The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-06-11
che d1lieta Daily Eagle Saturday glorio, gune IL, 1882

were Joined by others, until there were
eleven in all. Here they proceeded to light
q fire and dispose themselves around it.
Evidently they were not decided what
course TO pursue.
During the rest of the day they made no
movement. 1t would have been an easy
matter to have brought boat from the
ship into the bay and crossed over to the
island. They knew we had arms, how
ever, and apparently were not in any haste
to risk an attack. The fire continued TO
burn upon the beach after nightfau and
we could see the figures of the men NOV
ing idly about. Considerably treasured,
my companions threw themselves down
upon the short, dry grass not far from the
boat, while took the first watch as usual
| placed myself at a little distance upon
knoll commanding a view of the bay and
the camp of the mutineers. Here l sat
down and fell into uneasy meditation. As
dubious as our position was, could only
think Of Ola Would she discover my
present whereabouts? Might she not be-
lieve had deserted her without warning?
Worst of all, might she not visit the scene
of my last nights meeting and fall into
the hands Of yonder ruffians? Ny blood
boiled as thought of this last possibility.
AS the moments slipped by my anxiety
increased. Twice or thrice, as l sat with
my head between my hands, thought
heard a faint splash in the water. But
the fire burned brightly on the shore, and
the figures still moved idly to and fro
around it.
Suddenly, and without a sound of warn
ing, soft Kiss was pressed upon my fore
head, and Ola's low voice addressed me.
1.-THE great white stranger was waiting
for Ola, hoping she would Gomez"
Yes, indeed" answered earnestly. Il
feared you might not find me here"
lola watched all day." replied the girl
"She was very wretched because you were
in danger and she dared not come to you. "
But she has come at last" 1 said, draw
ing her down beside me, land l am very
happy"
''Is it indeed SOP" she murmured, up
turning her brilliant eyes to mine. Does
the great white stranger really love the
poor island girl? Then she can die with
out sorrow, for she can ask no more of the
gods who dwell beyond the clouds"
why do you speak of dying, OLAF"
asked with sudden, unaccountable heavi-
ness of heart. "You are young and have
many happy years before you"
"Ah," she said, in a low, dreamy voice,
Il know not. The thought has been with
me all day. l felt the dark shadow near,
very near. But what matter? | shall not
fear to go down into the great night now.
For who has been so blessed as II"
A profound sadness seized me. Could it
be love that felt for this beautiful island
girl? Does love spring up so suddenly in
the soul? do not know; but l do know
that the thought of losing her smote me
with a sense of terror such as l had never
experienced before.
Meantime the camp fire 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 1 was appeased by that sadness and
provision of coming danger. Closer drew
the 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 sud
den start she sprang to her feet.
"Harkt' she whispered.
I listened, but could hear nothing.
turned to question her when, as if formed
out of the obscurity, number of dark fig
ures sprang toward us with loud cries.
What followed l hardly know. 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 1 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 pair of
soft, naked arms clasped my neck. There
was faint groan and gush OF something
warm over my hands.
lola has saved your recognized the
gentle, dying tones and understood ALL
As the arms Ioosened and the poor girl
sank to the ground a demon of despair
possessed me. i sprang to my feet. and dis
charged my revolver in the face of the ruff
fan. With a curse he fell. After that I
remember only that l fought like a mad
man. Again and again [ fired, bringing
down man with each shot, until it seemed
as if my superhuman fury overawed my
assailants.
When | came to my senses / stood sur
rounded by loyal comrades, with the smok-
ing revolver in my hand, and four dead
and two wounded men at my feet. At a
little distance the remainder of the mu-
timers, completely cowed, were gathered
together. The ringleaders having been
killed, the others were ready to return to
their duty.
Leaving the captain to come 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 in
the dim light could see that she was
smiling.
"Ola is happy. very happy. Sometime
somewhere, beyond the rising sun, Ola and
her great white lover will meet again"
A SILVER ran through her frame. With
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. 1 fingered behind
awhile, and when /, too, left the island
there was fresh green mound at the foot
of a tall palm, upon whose trunk were
rudely carved the words:
OLA.
FOR LOVES SAKE
&C. L. Hildreth in Philadelphia Presa