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The Wingham Times, 1916-11-30, Page 70 November 3O, f g 16 THE WINGHAM. TIMES P2ge 7 LINKED BY FATE BY CHARLES G,Ar,RVIS S S"i✓SIPE "Was poor and Was going- out 1;o earn his living. The more I see of him the 'k— imgre T like Mannering. have—I hope ;in an inoffensive way—endeavored to make him and Miss Nina friends, but ihvand +lies shy y in his grave gay he is :disinclined for the society of ladies— anyway, he avoids all of them, which makes, nee think that his trouble may, be connected with one. ,ef the gentler sex= Notwithstanding 11 the efforts of the women on -board to `draw hint out of his shell,' .he resists their blandishments." Nina frowned thoughtfully over this. Yes, she remembered, Manner- ing had seemed to avoid her and the •other ladies, The journal was continued to the day of Flouting's death, and his anxiety on her account, his plan of •a Marriage :cith Mannering, even the reasons for it, were set down. "I' had hard work to. induce him to take the course I myself pressed on hhn," Nina read; "and even after he 'had agreed to the marriage, and I 'had gained Miss Nina's consent, he .partly executed an idea of escape for -her and me in order to avoid the ceremony. I respect his scruples. Alas ,they will have to yield to inexorable Fate! I am dying! I must make them lean and wife before I go. It must be so, for her sake, for the sake of her future. Heaven will, I feel, give me ;Strength to perform the ceremony, rliough it may not vouchsafe the suf- ient to set it down here. I hope am acting for the best for both of =•them, If not, as Mannering said, may 'God forgive me!" It was the last entry; he did not •levo to make another; and Nina's ;eyes, as she bent over the book, fill- ed with tears. And her heart, too, • was filled with bitterness. It tor- tured her pride tie read, in black and white, Mannering's objection to, •dislike of, the marriage. But she put the book at the bot - ••tom of the box in which she had aced Fleming's things, and set to ark vigorously. Thera were very • w articles belonging to �a nn rif "Ile who had thought of so 'many , .necessary things for the rest had, :apparently, ignored his own comfort. There were a few sparesclothes which iquickly, timidly,'and, of course, nab - ,:mit examination, she folded end laid .aaside, with a strange sense of shy- ,ness. It seemed to her as if he • might resent her , interference; but surely it was her duty to "tidy" the .place and make it comfortable. It was the least she could do for him ••who did so much foe her. , She did away„ with Fleming's 3 bed " and altered the arrangement < 1 the rough furniture so as ;to .gilfe to room as different an aspect as tXtossibie,'and she completed her :work lly putting on the table'"a bunch of ia loriously-colored flowers in an `empty bottle. While she was making drip the posy her eyes taught the ,fiignet ring which Mannering had laced on herngBesurefinger for a wedding B it was not t the first f t.imc she had looked at it; indeed, it !•seemed to her that even in her sleep 'Mahe had been conscious, of its pro- ' Seence, But now, after of the ,paragraph in Flenming's diary, she o -w iewed it with afeeling of revolt iifigainst the Fate that had placed it ;,there; and, obeying a sudden impulse, ,y',she took it off and slipped it in her eepocket. The moment 'she had done so she 'Was vaguely sorry; she xixissed the ':thing; her finger looked bare and "unclad" without it. But. she -vas ,'t too proud' to put • it" on again. 'No, Tilt should not remind him every time that he glanced at her hand of the :•unwelcome tie which bound him to ;cher. It was late before Mannering came yeslowly over the hill and towards the p,taloon—ati •Nina had: decided to Call }:the men's hut—and, es; She lopketetitt •liiim, she saw that he was very timid. iow she„Jf d„on,.uerybcst eikirtes;,the.• freme she 'hied been Mending vitenl Leming Came to .pr,Oposey , the mat•- age to her, She bad' tacked a `liit •of_daric bltte tIbblon Mader her. 