The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-07-13
Iris looked at him steadily.

Iris looked at him steadily.
DO you remember, Mr. jerks, that
soon after the wreck you told me we
might have to remain here many
months 2"
"That was a pardonable exaggera-
ton"
mo, no! 1t was the truth. You are
seeking now to buoy me up with false
hope. 1t is 1000 miles from Hong.
kong to Singapore, and half as much
from Siam to Borneo. The Sirda1
might have been driven anywhere in
the typhoon. Didn't you say so, Mr.
Jenks?"
He wavered under this merciless
cross examination.
II had no idea your memory was SO
good" he said weakly.
Excellent, assure you. Moreover
during our forty-four days together
you have taught me to think. Why dc
you adopt subterfuge with me? We
are partners in all else. Why cannot
share your despair as we'll as your
toil?"
She blazed out in sudden wrath, and
he understood that she would not be
denied the full extent of his secret
fear. He bowed reverently before her,
as mortal paying homage to an an
cry goddess.
Il can only admit that you are
right" he murmured. 1--WE must pray
fhQf Cod mill <~31 5o b.
island. Otherwise we may not be
found for a year, as unhappily the
fishermen who once came here now
avoid the place. They have been
frightened by the contents of the hol.
low behind the cliff. 1 am glad you
have solved the difficulty unaided, Miss
Deane. l have striven at times to be
coarse, even brutal, toward you, but
my heart f1inched from the task Of tell
ing you the possible period of your i'm
priSOnment"
Then Iris, for the first time in many
days, wept bitterly, and jerks, blind to
the true cause of her emotion, picked
up rifle to which, in spare moments,
be had affixed curious device, and
walked slowly across Prospect park
toward the half obliterated road lead
ing to the valley of death.
The girl watched him disappear
among the trees. Through her tears
shone sorrowful little smile.
| HE thinks only of me, never of him.
SELF" she communed. IF it pleases
Providence to spare us from these saw
ages, what does it matter to me how
! long we remain here? I have never
been so happy before in my life I fear
never will be again. If it were not
for my fathers terrible anxiety !
| would not have a care in the world.
only wish to get away so that one
brave soul at least may be rid of need.
less 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. Perhaps her cogitations would
not bear strict analysis. Perhaps she
harbored sweet hope that the future
might yet contain bright hours for her
| self and the man who was so devoted
to her. She refused to believe that
Robert Anstruther, strong Of arm and
clear of brain, knight of the Round
Table in all that was noble and chival-
r1c, would permit his name to bear an
unwarrantable stigma when-and she
blushed like June rose-he came to
tell her that which he had written.
The sailor returned hastily, with the
manner of one hurrying to perform q
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