Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-05
CHAPTER II-tCont,pueJ1

"T EFT us find out" he replied, scanning the
IL nearest trees with keen scrutiny.
They plodded together through the sand
In silence Physically, they were a superb
couple, but in ralment they resembled
scarecrows. Both. of course, were bare
headed. The sailors jersey and trousers
were old and torn, and the seawater still
soughed loudly in his heavy boots with
each step.
But Iris was in a deplorable plight Her
hair fell in a great wave of golden brown
strands over her neck and shoulders. Every
hairpin had vanished, but with a few
dexterous twists she colled the flying
tresses into a loose knot. Her beautiful
muslin dress was rent and dragged IL was
drying rapidly under the ever-increasng
power of the SUM- and she surreptitlously
endeavored to complete the fastening of the
open portion about her neck other details
must be left until more favorable oppor-
tunity.
She recalled the strange sight that first
met her eyes when she recovered conscious
ness
you hurt your finger" she said abruptly
Let me see it,"
They had reached the shelter of the trees,
pleasantly grateful now, so powerful are
tropical sunbeams at even an early hour.
lie held out his right hand without look
ing at her. Indeed his eyes had been stu
dously averted during the last few min
utes. Her womanly feelings were aroused
by the condition of the ragged wound.
"Oh, you poor fellow" she said. How
awful 1t must be How did It happen?
Let me tie 1t up"
"It is not so bad now" he said. "It has
been we'll soaked in salt water you know.
| think the nail was torn off when we
when a piece of wreckage miracuousy
turned up beneath u.s.
Iris shredded a strip from her dress. She
fhn PFNUn Ntyit hnft
THANK you" he said simply. Then he
gave n glad shout by Jove Miss
Deane, we are in lucl's way. There is a
fine pantain tree"
The pangs of hunger could not be resisted
Although the fruit was hardly ripe they tore
at the great punches and ate ravenously
Iris made no pretense in the matter, and
the sailor was in n worse plight for he
had been on duty continuously since four
o'clock the previous afternoon.
At last their appetite was somewhat ap-
peased, though pantains might not appeal
to gourmand as the solitary joint.
Now" decided jerks, you must rest
here little while. Miss Deane. I am going
back to the beach. You need not be afraid
There are no animals to harm you, and
will not he far away
What are you going to do on the beach?'
she demanded.
ITO rescue stores. for the most part"
May I not come with you'll can be
of some little service, surely?"
He answered slowly: please obllge me
by remaining here at present. In less than
an hour I will return, and then, perhaps,
you will find plenty to do"
She read his meaning intuitvely and
shlvered. "I would faint. While you are
away will pray for them-my unfortunate
friends"
AS he passed from her side he heard her
sobbing quietly.
When he reached the lagoon he halted
suddenly. Something startled him. He was
quite certain that he had counted II corpses
Now there were only ~. The two lascars'
bodies which rested on the small group
of rocks on the verge of the lagoon, had
vanished.
Where had they gone to?