The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1905-08-25

N 'he islauu. L 90 not Know" he
answered. 1T might not be farfetched
TO translate is as a ships steward. a
menial.'"
MISS Iris had meant her playful re-
tort as a mere light hearted bubble. It
annoyed her. a young person of much
consequence. to have her kindly con-
descension repealed.
l suppose So" she agreed. "but 1
nave gone through so much in q few
hours that am bewildered, apt to for
get these nice distinctions"
n was closely examining the reef
on which the Sirdar struck. Some
square objects were visible near the
palm tree. The sun. glinting on the
waves, rendered it difficult to discern
their significance.
what do you make of those?" he in
quired. handing the glasses and bland
" ignoring Miss Deane's petulance.
Her brain was busy with other things
while she twisted the binoculars to
suit her vision. Rainbow island-Iris-
IL was a nice conceit, but "menial"
struck a discordant note. This man
was no mental in appearance or speech.
Why was he so deliberately rude?
1 think they are boxes or packing
cases" she announced.
An, that was my own idea! 1 must
visit that locality"
How? Will you swim?"
NO. he said, his stern lips relaxing
IN a smile: 81 will not swim, and. by
n way. Miss Deane, be careful when
you are near the water. The lagoon
IS s"armlng with sharks at present.
l feel tolerably assured that at low
tide, when the remnants of the gale
nave vanished, l will be able to walk
there along the reef"
"Sharks!' she cried. "In there,
What horrible surprises this speck Of
land contains! l should not have i'm
aglned that sharks and seals could
live together!"
You are quite right" he explained.
with becoming gravity. Gas a rule,
sharks infest only the leeward side of
these islands. Just now they are at
tracted in shoals by the wreck"
oh" Iris shivered slightly.
I'VE had better go back now. The
wind Is keen here, Miss Deane."
She knew that he purposely misun-
derstood her gesture. His attitude con-
veyed a rebuke. There was no further
room for sentiment in their present ex-
istence. They had to deal with chill
necessities. AS for the sailor, he was
glad that the chance turn Of their con-
versation enabled him to warn her
against the lurking dangers Of the la
COON. There was no need to mention
the devilfish now. He must spare her
all avoidable thrills.
They gathered the stores from the
first dining room and reached the cave
without incident. Another fire was
lighted, and while Iris attended to the
kitchen the sailor felled several young
trees. He wanted poles, and these
were the right size and shape. He
soon cleared a considerable space. The
timber was soft and so small in girth
that three cuts with the ak usually
sufticed. He dragged from the beach
the smallest tarpaulin he could find
and propped it against the rock in
such manner that it effectually screen
ed the mouth Of the cave, though ad-
hitting light and air.
He was SO busy that he paid little
heed to Iris. But the odor of fried
ham was waited to him. He was
lifting a couple of heavy stones to stay
the canvas and keep it from tapping
in the wind when the girl called out:
"Wouldn't you like to have a wash
before dinner?"
He Strengthened himself and looked
at her. Her face and hands were
shining, spotless. The change was so
great that his brow wrinkled with per-
plexity.
II am a good pupil" she cried. "You
see 1 am already learning to help my
self. l made a bucket out Of one Of
the dish covers by singing it in two
ropes. Another dish cover, some sand
and leaves supplied basin, soap and
towel. l have cleaned the tin cups and
the knives, and, see, here is my great
est treasure"
She held up a small metal lamp.
"Where in the world did you find
that?' he exclaimed.
Buried in the sand inside the cave"
"Anything else"
His tone was abrupt. She was so dis
appointed by the seeming want of ap-
probation of her industry that a CLEAN
of amusement died from her eyes, and
she shook her head, STOPPING at once to
attend to the toasting Of some biscuits.
This time he was genuinely sorry.
Forgive me, Miss Deane,' he said
penitently. my words are dictated by
anxiety. do not wish you to make
discoveries on your W account. This
is a strange place, you knoW-an un-
pleasant one in some respects"
Surely I can rummage about my
own cave?"
"AIost certainly. 1t was careless OF
me not to have examined its interior
more thoroughly"
"Then why do you grumble because
found the lamp?"
81 did not mean any such thing. |
am sorry"
" t-1 -1, ~