Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-06-30


fore.
"a false ALARM" he said CURLY in re
Spouse to her questioning look.
And that was all. though she nerved
herself to walk steadily past him or
her way to the well. This was discon
young woman Ike Iris. Resolving to
end the ordeal. she stood rigidly before
him.
WELL" she said, 1--WE done it,"
"Have your" 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 blusheI furiously, to the sailors
complete bewilderment. but she brave.
ly persevered and stretched out an I'm.
willing foot
"Oh. See" he growled, and he, too,
REDEEMED.
And during the remainder Of the day
he did not once look at her feet. In
deed. he had fur 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 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 q stand
ing position. In which case the weight
Is liable to cause bad aiming. Though
1t came rather late In the day, jerks
caught ut 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 to refill the clip
and eject each empty shell-she fired
ten rounds Of service ammunition. The
target was n 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-
bic.
Iris was much pleased with her pro-
f1ciency. "Now," she cried. instead Of
being a hindrance to you l 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
u.s."
Then a new light dawned upon
jerks.
why did you not think Of 1t be-
foreT he demanded. Don't you see,
Miss Deane. the possibility suggested
by your words? am sorry to be COM
PEELED to speak plainly. but feel sure
that If those scoundrels do attack Us In
force 1t will be more to secure you
than to avenge the loss Of their fellow
trlbesmen. First and foremost, the sea-
going Dyaks are pirates and maraud-
ers. They prowl about the coast look
Ing not 80 much for fight as for loot
and women. Now. II they return and
apparently find two well armed men
awaiting them. with no prospect Of
plumber. there Is q chance that they
may abandon the enterprise"
Iris did not finch from the topic.
She well knew its grave importance.
I'm other words" she said, II must
be seen by them dressed only in male
clothingT
Eyes; as n last resource, that Is.
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-
foundry uncomfortable, but that will
be nothing II it secures our safety"
She did not reply ut once. Then
she said musingly: "Forty-four days!
Surely there has been ample time to
scour the China sea from end to end
In search Of US! My father would new
or 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 was naturally dis
appointed this morning. must stats
quite emphatically that our rescue may
come any hour"
Iris looked at him steadily.
DO you remember, Mr. jerks, that
sDon after the wreck you told me we
hight have to remain here many
honthsf"
THAT was n pardonable exaggera-
ton"
mo, no! 1t was the truth. You are
seeking now to buoy me up with false
hope. 1t is 1900 miles from Hong
kong to Singapore. and half as much
from Siam to Borneo. The Sirdar
might have been driven anywhere in
the typhoon. Didn't you say so, Mr.
JenksY
He wavered under this merciless
cross examination.
Il had no idea your memory was so
good" he said weakly.
Excellent, l assure you Moreover,
during our fOrty-four days together
you have taught me to think. Why do
you adopt subterfuge with me? We
are partners in all else. Why cannot
share your despair as we'll as your
toily"
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 eau only admit that you are
right" he murmured. Eve must pray
that God will direct our friends to this
island. Otherwise we may not be
found for year, as unhappily the
fishermen who once came here now
avoid the place. They. have been