The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-07-13


the position Of his reliable SEN
tinels that he could follow each
. phase Of the imaginary conflict
on the other side Of the island. The
first outbreak Of desultory firing died
away amidst chorus of protest from
every feathered inhabitant of the isle,
so jerks assumed that the Dyaks had
gathered again on the beach after rid
ding the scarecrows with bullets or
slashing them with their heavy razor
edged swords.
A hasty council was probably held
and, Notwithstanding their fear of the
silent company in the hollow, an adj
vance was ultimately made along the
beach. Within a few yards they en-
countered the invisible cord of the
third spring gun. There was a report
and another fierce outbreak Of mus
kerry. This was enough. Not a man
would move a step nearer that abode
of the dead. The next commotion
arose on the ridge near the North cape
'At this rate of progress said
jerks to the girl, 'they will not reach
our house until daylight
Il almost wish they were here" was
the quiet reply. II find this waiting
and listening to be trying to the
nerves.
They We're lying on number Of
ragged garments hastily spread on the
ledge and peering intently into the
moonlit area Of Prospect park The
great rock itself was shrouded in SON.
Der shadows. Even if they stood up
none could see them from the ground,
so dense was the darkness enveloping
them.
He turned slightly and took her hand
It was cool and moist. It no more
trembled than his own.
'The Dyaks are far more scared than
you," he murmured, with a laugh.
"Cruel and courageous as they are.
they dare not face a spook."
''Then what a pity it is we cannot
conjure up a ghost for their benefit.
All the spirits have ever read about
were ridiculous. Why cannot one be
useful occasionally?
The question set him thinking. IN
known to the girl the materials for a
dramatic apparition We're hidden amid
the bushes near the well. he cudgeled
his brains to remember the stage eff
fects of juvenile days, but these need
ed limelight, blue flares, mirrors, phos-
phorus
The absurdity of hoping to devise
any such accessories while perched on
ledge in a remote island, a larger
reef Of the thousands in the China sea,
tickled him.
"What is it?" asked Iris.
He repeated his list of missing stage
properties. They had nothing to do but
to wait, and people in the very crux
and maelstrom of existence usually
discuss trivial things.
Il don't know anything about phos-
phorus,'' said the girl, ''but you can
obtain queer results from sulphur, and
there is an old box of Norwegian
matches resting at this moment on the
shelf in my room. Don't you remem-
Der? They We're in your pocket, and
you were going to throw them away
Why, what are you doing?"
For jerks had cast the rope ladder
loose and was evidently about to de-
scend
''Have no fear" he said. IT will not
be away five minutes
IF you are going down I must come
with you. I will not be left here
alone-''
"Please do not stop me,' he whis-
pered earnestly. "You must not come.
I will take no risk whatever. If you
remain here you can warn me instant
ly. With both Of us on the ground we
will incur real danger. I want you to
keep sharp lookout toward Turtle
beach in case the Dyaks come that
way. Those who are crossing the is
land will not reach US for long time"
She yielded, though unwillingly. She
was tremulous with anxiety on his ac-
count ~.
He vanished without another word.
She next saw him in the moonlight
near the well. He was rustling among
the shrubs, and he returned to the rock
with something white in his arms,
which he seemingly deposited at the.
mouth of the cave. He went back to
the well and carried another similar
burden. Then he ran toward the
house. The doorway was not visible
from the ledge, and she passed a few
horrible moments until a low hiss be-
meath caught her ear. She could tell by
the creak Of the rope ladder that he
was ascending. At last he reached her
side, and she murmured, with a gasp
ing sob:
Don't go away again. cannot
stand it,