Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1925-03-04


discern the smoke of a steamer.
Though he had eyes for faint
cloud of vapor at least fifty miles dis
tant he saw nothing of a remarkable
change effected nearer home. Out
wardly, Iris was attired in her wonted
manner, but if her companions mind
were not wholly monopolized by the
blush haze detected on the horizon
he must have noticed the turned-up
ends of pair of trousers beneath the
hem of her tattered skirt.
1t did occur to him that Iris re-
ceived his momentous announcement
with an odd air of hauteur, and it was
passing strange she did not offer to
accompany him when, after boiling
| his breakfast, he returned to the OBJ
| Servatory.
He came back in an hour, and the
lines on his face were deeper than be-
| fore.
"a false ALARM" he said CURLY in
response to her questioning look.
And that was all, though she nerved
herself to walk steadily past him on
her way to the we'll. This was dis
concerning, even annoying to a posi-
tive young woman like Iris. Resolving
to end the ordeal, she stood rigidly
before him.
WELL" she said, 1--WE done it,"
"Have you?" he exclaimed, blankly.
Eyes. They're a little too long and
I feel very awkward, but they're bet
ter than-than my poor old dress I'M
supported"
She blushed furiously, to the sail
or's complete bewilderment, but she
bravely persevered and stretched out
an unwilling foot.
ooh. 1 see!" he growled, and he
too redeemed.
81 can't help it, can II" she de-
manded piteously. at is not unlike a
riding-habit, is it?"
Then his ready wit helped him.
can excellent compromise" he
cried "a process of evolution, in fact.
Now, do you know, Miss Deane, that
would never have occurred to me-
And during the remainder of the day
he did not once look at her feet. In
deed, he had far more serious mat
tiers to distract his thoughts, for Iris,
feverishly anxious to be busy, sudden
ly suggested that it would be good
thing were she able to use rifle if a
fight at close quarters became neceS-
sary.
The recoil of the Lee-Metford is so
slight that any woman can manipu-
late the weapon with effect, provided
she is not called upon to fire from a
position, in which case the
weight is liable to cause bad aiming.
it came rather late in the day, !
jerks caught at the idea. He accus-
toned her in the first instance to the
use of blank cartridges. Then, when |
fairly proficient in holding and sight
ing-a child can learn how to refill
the clip and eject each empty shell
she fired ten rounds of service am
The target was white cir
Gle on a rock at eighty yards and those
of the ten shots that missed the abso- |
lutte mark would have made an enemy
at the same distance extremely I'M
comfortable.
Iris was much pleased with her pro-
ficiency. Now" she cried, instead of
being hindrance to you l may be
some help. In any case, the Dyaks VIII
think there are two men to face, and
they have good reason to fear us.
Then new light dawned upon /
jerks.
"Why did you not think of it be- !
foer?" he demanded. Don't you see, !
Miss Deane, the possibility suggested |
by your words? am sorry to be COM |
PEELED to speak plainly, but | feel sure
that if those scoundrels do attack us /
in force it will be more to secure you
than to avenge the loss of their fell
low tribesmen. First and foremost, |
the sea-going Dyaks are pirates and
They prowl about the !
coast looking not so much for fght
as for loot and women. Now, ii they
return, and apparently find two we'll
armed men awaiting them, with no !
prospect of plumber, there is chance
they may abandon the enterprise"
Iris did not finch from the topic.
She well knew its grave Importance
I'm other words" she said. Il must
be seen by them dressed only in male
Eyes. as a last resource, that is.
have some hope that they may not dis
cover our whereabouts owing to the
we have adopted. Perched
up there on the ledge we will be pro-
foundly uncomfortable, but that will
OG uOLlluS IL 1t oSCuI Jul OuICby
She did not reply at once. Then she
said musingly-"Fort days.
Surely there has been ample time to
scour the China Sea from end to end
in search of us? My father would new
er abandon hope until he had the most
positive knowledge that the Sirdar was
lost with all on board.
The sailor, through long schooling,
was prepared with an answer-"Each
day makes the prospect of escape
brighter Though l was naturally dis
appointed this morning, I must state
quite emphatically that our rescue
may come any hour"
Iris looked at him steadily.
you wear a solemn face for one
who speaks so cheerfully," she said.
you should not attach too great
to appearances. The owl,
a very StuOid bird iS noted for itS