The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-12-22

I'VE must not be too sure. Some
things have occurred here that can
not be forgotten or forgiven"
"Er-what-sir?"
IT shall never be permitted to leave
the island If Philip Trevor and his
servants can prevent It,"
Jacqueline held her breath.
IT think you are right" she &C
knowledged; they will now do their
utmost to destroy you"
Eyes; you had better have left me
in the boat" he said, whimsically.
my presence here is most unfortu-
nate-for you. 1T doubles your dan
GER"
what" flashed Jacqueline,
would you have us think Of that at
a time like the PRESENT."
II would" he answered earnestly.
LEFT to yourselves, Trevor would
doubtless send you to the mainland;
but in my company you will meet
with no consideration-you will be
treated as hostiles. God knows !
would give half my earthly goods
this moment for a boat that would
take you two to Watchhaven." 90.
"Fiddle-de-dee!" said Vic, would
we go and leave. you, sir, to them
island pirates?-after we'd brought
you around so slick, too? Much you
know about us!"
But he was looking only at JAG
queline. She made her voice very
cool and steady as she said:
Since your fortune has been cast
with ours in this place, let us all
abide the issues together. Do not
belittle your own Importance, for al
ready you have been our salvation
here"
"And you do not wish me away at
this crisis?" .' w..
"No-oh, no."
Something flashed into his blond
face-a light that never was on land
or sea. Jacqueline's dark eyes fell
before his gray-eagle gaze. His hand
touched hers for a moment; then he
remembered himself and withdrew
it quickly; but the electric spark had
passed from one to the other--the
two we're no longer strangers, or &C
quaintances, or even friends.
He was stalwart and sound and
he made superhuman exertions to re-
cover his strength. A few hours later
he was on his feet, walking about the
cave. His nurses gfeigned alarm, but
secretly they we're Doverjoyed. The
situation demanded masculine guild
ance. 1t was an ~unspeakable relief
to find an active male partner In their
difficulties. ..
1.-The tide does not ebb till q late
hour" said St. George, as he as
sumed the direction of afairs5 so ]
think we must pass another night In
the cave. Every hour, I find, adds to
my strength, and by morning I shall
be able to go with you to the main
island and look for the boat which
T hired in Watchhaven."
.'You will meet Philip Trevor" re.
piled Jacqueline, unable to conceal
her disquietude, mot as man to man.
but as n to three, and that n en-.
feebled by a very recent Illness"
But now my strength will be as
the strength of ten," he answered, In
a low, eloquent voice, for I have
your wrongs to remember, as well as
my own" And after a pause he
added in a changed tone: Then,
too, the fate of Mrs. Trevor is still a
mystery, which, in duty to my little
son, I must unravel."
He declared that he would assume
the watch in the cave this last night,
but his nurses strenuously objected.
He must husband his powers for the
morrow, they said-the safety of the
whole party depended upon him;
they would call him at the first ap-
proach of peril. So, at last, he rolled
himself in a blanket and lay down to
sleep in the farthest corne" of the
place. Jacqueline sat by the fire and
fed it's flame with dry twigs+ drive
away darkness and damp. Vic had
something on her mind and as the
tide ebbed from the channel she drew
nigh to her companion and whis-
pered: "The food is out, miss
there's not a bite left for morning
nothing for him. An empty stomach
makes a weak hand. It's not good
for a man just out of delirium to
fast. He's got the grit, but he must
have strength to keep on his feet.
I'm as hungry as a wolf myself, and
I'm going over to Deadman's to get
provisions"
"Oh, Vic!"
Hush Don't wake him-he
needs sleep. He was staggering with
weakness when he lay down. If he's
set on meeting the island men to-
morrow, he must be provided with
something more than food" said Vic.
darkly. Don't try to hold me, but
just sit here patient till come back
1T is almost midnight"
To be Continued.
-.