Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-05-30

Iris vividly recalled the anguish he
betrayed when this topic was inadver-
tently broached one day early in their
acquaintance. Now he was rec.tng bis
painful history with the air of MN
far more concerned to be scrupulOusly
accurate than aroused In his deepest
passions by the memory Of past
wrongs. What had happened in the in
terim TO blunt these bygone sufferings?
Iris clasped her locket. She thought
she knew.
"The remainder may be told in Il sell
tence," he said. "Of what avail Were
my frenzied statements against the
definite proofs adduced by Lord Vent
nor and his unfortunate ally! Even
her husband believed her AMI became
my bitter foe. Poor woman. have it
in my heart to pity her. We'll. that is
all am herew
"Can man he ruiEed so els ="
murmured the girl. her exquisite t,ct
leading her to avoid any direct eX.res-
sion of sympathy.
ut seems so. But have h.d ny 70
ward. II ever meet Mrs. Cos,JIe.
again ! will thank her for Il great serv
ice
Iris suddenly became confused. He.
brow and neck tingled with q quick
access Of cJiJr.
"Why Do you say that" she asked.
And jerks. who was rising. ether did
not hear or pretended not t. hear the
treao" in her tone.
because you once told me you would
never Larry Lord Ventnor and after
what | have told you now am quite
sure yOu will not"
"Ah. then you do trust me| she al
most whispered.
He forced back the words trembling
for utterance. He even strove weakly
to assume an air Of good humored
badinage.
See how you have tempted me from
work. Miss Deane," he cried I'VE have
gossiped here until the fire grew tired
of our company. To bed, please. ut
once"
Iris caught him 10y the arm.
IF will pray tonight and every night"
she said solemny. that your good
name may bc cleared in tie eyes Of ali
men. as ii is In mine. And | am sure
my prayer will be answered"
She passed into ler chamber, but her
angelic influence remained. In his
very soul the man thanked Goi for the
tribulltion which brough. tbs woman
into his life. He had traversed the
wilderness to find an oasis of rare
beauty.
1t was beautiful night After
baking hot day tie rocks were radiat-
Ing their stored up heat. but the p.c..s
ant southwesterly breeze that general
ly set in ut sunset tempered the at
mosphere and made sleep refreshing.
jerks could not settle down 10 rest for
a little while after Iris left HIM. sLe
DID not bring forth her lamp, and, I'M
willing to disturb her, he picked W
res:nous branch, Lit it In the dying fire
and went into the cave.
He wanted to survey the work al
reudy done and to determine whether
1t would be better to resume operations
in the morning from inside the exca-
vati0n or from the ledge. Owing to
tie difficulty Of constructing vertical
upward SHAFT and the danger Of sud.
del fall Of heavy material lie decided
in favo: Of the latter course, although
1t ca..i:Gd lifting all the refuse out Of
the hoe. To save time, therefore, he
carried his mining tools into the open.
pl..cci in position the cheval de frise
loa. .in,c constructed for the defense
Of t. entrance. and poured water over
the remains OF the fire.
Tbs WAS lis final care each night
before stretching his weary limbs on
his couch of branches. 1t caused de.ay
In the morning. but he neglected 10
precaution. and there was Il possible
chance Of the Dyaks failing to discover
the eagles nest il they wee pes! Il.
ed by other indications that the island
was deserted.
He entered the hut and was In the
act Of pulling off his boots when dis
tant shot rang sharply through tie air.
1t was magniiied tenfold by tia in
tense silence. For Il few seconds. that
seemed to he minutes. he listened. cher
ishing the quick thought that perhaps
Il turtle. wandering far beyond acclis-
toned limits. Lad disturbed one Of the
spring gun communications on the
sands. A sputtering volley. which his
trained ear recognized as the firing Of
muZZle leaders. sounded the death knell
Of lis last hope.
The Dyaks had landed. Coming 81
Iently and mysteriously in the dead OF
night. they were themselves the vic
Tins Of stratagem they designed to
employ Instead Of taking the occu-
pants of Rainbow island unawares
they were startled at being greeted by
a shot the moment they landed. The
alarmed savages ut once retaliated by
firing their antiQuated weapons po!n!
blank at the trees. thus givln. warning
enough to wake the seven sleepers.
Iris. fully dressed. was out in mo
ment.
They have come" she whispered.
Yes" was the CHEEKY answer FOR
jerks face to face with danger was Il
very different man from jerks wres-
Ting with the insidious attacks OF ca
pid. TIP the ladder! BE lively. They
will not he here for half an hour If they
kick up such Il row ut the first ditflcul'
". Still. we will take no risks. Cast
down those spare lines when you reach
the top and haul away when | say
Ready. You will find everything 10
hand up there"
He held the bottom of the ladder 10
steady it for the girls climb. Soon her