Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-01-11

ing breakfast; fine fire was
u cracking cheerfully, and the
presiding goddess had so altered her
appearance that the sailor surveyed
her with establishment.
lie noiselessly assumed sitting pos
ture, tucked his feet beneath him and
blinkcd. The girls face was not vls-
bic from where he sat, and for few
seconds he thought he must surely be
dreaming She was attired in a neat
navy blue dress and smart blouse Her
white canvas shoes were replaced by
strong leather boots. She was quite
spick and span, this island Hebe.
So soundly had he slept that his
| senses returned but slowly. At last
he guessed what had happened. She
had risen with the dawn and, conquer
ing her natural feeling of repulsion,
selected from the store he accumu-
lated yesterday some more suitable
garments tlfn those in which she es-
capped from the wreck.
He quietly took stock Of his own
tattered condition and passed a re-
Elective hand over the stubbe on his
| chin. In few days his face would
resemble 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 tool,
such trend? Twenty-four hours can
effect great changes in the human
mind if controlling influences are ac-
! tive.
Then came q sharp rcvulsion of feel
ing. His name was Roberta mental.
He reached for his boots, and Iris
heard him.
Good morning. she cried, smiling
sweetly. II thought you would never
awake. suppose you were very, very
tired. Please wash quickly, The eggs
will be hard"
Eggs
yes. | made a collection among the
trees. l tasted one of a lot that looked
good. 1t was first rate
He had not the moral courage to be-
gin the day with a rebuke. She was
irrepressible, but she really must not
do these things. lie smothered sigh
in the improvised 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
ter, were not so bad for a couple Of
eastaways hundreds of miles from
everywhere.
For the life of him the man could
not refrain from displaying the con-
versational 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.
Il remember" he said, seeing cav
airy subaltern and the members of an
escort sitting half starved on number
of bags piled up in the Suakin desert.
And what do you think We're in the
bags?'
Il don't know" said Iris, keenly
alert for deductions.
biscuits! They thought the bags
contained patent fodder until enlight-
enCd 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 mschie-
vous light in her eyes dehcd control
He was warned in time and pulled
himself up short.
You read my face like book" she
cried.
mo printed page was ever So-legi
Bile. Now, Miss Deane, we have Cos
siped too long. am a laggard this
morning, but before starting work l
have few serious remarks to make"
More digs?" she inquired saucily.
II repudiate digs In the first place
you must not make any more expert
ments in the matter Of food. The eggs
were wonderful effort; but, tiattered
by success, you may poison yourself"
Secondly"
you must never pass out of my
sight without carrying a revolver, not
so much for defense, but as a signal
Did you take one when you went bird S
nesting"
mo. Why"
There was troubled look in his eyes
when he answered:
ut is best to tell you at once thai
before help reaches us we may be Wis
tied by cruel and bloodthirsty say
ages. | would not even mention this
If II were remote contingency. As
matters stand. You ought to know that
such thing may happen. Let Us
trust in Gods goodness that assist
ance may come soon. The island has
seemingly been deserted for many
months, and therein lies our bes
chance of escape. But am obliged t
warn you lest you should be taker
unawares."
Iris was serious enough now.
How do you know that such dan
ger threatens us?" she demanded,
He countered readily. Because
happen to have read good deal about
the China sea and its frequenters," ht
said. II am the last man in the wo:ld
TO alarm you needlessly All NEAR
to convey is that certain precautions