Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-11-16
By LOUIS
TRACY
Copyright. 1905. BY
Edward J. clode

and the next tide sweep away the spoil.
Thirdly, we should eat and rest, and,
finally, we must explore the island be-
fore the light fails. am convinced we
are alone here 1t is small place at
the best, and II any Cinnamon were
ashore they would have put in an ap-
pearance long since"
do you think, then. that we may re-
main here longY'
ut Is impossible to form an opinion
on that point. Help may come IN
day. On the other hand
"Yes?"
ut is a wise thing. Miss Deane, to
prepare for other contingencies"
"Do you mean," she said slowly.
..that we may be imprisoned here for
weeks, perhaps months?
"If you c.st your mind back few
hours you will perhaps admit that We
are very fortunate to be here at all.
She whisked round upon him. do
not fence with my question, Mr.. jerks.
Answer mev'
He bowed. There was a perceptible
return of his stubborn cynicism when
he spoke.
1.-THE facts are obvious Miss Deane.
The loss Of the Sirdar will not be
definitely known for many days. It
will be assumed thnt she has broken
down. The agents in Singapore will
await cabled tidings Of her where
abouts. She might have drifted any
where in that typhoon. Ultimately
they will send out vessel to search,
impelled to that course q little earlier
by your fathers anxiety. Pardon me.
did not intend to pain you. I am
speaking my mind"
"Go on" said Iris bravely.
s"The relief ship must search the en-
tire China sea. The gale might have
driven disabled steamer north, south,
east or west. A typhoon travels In q
whirling spiral, you see. and the direc-
ton of drifting ship depends wholly
upon the locality where she sustained
damage. The coasts of China, Java,
Borneo and the Philippines are not
equipped with lighthouses on every
headland and cordoned with telegraph
wires. There are river pirates and saw
age races to be reckoned with. Casting
aside all other possibilities and assun1-
ing that prompt search 10 made to the
| south Of our course, this part of the
ocean is full of reefs and small islands.
some inhabited permanently, others
visited occasionally by fishermen" He
was about to add something, but check
ed himself.
ITO sum up" he continued hurriedly,
1--WE may have to remain here for many
days, even months. There 10 always a
chance Of speedy help. We must act,
however, on the basis Of detention for
an indefinite period. l am discussing
appearances as they are. A survey of
the island may change all these views"
I'm what way?"
He turned and pointed to the sum-
init Of the tree covered hill behind
them.
prom that point" he said, I'VE may
see other and larger islands. II 80,
| they will certainly be inhabited. am
surprised this one Is not"
He ended abruptly. They were los
ing time. Before Iris could join him
he was already hauling large I'M
damaged case out Of the water.
He laughed mmirthfully. Cham
pagne!' he said. "A good brand toow
This man was certainly an enigma.
iris wrinkled her pretty forehead in
| the effort to place him in fitting cate
cory. His words and accent were
those Of an educated gentleman, yet
his actions and manners were studious-
" uncouth when he thought she was
| observing him. The veneer Of rough
| ness puzzled her. That he was nat
uralIy Of refined temperament she
knew quite well, not alone by percep-
ton, but by the plain evidence OF his
earlier dealings with her.
| To the best of her ability she silently
helped in the work Of salvage. They
made a queer collection. A case Of
champagne and another Of brandy, a
box Of books, pair Of night glasses, a
compass, several boxes Of ships bis
CUTS, coated with salt, but saved BY
their hardness, having been Immersed
| but a few seconds; two large cases OF
hams in equally good condition, some
huge dish covers, q bit Of twisted IRON
work and a great quantity Of cordage
and timber.
There was one very heavy package,
which their united strength could not
| lift. The sailor searched around until
he found an iron bar that could be
wrenched from its socket. With this
he pried open the strong outer cover
and revealed the neutrality-suspicious.
boxes of ammunition, each containing
900 rounds.
"Ah" he cried. Nov we want some
rifles"
What good would they BET" inquir'
cd Iris.
He softly denounced himself as
fool, but he answered at once: ITO
shoot birds, of course, Miss Deane
There are plenty here. and many OF
them are edible"
They worked in silence for another
hour. The sun was nearing the zenith
They were distressed with the increas
Ing heat Of the day. jerks secured
ham and some biscuits, some pieces Of
drIftwood and the binoculars and invit
ed Miss Deane to accompany him t.
the grove She obeyed without word
though she wondered how be proposed
to light Z ose. To contrtbuts some
thing towsrd the expected feast she
| ~~von and q hnktlA nj