1928-12-15 — Page 28

CHINA MAIL CHRISTMAS SUPPLEMENT, 1928.

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THE IDEAL

Christmas Gift

66

VICTROLA

Quality

Gifts

For every member

of the

FAMILY

13

S. MOUTRIE & CO., LTD.

Victor Distributors. CHATER ROAD.

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LANE, CRAWFORD'S

Jewellery

Leather Goods -

Cut Glass

Sports Goods

Toys

=

Perfumery.

Personal Wear

Chocolates

energy and presence,

to think-bitterly of that astounding natal had been better, he thought bitterly, if she ing inquisition. But the ship demanded his night close on two thousand years ago. He had died with the child; sorrow would have tried to think of the coming ordeal through been spared her. He dashed moisture from "You game to try it?" he asked Tun- which he must presently puss; when Ethel's his eyes, reflecting on their joint dreams. bridge. consciousness returned and she reached out His must be the hand to strike the cup of "I've been praying you'd give me the her hands knowingly, with the tender ques-joy from her pallid lips. Since the atmos- chance, sir!"

"Volunteers, then. Do your best; I'll tion on her lips. But, the human brain being phere of the cabin stifled him he went back what it is, and, his environment stormy, he to the deck, to pace feverishly, staggering help all I can." He didn't owe it to God to discovered himself to be thinking with in- to the ship's restless plunges, yet feeling try to save His suffering creatures, for God some sort of wild delight in the, rasp of the had stolen, happiness from the. best creasing persistence of the hapless wreck out there in the hell broth. Somehow the weight greedy wind on his cheek. He shook his woman in the world. Ethel would die when of his own misery seemed lightened by reflec-fist at the devouring sea, hating it, He she knew the truth. Why should unknown tion on the misery and suffering of others. cursed this riotous Christmas weather. Half men live? Still, a man had to do what he Furthermore, he was a seaman-sympathetic a dozen times he descended to the cabin, each | could-and that Babe Who had lived and dauntless. When all was said and done, time to discover Ethel heavily asleep. He wouldn't wish Ames Stokes to act a gospel of it was his own fault that the shipboard was pacing the sluicing deck when the lag- an eye for an eye. It was queer how much he tragedy had occurred.

gard Christmas dawn broke, to reveal the was thinking of the Bethlehem Baby, for he wreck in sorry plight.

didn't pose as being a religiouă man, He studied the sodden hull over which He edged the "Ariel" cunningly towards white water broke in unceasing wildness. the wreck; and then forgot his own misery "Can't live much longer!" he declared.in the clean joy of fighting. There was no For a long time he stood, staring, his fists lack of volunteers, and at the opportune. clenched until the knuckles showed white, moment he slipped the lifeboat, with a trickle It went against the grain; but he was suf- of oil from his scuppers to smooth its pass- fering the torments of the damned, so why age. Tunbridge was a good man in a boat.

Ken

"I'ought to have made her stay ashore," he brooded. "It was selfishness made me bring herselfishness. Well, it's too late to fret now. Wonder what sort of weather those poor beggars are making of it?" He heard the scream of a wilder squall-its note was mocking and triumphant, as if gloating over him-Amos Stokes who had beaten the

on countless occasions, "Get that should these other fellows rejoice? Then there was no denying that fact. Amos foresail off her bring her to," he what would Ethel have decreed? he wonder- Stokes watched the tiny craft miraculously ordered. "And send up another rocketed. He knew, without asking the question. negotiate waves that seemed vast enough to show him we're standing up.". He' "Ease her off the wind!" he suddenly overwhelm the largest liner afloat. He saw took the kicking wheel himself, as the cried, "Run her, down to that ship? And it tower high on noisy crests, saw it dis handling of the great foreball demanded the the crew, clustered on the poop, understand-appear from view in clamorous troughs. services of every available man: and, for aning what was in his mind, raised a wavering Then it reached the wreck and vanished un- hour or two fought his ship, with the old-cheer.

der its squattering stern. There being no- time battle courage stimulating him.. The "Less noise!" he commanded fiercely, as thing else to do, Captain Stokes ran his rocket was answered from the distance the if the puny cries could outvie the yelling frantic ship ahead of the wreck, and then, wreck still survived. He presently surren- tumult of the elements! "Save your breath wearing her, worked up to her lee in time- dered the helm to a relief and made his cau--it'll be needed!"**

to receive his returning boat. tious way below, his heart in his throat. "Going to try it, sir?" asked Tunbridge, Then followed hectic moments as the Ethel, less restless than before, had sunk as stout a sea-fighter as his superior. shivering survivors were, brought aboard, into a sodden sleep of exhaustion, the seda- "Yes--clear away that lee lifeboat!". He and in this time the 'wreck lifted her stern tive taking effect. He studied her wan, damp had a desire to take the frail boat across the towads the sky and sullenly plunged below. face for a long time, his soul a-shudder with horror of boiling sea himself with a hopea mighty comber, not again to re-appear. in him, apprehensive of her awakening. It [that he might not return to face the pend-

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