The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1906-01-26

plement startled him. He examined
1t slowly and thrust it out of sight.
Then he went back to her, after dom
ming his stockings and boots, now thor
oughly dry.
"Are you ready now, Miss Deane?o
he sang out cheerily.
Ready? 1 have been waiting for
YOU"
jerks chuckled quietly. "T must
guard my tongue: 1t betrays me-" he
said to himself.
Iris Joined him. BY some mysterious
means she had effected great improve
ment in her appearance. Yet there
were manifest gaps.
IF only had needle and thread
she began.
"1f that is ALL" said the sailor, fun
bling in his pockets. He produced a
shabby little hussif containing a Thin
bic, scissors, needles and some skeins
Of unbleached thread. Case and con-
tents were soddcn or rusted with salt
water, but the girl fastened upon this
treasure with sigh Of deep content.
"Now, please" she cried, 'I want a
telegraph office and ship"
When they reached the sands she
caught sight Of the pile Of clothes and
the broken woodwork, with the small
heaps Of valuables methodically ar
ranged. The harmless subterfuge did
not deceive her. She darted quick
look of gratitude at her companion.
How thoughtful he was! After fear
full glance around she was reassured,
though she wondered what had become
of-them.
81 see you have been busy" she said,
nodding toward the clothes and boots.
YES" he replied simply. Lucky
find, wasn't it."
"AIost fortunate. When they are quite
dry l will rcplenish my wardrobe
What is the first thing to be done?'
"Well, Miss Deane, think our pro-
gramme is, in the first place, to en-
anime the articles thrown ashore and
see If any of the cases contain food.
Secondly, we should haul high and dry
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 explore the island be-
fore the light fails. am convinced we
are alone here. 1t is a small place at
the best, and If any Cinnamon were
ashore. they would have put in an ap-
pearance long since.'
"Do you think, then, that we may re.
main here long?"
ut Is impossible to form an opinion
on that point. Help may come in
day. On the other hand"-
"Yes?"
1T is wise thing, Miss Deane, to
prepare for other contingencies"
that. We may be imprisoned here r.,
weeks, perhaps rn~--li--o.: .--..s- pf
"If you clst your mind back few
hours you Will perhaps admit that we
are very fortunate to be here at all."
She whisked round upon him. "Do
not fence with my question, Mr.. jerks.
Answer me-"
He bowed. There was perceptible
return Of his stubborn cynicism when
| he spoke. -
"The facts are obvious, Miss Deane.
The loss Of the Slrdar will not be
definitely known for many days. II
will be assumed that she has broken
down. The agents in Singapore will
await cabled tidings. Of her where
abouts. She might have drifted any
1 where in that typhoon. Ultimately
they will send out a vessel to search
impelled to that course little earliel
by your fathers anxiety. Pardon me
l did not intend to pain you. an
speaking my mind"
"Go on" said Iris bravely.
"The relief ship must search the ell
tire China sea. The gale might hav
driven disabled steamer north, south
east or west 4 typhoon travels in
whirling spiral, you see, and the diret
tion Of drifting ship depends who'll
upon the locality where she sustaine
damage. The coasts of China, Jaws
Borneo and the Philippines are nc
equipped with lighthouses on ever
headland and cordoned with telegrap
wires. There are river pirates and sa'
age races to be reckoned with. Castin
aside all other possibilities and assun
; ing that prompt search is made to IL
south Of our course, this part Of II
ocean is full Of reefs and small island
+. some inhabited permanently, Other
visited occasionally by fishermen" T
> was about to add something, but chec
!, ed himself.
ITO sum up" he continued hurriedl
1--WE may have to remain here for mai
. days, even months. There Is always
= chance of speedy help. We must a.
,, however, on the basis of detention (
', y an indefinite period. l am discussi
~ :. appearances as they are. A survey
'. the island may change all these view
y "In what way"
10 He turned and pointed to the sn
NIT Of the tree covered hill behi
them.
"a From that point" he said, 1--WE m