Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 31, Number 176, 22 July 1906 — Page 7

Page Seven. i SIKSSS MWmC3 of the P : The People in the Story are Real and Not Puppets, and the Plot Mr. Tracy Has Woven About Them is Most Ingenious erV Attention From the Opening Chapter J Morning' By LOUIS TRACY CopyrifW. 1903. by Liwud J. Qod ;. v....

The Richmond Palladium, Sunday, July 22, 1906.

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. "What was the poor devil doing here?" be naked. "Why did be bury blmnelf in this rock, with mining utensils and a few rough stores? lie could not be a enstawny. There la the indication of purpose, of preparation, of method combined with ignorance, for none who knew the ways of Dyaks and Chinese pirates wtild venture to lire

iere olone if he could help it. and if ho really were alone." There was relief in hearing his own Tolce. Jle could hum and think and act. Arming himself with the nx, he attacked the bushes and brnnebes of trees in front of the cave. He cut a fresh approach to the well and threw the litter over the skeleton. At first he was inclined to bury it where it lay, but he disliked the idea of Iris walking unconsciously over the place. No time could be wasted that day. He would seize an early opportunity to act as gravedlpger. After an absence of little more'than on hour he rejoined the girl. She aw him from afar and wondered whence lie obtained the ax lie shouldered. "You are a successful explorer," she tried when he drew near. "Yes, Miss Deane. I have found water, Implements, a shelter, even llcht." What sort of llghtr r"6ll. ' " "And the shelter-is It a house?" ' "No, a cave. If you are sufficiently itsted you might come and take possession." 4 ' ' ' Iler o)cs danced with excitement. Ho told her what he had fcn, with reservations, and she run on before him to witness these marvels. "Why did you moke a new path to the well?" she inquired after a rapid urvey. "A new path!" The pertinent question staggered him. "Yes, the people who lived here must have had some sort of free passage." Ho lied easily. "I have only cleared away recent growth," he said. "And why did they dig a cave? It surely would be much more simple to build a house from all these trees." "There you puzzle me," he said frankly. They had entered the cavern but a little way and now came out. "These empty cartridges are funny. They suggest a fort, a battle." Womanlike, her words were carelessly chosen, but they were crammed with Inductive force. Embarked on the toboprpan slope of untruth, the sailor tdjd smoothly downward. ' "Events have colored your imagination. Miss De.me. Even in England men often preserve finch things for future us, t-- ---) . resided.." Minck's Beer TO THE MAN RETURNING HOME AFTER A HARD DAY'S .WORK A BOTTLE OF, "MINCK'S" IS" A GOPSEND. COOL AND( 'REFRESHING IT REJUVENATES HIM AND CHARMS AWAY ALL FEELING OF WEARINESS. THE EFFECT OF MINCK'S BEER IS NOT. STIMULATING BUT QUIETING AND HEALTH BRINGING, ONE OF THE CHIEF REASONS FOR ITS GREAT POPULARITY AMONG RICHMOND PEOPLE. THE PERCENT OF ALCOHOL IN MINCK'S BEER IS SO SMALL THAT IT ACTS MORE IN THE NATURE OF A DELIGHTFUL MEDICINE OR TONIC THAN ANYTHING ELSE. ORDER A CASE OF PINTS OR QUARTS BY POSTAL OR PHONE WE WILL DELIVER IT PROMPTLY.

