Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-07-31

had long been wearing those portions of the doctors uniform. But when 1t came to the rest
 At last one memorable morning she crossed the Rubicon. Jenks had climb ed, as usual, to the Summit rock. He came back with the exciting news that he thought-he could not be certain, but there were indications inspiring hopefulness-that toward the west of smoke of a steamer.
 Though he had eyes for faint cloud of vapor at least fifty miles distant, he saw nothing of remarkable change effected nearer home. Outwardly Iris was attired in her wonted manner, but if her companion's mind were not who'll ly monopolized by the bluish haze de- tected on the horizon he must have mo- ticed the turned up ends of pair of trousers beneath the hem of her tat tered skirt
 It did occur to him that Iris re- ceived his momentous announcement with an odd air of hauteur, and 1t was passing strange she did not offer to accompany him when, after bolting his breakfast, he returned to the observa- tory.
 He came back in an hour, and the lines on his face were deeper than be- fore.
 "A false alarm,' he said curtly in re- sponse to her questioning look. And that was all, though she nerved herself to walk steadily past him on her way to the well. This was discon- certing even annoying, to positive young woman like Iris. Resolving to end the ordeal, she stood rigidly before him.
 Well" she said, I've done it!" Have you?" he exclaimed blankly.
 "Yes. They're little too long, and feel very awkward, but they're better than-than my poor old dress unsup- ported"
 She blushed furiously, to the sailors complete bewilderment, but she brave ly persevered and stretched out an un- willing foot.
 "Oh, I seev he growled. and he, too, reddened.
 And during the remainder of the day he did not once look at her feet In- deed, he had far more serious matters to distract his thoughts, for Iris, fe- verishly anxious to be busy, suddenly suggested that 1t would be a good thing were she able to use a rife if a fight at close quarters became neces- sary.
 The recoil of the Lee-Metford is so slight that any woman can manipulate the weapon with effect, provided she is not called upon to fire from stand ing position, in which case the weight is liable to cause bad aiming. Though it came rather late in the day, Jenks caught at the idea. He accustomed her in the first instance to the use of blank cartridges. Then when fairly proficient in holding and sighting-a child can learn how tQ refill the clip and eject each empty 'shell-she fired ten rounds of service ammunition. The target was 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 uncomforta- ble.
 Iris was much pleased with her pro- fciency. Now" she cried, instead of being a hindrance to you I 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 a new light dawned upon Jenks.
 "Why did you not think of 1t be- fore?" he demanded. Don't you see. Miss Deane, the possibility suggested by your words? am sorry to be com pelled to speak plainly, but feel sure that if those scoundrels do attack us in i force it 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 maraud- CTS. They prowl about the coast look ing not so much for fight as for loot and women. Now. if they return and apparently find two well armed men awaiting them, with no prospect of plunder, there is chance that they may abandon the enterprise" Iris did not finch from the topic. She we'll knew its grave importance.
 Tn other words" she said, "I must be seen by them dressed only in male clothingw
 "Yes; as a last resource, that is. I have some hope that they may not dis cover our whereabouts owing to the precautions we have adopted. Perched up there on the ledge, we will be pro foundly uncomfortable. but that will be nothing If 1t secures our safety"
 She did not reply at once. Then she said nusingly: "Forty-four days! Surely there has been ample time to SCOUT the China sea from end to end in search of us! My father would nev- CT abandon hope until he had the most positive knowledge that the Sir | dar 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 I was naturally dis appointed this morning. 1 must state quite emphatically that our rescue may come any hour"
 Iris looked al him steadily.
 Do you remember. Mir. Jenks, that