Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-07-14

Ing. While Off duty he kept strict
watch and ward over the gangway
In which Iris cabin was situated. It
was useless. She remained hidden.
AS Coke had told Iris she might cx-
pect to be ashore about 9 o'clock,
she waited until half past ere com
Ing on deck. Despite her unalterabe
decision TO abide by the hideous com
pact entered into with her uncle and
Bulmer. her first thought now was to
1rd Hozier.
Iris was thoroughly wretched and
not little disturbed by the near pros
pect OF landing in a foreign country
which would probably be plunged into
civil war by the mere advent Of De
sylvia. 1t need hardly be said that
under these circumstances Hozier was
the one man in whose company she
would feel reasonably safe. But she
could not sec him anywhere
At last she hailed one Of the Androm-
eda's men whom she met in a gang.
way.
"Mr. Hozier. miss?" said he. "Oh,
he's forrard. right up IN the bows,
kcepin lookout"
This Information added to her dis
tress. She ought not to 60 to him.
Full well she knew that her presence
might distract him from an all i'm.
portant task. So she sat forlornly on
the fore hatch. waiting there until he
might leave his post.
Tho stan v,,or oropk m 4, ,r,, Tate
fancied the hour must be nearer 8
o'clock .han 2 when she heard Ho-
siers voice ring out clearly:
Buoy on the port bow!''
| There was movement among the
dim figures on the bridge. A minute
later Hozier cried again:
| Buoy on the starboard bow
She understood then that they were
In n marked channel. Already the road
was narrowing Soon they would be
ashore. At last Hozier came. He saw
her as he jumped down from the fore.
| castle deck.
"Why are you here Iris:" was all he
said. She looked so bowed. SO hum
bled. that he could not find it in his
heart Is reproach her FOR having
avoided him earlier.
II wanted to be near you" she whis-
pered IL am frightened. Philip. I
am terrified by the unknown. Some
how on the rock our dangers were
measurable: here we shall soon be
swallowed up among n whole lot of
people"
They heard Cokes gruff order to the
watch to clear the falls Of the jolly
boat. The Unser Fritz was going dead
flow. On the starboard side were the
lights Of large town. but the op-
posite shore was somber and vague.
Are we going to land at once in a
small boat?" said Iris tilnidly.
II fancy there Is n new move on
foot A gunboat Is moorcd half Il
mile downstream. You missed her be.
cause your back was turned. She has
steam up and could slip her cables in
minute. They saw her from the
bridge. Of course. but did not report
her. as there was a chance that my
hail might be heard. and we came in
20 confidently that we are looked on a
q local trader"
He took her by the arm with thu
masterful gentleness that is so com
forting to woman when danger l.
rife. They reached the bridge SOM
sailors were lowering a boat as quic,
ly as possible.
Dom Corria approached with out
stretched hand.
"Goodby. Miss Yorke," he said. &"
am leaving you for few hours. no
longer When next We meet l ough
to have sure grip Of the presidential
LADDER, and | shall climb quickly
Won't you wish me luck?"
Il wish you al good fortune, Don
Corrla" said Iris May your plan
succeed without bloodshed."
"Ah, this Is South America, remem
Der. Our conflicts arc usually shor
and fierce. Au revoir. Mr.. Hozier. B.
daybreak we shall be better friends"
San Benavides also babe them fare
we'll with an easy grace not who'll,
devoid of melodramatic pathos. TIL
dandy and the man Of rags climbed
down a rope ladder. the boat fell ava.
from the ships side, and the nigh
took them.
Mr.. Hozier" cried Coke.
Yes. SIR"
as all clear forrard to let 60 an
chor"
Yes. sir"
"Give her thirty. You go and see t
1t. will you?"
Hozer made Off at run.
Iris recalled the last time she hear
similar words. She shuddered. Woul
that placid foreshore blaze out int
roar Of artillery and the worroU
Unser Fritz. like the wornout Andron
eda. stagger and lurch into a water
grave?
But the only noise that Jared th
peaceful night was the rattle of tn
cable and winch. The ship fell ava
few feet and was held. There wa
no moving light on the river Not eve
4 police boat or customs launch ha
put OF. Maceio was asleep 1t wa
quite unprepared for the honor OF
presidential visit.
CHAPTER XIV.
THr HFw ERA.