Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-06-10

At last one memorable morning she
crossed the RubicOn. jerks had climb
ed, as usual. 10 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 farof 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 10y the blush haze de
tected on the horizon he must have no
ticed the turned up ends Of a pair OF
trousers beneath the hem Of her tat
tered skirt
1t did occur 10 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 i'm 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.
We'll" she said. I've done it,
"Have your" he exclaimed bankly.
"Yes They're little too long. and 1
feel very awkward. but they're better
than-than my poor old dress unsup-
ported"
She blushed furiously, t. the sailors
complete bewilderment but she brave
ly persevered and stretched out an un-
willing foot.
ooh. l seer' he growed. 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 il would be good
thing were she able 20 use "a rifle If a
fight at close quarters became neces-
sary.
The reCoil OF the MetfOrd is SO
slight that any woman can manipulate
the weapon with effect. provided she
is not called upon 10 fire from a stand
ing position. in which case the weight
is liable To- cause bad aiming Though
il came rather late I'm the day. jerks
caught an the idea He accustomed
her In the first instance 90 the use of
blank cartridges. Then when fairly
proficient i'm holding and Sighting-a
child can learn how 10 refill the clip
and eject each empty shell-she fired
ten rounds OF service ammunition. The
target was a white circle on 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-
bic.
Iris was much pleased with her pro
iicicncy. Nov" she cried. instead OF
being "A hindrancc To You / may be
some help. I'm any case the Dyuks will
think there are two men 90 face. and
they have good reason TO fear one OF
us"
Then new light dawned upon
jerks
why did you not think OF Il be
foret' he demanded Don't YOU see
Miss Deane. the possibility suggested
by your words; l ann sorry 10 bc com
PEELED 70 speak plainly, but feel sure
that II those scOundrelS do attack Us I'm
force IL VIII be more TO secure Won
than 10 avenge the loss OF their fellow
tribcsmen. First and foremost. the sea
going Dyaks are pirates and maraud-
ers. They prowl about the coast look
ins 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 tonic.
She well knew fits grave importance.
In other words" she said. Il must
be seen by them dressed only in male
clothing2"
Yes; as a last resource. that is. I
AANlf' mat AAt.A may not us
cover our whereabouts owing 10 the
precautions we have adopted. Perched
up there on the ledge. we will be pro
foundly uncomfortable, bur that will
be nothing if it secures our safety"
She did not reply at once Then
she said musingly: "Forty-four daysl |
Surely there has been ample time TO |
scour the China sea from end to end
in search Of US! My father would new
er abandon hope until he had the
most positive knowledge that the Sir
dar was lost with all on board"
The sailor, through long schooling.
was prepared with an answer: Each |
day makes the prospect Of escape |
brighter. Though l was naturally dis |
appointed this morning, / must state |
quite emphatically that our rescue may
come any hour"
Iris looked AZ him steadily.
DO you remember, Mr.. jerks. that |
soon after the wreck you told me we
might have to remain here many