Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-26
CHAPTER xm-tcontlnusd,

NhhflEh NiII-(COntlnuedl
"VoU may be mistaken. They must have
L some sense OF fair dealing. Even as.
suming that such was their intention. they
may depart from IT, They have already lost
great many men. Their chief. having
gained his main object, might not be able
TO persuade them 20 take further risks. 1
VIII make Il part OF the bargain that
they first supply you with plenty OF water.
Then you. unaidod. could keep them at bay
for many days. We lose nothing; we can
gain great deal by endeavorlng 10 pacify
them.
'Irisr" he gasped what are you say
ing7'
The unexpected sound Of her name on
MS lips almost unnerved her But no
martyr ever went TO the stake with more
settled purpose than this pure woman re-
solved to immediate herself for the sake OF
the man she loved He had dared all for
her faced death In many shapes Now
was her turn. Her eyes we're liz with
seraphic fire. her sweet face resigned as
that OF an angel
Il have thought It out" she murmured
gazing at him steadily. yet scarce seeing
MIN. 1t is worth trying as n last eN-
pedient. We are abandoned by all, save the
Lord and It does not appear 70 be His holy
VIII to help us on earth. We can struggle
on hero until we die. Is that right. when
one Of us may liver
Her very candor had betrayed her. She
would 60 away with these monstrous cap
tors, endure them, even hatter them, until
she and they were far removed from the
island. And then-she would kill herself
In her Innocence she imagined that self
destruction. under such circumstances was
a pardonable offense. She only Rnye a life
TO save life, and greater love than this
Is not known TO God or man.
The sailor, in a tempest Of wrath and
wild emotion. had II in his mind TO compeI
her into reason, to- shake her as one shakes
wayward child.
He rose to his knees with this half-forrned
not,on In MS feverish brain. Then he looked
at her. and mist seemed to shut her out
from his sight Was she lost 70 him al
ready? Was all that had gone before an
idle dream OF Joy and grief, a wizards
glimpse OF mirrored happiness and vague
perils? Was Iris the crystal-souled-
thrown to him by the storm-lashed waves
TO be snatched away by some Irresistible
and maliRn influence7
In the mere physical effort to ASSURE
himself that she was still near to him he
gathered her up in his strong hands. Yes.
she was there, breathing, wondering nal"
pitating He folded her closely to his
breast, and. yielding TO the passionate long
ings OF his tired heart, whispered TO her
My darling, do you think can survive
your loss? You are life itself 70 me. II
we have to die. sweet ono, let us die to-
gether."
Then Iris flung her arms around hls neols
am quite. quite happy now." she sobbed
orokenly Il ddn't-imagine-it would
come-this way. butt am thankful-it has
come" '''
For little while they yielded to the
glamour ga OF the divine knowledge that amid
~ ANA
lts mate There was no need for words
Love- tremendous in its power unfathom-
able In Its mystery. had cast its spell over
them. They were garbed in light, throned
In palace built by fairy hands On all
s,deS squatted the ghouls Of privatIon.
misery danger, even grim death but they
Needed not the Inferno they had created
Paradise In an earthly hell
Then Iris withdrew herself from the
mans embrace. She was delightfully."- shy
and timid now.
so you really do love me7' she whisp-
parted lips.
He drew her to him again and kissed her
tenderly. For he had cast all doubt to the
winds. No matter what the future had In
store she was his, his only; IL was not
In mans power to part them A glorious
dazzled his brain. Her love had
given him the strength OF Goliath, the con-
hdence Of David. He would pluck her from
'ho poIiS lIht enNlTOned her. The Dyak |
was not yet born who should rend her from
him.
He fondled her hair and gently rubbed |
her cheek with his rough fingers The |
sudden sense Of ownership of this fair |
woman was entrancing II almost bewil- |
dered him TO find Iris nesting close, cling |
Ing to him in utter confidence and trust
But knew 1 knew" she murmured |
You betrayed yourself 80 many times. You |
wrote your secret to me. and. though you
did not tell me. found your dear words