Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-12-28

places. I have seen no other living be.
ings except ourselves. Nevertheless
the islanders may live on the south
side"
Tt surely cannot he possible that the
Sirdar has gone to pieces--a magnf-
cent vessel Of her size and strength"
He answered quietly: "It is too true,
madam. suppose you hardly knew
she struck, 1t happened so suddenly.
Afterward, fortunately for you, you
were unconscious"
"How do you know she inquired
quickly. A flood Of vivid recollection
was pouring in upon her.
"1-er-well, I happened TO be nenr
you, madam, when the ship broke up.
and we--er-driftcd ashore together
She rose and faced him. II remem-
Der now" she cried Historically. "You
caught me as I was thrown into the
corridor. We fell into the sea when
the vessel turned over. You have saved
my life. Were It not for you I could
not possibly have escaped"
She gazed mt him more earnestly, see.
ing that lie blushed beneath the crust
of salt and sand that covered his face.
"Why," she went on with growing ex.
element, you are the steward | no
ticed in the saloon yesterday. How
is it that you are now dressed as n
sailor"
He answered re9lly enough. There
was an accident on board during the
| no1 vu1ntn 1 a n foir cuilOr htit
poor steward, so applied for n
transfer. AS the crew was short hand
OIL. my offer was accepted
Iris was now looking at him intently
"You saved my life" she repeated
slowly. 1t seemed that this obvious
fact needed to be ndelibly established
in her mind. Indeed the girl was over
wrought by all that she had gone
: through. Only by degrees were her
thoughts marshalng themselves with
lucid conference. AS yet she recalled so
many dramatic incidents that they
> failed to assume due proportion.
But quickly there came memories OF
Captain Ross, Of Sir John and Lady
: Tozer, of the DOCTOR her maid, the
hundred and one individualities of her
pleasant life aboard ship. Could it he
that they were all dead: The notion
was monstrous But it's CHASTITY signif-
:. icance was instantly borne in upon her
by the plight in which she stood. Her
lips Quvered; the tears tremblcd in her
:, eyes.
rs ii really true that all the ships
company except ourselves are lost:
p. she brokenly demanded.
The sailors gravely earnest glance
=, fell before hers. II nhappiy there is
= no room for doubt" he said
:. Are you quite quite sure"
Il am sure of some" Involuntary
he turned seward.
:, She understood him. She sank to hel
= knees. covered her face with her hands
and broke into passion Of weeping
~ With look of infinite pity he stoopeL
. and would have touched her shoulder
but he suddenly restrained the i'm
pulse. Something had hardened this
- man. 1t cost him an effort to he cal
lOus, but he succeeded. His moutl
i, frightened. and his expression lost it:
~ tenderness.
, Come, come. my dear lady he ex
10 claimed. and there was tnge of stud
10 led roughness in his voice. 'you mus
70 calm yourself. II is the fortune O.
II shipwreck "a we'll as of war. yo,
r. know. We are alive and must lool
d after ourselves. Those who have gon
H. are beyond our help"
" "But not beyond our sympathy.
Ir;e In. ii,
" eyes for heeting look at him. Ever
g. in the utter desolation of the momcn
.. she could not help marvelng that thi
Is queer hammered sailor, who spoke Xix
pr a gentleman and tried to pose rs lie
inferior. who had rescued her with TIL
q. utmost gallantry. who carried his Quiy
H. otto zeal to the point Of first supplying
is her needs when lie was In far wors
10 case himself. should be 80 utterly in
40 different to the fate of others.
III He waited silently until her sob
ht ceased.
~ "Now, madam" he said. at is csser
tial that we should obtain some food
Of l don't wish to leave you alone unit
x we are better acquainted with on
al whereabouts. Can you walk lttl
err way toward the trees. or shall l assis
p. your"
It. Iris Immediately stood up She press
es ed her hair back defiantly,
It. Certainly can walk she answer
ed. what do you propose to do?"
of well madam
tn "What is your name? she interrupt
III Ell imperiously.
II. "Jenks, madam. Robert jerks"
at "Thank you. Now listen. Mr.. Rober
rd jerks. My Iame is Miss Iris Dean'
I'd On board ship was passenger an
you were n stewartl-that is. until yo
W became n seaman. Here we are equal
m. in misfortune, but in all else you ar
the leader. am quite useless. ca
he only help in matters by your direction
VII
lis -
n ~