The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-05-24


mnst positive knowledge that the Sir
Szar was lost with all on board. :
The sailor, through long schooling,
Was prepared with an answer: Each
dag makes the prospect Of escape
aKighter. Though was naturally dis
appointed this morning. must state
quite emphahcally that our rescue may
corne any hour. z
Iris looked at him steadily.
60 you remember, Mr.. jerks, that
soon after the wreck you told me we
might have to remain here many
zronths? ?1
That was pardonable exaggera-
xinn.
40. 40. It was the truth. You are
aeeking now to buoy me up with false
hope It is 1000 miles from Hong
kong to Singapore, and half as much
from Siam to Borneo: The Sirdar
niiyht have been driven anywhere in
ae typhoon Didn't you say so, Mr..
Jenks?
aIe wavered under this merciless
cross examination
had no idea your memory was so
zOod, |" he said weakly.
Excellent, assure you. Moreover.
dnring onr forty-four days together
Spn have taught me to think. Why do
you adopt subterfuge with me? We
zn partners IN all else. Why cannot
Z 1share your despair as well as your
1ciIsn
She biazed out in sudden wrath, and
ne understood that she would not be
a1enied the full extent Of his secret
fear He bowed reyerently before her,
IS mortal paying homage to an an
CRY goddess.
q can only admit that you are
Hghts he murmured We must pray
Chat God viii direct our friends to this
island Otherwise we may not be
found for year, as unhappily the
fishermen who once came here now
arold the place They have been
frightened by the contents Of the hol-
zcv behind the cliff. I am glad you
hare solved the difficulty rnaided, Miss
.Neape. have striYen at times to be
scoarse even brutal. toward you, but
znT heart finched from the task. of tell
ang ron the possible period of your inn
TxisonmeEt.' 2
Then Iris, for the first time in many
days, wept bitterly and jerks, blind to
xzse true cause OF her emotion, picked
ED q rifle to which, in spare moments,
Z ae had affixed a curious device. and
walked slowly across Prospect park
fBTad the half ohliterated road lead
7ug tS the valley Of death.
The girl watched him disappear
among the trees. Through her tears
shone sorrowful little smile.
<sHe thinks only Of me, never Of him
self" she comnuned. .If it pleases
Providence 10 spare us from these saw
ages, what does. it matter to me how
Hong ne remain here? have never
heen SO happy before in my life. fear
q never will be again If it were not
zfor my fathers terrible anxiety l
wsuld not have care in the world. !
S,n;y wish to get away so that one
oEare soul at least may be rid Of need
Cess tertures. All his worry is 90 my
account. none ON his ewn."
That was what fearful Miss Iris
Rhonght or tired to persuade herself to
ahnk. Perhaps her cogitations would
mot bear strict analysis. Perhaps she
Nsarbored sweet hope that the future
mlght yet contain bright hours for her
seE and the man who was so devoted
sD nG She refused to believe that
Ioberf Anstruther. strong Of arm and
E1ear s0f brain, knight Of the Round
Fable Ia an that was noble and chfyal-
rr, wou3d perInit his name to bear an
Hnwarrantable stigma when-and she
dlnshed fike q June rose-he came to
4eN her that which he had written.
The sailor returned hastily. with the
mmser Of one hurrying to perform a
reelected task. Without any expfana-
fl0n TO Iris he climbed several times
tn the ledge. carrying armloads Of
arass roots. which he planted in full
E1ew. Then he entered the cave. and.
aaheugh he was furnished only with
CHE dim light that penetrated through
gns distant exit. she heard him hewing
uzanfully at the rock for a couple Of
MNaars. At last he emerged, grimy with
s5nst and perspiration, just in time to
may a last visit to Summit rock before
Hfe sun sank to rest He asked the
sxIrs to delay somewhat the prepara-
sans for their evening meal, as he
.w.ned to take bath; so it was quite
dark when they sat down to eat.
LIS had long recovered her usual
STATE Of high spirits.
Why were you burrowing in the
sxsern again. she inquired. care you
TN hurry to get rich"
-T was following an air shaft, not
Hoze,r he replied. 81 am occasionally
aruzibled with after wit, and this is an
anskance. Do you remember how the