Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-14

Not even a butterfly or a moth or an IN
sect!7 Miss Forrest whispered.
@But that's impossible" cried Barriston.
"This verdure should bring out millions Of
them"
"Where are they?" she asked.
For some moments they looked carefully
about them, turning over messy stones at
their feet, thrusting their rifle barrels into
the bushes, looking up into the branches.
Barriston raised his rifle and fired.
Lets see if that will wake up anything,
he muttered.
The report shattered the silence for an
instant, which Immediately closed down
upon them, more impressive than before
There was not even an echo.
"The whole thing is impossible he
growled angrily, 3this silence, the island, the
others going away He thumped his head
with his fist and gazed blankly before him.
For several moments they stood thus, deep
wrapped in the tropical verdure.
"Come," he said, 4lets push on to the
summit.
They resumed their walk; but they could
not shake off the feeling of oppression, and
scarcely exchanged word. In an hour or so
they stood on the top of the hill, and as be-
fore looked down upon the entire island
They saw the rounded masses of treetops
lying below them, encircled by the blue sea.
Parting the green at one place was the
stream, slipping noiselessly downward to
where the Daphne lay. The scene was one
of unusual beauty; but Miss Forrest shiv-
cred slightly and nurmured:
"Come, let us 60 back to the ship"
RARRISTON gently took her hand. 1t
= was comforting expression of his SYM
pathy to her, and they walked thus for some
little way down along the bank OF the rivulet
which grew larger as it crept down the hill
side to the ship.
There are not even any cascades to sing
to u.s." the girl observed once.
They climbed aboard the Daphne and set
about preparing midday meal, and after
ward Miss Forrest retired to her cabin to
take nap, as she said, and Barrlston lighted
a cigar and moodily stretched himself IN
steamer chair on deck. The forest gloomed
about him, and no breeze was stirring. He
smoked for awhile, and then tossed his cigar
overheard. Suddenly he imagined he saw
the vague outline of an officer on the bridge.
He blinked and looked again. On the deck
near him there seemed other vague shapes OF
passengers, moving here and there One OF
them was the Hindu, who stood immedl-
ately in front of him. His eyes We're espe-
cially distinct, and they seemed to be look
ing at him intently. Barriston started up,
and as he did so the shapes faded. The vel
low deck cleaned empty before him, shad-
owed only by the foliage above. Empty
again were the bridge and the steamer
chairs, and silence EMBODIED him.
Goods" he exclaimed. dts getting on
my nerves 1t won't do He walked to the
stern and looked out over the harbor water.
Il have got to stop wondering why. 1t IS
one big Why, and there is no answer. There
can't be any answer; so what is the use OF
everlastingly trying for it? l am going to
stop it, and l am going to make her stop it
She is probably fighting for that Why now.
instead of taking nap in her cabin. That
is our only enemy on the island. that Why"
he ruminated at is worse than savages OF
starvation or tempest to face. We have got
to conquer it, or it will conquer US. And
am going to win QUIT
He pulled himself up very straight, turned,
and walked back along the deck to the COM
panionway, went into the upper deck saloon,
seated himself at the piano, and began to
play. He ran over the lighter arias and
songs of some of the Italian operas, and as he
played his spirits rose. He heard light
step behind him presently, and a chair
creaked slightly; but he kept on. After CON
Guiding the more inspiriting parts OF Car
men, he wheeled about suddenly, and,
while his listener was still held in the buoy
orcy IF tho r,o,,Sio exclaimed.