Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-26
CHAPTER v.
Iris to the Rescue.

heavens. Iris was preparing breakfast; a
fine fire was cracking cheerfully. and the
presiding goddess had so altered her ap-
pearance that the sailor surveyed her with
astonishment.
He noiselessly assumed sitting posture.
tucked his feet beneath him, and blinked.
The girls face was not visible from where
he sat. and for few seconds he thought he
must surely be dreaming. She was attired
in neat navy-blue dress and smart blouse
Her white canvas shoes were replaced, by
strong leather boots. She was quite spick
and span. this island Hebe.
So soundly had he slept that his senses
returned but slowly. At last he guessed
what had happened. She had risen with
the dawn, and. conquering her natural feel
Ing of repulsion, selected from the store he
accumulated yesterday some more suitable
garments than those in which she escaped
from the wreck
condition, and passed reflective hand over
the stubble on his chin. In few days his
face would resemble scrubbing brush. In
that mournful moment he would have ex-
changed even his pipe and tobacco box
worth untold gold-for shaving tackle. Who
can say why his thoughts took such trend?
Twenty-four hours can effect great changes
in the human mind if controlling influences
are active.
Then came sharp revulsion of feeling.
His name was Roberta mental. He reached
for his boots, and Iris heard him.
Good morning." she cried, smiling sweet
ly. Il thought you would never awake. L
suppose you were very, very tired. You
were lying so still that l ventured to peep
at you a long time ago.
Thus might Titania peep at an OGRE"
he said.
You didn't look bit like an ogre You
never do. You only try to talk like one
some times
Il claim truce until after breakfast. If
my rough compliI-- ent Offends you, let me
depend upon more gentle tongue than my
own:
Her angels face
AS the great eye of heaven shyned bright,
And made a sunshine in the shady place.
Those lines are surely appropriate. They
come from the Faerie Queene."
They are very nice, but please wash
quickly. The eggs will be hard
"Eggsv'
Yes; 1 made collection among the
trees / tasted one of a lot that looked
good. 1t was first rate.
He had not the moral courage to begin
the day with rebuke. She was irrepressi-
BILE, but she really must not do these things.
He smothered a sigh in the improvised
basin which was placed ready for him.
Miss Deane had prepared capital meal.
OF course the ham and biscuits still bulked
large in the bill of fare. but there were
boiled eggs, fried bananas and an elderly
cocoanut. These things, supplemented by
clear, cold water, were not so bad for
couple of castaways, hundreds of miles
from everywhere.
For the life of him the man could not re-
frain from displaying the conversational
art in which he excelled- Their talk dealt
with Italy. Egypt, India. He spoke with
the ease of culture and enthusiasm Once
he slipped into anecdote apropos of the
helplessness Of British soldiers in any mat
ter outside the scope Of the kings regula-
lions.
Il remember he said, SEEING cavalry
subaltern and the members Of an escort
sitting, half starved. on a number of bags
piled up in the Suakin desert. And what
do you think were in the bags?"
Il don't know" said Iris, keenly alert for
deductions.
Biscuits! They thought the bags con-
tanned patent fodder until I enlightened
Them
1t was on the tip of her tongue to pounce
on him with the comment: Then you have
been an officer in the army" But she fore
bore. She had guessed this earlier. Yet
the mischievous light in her eyes dafed
control. He was warned in time and pulled
himself up short.
You read my face like book she
cried, with a delightful little moue.
mo printed page was ever so-legibie''
He was going to say fascinating" but
checked the impulse. He went on with
brisk affeetation:
long. I am a laggard this morning; but
before starting work 1 have a few serious
remarks to make"
More digs?" she inquired saucily.
Il repudiate digs In the first place, you
must not make any more experiments In the
matter of food. The eggs were wonderful
effort, but, iattered by success, you may
poison yourself"
Secondly"
'You must never pass out of my sight
a nf 60 rci,
for defense, but as signal. Did you take
one when you went bird's-nesting?
NO. Why?'
There was a troubled look in his ewes
when he answered:
1T is best to tell you at once that before
help reaches us we may be visited by cruel
and bloodthirsty savages. / would not even
mention this II 1t were remote contin-
gency. AS matters stand, you ought to
know that such thing may happen Let
us trust in Gods goodness that assistance
may come soon. The island has seemingly
been deserted for many months, and there
am obliged to warn you lest you should be
taken unawares."
Iris was serious enough now
How do you know that such danger
threatens us?" she demanded
He countered readily. Because happen
to have read good deal about the China
Sea and it's frequenters," he said. IT am
the last man In the world to alarm you
needlessly. All mean to convey is that
certain precautions should be taken against
risk that is possible, not probable. No
mere"
She could not repress a shudder The
aspect Of nature was so beneficent that
evil deeds seemed to be out of place in that
fair isle. Birds were singing around Them
The sun was mounting into a cloudless
sky. The gale had passed away into a
pleasant breeze, and the sea was now
ripping against the distant reef with peace
full melody