'collar • a and had done her wonderful hair with more care than she had taken since the wreck. Her freshness andthe general ef- fect of these attempts at adornment —he was too much of a mere mart tee take in the details—struck Manner- ing, and he said apologetically: "If you'll wait a moment, I'll go to the stream and have a wash and tidy up•” "Well, don't be long, please,” she said. "I have been experimenting with a soup, and I'm anxious and nervous about it; and nothing soon- er puts a cook into a bad temper than keeping the dinner waiting." He came back very quickly and sank into his chair with the sigh of a man who has a great deal on his mind. I've been to the north. end," he said. "It is, as I expected, more barren than this; the trees don't groweso thickly and vegetation gen- erally is sparser—" "Oh, speaking of vegetation, do you think you could find me some more vegetables? This soup wants carrots and onions—" "It's a first rate soup," he said. "Oh, thank you!" she retorted, drily. "I was afraid you didn't like it. You 'didn't say so." '"I beg your pardon," he Saida meekly. ""I was pondering over—" "More important things. I'm sorry," she caught him up in a quick little way that was so rare as to be charming. "Please go on." "I'm confirmed in my opinion that the largest of the group 'of islands lies on the southwest; and I propose building a boat—it will be safer than a raft—in which I—we—ean make a cruise of discovery." She listened earnestly and forgot to serve him; then she remembered it. and with a start begged his pardon and took his plate. "I also found lxxore evidence 01 gold. Some of the eniertz, or what- ever they call it,' show 'quite plainly on,the':pig stoties`or rocks in the dry, river ':beds." "Yes. Do you like the ducks best this way or stewed? X put it in an ' empty tin amornist the . ashes of the fire. Is,it all ,rfglxt—done enough?" "It: is very'gbod," he said. "It is a delightful dinner and I am enjoy- ing it. Where was I?—Oh, the gold. And I think there is copper; in fact, the place seems to abound in value able minerals." She nodded carelessly and sighed. • "We seem to find all the useless things," she said. "Now, if we'd been two -persons in .a book of ad- aisenture, •cast on an uninhabited is- land, we should find all the useful • things, or the materials out of which to make thein." "Ah," he .said, rather resentfully. , "I always had, even as a boy, a Suspicion of fraud in those shipwreck stories; but I little thought that the thing was so tragic and uncomfort— able as it is." "I am sorry you are not comfort- able," she said. Then she renxember- 'ed the two .sic .lied lost and the tears came into her eyes. He saw them and tried to divert her mind. "We haven't tried the old trick they always perforin in the adventure books—senting empty bottles with '+We'are shipwrecked on an unknOwn island. . Help us! Reticue!' " "I've only three empty bottles `aid I couldn't spare them," she said. "Ono is a rolling pin and worth its *eight in'gold." but your people; their an- xiety will be, must be, very great," he said,' gravely.' "I haven't any people," she replied. "My father and I were alone int e world. I suppose we must have r datives, but Inever :heard of thein. We'lived for one another." After?a pause shesaid,;; with her oyes on the table: "If you would like to try to communicate, Wi?.h your people X will sacrifice Yny bottle." Xie shrugged ;his *boulders. "It's of no consequence." She looked" at' him with almost startledl etirpr1se, "Your sister, brother? ' Why, surely p011 halve some one?" "Why should I any more tfi lm you?" 'be answered. "1 haven't fa lt- er or mother orr,:a sister' or a broth- er; and as to the rest ed my people— well,"" grimly, "they' won't suffer ktiiy anxiety over my disappearance." "Are you not goileg to" smoke?" she asked after a moment or tiro.: e eon '.. He ,thanked her and sat down the ground before the fire and lit pipe. He was terribly tired. 