The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-04-05

lated yesterday some more suitable
garments than those in which she es-
capped from the wreck.
He quietly took stock of his own
tattered condition and passed a re-
fectiye hand over the stubble on his
chin. In few days his face would
resemble q scrubbing brush. In that
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 took
such trend? Twenty-four hours can
effect great changes in the human
mind if controlling influences are ac-
tive.
Then came a sharp revulsion of feel
ing. His name was Roberta menial.
He reached for his boots, and Iris
heard him.
Good morning. she cried, smiling
sweetly. .I thought you would never
awake. suppose you were very, very
tired. Please wash quickly. The eggs
will be hard
Eggs
eyes. 1 made a collection among the
trees. I tasted one Of a lot that looked
good. 1t was first rate"
He had not the moral courage to be-
gin the day with rebuke. She was
irrepressible. but she really must not
do these things. He smothered sigh
In the inproFised basin which was
placed ready for him.
Miss Deane had prepared capital
meal. Of course the ham and biscuits
still bulked large in the bill Of fare,
but there were boiled eggs, fried ba-
nanas and an elderly cocoanut. These
!. things, supplemented by clear, cold wa
|4fer, were not SO bad for couple Of
castaways hundreds Of miles from
everywhere.
For the life Of him the man could
not refrain from displaying the con-
Yersational art in which he excelled.
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 helplessness
Of British soldiers in any matter out
side the scope Of the kings regulations.
sT remember" he said, "seeing cav
airy subaltern and the members Of an
escort sitting half starved on a number
Of bags piled up in the Suakin desert.
And what do you think were in the
bags?'
81 don't know" said Iris, keenly
alert for deductions.
biscuits! They thought the bags
contained patent fodder until enlight-
ened them"
1t was on the tip Of her tongue to
pounce on him with the comment,
"Then you have been an officer in the
army But she forbore. She had
guessed this earlier Yet the mischie-
vous light in her eyes defed control.
He was warned in time and pulled
himself up short.
.sYou read my face like BOOK she
cried.
"No printed page was ever so@egi-
bic. Now, Miss Deane, we have gos-
siped too long. / am a laggard this
morning, but before starting work /
have few serious remarks to make"
"afore digs?" she inquired saucily.
4T repudiate digs In the first place,
yoa must not make any more exrer..-
ments in the matter Of food. The eggs
were wonderful effort; but, fattered
by success, you may poison yourself"
"Secondly?"
"You must never pass out Of my
sight without carrying q revolver, not
so much for defense, but as signal.
Did you take one when you went birds
nestingw
"No. Why?"
There was troubled look in his eyes
when be answered:
'It is best to tell you at once that
before help reaches us we may be vis-
tied by cruel and bloodthirsty saw
ages. would not even mention this
If it were a remote contingency. AS
matters stand, you ought to know that
QUILL u -IA10S Aloy 110ppSAs 1~SS eo
trust in Gods goodness that assist
ance may come soon. The island has
seemingly been deserted for many
months, and therein lies our best
chance Of escape. But am obliged to
warn you lest you should be taken
unawares."
Iris was serious enough now.
Glow do you know that such dam
ger threatens u.s." she demanded.
He countered readily. Because l
happen TO have read good deal about
the China sea and its frequenters,' be
said. II am the last man in the world
to alarm you needlessly. All I mean
to convey is that certain precautions
should be taken against risk that is
possible, not probable. No more"
She could not repress shudder. The
sailor wanted to tell her that he would
defend her against host Of savages
if he were endowed with many lives.
but he was perforce tongued tied. BE
even reviled himself for having spo-
ken, but she saw the anguish in his