Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1910-07-21

the barrier when they saw the islander
stepping through the shallow waters
to the beach. There was, therefore,
nothing for Mr.. Cady to do but come
back and report the matter to the cap
tain. When he reached the deck of
the cruiser he found the executive Of
ficer with the chaplain and the sur
geon who had been summoned from
their berths in consultation with the
captain. By Mr.. Whittaker's advice,
he and the chaplain were Immediately
sent ashore to see what had happened
and what was to be done.
There was considerable anxiety in
the minds of the quartet who had
been dealing with the affair heretofore
as to what conditions might be-. They
did not know the man. They did not
know what he might be doing, or to
what danger the woman, whom they
all pitied most profoundly, might be
exposed. OF all with whom he had
come in contact, the lieutenant com
mander and the chaplain were those
who would have the most influence
over the man of the island, hence they
were dispatched to the island.
Another boat crew was therefore
called away and the two gentlemen
were rowed ashore. 1t was not yet
sunrise but still sufficiently light to
enable them to proceed. They were
at a loss at first what to do, for they
had not yet had opportunity for ex-
ploring the island. They had learned
that the cav in which the woman
dwelt was upon the other side and
that hills rose between the landing
place and her abode. They knew, Of
course, that they could get to it by
following the shores of the island, but
they had a reasonably accurate idea
of its size and they knew that that
would take a great deal of time. Time
was precious. They we're becoming
more and more fearful with every mo-
ment.
They decided, therefore, to chance
a direct march over the hill and across
the island, By great good fortune they
stumbled into the path which was
now sufficiently defined in the grow
ing light to enable them to follow it.
They climbed the hill as rapidly as
was consistent with the strength of
the chaplain, who was a rather old
man, and then having reached the top
went down the other side almost at a
run.
AS they broke out from under the
palm trees, they saw a dark object in
the gray dawn lying upon the sands
at the waters edge. It was a human
being undoubtedly. AS they ran to-
ward it with quickening heart beats
they recognized it as the man. He
was lying motionless as if he had been
struck dead. In a brief space they
reached him. The lieutenant-com-
mander knelt down by his side and
turned him over upon his back. He
was as senseless as if he had been
smitten with a thunder bolt.
'Is he alive?" asked the chaplain,
bending over him.
Mr.. Whittaker's hand searched his
heart.
1T beats feebly," he said. "4e
seems to have tainted, collapsed in
some strange way. I wish we had
brought the surgeon. I wonder what
can be the cause of it?"
"Look!" said the chaplain.
He pointed to a little heap of some.
thing dark on the sands a foot or two
away.
what is it," asked the officer.
The chaplain stepped over to it.
ut is the clothes of the woman" he
said in an awe-struck voice, "and thai
Bible we were to take away with us
with the other things but which she
said she would give us in the morn
ing"
"Great heaven" exclaimed Mr.
Whitaker, you don't think"
At the same instant the same
thought had come to both men.
ut looks like It," said the chaplain
with bated breath, Poor woman
may God help her!"
THAT Is what Is the matter will
him." returned the lieu~tenant-com
mander. "He has sought her in hel
cave and has not found her. He hal
, discovered these things and he know
. that she is gone. The shock has al
l most killed him."
"What is to be done now?"
! Here the man Of action interposed
"Do you watch by him, chaplain
: said the Observation-Disclosures, rising
= II will 60 back to the landing upol
the other side and send for the doc
tor. Then we will bring a part.
: ashore and search every foot Of tn
island. 1t is a bad business. To thinl
of that woman offering herself to thi
man in vain. The fool!"
!, Don't" said the chaplain. HE
not much more than a child in spit
Of all that he has learned. We mus
I make allowances for him. He did low
her, evidently. Look to what her los
: has brought him. Perhaps stricken b
the hand Of God his soul has gone on
to meet hers"
= well, we must fight for his lff
! anyway. Do you stay here. I wi
be back In a short time"
y The lieutenant-commander rose t
l his feet and started back across tn
island without another word.
The chaplain composed the men
e. bers of the stricken man, putting hill
* in a comfortable position on th
warm sand, then knelt down and b.
is gan to pray. 1t seemed a long time I
the waiting priest before his shipmat
returned, and yet but a short time ha
" elapsed. He came UP painting frol
!. 4ha x;o1oona ~ hfo avorfiono