HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1939-5-17, Page 6THE BRUSSELS ,POST
WEIDNOSDAY, MAY1M1i, 1039
ENTITLED
The Doings of
By Pat Moore
It was easy enough to see what
diad been the cause at the disaster,
for another ship lay 'alongedde, her
bows tamed fast into the Marlsha,
which by this 'time was listing to an
angle which made_ 'w1alking d4fficultt,
The crews of both ebeps were
'working furiously et the lifeboats;
and Diana was watching their ef-
forts with a ca•Iars interest which
surprised her even at the time,
when she felt her erne clutched and
a terrified/ voice cried in her ear,
"01i, Diana, help me."
She turned quickly, and found
Mrd, Nairn •clinging to her arm, her
face was chalk white, her eyes were
nearly starting out of their sockets,
"I've forgoten my lifebelt. I shall
be• drowned without it. Come down
to the cabin with me while I fetch
It. I'm frightened to go alone, I'm
so afraid that the lifeboats will
leave without me and I shall be
drowned."
"Very well, then," Diana promised
readily enough, "only we must be
quick, because they're launching
-the boasts now."
With Mrs, Nairn whimpering at
her heels like a terrified child, she
made her Way as quickly as she
could down the deserted compare
ion way, to the cabin.
Once there she flung herself on
her knees, ami began groping under
Mrs. Nacre's bunk, but could not
End the lifeibelt,
'It isn't here," she said lifting
a blank face to her trembling com-
pandon,
"No, I moved it," Mrs, Nairn ad -
emitted, but I can't remtmober
where."
"Veen for goodness' sake, tbink
and think quickly" Diana implored
her. Time was so tragically short,
and with the memory of the scene
of activity upstairs, she felt she
could not bear to remain down en
the cabin for more than a ot.inmhe
longer,
"I'.m trying to think," wailed Mrs.
Nairn, 'I moved it because I thought
that there'd be more room for my
suitcases, and I put it—now where
did I put it" She raised clenched
lists to her ,head with, a frenzied
01,6
gesture, then suddenly ter face
cleared, "I Put it in the cabin of
those people who got off the shin at
Pont ;Said."
Diana dented: out into the carri-
er. "What was the number of the
cabfm?' she caeled baolc over her
shoulder,
"U can't remember," replied Mrs.
Nebel with another despairing sob.
"It might have been .seventeen, or
rperheepe it was twenhytbtree."
Diann dashed at random into two
or 'three cabins, but they had ob-
viouly none of these been empty at
the tim eof the collision, dor they
all i.• c traces of revert occupants,
who bed of rcurse taken their life -
belts with them,
A sudden movement of the ship,
,. seele;tt than anY which had
Preceded it, and] the fact that site
was now listing to an even more
acute angle, shade Diana realise
that there was no time to be lost,
"We mustn't wait dean here any
longer," she announced with de-
eisdom.
"But I Shall be drowned without
my lifthelt,' 'wailed Mrs. Nairn.
A single decisdbe tug at the
strings unfastened the how which
held Diana's lifebelt in, place.
"Here you are," she cried, "take
mine."
"rtOh; darling, it's perfectly sweet
of you, to suggest it," cried Mrs.
Nairn uncertainly, "but—.
Diana, cwt short her protest, which
eh the beet were only ]halfehearted,
by thrusting the lifebelt over her
head, and tying the strings dimly
round her waist.
'Mrs. Nairn seized her hand and
lniss,ed it efiusively,
"I'll never forget what you've
done for me," she exclaimed, "that
is if any of us ever live .through
this awful night, One thing is
clear, you're not nearly so frighten-
ed of being drowned as I am."
"Oh no," declared Diana, 'I'm not
f_dgfhitened of being drowned,"
through at the bottom of her heart
lay an instinctive shrinking from
the thought of those dark, tubling
waters, waiting ready to engulf
them. We '"We mustn't waste are
other moment though. Come along
Diana
back on deck.."
She slipped her arm thro%tgh that
of her companion, ,tiro, testing
slightly more secure now that she
bad a lifebelt, was disposed to be a
Little calmer, and army la arm, each
a.tpportiug the other, they gbaggeerd
back up the rolntpanion way.
Some of the boats had already
been launched, and they Could: he
dimly seen as, dark, spectral shapes,
their crews pulling for dear life
against the terniffic force of the
waves.
Mrs Nairne newlyrfound control
threatened to desert her, and there
seemed every indication that ebe
war about to break down again, but
Diana dragged• her firmly to the
right snot on the deck, and they
, were waiting their turn; to get into
the lifeboat, when Diana suddenly
felt a lifebelt dipped over her
head; and looked round, in surprise
to see the tall, rather gaunt form
of Ian Marlow standing just behind
her,
There was a disapproving frown
on his good-looking face, and with
a little thrill of dismay Diana real•
Peed, that he had taken, off his own
lifebelt to give it to her.
"Olt, please," she cried, making
an attempt which was furnished by
his lean brown hands; to slip the
iifeldelt off again. "I couldn't take
yours reallp couldn't."
