Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-06-16
bending toward Iris.
Yes" she said.

"Then you had better kneel behind
Marcel and steady yourself by placing
your hands on his shoulders. Yes,
that is it. DO not change your posi-
ton until yOu are ashore. Now, you
Mr.. Ilozier."
Marcel murmured something.
"Ah, good cried De sylvia softly.
"Domingo, too. has secured catn-
maran lie is bringing it at once in
order 70 save time"
a second spectral figure emerged
from the gloom. Without waiting for
further instructions Marcel swung his
paddle, and the one craft passed the
other in the center of the pool. Iris
felt Iiozicr's hands on her waist. He
obcyed orders and uttered no sound,
but the action told her that she might
trust him implicitly. When the mar
row cleft was travcrsed and she saw
the open sea on her right there was
ample need for some such assurance
of guardianship.
Viewed from the cliff the swell that
broke on he half submerged reef was
Of slight volume. but it presented
very different and most disconccrting
aspect when seen in profile. 1t seemed
TO be an almost Impossible feat for any
man to propel three narrow planks,
top heavy with human freight, across
wide channel through which such Il
rea was running. Indeed. IioHiCr him
self. sailor as he was. felt more than
doubtful as to the fate OF their arCosy.
But Marcel padded ahead with unhng
eing energy once he was clear Of the
tortuous passage and. before the cata-
maran had Travelled many yards. even
Iris was able to understand that the
outlying ridge Of rocks both protected
their present tract; and created much
Of the apparent turmoil.
At last the raft. for It was little else.
bore sharply ont between two huge
powders that might we'll have fallen
from the mighty pile of Grand-pora It.
self. Pointed and angular they were
and set like a gateway to an abode Of
giants. Beyond there was Il simmer
OF swift moving water, with Il silver
mist on the surface. thOuch from Il
height of n few feet it would nave been
easy to distinguish the bold contours
of Fernando NOronha itself.
Marcel held up a warning hand even
while he brought the cataluHran
ashore on the shinGe so gently that
not Il pebble was disturbed. lie rose,
gaunt Scarecrow, stepped off and
drew the shallow craft somewhat far
Their up the s!oping beach. Ihen he
helped Iris to her feet and indicated
that she was TO come with him At
once she shrank away in terror
Though in some sense prepared for
this parting. she felt it now as the
cruelest blow that fortune had dealt
her during Il day crowded with mis-
fortune. In all likelihood those two
would never meet again. She needed
/ no telling as to the risk he would soon
be called on to face. and her anGuis.
was made tn" more bitter by the neccs-
sty that they should 20 from each
others presence without spoken
I word.
Nevertheless she forced herself to
extend Il hand in farewell. Her eyes
/
that Hozier drew her nearer With
the daring of one who may well cast
the worlds convention to the winds he
gathered her TO his heart and kissed
her Then she uttered II little sob OF
happiness and sorrow and tainted
1t was not until she was lying help
less in his embrace with he. mead
pillowed on his breast ana an arm
throw liup!y across his shoulder
that Phiip understood what had hap-
pened lie loved her anG she. the
promised wife of another man. had
tacitly admitted that she returned his
love. Stumbling through the gloom he
carried her until the Brazilian left MIN
and went on alone toward IA wretched
hut.
A dog bar6ed. Marcel whistlel soft
ly. and the animal began to WhlWper
The brazilian vanished HOzler san
held Iris in his arms. Ills heart was
beating tumultuously. HIS throat acned
with the labor OF hlS lungs. 3iS
straininG ears caught rustiinEs among
the grass and roots but otherwise a
solemn peace brooded over the Sctae.
Then Marcel came ara aroused nan
from the stupOr that had settled on
him. and together they entered re
hoyel. where Il dark skinned woman
and comely girl uttered words OF
sympathetic sound when IRIS was laid
OH Il low lreStle and HoZier took d
| farewell kiss from her uuneediuC bps.
Two weary hours elapsed before the
little army OF the Grand pere rock was
reunited on the shore OF Cotton Tree
bay. Then there was further de
lay while their indefatigAbie scouts
brought milk and water, some coarse
bread and good supply or fruit from
the hut. 1t WIS part of their scheme
that they should give their friend $
ha bitation wide berth II their plans
miscarrled he was instructed 10 say
that be had found the English lacy
| wandering on the shore soon after day
break
About midnight there Was a bright
moon sailing overhead. and De Sylva
gave low order that they were TO
form in Indian tile. Marcel led: the ex-
president himself followed. with san
benavides. Coke and Iozicr IN close
proximity. Domingo brought up the
rear in order to prevent Struggling and
assist men who might stray from the
path. 1t was barely mile ia the
village, convict settlement and citadel.
Some few lights twinkling near the