Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-04

weapon with effect, provided she is not
called upon to fire from standing posi-
ton, in which case the weight is liable to
cause bad aiming. Though it came rather
late in the day, jerks caught at the idea.
He accustomed her in the first instance to
the use of blank cartridge. Then, when
fairly proficient in holding and sighting
child can learn how to refill the clip and
eject each empty shell-she fired ten rounds
of service ammunition. The target was
a white circle on a rock at eighty yards,
and those of the ten shots that missed the
absolute mark would have made an enemy
at the same distance extremely uncomfort-
able.
Iris was much pleased with her prof.
cheney. Now" she cried, instead of being
a hindrance to you may be some help. In
any case, the Dyaks will think there are
two men to face, and they have good reason
to fear one of us"
Then new light dawned upon jerks.
"Why did you not think of it before?'
he demanded. Don't you see, Miss Deane.
the possibility suggested by your words?
am sorry to be compelled to speak
plainly, but / feel sure that If those
scoundrels do attack us in force 1t will
be more to secure you than to avenge the
loss of their fellow tribesmen First and
foremost, the sea-going Dyaks are pirates
and marauders. They prowl about the
coast looking not so much for fight
for loot and women. Now, If they return,
and apparently find two well-armed men
awaiting them, with no prospect of plum
der. there is a chance they may abandon
the enterprise"
Iris did not finch from the topic She
knew it's grave Importance.
In other words she said. Il must be
seen by them dressed only in male cloth
ing?"
some hope that they may not discover our
whereabouts, owing to the precautions we
have adopted. Perched up there on the
ledge We will be profoundly uncomfortable,
hat will hn 80
safety.
She did not reply at once.s.Then she said
musingly--"F orty-four daysl Surely there
has been ample time to scour the China sea
from end to end in search of us? My father
would never abandon hope until he had the
most positive knowledge that the Sirdar
was lost with all on board"
The sailor through long schooling, was
prepared with an answer-"Each day makes
The prospect of escape brighter Though /
was naturally disappointed this morning.
must state quite empha tically that our res
cue may come any hour
Iris looked at him steadily.
You wear solemn face for one who
speaks so cheerfully,'' she said.
You should not attach too great sgnifi-
canoe to appearances. The owl a very
stupid bird. is noted for its philosophical
expression"
Then we will strive to find wisdom In
words DO you remember. Mr.. jerks, that
soon after the wreck you told me We might
have to remain here many months?n
mat was rardonable exaggeration.''
NO, no. 1t was the truth. You are seek
ing now To buoy me up with false hope 1t
is sixteen hundred miles from Hong Kong
to Singapore and half as much from Siam
to Borneo The Sirdar might have been
driven anywhere in the typhoon Didn't YOU
say so, Mr. Jenks?''
He wavered under this. merciless eross-ex-
animation.
Il had no idea your memory was so good
he said weakly
Excellent, I assure YOU Moreover dur-
ing our forty-four days together. YOU have
taught me to think. Why do you adopt SUBJ
terfuge with me? We are partners in all
else. Why cannot l share your despair as
well as your tol?''
She blazed out In sudden wrath and he
understood that she would not be denied the
iull extent of his secret fear. He bowed
reverently before her, as mortal paying
homage to an angry goddess.
i can only admit that you are right he
murmured We must pray that God will
direct our friends to this island. Otherwise
we may not be found for a year. as UNI
happily the fishermen who once came here
now avoid the place. They have been fright
ened by the contents of the hollow behind
the cliff l am glad you have solved the
difficulty unaided. Miss Deane 1 have
striven at times to be coarse even brutal
toward you. but my beart ninched from the
task of telling you the possible period of
your imprisonment"
Then Iris. for the first time in many days
wept bitterly and jerks blind to the true
cause of her emotion, picked up a rifle to
which. in spare moments, he had affixed
curious device, and walked slowly across
Prospect Park toward the half-obliterated
road leading 10 the Valley of Death
The girl watched him disappear among
the trees. Through her tears shone a sor-
rowful little smile.
He thinks only of me. never Of himself
she communed IF it pleases Proyidence
to spare us from these savages what does
1t matter to me how long we remain here?
l have never been SO happy before in my
life. i fear never will be again. If it were
not for my fathers terrible anxiety l would
not have care in the world 1 only wish
to get away, so that one brave soul at least
may be rid of needless tortures. All his
worry is on my account, none on his own"
That was what fearful Miss Iris thought
or tried to persuade herself to think Per-
haps her cogitations would not bear strict
analysis. Perhaps she harbored sweet
nope that the future might yet contain
bright hours for herself and the man who
was so devoted to her. She refused to be-
leve that Robert Anstruther. strong of arm
and clear of brain. a knight of the round
table ia all that was noble and ehivalric,
would permit his name to bear an unwar-
rantable stigma when-and she blushed like
a June rose--he came to tell her that which
he had written.
The sailor returned hastily with the man.
ner. of one hurrying to perform a neglected
task. Without any explana ton to Iris he
climbed several times to the ledge carrying
armloads of grass roots which he planted in
full view. Then he entered the cave and
although he was furnished only with the
dim light that penetrated through the dis
tant exit, she heard him hewing manfully
at the rock for couple of hours. At last he
emerged, grimy with dust and perspiration,
just in time to pay last visit to Summit
Rock before the sun sank to rest He
asked the girl to delay somewhat the prepa-
rations for their evening meal as he wished
to take bath, so it was quite dark when
they sat down to eat.
Iris had long recovered her usual state of
high spirits.
why were you burrowing Ia the cavern
again?" she inquired. Are you in hurry
to get rich?"
81 was following an air shaft, not Lode
he replied. Il am occasionally troubled
with after wit and this is an instance. Do
you remember how the flame of the lamp
fiickered whilst We We're opening up our
miner
Yes"
II was so absorbed In contemplating our
prospective wealth that l failed to pay
heed TO the true significance of that incl
dent. 1t meant the existence of an upward
current of air. Now, where the current
goes there must be passage and whilst
was busy this afternoon among the trees
over there''--he pointed toward the Val
4