The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-05-28

obtained from some theatrical Ou.-
filter Yet even these were rivaled
by some Of the dresses made on board
by ingenious feminine fingers
But splendid beyond all the Others
was the costume of the Arab chief.
He determined to seek out Iris for
the first dance. but before his end OF
the procession had completed the sec
ond turn Of the deck the band had
struck up and he perceived that the
pretty water carrier was already the
Partner of the prince. He found a
chair next to her sister. who declared
herself too old to dress up or to dance.
and sat there rather moodily watching
the brilliant scene.
After all 1t was not much fun to
dance on the floor which al every roll
of the ship changed its angles and
least of all with girl who seemed to
have forgotten the fact Of his exist.
ence. In two days she would get OF
at Colombo and this special friend.
snip which had been 30 delightful.
might as well end tonight as a few
nights later--yet. as a matter OF form.
he would ask her for second waltz.
Rut the interval ended, the second
waltz began and Iris had not returned
TO her chaperOn.
The prince promised to show her
the southern cross. which will appear
tonight for the first time" said her
sister IT was rather a long lesson
IN astronomy" she remarked a little
rebukingly. when Iris made her ap-
pearance at the end of the second In.
terval.
Iris looked radiant. and he put his
pride In his pocket and determined to
beg for the third dance. but before he
could rise from his chair the first Of.
ficer had come up to claim her. He
watched her furtively. determined she
should not have the qualification Of
knowing that he was even aware Of
her presence
How Iris enjoys herself" said her
sister. And you-are not dancing To-
night?"
Not tonight" he said. Il am weary.
and shall turn in early"
Nevertheless. he remained watch.
Ing the dance. and each time that lris
returned to sit down q partner appear.
ed a. II by magic to take her away.
All the evening they had not ex-
changed word.
Tie turned to her sister. when the
ball IL over we will have clarct cup
and sandwiches here" he suggested.
lie was feeling restles and unhappy.
The evening. which might have been
go delightful. had been wasted: he
had been badly treated: he had been
deliberately sighted but what nc felt
most. he said to himself. was the dis
COvery that Iris was like every other
girl: that II she had not nirted with
the prince and the first Officer, with Ill
the oflcers and al the eligible men on
board. II was because she had been
having fun At bis expense. He lash
ed himself into . fury.
The band had already begun 10 put
away their instrumental Deck hands
were taking down the Chinese lanterns
and still Iris did not appear.
A storm Of jealousy swept over him.
! . 1t al events should not be found
sitting there waiting TIL she should
grsciously return. He got up has
tily. pleading q headache. and went b.
low.
II was the first time since the voy.
age started that he had not said good
night" 10 Iris.
After 20 minutes he Wa conscious
Of suffering unbearably. He went on
deck again. hoping to see her: the
lights were turned out: the deck do
serted.
The next morning he was on deck
soon after six There was, Of course,
no chance that she would be visible
before nine: but the mere fact OF be.
Ing up and dressed seemed 70 bring
her nearer to him.
His own anxiety now was to zee her
to explain everything. to apologize, 70
beg her forgiveness.
He was amazed 10 zee Iris advanc.
ing toward him. II was still very
early: sailors we're washing down the
decks. one or two men In pajamas
and dressing gowns we're taking exsr.
else before their bath.
Their eyes met while they were still
some distance apart and. moved BY the
same instinct both turned.
Il was inevitable. however. that they
should meet on the other side OF the
deck. Iris greeted him almost timidly.
The radiance Of the previous evening
had vanished, there was tenderness In
h>r eyes, gentleness In her voice.
Il could not Sleep" she said. II
rose early to see Minekoi."
He noticed for the first time the
beautiful coral island. the cleaning
white beach and the waving line OF
cocoanut palms that seemed floating
on the blue.
1T 10 q dangerous place." be said.
Three or four ships have some
times been wrecked there at the same
time"