Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-01-26
CHAPTER XII.
The ship on the Horizon.

CHAPTER XII.
The Ship on the Horizon.
Yesterday morning she had been
awakened by an earthquake. To-day
1t was the call of voice, his voice.
There was none other on the island
It came to her through the open door
way. BY turning her head she could
see the bright expanse of sand and
sea and sky beyond. Yet no figure
darkened the entrance. He stood out
of sight, but within hearing, calling her
name. She rose to her feet, gathered
the tunic about her waist by cine
ture of plated grass, thrust the knife
within rude sheath she had made for
Y. and stepped out upon the sand. She
had an instinct that something un.
usual had happened, for never before
had he ventured to come to the cave
and thus awaken her. The change in
their relations might have moved him
to this extraordinary course, yet she
did not believe that it had. She found
him in great state of excitement.
AS she cleared the entrance he ran
toward her waving his hands.
There Is something" he cried, his
voice thrilling with new and strange
emotions. ION the other side of the
island"
rs 1t something of enough impor-
lance" she said, softly, laying her
had upon his shoulder, ito keep you
from kissing me good morning?"
Evidently whatever it was, 1t was
not, she thought for a happy moment,
as he swept her to his breast at once.
That had been his first instinct, that
had been his burning desire the night
long, to have her in his arms was
3 his constant thought; but he was new
to lovers ways. unused to loves Gus
toms, and, besides. he had sworn that
the advances must come from her.
But once the advance was made, the
signal was displayed, the permission
was given, he more than did his part.
Pressing back her head he fed his full
upon her lips. No. not that, he could
never do that, but he kissed her long
and for moment forgot what he
had to tell. 1t was she who first re-
membered.
And what is it," she asked, ION the
other side of the island?"
Il forgot it for the moment" he an
severed passionately, "as forget
everything with you in my arms"
! She laughed at this bold assertion.
You love-" she said, "as If you had
been taught to do it from the begin.
ming"
q: The sight of you, your touch, the
air that hangs about your person,
they have taught me, and l am only
beginning now to show you how much
Islove you"
III this be the beginning" she
laughed. what will be the end?"
",There is no end" he replied laugh.
ing in his turn.
But you came here to tell me some.
thing else
when started from the other side
of the island it seemed the greatest
thing that could tell, but since have
seen you"
Man, man." she cried, with pleas.
ant impatience, what is it that you
saw"
Il think 1t is a ship" he answered,
with sudden gravity.
"a ship!" she cried.
She laid her hand upon her heart
and sank down upon near by boul.
der. If his words were true, what
would 1t mean to them both?
Il have never seen a ship, but there
is dark object yonder," he point.
ed across the island toward the farther
horizon. too far away for me to dis.
tinguish what 1t is; but smoke rises
from it."
Let us go!"
She rose to. her feet and extended
her hand. He took it and they began
20 run. They rSu as often as they
walked, except in the greater heat of
midday. 1.-the, free-limbed, lightly
clad, deep chested and strong. in this
emergency they headed straight
across the hill instead of taking the
longer. way around the sands. The
distance was not great. There was a
sort of rude path which they had
made and often trayersed, and in a
few moments they stood painting a
little. for they had been unusually
speedy and eager, ON the top of the
hill.
"There!" cried the man, pointing to
seward
His eyesight was better than hers,
but hers was still sufficiently keen, as
she followed. his outstretched arm and
extended finger, to see upon the far
horizon a dark object which was I'm
doubtedly ship. A hazy column of
smoke elongated behind it, and told
her 1t was a steamer
You were right" she said at last,
little sob in her voice 1T is ship
1t means rescue. The world is coming
to our shores"
MY world is here" he returned,
laying his hand upon her shoulder,
and for answer she drew closer to
him. glad to feel his clasp about her
waist.
She had time to think how singular
ly like the language of convention
was the language of nature. 1t was
*, dIIEZ!gl!y..