THE CHIPPEWA FALLS DAWSONS
Chapter One
Jack wanted Rose to lie across the driftwood
by herself. She refused. "I think we can both get on. Let’s try."
Jack looked skeptical, but he was willing to try anything to get out of the
cold water. Rose got on first and slowly moved her weight to one side. This
allowed Jack to get on the other side before it capsized. They were able to sit
cross-legged on the door, and talk.
"The boats are going to come back, Rose.
We just have to wait." Jack leaned in towards Rose, so that their
foreheads were touching. "It’s so cold that we need to stay as close as we
can." He reached over and took her hands in his own.
*****
Officer Lightoller flashed his light over the
dead bodies. "Is anyone alive out there?" he shouted into the
distance.
"A boat, Jack. There’s a boat!"
Rose exclaimed. Jack opened his eyes and saw the weak light. A smile came
slowly over his face.
"Rose, will you do me this honor? Will
you marry me?"
"Oh, Jack, of course I will," Rose
said, as her teeth were chattering. "I love you, Jack." She leaned
forward and kissed him. "But I think we need to get into the lifeboat
first."
"Let’s both yell at the same time, and
see if they hear us."
*****
Rose and Jack were very thankful to be able
to get into the boat. They were able to get blankets and finally get warm. They
waited all night for the rescue ship.
The Carpathia arrived early that morning.
Jack and Rose climbed easily aboard. They went right away to the third class
area. There they were given clean clothes and something to eat. They stayed
close together and talked about what they would do after they got to New York.
Jack said that he wanted to go back to Chippewa Falls. Rose agreed. As they
were sitting on a bench, Rose looked up and saw her mother. Her mother looked
over at the same time and their eyes met. Ruth gasped and came over to them.
Jack took Rose’s hand in hers and prepared for the worst.
"So there you are, Rose," she
started, as she knelt down in front of Rose. " I have been so worried
about you. I think I understand part of how you feel now. Please forgive me. I
really do not want to lose you. I love you. You are my daughter and I should
have listened to you." Ruth was crying as she said these words to her
daughter.
At first Rose was shocked, but soon she was
crying also. "Oh, Mother!" she sobbed, as she let go of Jack’s hand.
She got down and took Ruth into her arms. Jack felt awkward. He whispered to
Rose that he would leave them alone.
"I love you, Rose," he said, loud
enough for Ruth to hear. Then, he went out to the bow of the ship.
Jack was standing there when he heard someone
come up behind him. Turning, he thought it was Rose. Instead, it was Cal.
"Hello," he said.
"Jack, I guess you have won Rose. I have
no choice but to admit it. I lost everything on that ship, except the diamond.
It is in my coat pocket. If you and Rose will return it to me, I will pay you a
finder’s fee. Any amount you want. Talk to Rose and let me know before we reach
New York." He turned around and left.