Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-02
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| OF this collaborating rock. This, then, was
the secret of the cave
| The Chinese knew the richness of the de-
post, and exploited its treasures by quar-
| ryfng from the other side of the hill. But
their cHass ignorance of modern science led
\ TO their undoing. The accumulation of
| liberated carbonic acid gas in the work.
! lngs killed them in scores. They prob
| ably fought this unseen demon with the
| tenacity of their race, until the place be-
| came accursed and banned of all living
things Vet had they dug a little ditch,
| and permitted the invisible terror to flow
quietly downwards until its potency was
dlssipated by sea and air. they might have
| mined the whole cliff with impunity
The unfortunate unknown, J. She of
the whitened bones-might have done this
| thing too. But he only possessed the half
knowledge of the working miner, and while
stunning the plague-stricken quarry,
adopted the more laborious method of
making an adit to strike the deposit He
succeeded. to perish miserably in the house
when he saw himself a millionaire
was this portent of the fate about to
course. stood up. He always stood square
on his feet when the volcano within him
fired his blood.
mo, by God!' he almost shouted IT
Will break the spell. l am sent here by
providence, not to search for gold, but to
save woman's life, and If all the devils
OF CHINA and Malay are in league against
me / will beat themv'
He had no notion that he was so historical
Promptly his British phlegm throttled the
demonstration. He was rather ashamed
Of it.
barrow load of gold he could not buy an
1nstants safety for Iris, not to mention
hmselI. The language difficulty was in
sIperable Were 1t otherwise, the Dyaks
would simply humbug him until he re-
vealed the source of his wealth. and then
murder him as an effective safeguard
against foreign interference
IRIS! Not once since she was hurled
ashore In his arms had jerks so long for
gotten her existence. Should he tell her?
Iney were partners in everything apper-
tanning to the island-why keep this mar
Vicious intelligence from her?
Yet was he tempted not lgnobly but nv
reason of his love for her. Once, years
ago, when his arduous professional studies
were distracted by a momentary infatu--
alton for a fair face a woman had proved
tickle when tempted by greater wealth
than he possessed For long he was a
confirmed misogynist, to his great and last
ing gain as leader of men. But with
more equable judgment came a fixed reso-
luton not to marry unless his prospective
pride cared only for him and not for his
pc sitlon. 10 staff corps officer, even one
WIN small private income this was no
unattainable ideal Then he met with his
debacle In the shame and agony of the
court-martial. While his soul still ouiv-
cred under the lash of that terrible down
ran, Iris came into his life. He knew not
what might happen If they were rescued
The time would quickly pass until the old
| order was resumed she to go back to her
position In society, he to become again a
olsgraced ex-officer. apparently working
out mere existence before the mast or
handling plates in a saloon
would IL not be a sweet defiance of
adversely We're he able, even under such
CONDITIONS: to win her love, and then
disclose to ner the potentiaIities of
the island? Perchance he might
tall. Though rich as Croesus he
would still be under the social ban melted
ou. 10 d eashlered officer. She was a girl
VINO could command the gift of coronets
with restoration to her father and home
| gratitude to her preserver would assuredIv
remain but, alas! love might vanish like
a mirage. Then he would act honorabIy
Half of the stored wealth would be hers 10
do as she chose with it.
Yes, this was a possible alternative Tn
case or accident to himself. and her ulti-
mate escape, he must Immediately write
null details of his discovery and intrust the
document to her. to be opened only after
MS death or six months after their release
me idea possessed him so thoroughly
that he could brook no delay. He searched
Tor one of the note books taken from the
dead officers Of the Sirdar, and scrubbed the
following letter: -No
Dear Miss Deane:
Whether I am living or dead when Won
read these words you will know that T
love you. Could 1 repeat that avowal a
mllnon times In as many varied forms 1
should ind no better phrase to express the
dream L have cherished since happy fate
permitted me to snatch you from death So
l simply say, I love YOU l will continue
to love you whilst life lasts and IL is INV
| dearest hope that in the life beyond the
grave l may still be able to voice my love
for you.
But perhaps / am not destined to be
loved by you. Therefore, in the event of
my death before you leave the island,
wish to give you instructions how to find a
gold mine OF great value which is hidden in
the rock containing the cave. You remem-
Der the Sign on the piece of tin which we
could not understand. The figure 30 de-
notes the utmost depth of the excavation
and the 1 signifies that one foot below the
surface, on reaching the face of the rock.
there is rich vein of gold. The hollow on
the other side of the cliff became filled with
anhydrate gas, and this stopped the opera
lions Of the Chinese who evidently knew
of the existence of the mine This is all
the information the experts employed by
Sir Arthur Deane will need. The facts are
unreasonable.
Assuming that I am alive. we will of
course, be co-partners in the mine. If am
dead, wish one-sixth share to be given to
my uncle William Anstruther, Crossthwaite
ompense Tor his kindness to me during nv
early life. The remainder Is to be yours
absolutely. ROBERT ANSTRUTHER."
He read this remarkable document twice
e.
corded his sentiments. He even smiled sar-
castically at the endowment of the uncle
who disinherited him. Then, satisfied with
the perusal, he tore out the two leaves COW
cred by the letter and began to devise a
means of protecting it securely whilst in
Iris possession.
At that moment he looked I'D and saw
her coming toward him across the beach
brightly flushed after her bath, walking
like nymph clothed in tattered garments.
Perceiving that he was watching her she
waved her hand and instinctively quick
eneds her pace. Even now when they were
thrown together by the exigencies Of each
hour, she disliked to be long separated
from him.
Instantly The scales fell from his men
tai vision. What! Distrust Irds Imagine
for one second that riches or poverty
good repute or i'll, would affect that
loyal heart when its virginia. font was
filled with the love that once in her
life comes to every true woman, Perish
the thought! What evil spirit had power
to so blind his perception of all that was
strong and beautiful in her Character.
Brave. accomplishing Iris! Iris of the
crystal SOUL Iris. whose innocence and
candor were mirrored in her blue eyes and
breathed through her dear lipSi Here was