Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-12-06

PEELED to speak plainly, but feel sure
that II those scoundrels do attack US In
| 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-
ers. They prowl about the coast look
ing not so 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 chance that they
may abandon the enterprise"
Iris did not finch from the topic
She well knew its grave Importance.
"In other words" she said, II must
be seen by them dressed only in male
clothing?'
Eyes: as a 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 or the ledge. we will be pro
foundly uncomfortable, but that will
be nothing II 1t secures our safety"
She did not reply at once. Then
she said musingly: "Forty-four days
Surely there has been ample time tc
scour the China sea from end to end
in search Of us! My father would new
er 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: "Eacf
day makes the prospect Of escape
brighter Though was naturally dis
appointed This morning, must state
quite emphatically that our reseve may
come any hour"
Iris looked at him steadily.
do you remember, Mr.. jerks, tina /.
soon after the wreck you told me w,
might have to remain here man,
months?"
"That was pardonable exaggera
ton"
mo, no! 1t was the truth. You art
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 Sirdar
might have been driven anywhere In
the typhoon Didn't you say so, MI.
Jenks?"
He wavered under this merciles,
cross examination.
II had no idea your memory was gu
good" he said weakly.
Excellent, assure you. Moreover,
during ou. forty-four days together
you have taught me to think. Why d.
you adopt subterfuge with me? We
are partners in all else. Why cannot
l share your despair as well as your
toil?"
She blaz,sd out in sudden wrath, AMI
he understood that she would not be
denied the full extent Of his secret
fear. He bowed reverently before he
as mortal paying homage to an al
cry goddess.
81 can only admit that you ara
right" he murmured 1--WE must pra.'
that God will direct our friends to this
island Otherwise we may not b.
found for 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. l am glad you
have solved the difficulty unaided, Miss
Deane. have striven at times to be
coarse, even brutal. toward you, but
my heart tlinched 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 10
the true cause Of her emotion, picked
up rifle to which, in spare moments,
he 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 a sorrowful little smile.
HE thinks only of me, never Of HIM
SELF" she communed. III 1t pleases
Providence to spare us from these saw
ages, what does it matter to me how
long we remain here? have never
been SO happy before in my life. fear
never will be again If 1t were not
for my fathers terrible anxiety
would not have q care In the world. I
only wish to get away 30 that ore
brave soul at least may be rid Of neetl-
less fortunes. 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 ste
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 Arlstruther, strong Of arm and
clear OF - - '-->'~',+ 81 the Pound
=