'raid• presently, as ehe' glanced towerlde him, She, saw his `hexad• fall on' his breast—he had fallen • into a doze.: ;His -attitude • was yaim, uncomfortable ono, anir:she longed to put son e- ,f,Iiing"for him to IeanAegafnst. ''1he' desire grow' leo intensee' she told taer- ;sclf that it was •: my°because ''Chis , sight ,of him sitting so "tidgetted"' her -+-that' She stole on, tip -toe to him. As Atha *Rod over hint hesitatingly her oyttea•Wandered over his face find form. ,She noticed ,the „abort Cal •ia a that ;cl, tered et�gieely on• titre ben( • of theittrfnitl mock,; the .great shoulders, broad yet fiat, the handsome fe'rt, t the; .gr rof', the Whole figure. The t he thought 'flashed across her that wad the best poking, man,she /had .ever .st"eri. And Bone tired' he 'fires! The maternal instinct, which lite iiori r i� flail ,Xltil>i'.11a 311GR7ilti*. Siak .Headache •, ii,, Baa' � 1Iiotssne t C�JRlD itY PIPS T I a 7,• � �.IiiiXA'� LIVER PIt►1.5. Mrs, Willard Tower, 1Iilisbaro, N.B., :•writes: "X have suffered something awful.. %.;413e* 'with sick "headgche, . At ttnies 1 ti�oulci r lecome bxli8hs, ''and ifou'tld - b*ve ,severe 11 1.pains in bad;' aste i1 my tiuetih every :.;morning " teld'1Soine- of ie:,y' 'Melds c' �,iitbout it and,• -r Wen -advised tolise ;tilfl ;burn's I,uaza.I,irtver �Pilis. " `This r did and ;and they cured me." ' - ' a. , When the lover es=nil end b 'atx eCpm tlnactive, the bowels become Constipated,' " the tongue. beebmca coated, the stomach : foul and sickated t;ihotla hcadac occur. a Milb la's" »lower nu.* <rlean the .?Soni coated tong"le and stomach and banish the disagreeable haOl ac,ly s., Milburn's Taxa -Live± fills' art 25c. per•vial,,5,v*iais for *1.00, at all dealers, '•ror.*diletk.direct.aixf:iF eifit of Mice - Tilt T. Mif.itutav Co., L11xTEo,'toru....., 1 -- • .era-._. and her heart ached with pity for him. She drew the box gently againet his back. But the touch, gentle as it was, awoke him; in a moment he was on his feet and had seized her arm in a grasp of iron, his vacant eyes glaring at her sternly. She thought he was going to strike her, but suddenly he was awake fully and staring at her With dismay. "I-1 beg your pardon!" he atam- mered, "I must have fallen asleep; and I dreamt that the Lascar had come back. I Inst have thought you were he and—oh, 1 bog your pardon!" "If you'd let my arm go," she said with a painful smile. "You aro hurting it, I am glad I am not the Lasear!" Ile released her arm, and in doing so saw that the ring was not on her linger. IIe did not frown or show surprise; but his face became thought- ful, and he avoided her eyes. She noticed the subtle change in his manner, though she did not dis- cern the cause. "I will go now," she Said; it al- most seemed a formula. "Give me your coat, please." "My coat?" he repeated, vaguely. "Yes. _You have torn it; I will mend it for you." "Oh, don't trouble,", he said, rath- er coldly. why had she taken off the ring? Was she afraid of him—afraid that he would forget his promise? His heart swelled with bitterness. "Give it me, please," she said with her queenly air of command. "You have not too many coats, I know." Obediently he took off his coat and she flung it over her arm, wishing him "Good night," and left him. He refilled his pipe with her tobacco —it was not half bad, but he sighed as he thought of his favorite brand —and sat over the fire smoking for a time, then swiftly he rose, resolved to conquer his reluctance to take re- possession of the hut, As he passed hers he saw that the light was still burning. He lit the pine torch at the door and stood dead short at the thres- hold, astounded by the change she had wrought in the hut. 'Looking round his eyes caught the flowers she had put on the table, and he took thein up and smelt them, then put thorn down and frowned at them thoughtfully. Why had she taken the trouble to turn out the hut, to alter the arrangement so that he might not be haunted by 'the memory of his dead friend? Why had she put the flowers therefar him? Something lit a flee in -his eyes, then 'they grew dull. She had taken off his 'ring. It was •just°a woman's idea of pity that 'had impelled her to tidy up and arrange the hut. With a sigh he Set down the bottle of flowers and began to undress. Nina carried the ebat to li'er hut, and finding her neelileandtthread, lit the ship's lamp. • tut she' paused, with the coat in her lap, and turn- ing up her sleeve looked at her arm. The inalks of his fingers showed on the white flesh. ' Sheheld her arm to the dim light and looked at it with a faint pensive smile„ Row strong he was! His grasp had been like that of a vice. She 'had felt that if she hach moved her arm it would break. 