Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-23
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Iris was now looking at him intently
1sYou saved my life,'' she repeated slowly
1t seemed that this obvious fact needed to
be indelibly established in her mind. In
deed, the girl was overweight by all that
she had gone through. Only by degrees
were her thoughts marshaling themselves
with lucid conference. AS yet she recalled
SO many dramatic incidents that they failed
to assume due proportion.
But quickly there came memories OF Cap
tain Ross, of Sir John and Lady Tozer, OF
the doctor. her maid, the hundred and one
individualities of her pleasant life aboard
ship. Could 1t be that they were all dead?
The notion was monstrous. But It's CHASTITY
significance was instantly borne in upon
her by the plight in which she stood. Her
lips quivered; the tears trembled in her
eyes.
rs it really true that all the ships COM
pany except ourselves are lost?' she
brokenly demanded
The sailors gravely earnest glance fell
before hers. ''Unhappily there is no room
for doubt" he said.
Are you quite. quite sure?'
II am sure-of some" Involuntarily he
turned Seaward
knees, covered her face with her hands, and
broke into a passion of weeping. With
look of infinite pity he stopped and would
have touched her shoulder, but he suddenly
restrained the impulse. Something had
hardened this man. 1t cost him an effort to
be callous. but he succeeded. His mouth
frightened and his expression lost its ten
derness.
Come come, my dear lady" he ex-
claimed. and there was a tinge of studied
roughness in his voice, you must calm
yourself. 1t is the fortune of shipwreck as
well as of war. you know. We are alive
and must look after ourselves. Those who
have gone are beyond our help"
But not beyond our sympathy walled
Iris. uncovering her swimming eyes Tor d
fleeing look at him. Even in the utter des-
al, tfD,, 0f l,n ,cr,t .hn
marveling that this queer-mannered sailor,
who spoke like a gentleman and tried to
pose as her inferior, who had rescued her
with the utmost gallantry, who carried his
ing her needs when he was in far worse
case himself. should be SO utterly indifer-
ent to the fate of others.
He waited silently until her sobs ceased.
Now. madam" he said, cit is essential
that we should obtain some food. l don't
wish to leave you alone until we are better
acquainted with our whereabouts. Can you
walk a little way toward the trees or shall
l assist you?
Iris Immediately stood up. She pressed
her hair back defiantly.
Certainly l can walk" she answered.
What do you propose to dor
We'll madam
What is your Nance" she interrupted,
mperiously
jerks. madam. Robert jerks
Thank you. Now, listen Mr.. Robert
jerks My name is Miss Itis Deane- On
board ship l was a passenger and you were
Il steward-that is, until you became a
seaman. Here we are equals in misfor-
tune, but in all else you are the leader
am quite useless. l can only help in mat
tiers by your direction, so l do not wish to
be addressed as madam in every breath.
Do you understand me?
Conscious that her large blue eyes were
fixed indignantly upon him, Mr. Robert
jerks repressed q smile. She still
hysterical and must be humored in her va
carries. What odd moment for a discus
sion on etiquette.
LAS you wish, Miss Deane.' he said.
THE fact remains that l have many things
to attend to- and we really must eat some
thing.
)''What can we eat?"
Let US find out he replied, scanning
the nearest trees with keen scrutiny.
They plodded together through the sand
in silence Physically, they were superb
couple, but in ralment they resembled
scarecrows. Both, of course, were bare
headed. The sailors jersey and trousers
were old and torn, and the Sea-water still
soughed loudly in his heavy boots with
each step
But Iris was in d deplorable plight Her
hair fell in great wave of golden brown
strands over her neck and shoulders. Ev-
cry hairpin had vanished, but with a few
dexterous twists she coiled the flying
tresses into a loose knot Her beautiful
muslin dress was rent and dragged. 1t
was drying rapidly under the ever-increas-
ing power of the sun, and she surrepti-
tiously endeaYored to complete the fasten-
ing of the open portion about her neck.
other details must be left until a more ia
vorable opportunity.
She recalled the strange sight that first
met her eyes when she recovered con-
seriousness.
You hurt your finger she said. abb
ruptly Let me see it
They had reached the shelter of the
trees, pleasantly grateful now, so powerful
are tropical sunbeams at even an early
hour.
He held out his right hand without look
ing at her. Indeed, his eyes had been stu
diously averted during the past few min
utes. Her womanly feelings were aroused
by the condition of the ragged wound.
"Oh, you poor fellow" she said. How
awful it must be. How did it happen? Let
me tie it up.
been well soaked in salt water, you know.
l think the nail torn off when We
when a piece of wreckage miraculously
turned up beneath us.
Iris shredded strip from her dress. She
bound the finger with deft tenderness.
Thank you he said. simply. Then he
gave glad shout. BY Jove! Miss Deane,
we are in lucks way. There is fine plan
tain tree.
The pangs of hunger could not be resisted.
Although the fruit was hardly ripe. they
tore at the great punches and ate raven
ously. Iris made no pretense In the mat
he had been on duty continuously since 4
O clock the previous afternoon.
AT last their appetite was somewhat APP
peased though pantains might not appeal
to gourmand as the solitary joint.
Now decided jerks, you must rest
here little while, Miss Deane. l am
going back to the beach. You need not be
afraid There are no animals to harm you,
and | will not be far away.
What are you going to do on the beach?'
she demanded
ITO rescue stores, for the most part
May I not come with you'll can be OF
some little service, surely?'
He answered slowly: please oblige me
by remaining here at present. In less than
an hour ] will return, and then, perhaps,
you will find plenty to do"
She read his meaning intuitively and shiv
cred Il could not do that she murmured.
II would faint Whilst you are away will
pray for them-my unfortunate friends.
AS he passed from her side he heard her
sobbing quietly.
When he reached the lagoon he halted
suddenly Something startled him. He was
quite certain that he had counted fourteen
corpses. Now there were only twelve. The
two Lascars' bodies. which rested on the
small group of rocks on the verge Of the
lagoon. had vanished.
Where had they gone to?
Cro be continued tomorrow