Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-05-27


blinked. The girls face was not visi-
bic from where he sat, and for a few
seconds he thought he must surely be
dreaming. She was attired I'm neat
navy blue dress and smart blouse. Her
white canvas shoes were replaced by
strong leather boots. She was quite
spick and span. this island Hebe
SO soundly had he slept that his
senses returned but slowly. At last
he guessed what had happened She
had risen with the dawn and. conquer
Ing her natural feeling OF repulsion.
selected from the store he accumu-
lated yesterday some more suitable
garments than those in which she es-
capped from the wreck.
He quietly took stock Of his own
tattered condition and passed a re-
Elective hand over the stubble on his
chin. In a few days his face would
resemble a scrubbing brush. In that
mournful moment he would have ex-
changed even his pipe and tobacco box.
worth untold gold. for shaving tackle.
Who can say why his thoughts took
such trend? Twenty-four hours can
effect great changes in the human
mind if controlling influences are ac-
tive.
Then came sharp revulsion OF feel
Ing. His name was Roberta mental.
He reached FOR his boots, and Iris
heard him.
Good morning. she cried. smiling
sweetly. Il thought you would never
awake I suppose you were very. very
tired. Please wash quickly. The eggs
will be hard"
Eggs"
Yes. made n collection among the
trees I tasted one OF lot that looked
good. IL was first rate"
He had not the moral courage TO be
gin the day with a rebuke She was
irrepressible. but she really must not
do these things lie Smothered a sigh
in the improvised basin which was
placed ready for him.
Miss Deane had prepared capital
meal or course the ham AMI biscuits
still bulked large In the bin OF fare.
but there We're boiled eggs. fried ba-
nanas and an elderly cocoanut. These
things. supplemented 10y clear. cold wa
csstaways hundreds OF miles from
everywhere
For the life OF him the man could
not refrain from displaying the con
versational art in which he eNccllcd.
Their talk dealt with Italy. Egypt. In.
dia. He spoke with the ease of culture
and enthusiasm. Once he slipped into
anecdote apropos OF the hclplessncss
OF British soldiers In any matter out
side the scope of the kings regulations.
Il remember" he said. seeing cav
airy subaitern aud the members Of an
escort sitting half starved on number
Or bass piie,i up m the Suazln desert.
And what DO YOU think We're In the
bagst"
Il don't know" said Iris keenly
alert for deductions.
biscuits They thought the bags
contained patent fodder until / enlight-
ened them"
II was on the tip OF her tongue TO
pounce Ola him with the comment.
Then YOU have been an officer in the
army" But she forbore. She had
guessed this earlier. Yet the mischie-
vouS light in her eyes dehed control.
lie was warned ia time and pulled
himself up short
You read my face Ike a book" she
cried
No printed page was ever sO-legi-
bic. Now, Miss Deane, we have Cos
siped TOO long. / am a laggard this
morning. but before starting work
have a few serious remarks Is make"
More digst' she inquired saucily.
4 repudiate digs In the first place.
you must not make any more expert
ments in the matter OF food. The eggs
We're "a wonderful effort: but. battered
by success. You may poison yourself"
"Secondlyg"
You must never pass out OF my
sight without carrying a revolver. not
so much for defense. but as a signal.
Did you take one when you went birds
nesting"
''No. Whyf"
There was a troubled look in his eyes |
when he answered:
1T is best TO tell you at once that !
before help reaches us we may be Wis |
$500 ~ NAutl anu DiooitulfSlY saw /
ages. l would not even mention this |
II 1t were remote contingency. AS
matters stand, you ought to know that |
such thing may happen. Let us |
trust in Gods goodness that assist |
ance may come soon. The island has !
seemingly been deserted for many |
months, and therein lies our hest |
chance Of escape. But am obliged 10 |
warn you lest you should be taken |
unawares."
Iris was serious enough now.
How do you know that such dan
ger threatens usT' she demanded.
He c0untered readily. Because I |
happen TO have read a good deal about |
the China sea and its frequenters," he
said. Il am the last man In the world /
20 alarm you needlessly. All / mean /
TO convey is that certain precautions
should be taken against a risk that is
possible, not probable. No more"
She could not repress shudder. The
sailor wanted 10 tell her that he would /
defend her against host OF savages
II he were endowed with many lives,
but he was perforce tongued tied. He
even reviled himself for having spo-