The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-06-29

1lERCE emotions are necessarily
n transient, but for the hour they
exhaust the psychic capacity.
~ The sailor had gone through
such mental stress before it was yet
noon that he was benumbed, wholly in
capable of further sensation.
Being in good condition, he soon re-
covered his physical powers. He was
outwardly little the worse for the en-
counter with the devilish.- The skin
around his mouth was SORE His waist
and legs were bruised. One sweep Of
the ak had cut clean through the bulg-
ing leather of his left boot without
touching the flesh. In word, he was
practically uninjured.
He had the doglike habit of shaking
himself at the close of fray. He did
SO now when he stood up. Iris showed
clearer signs of the ordeal Her face
was drawn and haggard, the pupils Of
her eyes dilated. She was gazing into
depths illimitable, unexplored. Com
passion aWoke' at sight of her.
Come" said jerks gently. ''Let us
get back to the island.''
He quietly resumed predominance,
helping her over the rough pathway of
the reef, almost lifting her when the
difficulties were great
He did not ask her how it happened
that she came so speedily to his assist
ance. Enough that she had done it,
daring all for his sake She was weak
and trembling.
pooob;rr +ho fr,,, oo-d ,I,o .>.,15
walk alone. .
"Did-the thing-grip you?" she
nervously inquired.
Cali over at once, it felt like. The
beast attacked me with five arms.''
She shuddered. 81 don't know how
you could fight it." she said. GLOW
strong, how brave, you must bet"
This amused him. ''The veriest COW
ard will try to save his own life,'' he an
swered. IF you use such adjectives to
me, what words can I find to do JUS
tice to you, who dared to come close
to such a vile looking creature and
kill it. I must thank my stars that you
carried the revolver
'Ahv' she said. "That reminds me.
You do not practice what you preach.
I found your pistol lying on the stone
in the cave. That is one reason why
I followed you.''
It was quite true. He laid the
weapon aside when delving at the rock
and forgot to replace it in his belt.
1T was stupid Of me-" he admitted,
"but am not sorry''
"Why?'
Because, as it is, I owe you my
life"
"You owe me nothing" she snapped.
1T is very thoughtless of you to run
such risks. What will become of me
if anything happens to you? My point
Of view is purely selfish, you see''
"Quite so. Purely SELFISH He smil-
ed sadly. Selfish people Of your type
are somewhat rare, Miss Deane.''
She moved toward the cave, but he
cried:
''Wait one minute. 1 want to get a
couple Of crowbars.''
'What for?'
Il must so back there" He jerked
his head in the direction of the reef.
She uttered little sob Of dismay
Il will incur no danger this time" he
explained. II found rifles there We
must have them; they may mean sal
vation.''
When Iris was determined about
anything her chin dimpled. It puck
cred delightfully."- now
II will come with you," she announc-
ed.
every well. 1 will wait for you. The
tide will serve for another hour"
He knew he had decided rightly. She
could not bear to be alone-yet. Soon
the crowbars were secured, and they
returned to the reef. Scrambling now
with difficulty over the rough and dan
gerous track, Iris was secretly amazed
by the remembrance of the daring ac-
fivity she displayed during her earlier
passage along the same precarious
roadway.
Then she darted from rock to rock
with the fearless certainty of cha
mois. Her only stumble was caused.
she recollected, by an absurd effort to
avoid wetting her Dress She laughed
nervously when they reached the place.
This time jerks lifted her across the
dnterpenin9channel.
They were standing on the landward
side Of the shallow water In which he
fought the octopus