Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-02-01
BY LOUIS
TRACY
Copyright. 1905. by
Edward J. Ciode


ly persevered and stretched out an I'M
willing foot
"Oh see!'' he grOwled. and he, too
reddcued.
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 it would be good
thing were she able to use a rifle if
fight Mt close quarters became neces-
sary.
The recoil of the Lee Metford is so
slight that any woman can manipulate
the weapon with effect, provided she
is not called upon to fire from stand
ing position, in which case the weight
is liable to cause bad aiming. Though
it came rather late in the day, jerks
caught at the idea. He accustomed
her in the first instance to the use of
blank cartridges. Then when fairly
proficient III holding and sighting-a
child can learn how to refill the clip
and eject each empty shell-she fred
ten rounds of service ammunition. The
target was white circle on a 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-
fciency. Now" she cried. 'instead of
being hindrance to you l may be
think there are two men to face. and
they have good reason to fear one of
us"
Then a new light dawned upon
jerks.
why did you not think Of it be
fore" he demanded. Don't you see.
Miss Deanc, the possibility suggested
by your words? ! am sorry to be com
PEELED TO speak plainly, but ! feel sure
THAT if those scoundrcls DO attack us in
force it will be more to secure you
than to avenge the loss o. their fellow
tribesmen. First and foremost, the sea-
going Dyaks are pirates and rnaraud-
ers. They prowl about the coast look
ing not so much for fight as for loot
and women. Now, if they return and
apparently find two well armed men
awaiting them, with no prospect of
plumber there is a chance that they
may abandon the enterprise"
Iris did not finch from the topic.
She well knew its grave Importance.
in other words" she said, Il must
be seen by them dressed only in male
Clothing:"
Yes; as a last resource, that is. I
have some hope that they may not dis
cover our whereabouts owing to the
precautions we have adopted. perched
up there on the ledge, we will be pro-
foundly uncomfortable, but that will
be nothing il it secures our safety"
Sno did not reply at once. Then
she said musingly: "Forty-four days!
Surely there has been ample time TO
NOur the China sea from end to end
in search Of us! My father would nev
ar abandon hope until he had the
most positive knowledge that the Sir
The sailor. through long schooling,
was prepared with an answer; Each
day makes the prospect Of escape
brighter. Though | was naturally dis
appointed this morning, | must state
quite emphatically that our rescue may
come any hour"
Iris looked at him steadily.
DO you remember. Mr.. jerks, that
soon after the wreck you told me we
might have to remain here many
Eonths!'
THAT was a pardonahle exaggera-
ton"
NO, no, 1t was the truth You are
seeking now to buoy me up with false
hope. 1t is 1,600 miles from Hong
kong to Singapore. and half as much
from Siam to Borneo. The Sirdar
might have been driven anywhere in
the typhoon. Didn't you say so, Mr..
jerks"
He wavered under this merciless
cross examination.
Il had no idea your memory was so
good" he said weakly.
Excellent, | assure you. Moreover,
during our forty-four days together
you have taught me to think. Why do
you adopt subterfuge with me? We
arc partners in all else. Why cannot
| share your despair as well as your
toilf"
She blazed out in sudden wrath, and
he understood that she would not be
denied the full extent OF his secret
fear. He bowed reverently before her,
as mortal paying homage to an an.
cry goddess.
Il can only admit that you are
right" he murmured I'VE must pray
that God will direct our friends to this
island. Otherwise we may not be
found for year, as unhappily the
fishermen who once came here now
avoid the place. They have been
frightened by the contents of the hol-
low behind the cliff. | am glad you
have solved the difficulty unaided, Miss
Deane. have striven at times to be
coarse, even brutal toward you, but
my heart fiinched from the task of tell
ing you the possible period of your i'm
prisonment."
Then Iris, for the first time In many
days, wept bitterly, and jerks, blind to
the true cause Of her emotion, picked
up rife to which. in spare moments,
he had affixed curious device, and
walked slowly across Prospect park