"Nomeenee," he replied abruptly,
"you'll have to take it. Tie the
strings (1dicitly now. You roust
have been mad not to put your own
on.'
Diana opened ler mouth to deeded
herself from this charge, then clos-
ed it again, deo could not do so
wet-bout—In sohool•tboy elarlanbbe,
"giving away Mrs. Nairn," and
that she was not willing to do.
In any case she told herself he
had not waited long enough) for her
to defend herself, even if she had
been so disposed - He had turned
abruptly on his heel, and returned
to take his place once more among
those waiting to get into one of the
other boats.
When, after it was all over Diana
came to look back on, the events of
that night, she had only the faint
Two Royal Liners Carry King and Queen
^n#;s
e
see
3
Two ships of the British Mer-
cantile Marine have been bon -
bred by His Majesty the Iling,
who with the Queen and members
of their Royal retinue, are travel-
ling to and from Canada in ocean
liners of the Canadian Pacific
fleet,
The 21,000 -ion Empress of Aus-
tralia, graceful and yacht -like as
seem above at the top, brings
Their Majeetlee to Quebec on
:�.;Nee
May 15, while the giant 42,500
flagship Empress of Britain will
sail from Halifax on June 15 with
Their Majesties on Board. The
Empress of Britain, in the lower
picture, is Veen steaming majes-
tically past the Chateau ]iron-
tenac as she approaches her berth
at Wolfe's Cove, where the Em-
press of Auetra1la will land her
Royal passengers,
Inset at the top is Captain A. It
Meikle, R.D., R.N.R„ who com-
mando tho Empress of Australia
on her Royal voyage, and at bot-
tom Captain C. 11, Sapsworth,
commander of the Morose of
Britain, which is now ondieg her
annual Round the World Cruise:
Tho Royal Standard, White The -
sign and Canadian Pacific house -
flag, which the two liners fly on
their Royal voyages, are also seen
in the picture grouping, 4
TI, posit Ions is which
elb,ece cap bs spoked"
poreueoree
Yet rcco11eetdou of 'what happened
'tiering 'bbe next few minutes,
She could• dimly re)nember that
at one moment they were all of
them. in the lifeboat, which was he.
In*: buffeted by :monstrous waves,
and, that rthe next they were strug-
gling to fey water,
Feebly and wide half unconscious
4u einrt towards self-ltresea•vat4on,
see. trleri to 'strike out, but the..
sudden immersion, ao unexpected,
so numbly chilling lead i-ende-c,t
her almosit helpless, and her efforts
to verdts, swin caning were. of the
mre4' ineffeetival,
With a little throb of gr'ttiturle
towards the taciturn and unsociab-
ly disposed 'Captain Mnrlow, she
realised that if it had not beenfor
t eltlefebelt she must .have sunk
within a few seconds of being
thrown into Live water. As it was
she was getting mouthfuls of
salt water, while the waves tossed
her about as though she hod been a
cork,
0 last, desperate yearning for life
made ties look sound• for some
means of succour, and it 'was with
htirddy any feeling of surprise that
site found herself caught and held
in a vice -like grasp. Sale was
towed not 'without considetalble dif-
ficulty towatdisa floating oar,
'Can you ]hold on?" enquired the
same voice, which had accused her
a few min•ttes before of being mad
for appearing on deck without a
lifebelt when the ship had been_ in
collision, and Diana noodled dumbly
She was too full of thankfulness
and salt water to speak, but she
stili bad suftficient sense to catch
hold of 'flhe oar with both hands,
ble gnitppel the oar with his right
hand, only, and thrust the other
round her waist, at the same time
belying to suppont her and to re-
inforce her somewhat feeble clasp
on the oar.
'We shan't have to wait long,"
he told her, and' hes voice had quite
lost its note of asperity, "another
ship bas answered our captain's
S.O.S, and is sending out boats_"
Dimly Diana heard the comfort-
ing words, but they failed to pene-
trate her failing consciousness. She
felt her claslp on, the oar weaken,
tihten her nntmlbed lingers utterly
11aeletss, slipped front 41 entirely,
and she realised that sloe was de•
pcn iug entirely for her safety on
Ian Marlow,
CHAPTER IV.
White Cliffs
The next thing of witch Diana
was fully conscious was a delicious
sense of warmth end well being. It
seemed to compass, her about in the
most pleasant fashion, Porn a few
minutesit afeeling
lay still, savouring �OTORISTS
y a tg the most exquisitea
a retee, , Ulnenn with a mighty
nett she opened her eyes,
enjoyment,
11
:She realised that she was in a
cabin occupied
than that isija, she p R,�� '� Safety !
hada am led' on the Mwhich
and
with only one bunk, in, it. 0
The absence of that second bunk
brought back the memory of Mrs, NOW—is the time to change your oil for
Nairn' and with; a little sick feeling,
11
Diane wosummer driving•
ndered• what bail become 011
of her, Surely she could not have Below is a partial list of
been drowned, though 1t was just
the sort of thing which happened.
