Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-12-01

w w DNNAASA VIZ ''ANAA y wi ~ oASA eSAAAS'
Il would not have it otherwise were
it in my power" he answered. For an
instant he left unchallenged the girls
assumption that she was in any way
responsible for the disasters which
had broken up his career. He looked
into her eyes and almost forgot him
self Then the sense of fair dealing
that dominates every true gentleman
rose within him and gripped his waver
ing emotions with ruthless force. Was
his tirae to play upon the high strs.ng
sensibiliiies of this youthful daugh ter
of the gods, to seek to win from her a
confession of love that a few b.ief
spasmodic but momentarily all pow
erfu gratitude for the protection he
had given her?
And he spoke aloud, striving to
laugh, lest his words should falter:
"You can console yourself with the
thought, Miss Deane, that your pres
ence on the island will in no way affect
my fate ut the hands of the Dysks.
Had they caught me unprepared today
my head would now be covered vita a
solution of the special varnish they
carry Oh every foreign expedition"
"And yet these men are human be-
ings!''
For purposes of classification, yes.
Keeping to strict fact, it was lucky for
me that you raised the alarm and gave
me a chance to discount the odds of
mere numbers. So, you see, you really
did me good turn"
what can be done now to save our
lives? Anything will be better than to
await another attack
''The first thing to do is to try to
get some sleep before daylight. How
did you know was not in the castle"
II cannot tell you. awoke and
knew You were not near me. II wake
in the night can always tell whether
or not you are in the next room. So
I dressed and came out"
"Ah!' he said quietly. "Evidertly
I snore."
Iris retreated, and the sailor, tired
out at last, managed to close his weary
eyes.
Next morning he hastily constructed
q pole of sufficient length and strong
enough to bear his weight by tying two
sturdy young trees together with ropes.
Iris helped him to raise it against the
face Of the precipica. end he at once
climbed to the ledge.
Here he found his observations Of the
previous night abundantly verified. The
ledge was even wider than he dared to
hope, nearly ten feet deep in one part,
and it sloped sharply downward from
the outer lip Of the rock. BY lying dat
and carefully testing all points Of view
he ascertained, that the only possible
positions from which even glimpse
of the interior floor could be obtained
were the branches Of few tall trees
and the extreme right Of the opposing
precipice, nearly ninety yards distant.
There was ample room to store water
and provisions, and he quickly saw
that even some sort Of shelter from the
fierce rays of the sun and the often
piercing cold of the night might be
achieved by judiciously rigging u, a
tarpaulin.
'This is a genuine bit Of good luck, %
he unused. "Here, provided neither OF
us is hrs, we can hold out for week
or longer at a pinch. How can it be
possible that l should have lived on
this island so many days and yet hit
upon this nook of safety by mere
chance, as it were?"
Not until he reached the level again
could he solve the puzzle. Then he
perceived that the way in which the
cliff bulged out on both sides preva
ed the ledge from becoming evident in
profile, while, seen In the glare Of the
sunlight, it suggested nothing more
than slight indentation.
He rapidly sketched to Iris the de
fensive plan which the eagles nest
suggested. Access must be provided
by means of rope ladder, securely
fastened inside the ledge and capable
of being pulled up or let down ut the
will Of the occupants. Then the place
must be kept constantly stocked with
judicious supply Of provisions, water
and ammunition. They could be Gov
cred with tarpaulin and thus kept in
fairly good condition.
1--WE ought to sleep there every
night" he went on, and his mind was
SO engrossed with the tactical side of
the preparations that he did not notice
how Iris blanched at the suggestion.
"Surely not until danger actually
threatens?" she cried.
danger threatens us each hour after
sunset. 1t may come any night, though
l expect at least fortnight's reprieve.
Nevertheless I intend to act as If to-
night may witness the first shot of
the siege"
"Do you mean thatY' she sighed
"And my little room is becoming Sc
very cozyv
jerks always accepted her words lit.
orally.
.Well," he announced, after pause
ut may not be necessary to take up
our quarters there until the eleventh
hour. After / have hoisted up ouI
stores and made the ladder | will en-
deavor to devise an efficient Gordon OF
sentinels around our position. We will
see."
Not another word could Iris get out
of him ON the topic Indeed, he provided
| her with plenty of work. BY this cine