Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-05-10

counsel. It would be doing her
grave injustice to assume that
her gentle disposition was
changed because Of the days sufer'
ings. The erstwhile light hearted
schoolgirl and youthful mistress ct
her uncle's house had been subjected
to dynamic influences. The ordeal
through which she had passed. un-
scathed bodily. but scared III spirit
had left her strung to tense pitch.
OF course In this present clash OF
emotions Iris little understood "hn;
her advice really meant. She was ~
pealing to heaven rather than to IT,"
force Of arms
Oddly enough. the only professional
soldier present condemned her projer'
roundly when 1t was nlooted.
"In leaving the island tonight you
are acting OH an assumption" protest
ed Captain San Benavides to his chief
"You cannot he sure that the Andres
y-Mela will not appear. The arrange
ment is that she Is to send boat here
soon after midnight. yet II this mad
scheme Of an attack OH ariued troops
by unarmed men Is persisted In We
must begin to ferry to the island long
before that hour. In all probability We
shall be discovered ut once. At the
very moment that our friends are
eagerly awaiting US on board the ship
we may be lying dead OF the island.
The notion is preposterOus. Be guided
by me. Dom Corria, and decline to
have anything to do with 1t. Better
still, let these English Doors promise
to forget that we are alive. Then Mar
eel can guide them to the landing
place. where they will be shot speed
lily and comfortably. There is no
sense In sacrificing the girl. She must
be kept here on some pretext."
The ex-president took thought befor
be answered.
II fear We must fall In with Ou.
allies views, faute de micu1. 70
and l have to lead headstrong army.
That little Hercules Of commander
Is stubborn as a mule-a mule that has
the strength and courage Of a wild
boar. The younger man thinks only Of
the girls safety. He. at least. will not
consent to leave her. Both, backed by
their crew, will not scruple to sacrifice
us IL their interests point that way.
Trust me to twist them into the course
that shall best serve our own needs.
am now going to tell them that you ap-
prove of their plan"
The lsng day wore slowly. The heat
was intense. Even the hardened sail
ors soon found that II the atmosphere
Of the cavern were to remain endura'
Bile they might not smoke. So pipes
were e1tinguished.
Unhappily Iris answered IN French
some simple query of the dapper OFF,
GERS. Thenceforth. to her great be-
wilderment and Hozier's manifest an
noyance, he pestered her with compli-
ments and inquiries. To avoid both
she expressed a longing for sleep.
When she awoke the rayine was In
shadow and the interior Of the cave
was dark. Her first conscious sensa-
ton was that of almost intolerable
thirst. Nevertheless she cried involnn-
tarlly for water. and again she was
offered wine. She managed to smile
in n strained fashion at this malicious
humor of fortune.
Hozler, who had aroused her by
touching her shoulder. faEcied he saw
the CLEAN of merriment In her face.
"If there Is no hitch In our plans,
he said, I'VE should be on the iSland
within five hours. We have every
thing thought out as for as may be
in view of the unknown. At any rate.
Miss Yorke. 10 we succeed In getting
you safely ashore you personally VIII
have but slight cause for further
anxiety. The proposal Is that Marrel
shall take you ut once to the nut o'
all old convict whom he can trust
"A convict!' she gaspcd.
"The population Of Fernando No
ronha Is ulmust entirely made OF con
yicts aud soldiers" he explained.
"But am to be left there alone:
"What else IL there to be done: Yot
cannot Join In the attack On fort