Toward the last, when alone in the very presence of death, He seemed nearest and dearest. She could not bear to look at the dark, angry waters strewn with floating corpses. She had a sickening dread that Gregory's white face might float by. So she closed her eyes, and only thought of heaven, which was so near that its music seemed to mingle with the surging of the waves. She tried to say a comforting word to Hunting, but the terror-stricken man could only groan mechanically, "God have mercy on me!" Soon she began to grow numb all over. A dreamy peace pervaded her mind, and she was but partially conscious. She was aroused by hearing her name called. Did the voice come from that shore beyond all dark waves of earthly trouble? At first she was not sure. Again and louder came the cry, but too full of human agony to be a heavenly voice-- "Annie! Annie!" "Here!" she cried, faintly, while Hunting, helpful for once, shrieked aloud above the roar of the waves. Then she heard the sound of oars, and a moment later strong hands lifted her into the boat, and she found herself in Gregory's arms, her head pillowed on his breast. Then all grew dark. When she again became conscious she found herself in a small cabin, with many others in like pitiable plight. Her aunt was bending over her on one side and Gregory on the other, chafing her hands. At first she could not remember or understand, and stared vacantly at them. "Annie, darling," said Miss Eulie, "don't you know me?" Then glad intelligence dawned in her face, and she reached out her arms, and each clasped the other as one might receive the dead back to life. But quickly she turned and asked, "Where is Mr. Gregory?" "Here, safe and sound," he said, joyously, "and Hunting, too. I shall bless him all the days of my life, for his cries drowned old ocean's hoarse voice and brought us right to you." Hunting looked as if he did not exactly relish the tribute, but he stooped down and kissed Annie, who permitted rather than received the caress. "How did you escape?" she asked Gregory, eagerly. "Well, I swam toward the ship that struck us, whose lights I saw twinkling in the distance, till almost exhausted. I was on the point of giving up, when a small piece of the wreck floated near. By a great effort I succeeded in reaching it. Then a little later a boat from this ship picked me up and we started after you or any others that could be found. I am glad to say that quite a number that went down with the ship were saved." She looked at him in a way to bring the warm blood into his face, and said, in a low tone, "How can I ever repay yon?" "By doing as you once said to me, 'Live! get strong and well.' Good-by now. Miss Morton will take care of you."