Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-08-04

ST." would kill herself. In her limo
e, nee she imagined that self dcstruc-
ton under such circumstances WAS
rnrlonahlc ofTenSe. She only gave n
life to save II life, and greater love
than this IS not known to God or man.
Tie sailor, in Il tempest Of wrath and
wild emotion. had It In his mind to
compel her into rcaSon-tO shake her as
one shakes Il Maynard child.
He rose t. his knees with this half
formed notion IN his fcvercd brain;
then he looked 1T her, and n mist
seemed t. shut her out from his sight
Was she lost to him already? Was al
that had gone before an idle dream Of
JOY and grief, wizards glimpse Of
mirrnr"d happiness and vague perils?
Was Iris. the crystal souled. thrown
to him Ivy tie storm dashed wave. to
he snatch,1l away by some irresistible
and malign influence?
III the mere physical effort to assure
himself that she was still near to him
he gathered her up In his strong hands.
Yes. she was there, breathing, wonder
ing, palpitating. He folded her closely
to his breast and. yielding to the pas
sionate longings Of his tired heart,
whispered to her:
"My darling, do you think l can sur
yive your loss? You are life itself to
me If we have to die. sweet one, let
us die together"
Then Iris flung her arms around his
neck.
Il am quite, quite happy now" she
sobbed brokenly. Il didnt-imagine-
1t would come-this way, butt am
thankful-it has come"
For little while they yielded to the
glamour of the divine knowledge that
amid the chaos of eternity each soul
had found its mate. There was no need
for words. Love. tremendous in its
power, unfathomable I'm It's mystery,
had cast its spell over them. They
were CARRIED in light. throned In pal
ace built by fairy hands. On all sides
sQuatted the ghouls of privation, mis-
cry. danger, even grim death: but they
needed not the inferno; they had ere
ated a paradise in an earthly hell.
Then Iris withdrew herself from the
mans embrace. She was delightfully."-
shy and timid now.
$50 you really do love me?" she whis-
pered. crimson faced. with shining eyes
and parted lips.
He fondled her hair and gently rub
bed her cheek with his rough fingers.
The sudden sense of ownership Of this
fair woman was enhancing. 1t almost
bewildered him to find Iris Nesting
close. clinging to him in utter conf
dence and trust.
But l knew, knew" she murmur-
ed. you betrayed yourself so many
times. You wrote your secret to me.
and. though you did not tell me,
found your dear words on the sands
and have treasured them next my
heart"
What girlish romance was this? He
held her away gingerly, just so far
that he could look into her eyes.
ooh. 1t is true, quite true" she cried,
drawing the locket from her neck.
Don't you recognize your own hand
writing. or were you not certain. just
then. that you really did love me?'
Dear, dear! How often would she re-
peat that wondrous phrase! Together
they bent over the tiny slips Of paper.
There it was again. IL love you," twice
blazoned in magic symbols. With
blushing eagerness she told him how,
by mere accident. of course. she caught
sight of her own name. 1t was not
very wrong. was 1t, to pick up that
tiny scrap or those others. which she
could not help seeing and which un-
folded their simple tale so truthfully?
Wrong! 1t was SO delightfully."- right
that he must kiss her again to empha-
size his convictions.
They grew calmer, more sedate. 1t
was SO undeniably true they loved one
another that the fact was becoming
venerable with age. Iris was perhaps
the first to recognize its quiet certain
ty.
"As I cannot get you to talk reason
ably" she protested, II must appeal
to your sympathy. I am hungry. and,
oh. so thirsty"
The girl had hardly eaten a mOrsel
for her midday meal. Then she was
Respondent, utterly broken hearted.
Now she was filed with new hope.
There was q fresh motive in existence
Whether destined to live an hour or
half century she would never, never
leave him, nor Of course. could he ever
ever leave her. Some things were
quite impossible-for example. that
they should part.
jerks brought her biscuit, tin OF
meat and that most doleful cup OF
champagne.
1T is not exactly frappe." he said
handing her the insipid beverage. but
under other conditions, 1t Is a wine nj.
most worthy to toast you in"
| She fancied she had never before no
ticed what charming smile he had.
""Toast.' is a peculiarly suitable
word" she cried. II am simply friz
sling. In these warm clothes'-
| She stopped. For the first time since
that prehistoric period when she was
Miss Deane" and he "Afr jerks" she
remembered the manner Of her gar.
ments.
1T IS not the warm clothing you fee
50 much as the want Of air." explained
the sailor readily. This tarpaulin has
made the place very stuffy. but We
must put up with 1t until shutdown. BY
the way. what is that"
A light tap on the tarred canvas d.
rectly over his head had caught his
ear. Iris. glad Of the diversion, told
him she had heard the noise three OF
four times, but fancied 1t was caused
by the occasional rustling of the sheet
ON the uprights.
jerks had not allowed his attention
to wander altogether from external
events. Since the Dyaks' last escapadt
there was no sign Of them in the val
ley or on either beach. Not for trivia
cause would they come again within
range Of jerks rifle.
They waited and listened silently
Another tap sounded on the tarpauliI
In a different place. and they both con
Cured in the belief that something hat
darted in curved flight over the ledg,
and fallen on top Of their protecting
shield.