1 How 'strong he was, how handsome, ,and yet how .gentle to and'considerate of her! He was treating her witth the chivalry of a knight'erraitt. 'Yes, he Was good, good! If +sho` lifid abet li m, -'pay in London, under ordinary eircUmstan- ces, and they had grown to know each • other. 3n the usual. way, midst all the surroundings of civilization, perhaps he might—she might—they might— Tho color;r`dse"to her face. Whith- er wore her foolish thoughts leading her? With a' gesture of ]self-rebtrke she took lip 'the Coat and mended the worst rent the bushes and under- growth had made in lt. She could not do' much w`•liim;l but' at any irate he should` not go about in a ?Gagged coat. i ' As the turned it over something fell front the breast pocket. She groped about on the ground and presently carne pqn , a Basil, ». Ant leather case. mem Weed 'it e'Ver- and over ceqriously, then ,put it on the table. '.Whatever it Wee' it did' pot conceriri ,her., 'It'mig'lit contain bank notes, tetters -no; it was not bulky enough for that; • It was just simply a fiat case. "It haunted, *ticked, fascinated her. She tried to keep her eyes, lroln. it, ,to coneentratjter her ata fn»O , i e" b n l � h c at � ut " he it n , b f z thing seemed to, exercise a power over r; • hod -tit -last, with a 'jgallp of shltaxej.;tthe"spatdhed it up. It was fastened by an ordinary elaep, arid, phetising.it, it flew open Slowly and tdi+ealed the portrait of a. WolnOn. It *as a Colored miniature, taed of so lovely a face, of such at- '• iheaA•L'�wgtet lx+arxty, that Nina. a first rareleet was one of unalloyed admin- Il aca e,yea wblue, the e re bl o com- lexion & 'deltiai te vory—old ivory— the hair t< k*ch -auburn, ' 'The mfeit !4is bare, perfectly modelled and of lithwiry ;whitenei�,l , .. o t.dmiratfon at first; but suddenly it Save place to—whalatt •' ;he blood ass to Nine's face, her eyes darken - cd and grew hard. bier bosom-�-ati *bite, by the way, os that of the portrait—rose and i tell with fnstinc- tive resentment,' and her breath mine thickly. nd listrjtca, wom .i"'aester sit ,yp Had Weak and Dizzy Spells. WAS CURED I, MILBURN'S HEART AND NERVE PILLS. Mrs. J. S. Nicholls, Listowel, writes: "X was weak and run down. my heart would palpitate, and I would, take weak and dizzy spells. A friend ad-. vised me to take your Heart and Nerve Pills, so I started at once, and found that I felt much stronger, and my heart was ever so much better in a short time. I eft 'not praise your medicine too highly for it has done the a world of good. My husband has also been bothered with heart trouble ever since childhood, and finds quick relief by using your valuable pills.,, Milburn's Heart and Nerve Pills have been on the market for the past tweets,. five years, and are universally known as the very best remedy for alt troubles arising r ng fro m the heart or nerves, Milburn's Heart and Nerve Pills are 50e, per box, 3 boxes for $1,21i, at all dealers, or mailed direct on receipt of price by Tui T. Mu.nutu Co., LIMITED, Toronto, Ont. his pocket—over its Bear%!. 'Her own heart grow cold, then burnt hotly, She put the miniature close to the lamp and studied it. There was some writing at the bottom of it: "To my dear Yaw.. Judith." The words struck her like so many strokes of a dagger. Her "dear Vane." Here! Who was she, this beautiful, per- fectly beautiful woman? With a sudden thrill of relief that seemed to sot the blood running in her veins again she thought that it might he his sister. 'Then, cold as ice once more, sho remembered that he had said he had no sister. Her hand closed spasmodically over the portrait, and she rose in pas- sionate indignation and resentment. This portrait she had found in the pocket of her husband's coat— Her husband! Her husband! Ah, yes; but herhus and in nameo only. He had married her under compulsion; he had fought, argued against the marriage. No wonder, with the por- trait of this beautiful woman on his breast! Oh, what should she do, what should she do? 