Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-03-01


u ing breakfast; fine fire was
@ cracking chcerfully, and the
presiding goddess had so altered her
appearance that the sailor surveyed
her with astonishment.
lie noiselcssly assumed a sitting pos
ture, tucked his feet beneath him and
blinked. The girls face was not visi
Bile from where he sat, and for few
seconds he thought he must surely b.
dreaming. She was attired in q nea
navy blue dress and smart blouse. He
White canvas shoes were replaced b,
strong leather boots. She was quite
spick and span, this island Hebe.
So soundly had he slept that his
senses returned but slowly. At las
he guessed what had happened. Sh,
had risen with the dawn and, conquer
ing her natural feeling of repulsion
selected from the store he accumu
lated yesterday some more suitable
capped from the wreck.
He quietly took stock of his OWL
tattered condition and passed n re
Elective hand over the stubble on hi
chin. In few days his face woull
resemble scrubbing brush. In tina,
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 tool
such trend? Twenty-four hours cal
effect great changes in the human
mind II controlling influences are &C
tive.
Then came sharp revulsion of feel
ing. Ills name was Roberta mental
lie reached for his boots, and Iris
heard him.
Good morning" she cried, smIlin.
sweetly. 81 thought you would neve;
awake. suppose you were very, very
tired. Please wash quickly. The eggs
will be hard"
"Eggs!"
Eyes. made collection among til,
trees. tasted one of lot that looked
good. 1t was first rate"
He had not the moral courage to be
gin the day with rebukc. She was
irrepressible, but she really must no.
do these things. He smothered sigl
in the improvised basin which was
placed ready for him.
Miss Deane had prepared a capita
meal. OF course the ham and biscuit
still bulked large in the bill of fare
but there We're boiled eggs, fried ba
nanas and an elderly cocoanut. Thcs.
things, supplemented by clear, cold wa
ter, were not so bad for a couple O,
castaways hundreds of miles fror
everywhere.
For the life of him the man coulu
not refrain from displaying tie con
vcrsational art in which he eIcellcd
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 helplessnes
Of British soldiers in any matter out,
side the scope of the kings regulations
II remember" he said, seeing cav,
airy subaltern and the members Of an
escort sitting half starved on numbe-
of bags piled up in the Suakin desert
And what do you think We're in the
bags"
II don't know" said Iris, keenly
alert for deductions.
biscuits! They thought the bags
contained patent fodder until enlight
ened them"
1t was OH the tip of her tongue tc
HI l,r
Then you have been an officer in the
army" But she forbore. She had
guessed this earlier Yet the mischle
vous light in her eyes dclied control
He was warned in time and pulled
himself up short
"You read my face like book" she
cried.
mo printed page was ever so-legl
BILE. Now, Miss Deane. we have COS
sipcd too long. am laggard this
morning, but before starting work
have n few serious remarks to make"
more digs?" she inquired saucily.
II repudiate digs Iii the first place
you must not make any more expert
ments in the matter Of food. The eggs
were n wonderful effort; but, flatterei
by success, you may poison yourself"
"Secondly|
"You must never pass out Of my
sight without carrying a revolver, no
so much for defense, but us signal
Did you take one when you went birdl
nestingY
mo. Why?'
There was n troubled look in his eye
when lie answered:
ut is best to tell you Mt once tina
before help reaches us we may be Wis
tied by cruel and bloodthlrsty say
ages. l would not even mention thi
II 1t were remote contingency. A
matters stand, you ought to know thu
such thing may happen. Let II
trust in Gods goodness that assist
ancc may come soon. The island ha
seemingly been deserted for man.
months. and therein lies our bes
chance Of escape. But am obliged t
warn you lest you should be takel