When, a person) dreaded one particu-
lar dearth a
h more thanother, p riou- _.accessories
was so often the fate which overt O
took them. Selling at Competitive Prices
Weakly she raised h one O
Mufflers
elbow and: bad another be look around O Fo ILi tits i l', Sri Fans—cool the air
the cabin in the forlorn hope Mud g Radiator Ornaments
seeing her late eon nice, P of Flaps
and this Grille Guards Rear Vision Mirrors
rtew :position brought within he Door Handles Steering Wheel Muffs vision the portly figure of at elderly Fender Guides
sttsWardede with a motherly Jacks--hydraulic,fetc, . .
who sat knitting y face, 0 Wheel Spinners Tail Pipes for exhaust
g close by th clunk, Horns—air blast
"Well .duarie," she roiled, "and oil Clearance ' Hub Caps—of all kinds
riga do you feel now?' ' O I.rghta Flash Lights &Batteries
Diana waited ao stretch g Head Light Lenses Gas Tank Caps of all i s cis r
herself .in, that atmosphere O M
warki h. whose source she now lis, II
,IF YOUR BATTERY IS TO BE REPLACED TRY O
covered to be these hot water
bobtlesl before she replied, Exide Batteries
"Vetty sleepy and comfortable," O NOW—is the Time to Replace those worn tires with NEW
sho said' at length,
V1en wiry not go to steep agalnT' Tubes O
Goodyear Tires & p
mt'Then d the old, stewardess do her O MAKE DRIVING SAFER and FREE _`ROM TIRE WORRY O
moat mowantey ,tones, Call and see them you are under no wbligation to buy
Diana wanted' to oak where she wee and how she led managed to
get there but she fell tae tired to
blame
Welding =-
bother se sniffed on, to sleep again. 0 Licensed Mechanico
dp
I,aber In the nay, elle heard the — on all makes of cars M
comlplate slei from Olt
to O n '.
ess. It i steresponse
onse
to the S:OFS, oubythe nElliott's
" ■ Garage 'bnca8-
Lain 011 the'shipping in th
shipping 'phone ° Mediterranean heeldome 82 Brussels o'
hurrying to the resole Between l OCYO
11==i1OC70L===l01OIOC�OQOC4OQI
Western Canada Special • Bargain biennia
Froni all ]Stations in Eastern Canada
Going Sally May 16 - May 21, 1939 Inclusive
Return Limit — 46 Days
TICKETS GOOD IN
COACHES at fares approximately i%ac per mile
TOURIST SLEEPING CARS at fares approximately -1s%c per mile.
STANDARD SLEEPING (CARS at fares approxlmteiy 1e%ao per mile
COST 'OF ACCOMMODATION IN SLEEPING
GARS ADDITIONAL
BAGGAGE ,checked. Stopovers at 'Port Arthur, Armstrong
Chicago and West. ,
SIMILAR EXCURSIONS FRO*4 WESTERN TO EASTERN
CANADA DURING SAME PERIOD
Tickets, Sieeping Car Reservations and all Information from
any agent.
�•,, Fare,, Rettem Limn', Train information, Ticlrets, consult nearest Agent. See Handbills.
• .ANADIAN NATIONAL
i
chem. they had collected! not only
the passengers woo ,had been flung
into the water by the upsetting of
the one lifeboat, but the occupants
of the other lifeboats as well,
Diana herself, so Ube stewards
infortmed her- grad been picked up
by a ship called the Trireme, and
was at present oocupying one of
her empty cabins,
"Did the Mai-isba, sink?" asked
Diana, suddenly renrenlbening that
all her possesions, were on that
boat.
"No," said the stewardess; "neith-
er
neit ,.er she nor the other boat sank, and
I hate heard that they- are both go-
ing to be towed bank delta Port
Said for repairs,"
Diana lay silent for a fest/ minutes
she was stili very weak after her
terrible extpenienoe, and the effort
of talking tired: her. Then with a
little flush, of shame she ,realised
that she had not yet enquired alter
her rescuer.
'Was anyone picked up with me?'
she enquired diffldemy,
The stewardess appeared to know
NOW IS THE TIME TO HAVE
YOUR HARNESS REPAIRED
N. CHAPMAN
Brussels, Ont.
Fail about it, for she beamed from
ear to ear.
',Tou mean 'the goodelooking
young gentleman?"' she quenied.
"Oh, yea, the was picked: urn and is
in one of the other cabins. I'll
send a message to him, saying that
you were asileing otter bio "
"Oih, no, Tlease don't," cried
Diana hastily," he wouldn't like it
at all.
The stewardess, however,, appear.
ed to be incurably romantic,
"Ohl but I'an sure he would like
to be enquired after 'by a sweet
young lady Ike ybnrself," she
said archly
"Oh, but I'd very much rather
you didn't send him any message
from rte," Diana. protested, "I'll
thank him myself for yhiat he did
when I see hien again,"
TO BE CONTINUED -
HAROLD W. LOVE
Ethel, Ont. — Phone 22-8
General insurance Agent
D .A .RANN
FURNITURE
FUNERAL
AMBULANCE
SERVICE
Licensed Funel-ei Direct
and Embalmer
Phone 36, Brussels
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