'With a gesture of loathing and de- spair she flung the miniature from her and, sinking into the chair, bur- ied her face—in his coat. CHAPTER VII. Nina lay awake all that night. Wedded to a man who married her against his will, and who carried the portrait of another woman—and how beautiful a woman—in his breast pocket. But Mannering slop soundly, rose a little after the wondrous dawn and, having got through his usual work, went to the saloon. Nina was not there and he saw that breakfast was only laid for one. She came in as he was pondering over this fact, came in with a quick step and said, in a natter -of -fact way: "Good -morning. I have had my breakfast"—she had not been able to eat anything. "I had so many things to do. Have you got everything you want?" "Yes, thanks," he said, absently. Something in her tone, a coldness and aloofness, struck him; and glanc- ing at her he saw that she was pal- er than usual and that her eyes were dull. "I hope you are not overworking yourself," hesaad earnestly. "There is really no need for it. We have plenty of .time to do what is neces- sary; and I could help you in ever so many ways. For instance, for the future you must let me bring the water from the spring; the can is heavy. And I will light the fire." She laughed, but mirthlessly. "And do the cooking, and lay the table, and wash up the things; and I could sit by with some fancy work and watch you. Oh, no, I am not work- ing too hard; 'if it were not for the tvork I should—" "go mad," she Was going to say;• but she stopped short and smade a gesture of impa- tience. "I am going to set about that boat," he said; "but I shall be back to lunch." "Oh,`; I've tied up your lunch for you," 'the said, coldly, pointing to tbg,,,rackag- TheWretchedness s of Constipation pafion Cas quickly be oreteoete ►r , CARTER'S S LI'1TLLr . LIVER ?ILLS Purely veiittable --aka iuxcty find gently on the Civet Coro Biliousness, Neiad. ache, Dieri- se e, and ltedi on, ey do their Arty. 3daail P111. Snail Dene. Sail Mee.Genius taint hew Siviature .~ "1 fiery ell," lir responded, almost meekly. "Perhaps it will be latter; it will save time." '"Fiore is your coat," slut said, inking it up and holding It out to "Thank you," he said, simply, as he put it on. lie slid not know that her eyes were raised to his searching - 1Y, almost accusingly. "I'm afraid you salt up late last night to mend it. I saw the light in your hut. I'm sorry. I'll be more careful in the fu- ture, 'You look tired this morning," "I'm not in the least tired," she retorted with a little snap in her voice, usually so calm and low. "If you do not want anything else—" She went out and Mannering turn- ed to his breakfast again; but her coldness, her strangeness had spoiled his appetite. What was the matter with her? She had removed his ring from her finger, was standoff-ish and sharp with him. With a sigh he pushed his plate awayfrom him and shouldering ng hi s gun went off to the woods, Nina watching him from her partly opened door. Mannering selected the biggest tree, felled it and, scooping out a length of the trunk, made a fairly good canoe. It was a tremendous day's work and he regarded it with pardonable pride; but he was too tired to haul it down to the beach and he left it reluctantly. When he entered the saloon she was standing by the table. Ho saw, with a Sigh of relief,' that it was laid for two. But she had on her old: frock, and the bit of ribbon was ab- sent from her neck; and she scarcely lifted her long lashes as he wished her "good evening." g d c eii ng." "I hope you're better," he said, blundering like a man. She bit her Hp impatiently. "I have not been ill," she said with ominous emphasis, as she pass- ed him his plate. "I've finished the boat," he said, trying to speak as if he did not no- tice her coolness. She fixed her eyes on the plate. "Why did the raft not do?" she asked. "Oh, it is not nearly as safe as a I boat. I could not steer it or sail it as well. I made the raft because"—he hesitated and stammered—"there is no immediate hurry