Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-12


and Iris naturally asked Why ne selected
that particular band.
''secause II il quinine. not made un n
nice little tabloids. but au naturcl a
viii not be n bad plan n we prepar> y
strong infusion, and take small uuauf{tx
every morning on the excellent principle
that prevention Il better than cure"
The girl laughed.
Good gracious r she said that reminds
But the words died away on her lips IN
sudden fright. They were standing on
the level plateau in front Of the cave. wen
removed from the trees and they could
see distinctly on all sides, for the sun was
sinking in n cloudless sky and the air
was prcternaturally clear, being free now
from the tremulous haze OF the hot hours
Across the smooth expanse OF sandy
ground came the agonlzed shrieks OF 4
startled bird-a large bird. II would seem
winglng its way toward them with incred-
ible swiftness and uttering a succession Of
loud full-voced notes OF alarm.
Yet the strange thing was that not a
bird was to be seen. Al that hour the
were quietly nestling among branches pre-
paratory TO making a final selection Of the
nights resting place None Of them would
sti- unless actually disturbed.
Iris drew near TO the sailor. Invoiun-
tarily she caught his arm. He stepped
half pace In front Of her to ward on any
danger that might be heralded by this new
and uncanny phenomenon. Together they
strained their eyes In the direction OF the
approaching sound, but apparently their
sight was bewitched. as nothing whatever
was visible.
"oh. what II is7" walled Iris, who now
chung to jerks in a state OF great appre-
hension
The clucking noise came nearer, passed
them within yard. and was already some
AfCtn
sailor burst into hearty laugh. none the
less genuine because of the relief II gave
to his bewildered senses
Reassured. but still white with fear, Iris
cried DO speak. please. Mr.. Jenks. What
"A beetle - he managed to gasp.
"A beetle7"
Yes small. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. fell
low too-so small that / did not see him
until he was almost out of range. He has
the loudest voice for his size In the whole
OF creation. A man able TO shout on the
same scale would easily make himself heard
for 20 miles"
Then do not like such beetles; I al
ways hated them. but this latest variety
Is positively detestable. Such nasty things
ought to be kept in geological gardens. and
not turned loose. Moreover, my tea will
be boiled into spinach"
Nevertheless the tea. though minus sugar
or milk. was grateful enough and partic-
tained Iris with disqusitlon on the many
virtues of that marvellous beverage Gu
riously enough, the lifting OF the veil upon
the mans earlier history made these two
much better friends. with more complete
acquaintance there was far less tendency
| toward certain passages which. under or
| dinaTy conditions, could be construed a
| nothing else tlan downright Irritation
They made the pleasing discovery that
they could both sing. There was hardly
an opera in vogue that one or other did
not know sufficiently well to be able to
recall the chief musical numbers. Iris had
| a sweet and sympathetic mezzo-soprano
| voice. jerks an excellent baritone, and to
the secret amazement of the girl. he
| rendered one or two well-.nown Anglo-
Indian barrack-room ditties with much
| humor. ~
| This. then, was the mise-en-scene
/ Iris seated in the broken saloon chair,
which the sailor had firmly wedged into the
sand for her accommodation was attired
| in close-fitting costume selected from
the small store of garments 80 wisely pre-.
served by jerks. She wore pair o,
clumsy mems boots several sizes too large
for her Her hair tied up in a gyps,
knot on the back of her head and the
light of cheerful log fire danced in hel
blue eyes.
jerks. unshaven ana ragged, squattet
tailorwse near her Close at hand on tw.
Sides the shaggy walls of rock rose Ii
decked now in the sable livery Of ssikh,
were dimly outlined against the deep mist
blue of sea and sky or wholly merged Il
the shadow of the cliffs
CONTINUED TOMORROW