Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-06-07

was useless. She remained hidden.
AZ Coke had told Iris she might ex-
pect to be ashore about o'clock.
she waited until half past 1 ere COM
ing on deck. Despite her unalterable
decision to abide by the hideous COM
pact entered into with her uncle and
Bulmer, her first thought now was to
find Hozier.
Iris was thoroughly wretched and
not little disturbed by the near pros.
pect Of landing in 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 see him anywhere.
At last she hailed one Of the Androm-
eda's men whom she met in a gang.
way.
"AIr. Hozier. miss?" said he. "Oh.
he's forrard. right up in the bows.
keepin' lookout"
This information added to her dis
tress. She ought not to 60 to him.
Full we'll 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.
The steamer crept on lazily, and Iris
fancied the hour must be nearer 8
o'clock than 2 when she heard Ho-
ziers voice ring out clearly:
"Buoy ON the port bow"
There was a 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 q 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, lris?" was all he
said. She looked 80 bowed, 80 hum
bled, that he could not find 1t in his
heart to reproach her for having
avoided him earlier.
II wanted to be near you" she whis.
pered. I-I am frightened. Philip. |
am terrified by the unknown. Some
how on the rock our dangers We're
measurable; here we shall soon be
swallowed up among whole lot Of
people"
They heard Coke's gruff order to the
watch to clear the falls Of the jolly
boat. The Unser Fritz was going dead
slow. 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
small boat" said Iris timidly.
81 fancy there Is a new move on
foot A gunboat Is moored half
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 chance that my
hail might be heard. and We came In
30 confidently that we are looked on as
local trader"
he took her by the arm with that
masterful gentleness that Is so com
fortipg to q woman when danger Is
rife. They reached the bridge. Some
sailors were lowering boat as quiet
ly as possible.
Dom Corria approached with out.
stretched hand.
"Goodby, Miss Yorke," he said. II
am leaving you for q few hours. not
longer. When next we meet l ought
to have sure grip Of the presidential
ladder, and | shall climb quickly
Won't you wish me luck?
II wish you all good fortune. Dom
Corria." said Iris. May your plans
succeed without bloodshed."
"Ah. this Is South America, remem'
ber. Our conflicts are usually short
and fierce. Au revoir, Mr.. Hozier. BY
daybreak we shall be better friends
San Benavides also bade them fare
well with an easy grace not wholly
devoid Of melodramatic pathos. The
dandy and the man Of rags climbed
down q rope ladder, the boat fell away
from the ships side. and the nigh;
took them.
"Mr. Hozlerw cried Coke.
"Yes, Sir"
"Is all clear forrard to let 60 an
chor7"
ayes. sir"
"Give her thirty. You 60 and see to
It, will your?
Hozier made Off at run.
Iris recalled the last time she heard
similar words. She shuddered. Would
that placid foreshore blaze out into
a roar of artillery and the wornou'
Unser Fritz, like the wornout Androm'
eda, stagger and lurch into a waterI
grave?
But the only noise that Jared the
peaceful night was the rattle of the
cable and winch. The ship fell away
a few feet and was held. There was
no moving light on the river. Not even
police boat or customs launch had
put of. Maceio was asleep. 1t was
quite unprepared for the honor OF
presidential visit.