EDGAR W. COOK, Tecumseh, Nebr. “When I enrolled in the Complete Architectural Course 1 was employed as a carpenter. At present 1 am employed as a contractor and builder. My salary has increased from 17c to <>0c per hour. 1 cannot speak too highly of the school and of the opportunity offered to every one wishing to advance themselves.” J. W. WICKL1NS, Nebraska City, Neb., Chief Engineer. “I enrolled for the Stationary Engineer’s Course while employed as an oiler for the Great Western Cereal Co., at Nebraska City. At present I am employed as chief engineer by the same company. It was the knowledge that I derived from the course that put me in this position. I am very thankful to your agent who enrolled me as a student. My edncation being limited, I made up my mind to climb a few steps higher and leave the oil can. A. R. RHINE CHAS. P. STUMP, Division Supt. Representative C. B. PHILLIPI, Assistant Representative E REALIZE just how important the question of style is—we jus tify our belief with the newest stock of high - grade clothes in town; but, (and notice we em phasize this)—we /(note* that the ques tion of quality is greater. Style that “evaporates” in a few days is not of much value to anybody, so we guard against poor values by selling Sincerity Clothes, which is all the assurance any man requires who knows the difference between mediocre and best. I Sincerity Clothes Wahl & Parchen ftincwrftj I We Keep Open Until 9 O'clock Falls City, Nebraska I fancy that, Instead of wasting time—” “It's about time you introduced me to the lady,” Interrupted Blake, and he stared at them half defiantly, yet with a twinkle in his eyes. Miss Leslie flushed. Winthrope swore softly, and bit his Up. Aboard ship, backed by I^ady Bayrose and the captain, he had goaded the American at pleasure. Now, however, the sit uation was reversed. Both title and authority had been swept away by the storm, and he was left to shift for himself against the man who had every reason to hate him for his over bearing Insolence. Worse still, both he and Miss Leslie were now depen dent upon the American, in all prob ability for life itself. It was a bitter pill and hard to swallow. Blake was not slow to observe the Englishman’s hesitancy. He grinned. Lvery dog has his day, and I guess this is mine,” he said. “Take your time, if it conies hard. I can imagine it’s a pretty stiff dose for your ludship. But why in—why in frozen tiades an American lady should object to an in troduction to a countryman who's go ing to do his level best to save her pretty little self from the hyenas— well, it beats me.” Winthrope flushed redder than the girl. ■‘Miss Leslie, Mr. Blake,” he mur mured, hoping to put an end to the situation. But yet Blake persisted. He bowed, openly exultant. "You see, miss,” he said, "I know the correct thing quite as much as your swells. I knew all along you were Jenny Leslie. I ran a survey for your dear papa when he was manipulating the Q. T. railroad, and he did me out of my pay.” "Oh, but Mr. Blake, I am, sure It must be a mistake; I am sure that If it is explained to papa—” "Yes; we'll cable papa to-night. Meantime, we’ve something else to do. Suppose you two get a hustle on your selves, and scrape up something to eat. I’m going out to see what's left of that blamed old tub.” "Surely you’ll not venture to swim out so far!” protested Winthrope. "I saw tne steamer sink, as we cast off." Continued next week. German Evangelical Ghurch 9:45 b. m. Sunday school. 10:45 a. m. Sermon. 7 p. in. Young People Allifinces 7:30 p. m. Sermon. Prayer meeting Wednesday 7:30 p. m. Friday choir practice 8 p. in. Petek Schumann, Pastor. A Personal Appeal If we co 'Id talk to you personally about the great merit of Foley’s Honey and Tar, for coughs, colds and lung trouble, you never would be iuduced to experiment with unknown preparations that may cootain some harmful drugs Foley’s Honey and Tar costs you no more and has a record of forty years of cures. Kerr’s Pharmacy. CREAM Baking Powder Awarded highest honors by the great World's Expositions, and proved of superior strength and purity by the official tests. No alum, no lime phosphates Food officially state and national with physiciansy condemn the use of alum in foody and deplore and denounce the dishonest methods by which alum baking powders are imposed upon the public.
