The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-03-08

Well" she said, I've done it,
Have your he exclaimed, blank
Yes. They're a little too long, and
l feel very awkward, but they're better
than-than my poor old dress unsup-
ported
she blushed furiously, to the sailors
complete bewilderment, but she brave
ly persevered and stretched out an
unwilling foot
"Oh. I aee!" ne growled. and he
too redeemed.
Il can't help t, can II" she de-
manded piteously. at is not unlike a
riding-habit, is it?"
Then bis ready wit helped him.
IAN excellent compromise" he cried.
"A process of evolution, in fact. Now,
do you know. Miss Deane. that would
never have occurred to me-
And during the remainder of the day
he did rot once look at her feet. In
deed. he had far more serious matters
to distract his thoughts. for Iris. few
| erishly anxious to be busy, suddenly
suggested that it would be good
thing were she able to use a rifle if a
! fight at close quarters became neces-
sary.
The recoH 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
ii 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 IN holding and sighting-a
child can learn how to refill the clip
and eject each empty shell-she fired
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-
BILE.
Iris was much pleased with her pro-
ficiency. NOW" she cried, instead
Of being a hindrance to you 1 may
be some help. In any case, the Dyaks
Will think there are two men to face
and they have good reason to fear one
of u.s."
Then a new light dawned upon jerks
Why did you not think of it before ?"
he demanded. Don't you see, Miss
Deane, the possibility suggested by
your words? 1 am sorry to be COM
PEELED TO speak plainly. but I feel sure
that If those scoundrels do attack us
in forcs it will be more to secure you
than to avenge the loss of their fell
low tribesmen. First and foremost, the
sea- going Dyaks are pirates and ma
RAIDERS They prowl about the coast
| looking not so much for a fight as
for looC and women. Now, If they re-
turn, and apparently find two we'll
armed men awaiting them, with no
pi aspect of plumber, there is a chance
they may abandon the enterprise"
sIris did not finch from the topic.
She we'll knew it's grave Importance.
I'm other words" she said, 81 must
De 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-
fcundly uncomfortable. but that will
be nothing if it secures our safety"
She did not reply at once. Then she
said musingly-"Forty- daysi Sure
ly there has been ample time to scour
the China sea from end to end in
search of US? My father would never
abandon hope until he had the most
positive knowledge that the Sirdar was
lost with all on board"
The sailor, through long schooling,
was prepared with an answer-'Each
Gay makes the prospect of escape
brighter Though l was naturally dis
appointed this morning, I must state
cutie emphatically that our rescue may
come any hour"
Iris looked at him steadily
you wear a solemn face for one who
speaks so cheerfully,' she said.
You should not attach too great sig
nificance to appearances. The owl.
very stupid bird, is noted for its phil
csOphical expression"
'Then we viii strive to find wisdom
IN words. Do you remember Mr.. jerks
that soon after the wreck you told me
We might have to remain here many
nontbs?"
THAT was a pardonable exaggera-
ton"
mo, no. 1t was the truth. You are
seeking now to buoy me up with false
hope. It is sixteen hundred miles from
Hong Kong to Singapore, and half as
much from Siam to Borneo. The Sir
dar might have been driven anywhere
in the typhoon. Didn't you say so,
Mr.. Jenks?"
He wavered under this merciIess
crOss-examination.
Il had no idea your memory was so
good" he said, weakly
Excellent, I assure you. Moreover,
during our forty-four days together
you have taught me TO think Why do
YOU adopt subterfuge with me? We
are partners in all else. Why can not
1 share your despair as we'll as your
tcil?"
She blazed out in sudden wrath. and
be understood that she would not be
denied the full extent of his secret
fear. He bowed reverently before her,
as a mortal paying homage to an angry
goddess.
II can only admit that you are right"
he murmured. 1--WE must pray that God
will direct our friends to this island
Otherwise we may not be found for a
year, as unhappily the fishermen who
once came here now avoid the place.
They have been frightened by the con-
tents of the hollow behind the cliff. 1 !
am glad you have solved the difficulty, |
Miss Deans. have striven at times to
be coarse, even brutal. toward you. but
my heart flinched from the task of tell |
ing you the possible period of your i'm
prfsonment."
Then Iris, for the first time In many
days. wept bitterly. and jerks, blind to |
the true cause of her emotion, picked up
a rife, to which. in spare moments. he |
had affixed curious device. and walked |
slowly across Prospect Park toward the |
road leading to the VAL |
ley Of Death.