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


passengers on board the Sirdar were
dressed to suit the tropics, and the hard
usage given by Iris to her scanty stock
was never contemplated by the Man
chester or Bradford looms responsible
Tor the durability of the material.
AS the days passed the position be-
came lrksome 1t even threatened
complete collapse during some critical
moment, and the two often silently sur
veyed the large number of merely male
garments in their possession. OF course
IN the matter of coats and waistcoats
there was no difficulty whatever. Iris
nad long been wearing those portions
or the doctors uniform. But when it
came to the rest
AT last one memorable morning she
crossed the Rubicon. jerks had climb
ed, as usual, to the Summit rock He
came back with the exciting news that
he thought-he could not be certain,
but there were indications inspiring
hopefulness-that toward the west Of
the faroff island he could discern the
smoke of a steamer.
Though he had eyes for faint cloud
OF vapor at least fifty miles distant,
he saw nothing of remarkable change
effected nearer home. Outwardly Iris
was attired in her wonted manner, but
if her companions mind were not Who'll
~ monopolized by the blush haze de-
tected on the horizon he must have no.
tlced the turned up ends of a pair Of
| trousers beneath the hem of her tat
tered skirt.
1t did occur to him that Iris re-
| ceived his momentous announcement
| with an odd air of hauteur, and it was
passing strange she did not offer to
accompany him when, after boiling his
| breakfast, he returned to the observa-
| tory.
he came back in an hour, and the
lines. on his face were deeper than be-
fore.
"A false ALARM he said CURLY in re-
Spouse to her questioning look.
And that was all, though she nerved
herself to walk steadily past him on
her way to the well. This was discon-
certing, even annoying, to a positive
young woman like Iris Resolving to
end the ordeal, she stood rigidly before
| him.
"Well," she said, "Tve done itv'
"Have you?" he exclaimed blankly.
Eyes. They're little too long, and
feel very awkward, but they're better
than-than my poor old dress unsup-
ported
She blushed furiously, to the sailors
complete bewilderment, but she brave
~ persevered and stretched out an un-
willing foot.
ooh, see!" he growled, and he, too,
Redeemed.
And during the remainder of the day
he did not once look at her feet. In
deed, he had far more serious matters
to distract his thoughts, for Iris, fe-
verishly anxious to be busy, suddenly
suggested that it would be good
thing were she able to use a rifle if a
fight at close quarters became neces-
sary.
The recon of the Lee Metford is so
slight that any woman can manipulate
the weapon with effect, provided she
is not called upon to fire from a stand
| ing position, in which case the weight
is liable to cause bad aiming. Though
it came rather late in the day, jerks
caught at the idea. He accustomed
her in the first instance to the use Of
blank cartridges. Then when fairly
proficient in holding and sighting
child can learn how to refill the clip
and eject each empty shell-she fired
ten rounds of service ammunition. The
target was a white circle on a rock at
eighty yards, and those Of the ten
| shots that missed the absolute mark
would have made an enemy at the
same distance extremely uncomforta-
BILE.
| Iris was much pleased with her pro-
ticiency. "Now," she cried, "instead of
being hindrance to you I may be
some help. In any case, the Dyaks will
think there are two men to face, and
they have good reason to fear one of
u.s.
Then a new light dawned upon
jerks.
"Why did you not think of it be-
fore?" he demanded. Don't you see.
Miss Deane, the possibility suggested
| by your words? am sorry to be COM
PEELED to speak plainly, but feel sure
that if those scoundrels do attack US in
| force it will be more to secure you
than to avenge the loss of their fellow
tribesmen. First and foremost, the sea-
going Dyaks are pirates and maraud-
ers. They prowl about the coast look
ing not so much for a fight as for loot
and women. Now, if they return and
apparently find two we'll armed men
awaiting them, with no prospect of
plumber, there is chance that they
may abandon the enterprise
Iris did not finch from the topic.
She well knew it's grave Importance.
I'm other words,'' she said, II must
be seen by them dressed only in male
clothing?"
Eyes; as a last resource, that is. l