"Yes, 1 ti&VG leen "keeperr-uo that. This Is different. There is an air of" "There is a lot to be done." broke In Jenks emphatically. "We must climb the hill and get back here in time, to light another fire before the sun goes down. I want to prop a canvas sheet In froit of the cave and try to devise a lamp." "Must I sleep inside?" demanded Iris. "Yes. Where else?" There was a pause, a mere whiff of awkwardness. , I will mount guard outside," went on Jenks. Ho was trying to Improve the edge of the ax by- grinding it on a soft stoue. ; . . The girl , went into the cave again. She was Inquisitive, uneasy. , "That arrangement" she began, but ended In a sharp cry of terror. The dispossessed birds had returned during the sailor's absence. "I will kill themr he shouted In anger. . H. , "Please don't. There has boen enough of death to this place already." The words jarred on his ears. Then ho felt that she could only allude to the victims of the wreck. "I was going, to sny," she explained, "that wc must devise a partition. There is no help for it until you construct a sort of bouse. Candidly, I do not like this hole in the rock. It Is a vault, a tomb." "You told me that I was in command, yet you dispute my orders." lie strove hard to appear brusquely good humored, Indifferent, though for one of his mold he was absurdly irritable. The cause was overstrain, but that explanation escaped him. "Quite true. Hut if sleeping in the cold, in dew or rain, is bad for me, it must bo equally bad for you, and without you I am helpless, yiu know." He laughed sardonically, and the harsh note clashed with her frank candor. Here at least she was utterly dectjved. Ills changeful moods went incomprehensible. 'T will 'serve you to the best of my ability, Miss Deane," he exclaimed. "We must hope for a speedy rescue, and I am x inured to exposure. It ia otherwise with j-ou. Are you ready for the climb?" The crest of the hill was tree covered, and they could see nothing beyond their Immediate locality until the sailor found a point higher than the rest, where a rugged collection of hard .basalt and the uprooting of some poon trees provided an open space elevated above the ridge. For a short distance the foothold was precarious. Jenks helped the girl in this part of the climb. His strong, gentle grasp gave her confidence. She .was flushed with ejertion when thpy

FEW years back Mmck's it tHe amount consumed

PTr-1

ODAY f ourf ifths of all tHe

Minck. Brewing Company

Because ! A. f

poini or purity ana also navor.

because

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beer that has cleanliness is

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BtbbdfogeiheT" on th'e'siFmriiItbT elevated perch. They could look to every point of the compass except a small section on the southwest. Here the trees rose behind them until the brow of the precipice was reached. The emergence into a sunlit panorama of land ana sea, though expected, was profoundly enthralling. Tiey appeared to stand almost exactly in the center of the island, which was crescent shaped. It "was no larger than the sailor had estimated. The new slopes now revealed were covered with verdure down t6 the very edge of the water, which for nearly a mile seaward broke over jagged reefs. The sea looked strangely calm from this height. Irregular blue patches on the horizon to south and east caught the man's first glance. He unslung the binoculars he still carried and focused them eagerly. "Islands," he cried, "and big ones tool" . "How odd!" whispered. Iris, more concerned in the scrutiny of her immediate surroundings. Jenks glanced at her sharply. She was not looking at the islands, but at a curious hollow, a quarry-like depression beneath them to the right, distant about COO yards and not far removed from the small plateau containing the well, though isolated from it by the south angle of the main cliff. Here, in a great circle, there was not a vestige of grass, shrulor tree, nothing Bave brown rock and sand. At first the sailor deemed it to bo the dried up bed of a small lake. This hypothesis would not serve, else it would be choked with verdure. The pit stared up at them like an ominous eye, though neither paid further attention to It, for the jrl:rious prospect mapped at their fen" -"v.ientarily swept aeide all other c: -.iions.

"What a beautiful place!" murmured Iris. "I wonder what it is called." - "Suppose we christen it Rainbow island?" "Why 'Rainbow?' " "That is the English meaning of Iris' in Latin, you know." "So it is. How clever of you to think of it! Tell me, what is the meaning of 'Robert' in Greek?" He turned to survey the nortb.wo.st Side of the island. "I do not know," he answered. "It might not be farfetched to translate ia as 'a ship's steward, a menial.' " Miss Iris had meant her playful retort as a mere light hearted quibble. It annoyed her, a young person of much consequeuce. to have her kindly condescension repelled. ' "I suppose so." she agreed,, "but I

the Mi nek Shewing Company's

rity over all other beers sold in RichmondLboth from the stand-

the people tot Richmond knovtrand appreciate

been prorfprly assured.

