Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-06-20

Dfcatn enough 10 tcll Hle WHY
YOU came down the ladder!'
When l discovered you were gone
| became wild with fright. Don't you
see. imagined you We're wounded
and had fallen from the ledge What
else could | do but follow, either to
help you, or, If that were not pos
sible"-
lie found her hand and pressed it to
his lips.
Il humbly crave your PARDON lie
said. That explanation Is more than
ample. 1t was l who behaved un-
reasonably. OF course l should have
warned YOU"
"May | ask how many more wild ad-
ventures you undertook without my
knowledge"
"Onc other, of great magnitude. l
fell in love with YOU
NONSENSE" she retOrted. IL knew
that long before you admitted it to
yourself"
"Date please?'
well. to begin ut the very begin
ming. you thought I was nice on board
the Sirlar. Now, didn't yOu?'
And they were safely embarked Oh Il
conversation Of no interest 10 any 9TH
err person In the wide world. but which
provided them with the most delight
full topic Imaginable.
Thus the time sped until the rising
moon silhouetted the cliff on the white
CARPET Of coral strewn sand. The black
shadow line Travelled slowly closer to
the base Of the cliff, and jerks. guided
also by the stars. told Iris that mid
night was 1t hand.
They knelt on the parapet OF the
ledge. alert to catch any unusual
sound and watching for any indication
of human movement. But Rainbow is
land was now still as the grave. The
wounded Dyaks had seemingly been
removed from hut and beach. The dead
lay where they had fallen. The sea
sang lullaby to the reef. and the
fresh breeze whispered among the
palm fronds Shat was all.
IL the Mussulman kept his compact
the hour was ut hand. Then the light
hiss OF n snake rose to them from q
depths. That Is sound never forSJt-
ten when once heard. 1t Is like unto
no other. Indeed the term hiss" Is n
misnomer for the quick siblant expul-
sion of the breath by an alarmed or
angered serpent.
Iris paid no heed to ii: but jerks,
who knew there was not Il reptile or
the snake variety on the island. leaned
| over the ledge and emitted Il tolerably
good imitation. The native was be-
meath.
"Sahibw
The girl started ut the unexpected
call from the depths.
"Yes," said jerks quietly.
"a rope, sahib."
The sailor lowered Il rope. Some
thing was tied to it beneath. The Mo-
hammedan apparently had little fear
Of being detected.
"Pull. sahib."
Usually it is the sahib who says
pull but circumstances alter cases,
communed jerks. He hauled steadily
1t heavy weight. Il goatSSin filled
with cold wafer. He empticd the hot
and sour wine out OF the tin cup and
was about to hand the thrice wei
coined draft TO Iris when Il suspicious
thought caused him to Withhold it.
.T.et me taste first" he said.
The Indian might have betrayed
them to the Dyaks. More unlikcl!
things had happened. What If the wa
ter were poisoned or drugged!
He placed the tin to his lips. The
liquid was musty, having been in Tx
skin nearly two days. Otherwise i
seemed to be all right. With Il sigh OF
profound relief lie gave Iris the en-
and smiled ut the most unladyl'k'
haste with which she emptied it,
"Drink yourself and give me some
more" she said.
mo more for You at present. madam
In few minutes. yes"
"Oh. why not now:'
ADO not fret. dear one. You ca!
have all you want In little while
But to drink much now would maxi
you verv ILL.,"