The morning news., 1892-03-27

heve had deserted her without wsrningl
Worst OF all, might she not visit the scene
OF my last nights meeting and fall into
the hands of yonder ruffiansi Ny blood
boiled as thought of this last possibility.
AS the moments slipped by. my anxiety
increased. Twice or thrice, as / sat with
my head between my hands, I thought
heard a faint splash in the water. But the
fire burned brightly on the shore, and the
figures still moved idly 10 and fro around IL.
Suddenly. and without a sound Of warn
ing. soft kiss was pressed upon my fore
head, aud Ola's low voice addressed me
THE great white stranger was waiting
for Ola, hoping she would conner
''Yes. indeed, answered, earnestly. 'I
feared you might not find me here.n
lola watched all day" replied the girl.
''She was very wretched because you we're
in danger, and she dared not come TO YOU
"Bub she has come at last" said, draw
ing her down beside me, land l am very
happy"
lis it indeed sol" she murmured, upturn-
ing her brilliant eyes to mine. "Does the
| great white stranger really love the poor
island grit Then she eau die without sor-
row, for she can ask no more OF the gods
who dwell eyond the clouds"
"Why do you speak OF dying, OlaT' 1
asked with a sudden, unaccountable heavi-
ness OF heart You are young and have
many happy years before you.n
"Ah. she said, in a low, dreamy voice, "I
know not. The thought has been with me
all day. / felt the dark shadow near. very
near. But what matterl / shall not fear to
20 down into the great night now. For who
has been so blessed as Iln
A profound sadness had seized me, Could
Il be love that felt for this beautiful island
| girll Does love spring up SO suddenly In the
| soula do not know; but do know that
the thought OF losing her smote me with a
sense of terror such as l had never experi-
enced before.
Meantime the campfire on the shore had
| died down. Only the solemn glimmer of
the stars shone over the calm waters of the
bay. There was no sound except the faint
sigh OF the wind among the waves. Still |
/ was appeased by that sadness aud provision
of coming danger. Closer drew Che girls
form to my heart as If to shelter her. She
raised her head and again our lips met In a
long kiss. Then with a sudden start she
( sprauR to her feet
| "Harkn she whispered.
| / listened, but could hear nothing /
| turned TO question her, when, as IL formed
out Of the obscurity, "a number of dark
| figures sprang toward us with loud cries.
What followed l hardly know. l found
myself struggling in the grip of rough
hands. All around me was the wild con-
! fusion of a desperate battle, a tumult of
shouts. oaths. pistol shots and blows.
In the delirium OF the moment l saw a
| huge figure bending over me as knelt upon
| one knee where had been thrown in the
melee. A knife glittered in the dim light.
l heard a low cry in a woman's voice, and
as the knife descended, peir OF soft, naked
groan and gush OF something warm over
my hands.
lola has saved you" l recognized the
| gentle, dying tones. and understood ALI
As the arms loosenod and the poor girl
sank TO the ground, a demon OF despair pos
sessed me; l sprang to my feet and dis
| charged my revolver In the face Of the
ruffian. With a curse he fell. After that
l remember only that fought Ikea mad
man. Again and again l fired, bringing
| down a man with each shot until II seemed
as II my superhuman fury overawed nay
| assailants.
| When came to my senses l stood sur
rounded by loyal comrades with the smolr-
| ing revolver In my hand, and four dead
and two wounded men at my feet. At a
little distance the remainder of the mutt
neers. completely cowed, were.gathered to-
| gether. The ringleaders having been killed,
the others were ready to return to their
| duty.
| Leaving the captain TO como TO terms
with them, / knelt down and took the head
| of the dying girl upon my knee, my tears
dropping upon her upturned face.
do not weep" she murmured, and 10 the
dim light could see that she was smiling.
"Ola ls happy, very happy. Some time
somewhere. beyond the rising sun, Ola and
her great white lover will meet again."
A shiver ran through her frame; with a
final effort she pressed her lips to mine and
fell back dead.
Terrified by the result Of their rebellion,
the mutineers submitted and returned
| quietly TO the ship. l fingered behind
awhile, and when 1, too, left the island there
was a fresh green mound at the foot Of a tall
palm, upon whose trunk were rudely carved
the words:
| OLA.