0)irdlir HSaltlhiir

CONTINUED FROM ' LAST SUNDAY have gone through m'jch In a few .tours that I am bewildered, apt to forget these nice distinctions." Jecks was closely examining the reef on which the Sirdar struck. Some square objects were risible near the palm tree. The sun, glinting on the waves, rendered it difficult to discern their significance. "What do you make of those?" he Inquired, handing the glasses and blandly ignoring Miss Deane's petulance. Her brain was busy with other things while she twisted the binoculars to suit her vision. Rainbow island Irisit was a nice conceit, but "menial" siyuck a discordant note. This man was no menial in appearance or speech. Why was he so deliberately rui?? "I think they are boxes or packing cases," she announced. i "Ah, that was my own idea! I must visit that locality." "How? Will you swim?" "No," he said, his stern lips relaxing in a smile: "I will not -swim, and. by the way,' Miss Deane, be careful when you are near the water. The lagoon is swarming with sharks at present. I feel tolerably assured that at low tide, when the remnants of the gale have vanished. I will be able to walk there along the reef." "Sharks!" she cried. "In there! What horrible surprises this speck of land, contains! J should not have imagined that sharks and seals could live together!" "You are quite right," he explained, witli becoming gravity. "As a rule, sharks infest only the leeward side of these islands. Just now they are attracted in shoals by the wreck." "Oh!" Iris shivered slightly. "We had better go back now. The wind is keen here, Miss Deane." She. knew that he purposely misunderstood her gesture. His attitude conveyed a rebuke. There was no further room for sentiment in their present existence. They had to deal with chill necessy,ies. As for the sailor, he was glad that the chance turn of - oir conversation enabled him to warn her against the lurking dangers of the lagoon. There was no need to mention the devilfish now. He must spare her all avoidable thrill! They gathered the stores from Uie first dining room and reached the cave without Incident. Another fipe was lighted, and while Iris attended to the kitchen the sailor felled several young trees. He wanted poles, and these were the right size and shape. He soon cleared a considerable space. The timber was soft and so small in girth that three cuts with the ax' usually sufficed. He dragged from the beach the smallest tarpaulin he could find and .p.ropped.Jt . njrainstJhQ.. rock in Beer, although a in Richmond. beer consumed aged --JJeer in

sncnmaTTTier'tDSt i. eectu2Ily"sofeened the mouth of the cave, though, admitting light and air. He was so busy that he paid -little 'heed to Iris. Cut oJor of fried ham was wafted to him. . He was lifting a couple of heavy stones to stay the cajivas and keep it from flapping In the wind when the girl called out: "Wouldn't-you like to have a wash before dinner?" He straightened himself and looked at her. Her face and hands were shining, spotless. The change wad so great that hiss brow wrinkled with perplexity. "I am a good pupil." she cried. "You see I am already learning to heip myself. I made a Jfcieket out of one of the dish covers by slinging it in two ropes. Another dish cover, some sand and leaves supplied basin, soap and towel. I haA-e cleaned the tin cups ?.nd the knives, and, see, here is my greatest treasure." She held up a small metal lamp. "WTJbere In the world did you find that?" he exclaimed. Buried in the sand inside the cave." "Anything else?" Ills tone was abrupt. She was so dis appointed by the seeming want of ap-J preciation or ner ministry mat a gieam of amusement died from lier eyes, aud she shook her head, stooping at ojice to attend to the toasting of some biscuits. This time he was genuinely sorry. "Forgive me, Miss Deaue," he said penitently. My words are dictated by anxiety. I do not wish you to make discoveries on your own account. This is a strange place, you know an unpleasant one in some respects." fc "Surety I can rummage about my own cave?" "Most certainly. It was careless of me not to have examined its interior more thoroughly." "Then why do you grumble because I found the lamp?" "I did not mean any such thing. I am sorry." "I think you are horrid. If you want to wash you will find the water over there. ' Don't wait. The ham will be frizzled to a cinder." Unlucky Jenks! Was ever man fated to incur-such unmerited odium? He savagely laved his face ajid neck. The fresh, cool water was delightful at first, but when he drew near to the fire he experienced an unaccountable sensation of weakness. Could it be possible that ho was going to faint? It was too absurd. He sank to the ground. ' Trees; rocks Arid' sand strewn earth indulged in a mad dance. Iris' voice sounded weak aud indistinct. It seemed to travel in waves from a great distance. He tried to brush away Home product, in Richmond is productenave the very best

