Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-04-18

the rapidly clearing water Nothing
was visible there save several varie-
ties Of small fish.
The incident puzzled and annoyed
him. Still thinking about 1t, lie sat
down on the highest rock and pulled
| Off his heavy boots to empty the wa
ter out. He also divested himself Of
his stockings and spread them ont to
dry.
The action reminded him OF Miss
Deane's necessities. He buried to Il
point whence lie could call out to her
and recommend her to dry s)me OF
her clothing during his absence. He
retired even more quickly. fearing lest
he should be seen. Iris had already
displayed to the sunlight IL lir:,e por-
tiOn of her costume.
Without further delay he set about
q disagreeable but necessary task.
From the pockets of the first officer
and doctor he secured two revo,vc"S
and supply OF cartridges. evidently
intended to settle any dispute which
might have arisen between the ship;
officers and the native mcm.Jers Of tie
crew. He hoped the cartridges were
uninjured. but he could not test them
at the moment for fear of alarming.
Miss Deane
Both officers carried pocketbooi:' and
pencils. In one of these. contain.n.
dry leaves, the sailor made Il careful
inventory of the money and other val
liable effects lie found upon tie dead.
besides noting names and documents
where possible. Curiousiy enough. the
capitalist of this island morguc WAS II
Lascar. who i'm belt around his waist
boarded more than Il hundred pounds
in gold. The sailor tied In Il handker-
chief all the money lie collected and
ranged pOcketbooks. letters and jew
elry I'm separate little heaps. Then lie
stripped the men of their boots and
outer clothing. He could not tell how
long the girl and he might be detained
on the island before help came. and
fresh garments We're essential. 1t
would be foolish sentmcntality to
trust to stores thrown ashore from the
ship.
Nevertheless when 1t became neces-
sary to search and disrobe the women
he almost broke down. For in instant
lie softcned. Gulping back his emo
tions with savage imprecation. he
dogged!y persevered. At last he paus-
cd to consider what should be done
with tie bodies. His first intent was to
SCOOP Il large hole in the sand with a
piece of timber. but when lie took into
consideration the magnitude of the la
Dor involved. requiring many hours OF
hard work and waste of precious
time which might be Of infinite value
TO his helpless companion and himself.
he was forced to abandon the project
1t was not only impracticable. but dam
gerouS.
Again he had to set his teeth with
grim resolution. One by one the bod
les were shot into the lagoon from the
little quay of rock. He knew they
would not be seen again.
He arose and shook himself like a
dog. There was much to he done. He
gathered the clothes and other articles
into heap and placed portions Of shat
tered packing cases near to mislead
Iris While thus engaged he kicked
M out of the sand a rusty creesc. or
Malay sword. The presence OF this Inn
)le.!cnt startled Kim. He examined
i .iowly and thrust it ont of sight.
Then lie went back to her, after don
ning his stockings and boots, now thor
Ougaly dry.
Are you ready now, Miss Deane"
he sam. out cheerily.
"Ready? | have been waiting for
you
jerks chuckled quietly. Il must
guard my tongue. 1t bctrays me. he
said to himself.
Iris joined him. BY some mysterious
IItlIlS SIt lIuu tIN'iNNi riNts '''I'~
ment in her appearance. Yet there
were manifest gaps.
IF only | had needle and thread
size began.
IF that is ALL" said the sailor. FUN
bling in his pockets. He produced Il
shabby little husSif containing Il tlim'
Bile. scissors. needles and some skelllS
of unbleached thread. Case ana con
tents were sodden or rustcG with salt
wafer but the girl fastened upon this
treasure with Il sigh Of deep content.
Now. please" she cried. Il want n
telegraph Office and Il ship.
When they reached t." sands She
caught sight of the pile Of clothes ana
the broken woodwork. with the small
Leaps OF valuables method!cally ar
ranged. The harmless subteriuge did
not deceive her. She darted lulcK
look of gratitude Ut her companion
How th,u .htful he was. After Il feIr
fuI glance around she WAS reassured.
thoi.yh she wondered what had becJhl,
Of-thenl.
81 see you have been busy. she sad
nodd!ng toward the clothes and boots.
Yes" he replied simply. Lucky
find. wasn't IL"
Most fortunate. When they are ntt
dry will replenish my wardrobe
What is the first thing 10 lie done:
We'll, Miss Delne. | think our pro
gramme Is. in the first place. TO eA-
anime the articles thrown ashore anu
see if any of the cases contain ioon'
Secondly. we should haul high and dr!
everything that may be OF Use to Us
lest the weather should break again
and the next tide sweep away the spoil.
Thirdly. we should eat and rest. and.
finally. we must eXplo:c the island be-
fore the light fails. am convinced we
.,., .,I,,., l.-n is n small liltp nj