The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-22

Helen Roileston was on the island. one day it came to him like a flash.
 Helen happened to tell him that she had kept her watch wound through all the days in the open boat. This would enable him to keep the longitude. The latitude he could get partially by guess and partially by some calculations.
 Tn a few days he had his problem worked out In bits of bark with ink made from cochineal insects and tree gum. With this same scarlet ink he wrote messages on pieces of parch- ment like material made from a seals bladder and tied them up in water tight packages.
 covered with rushes With this he re- paired to a lagoon where wild duck congregated. Slipping the hoop over his body he waded very slowly to- ward the birds and at last managed to get near enough to one to seize 1t by the leg.
 His problem was solved. That day the first bird took to the air, bearing on its leg the intelligence that an English lady was cast away on an un- known island in longitude 1o5 degrees 30 minutes west. and between the thir- ty-thIrd and twenty-sixth parallels of south latitude.
 Day after day he waded into the la- goon and caught duck or two. Every time he liberated one he noticed that it always fled to the eastward. and never tried to settle again on the is- land; thus he felt that there was chance that at least one bird might ultimately fall into the hands of some intelligent person on the mainland.
 He had sent out forty eight ducks. and was rising, as usual before day break to catch another couple when he was seized with a sharp pain fin his knees and found that he was lamed by an attack of rheumatism, due, no doubt. to his long lmmersions. He dragged himself toward his tools and began to whittle a crutch.
 At that moment Helen, who always had a secret eye upon him, came rum ming to his side and asked what was the matter. When she learned she said: NO wooden crutches when I am by" and put her shoulders under his arm.
 He looked at her in surprise, and his eyes began to fill. Until now he had served her without even expecting friendship; for what was he. convict. to expect 1t? He would have given everything to let things remain Ss they were-to be on the island with her till the end of days, serving her loving her from afar; yet he had left untried no means that keen brain or supple strength could compass to bring deliVerance.
 From this time on he passed every day as in heaven. Indeed the island was fast becoming the world for these two, and life a dream of happiness, when one evening just before sunset, about two months after the last of the ducks had been liberated. they saw 6 cloud of smoke on the horizon.
 Tt is & steamship" said Penfold, "It is coming for you. Steamships never visits these waters by chance. That ship has come for you. Your afianced husband, Arthur Warlaw, is on board"
 The sun was fast setting. The shin went steadily on. It was evident that with the light as 1t was, she would pass the low lying island with out being able to sight it, though no doubt there were many eyes on board straining for glimpse of it.
 "Quick! Help me to the hilll" said Penfold. The bonfire will attract their eyes at once. and in three hours that ship will be at anchor and you will be rescued.
 "Give me the torch" said Helen. You cannot climb up the hill. I will light the pile"
 'fTnank you 1Hhuk yOut Salu Een- fold To light that bonfire was as bit- ter as death to him. He was glad enough that she should do it herself. There are eight bundles of straw placed in just the right places. Light each one"
 While she was gone Penfold retired to the cave to prepare the evening meal. for both were faint from hunger. After long time Helen returned and sat down. The two looked at each other in silence. They tried to eat, but could not. After half an hour of this Penfold lifted himself by his crutch and crawled out to see the blaze.
 There was none. All was dark.
 He turned to look at Helen. "I have not lighted 1t at all" said she She hid her biushing face in her hands, and then suddenly fled from him like the wind.
 The vessel that had thus been allowed