the manufacture of which

Buy IPoslal a- IPIhwDim

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rroLd ais urcun tries? dim rancies, DU1 his iron wiil for once failed, aud he pitched headlong downward into darkness. When h? reegvered, the girl's left arm was around his neck. Fof one blissful instant he nestled there contentedly. He looked into her eyes and saw that she was crying, a gust of anger rose within him that he should be the cause of those tears. He tried to rise. i "Oh! Are you better?" Her Hps Quivered pitifully. - ' "Yes. What happened? Did I faint?" ; "Drink this." ; She held a cup to his mouth, and he obediently strove to swallow the contents. It was champagne. After the first spasm of terror and when the application of water to his face failed to restore consciousness Iris had knocked die head Off the bottle of champagne. He quickly revived. Nature had only given him a warning that he was overdrawing his resotirces. He was deeply humiliated. He did not conceive the truth, that only a strong. man ootid do all that he had done and. live. For thirty-six hours he had not slept During part of the time he fought with wilder beasts than rtiey knew at Ephesus. Tbe long exposure to the sun, the mental strain of 'his foreboding that the charming girl whose life depended upon him might $ exposed to even worse dangers than any yet encountered, the physical labor he had undergone, the lissome Restraint he strove to place upon his conduct and utterances all these things culminated in utter relaxation when the water touched his heajted skin. - "How could you frighten me so?" demanded Iria hysterically. "You must ha,ve felt that you were working too hard. You made me rest. Why didn't you rest yourself?" He looked at her wistf uWy. This collapse must not happen again for her sake. These two said itfore with eyes thani lips. She withdrew her arm. Her face and neck crimsfltued. "Good . gracious!" she cried. "The ham is ruined!" It was burnt black. She prepared a fresh supply. When it was ready Jenks Avas himself again. They ate in silence and shared the remains of the bottle. A smile illumined his tired face. Iris was watchful. She had never in her life cooked even a potato or boiled an egg. The ham was her first attempt. "My cooking amuses you?" she demanded suspiciously. "It gratifies every sense," he murmured. "There is but one thing needful to complete my happiness." "And that is?"

E ranked tHird. made Hy tH proved their good beer materials

, permission to 5 moke. "Smoke what?" He produced a steel box tightly closed and a pipe. "Your pockets are absolute shops," said the girl, delighted that hla temper had improved. "What other stores do you carry about with you?" lie lit his pipe and solemnly gave an inventory of his worldly - goods. Beyond the items she had previously seen he could only enumerate a silver, dollar, a very soiled and crumpled handkerchief and a bit of tin. A box of Norwegian matches he threw away as useless, but Iris recovered them. "You never know what purpose they may serve," she said. In after days a weird significance was attached to this simple phrase. "Why do you carry about a bit of tin?" she went on. "I found it here. Miss Deane," he answered. Luckily she Interpreted "here" as applying to the cave. "Let me see it. Mayl?" He handed it to her. She could make nothing of it. so together they puzzled over it. The sailor rubbed it with a mixture of kerosene and sand. Then figures and letters and a sort of diagram were revealed. At last they became decipherable. By exercising patient ingenuity fioine one had indented the metal w ith a sharp punch until tha marks assumed this aspect: '

Iris was quick witted. "It is a plan of the Island," she. cried. "Also the latitude and the longitude." "What does 'J. S.' mean?" "Probably the ' initials of a man's name. Let us say John Smith, for instance." , J,.; r .. "And the figures on the island," with theX' and. the dot?" - (To be Continued Next Sunday.) Palladium Want Ads Pay. Richmond Export Beer . TO THE , HOST. OR HOSTESS WHO DESIRES ALWAYS TO PROPERLY ENTERTAIN, WE HAVE ONE WORD OF ADVICE ALWAYS KEEP ACASE OF RICHMOND EXPORT BEER ON HAND. AN UN EXPECTED GUEST IS UNFAILINGLY SURPRISED AND DELIGHTED WITH THE LUNCH AT WHICH THAT PEER OF ALL BEERS, RICHMOND EXPORT, IS SERVED FINELY FLAVORED, THIS BEER MEETS WITH THE APPRECIATION OF THE MOST DELICATE PALATES, PROVIDED IN CASES OF PINTS OR QUARTS ORDER A TRIAL CASE WE DELIVER PROMPTLY.