now. Oh"—has- tily—"this boat—it's only a canoe— is ever so much better! I'm hoping that we 811011 be able to reach one of the inhabited islands; perhaps, if we have' luck, tto mainland," Iter face grew set and her lips came together straightly as if she were bracing herself to an effort. "And—and—if we do, Mr. Manner- ing?" she said in a low voice, which ualpitated with her agitation, "what will you do? Will you tell the people we meet that—that we are married?" Mannering gazed at her blankly, as if he were trying to see what was passing in her mind. '1-1 don't know; I haven't thought of it," he stammered, his face flush- ing. "What—what would you wish naeto do?" "I—I would rather you did not," she replied. "I—I want to make a—a —bargain with you." Yes?" he said, interrogatively. She raised her eyes and looked him steadily, bravely, in the face. "I want to tell you that 1 know how great a sacrifice you made in mar—in doing what poor Mr. Flem- ing wished." "As to that—the sacrifice was yours," he put in eagerly, earnestly; hut she ignored his interruption and went on: "If we escape to England—and, olx,• 1 hope and trust we may!—I want you to understand that—that the marriage, what we have done— hasn'tanye m anin i ifle n S A Ce • K, r that we shall part as if—as if it had not been done. I will give you my word—I will swear it if you Wish it —that I will never tell anyone of—of. the ceremony , we wont through, nev- er, as long as I live; and I need not say that I will never—oh, never!— make any claim on you." Her voice broke and the tears burnt in her eyes; but she drove them ba'k and continued: "And I went you to promise that you Will tell no one—that you will never make any claim on me." Ire was silent •for a moment • or two, his eyes bent on' his plate. "I understand, and, of course, I promise," he said in a 'low voice and rather grimly. "I know how you feel, at least I think I do, and 1 respect that feeling. It would be very strange if T didn't dee the—the way in which you regard our mar- riage—" "Was it a marriage?" she broke in, abruptly. '4There; were, no'witnesses; we were not in church—" '!It doesn't matter,"'lie said, al- most gently. "'What I have to do is to study your wishes, to follow them. All I ask is that—that while we are together—" He stopped and gazed at her earn- estly. "Well?" she asked, as he paused. --"That you *•111 not treat me aa if I Were an -enetny as if I had plane ned the shiptereek and the -the mar- riage front sheer malice. See, iibw, Miss Nina, you and % arc the vic. thus of hate. It was not my doing that you nod X were left alone on this desolate place, but the /x111; of Providence—" "1 Mots, 'knew!" o X nowt she broke in. "X am not blaming you. but for you I should not be alive at this moment. Oh, X am grateful for an you have :done for me; but, oh, don't you sect how X am placed? I `want you topremise that you will not— not claim fine, if we escape, it we reach England; that you will not tell anyone that ---that We were mar, vied." "I promise," ho said, gravely. "And r promise bit my side," she responded, earnestly. "It Heaven. should befriend us and help us to get awayfr m thisdreadfuli sland s*earutt I will not tell eti''living soul that—that poor Mr. Fleming persuaded: us to be—married. "Agreed!" said Mannering, grinsly She drew 'a long breath of relief and rose from the table. "What a wind is blowing!" salt said in a more cheerful 'Voice. '"•&11 that better for us; it it blo*. iYig,&gng Os ligl t quarter,^', ho _Said. Ta w , 741 a.s��•, �f�ODS�pS , gc;G f TaC -_ e WNW NgPoIXtlIII 1111 041MnnnMw ulxniNlwunuN � ! 04 ThePropnetatyorPat Merldfda AVegetablePreparationforAs'' similatingthefoadandRegula• ting the Stomachsandjiuwelsaf' q..o INFANTS/ CHli_ D'� a ,---- Promotes Digestion Cheerful: umNlorphine nor Mineral the NOT NARCOT Ji7.� IfeFpxofDl lLostaIrt l i(rl+d+'r'd"fu:A IY,,,a.�pnrnf�_. ion. S ruf c rh Diarrhea; tion. Sour Stomac Worins,Feverisbnessand i,, I,p� g_ s OF SLEEK'• } facsimile Signature oof n THE CENTAUR COM y" s !4ONTREAT, & NEW At6 raonthe bad Is 35p (15E5 Exact Copy. of Wrapper. CASTORIA' Poli Infants and Cbiltiaren. Mothers Know That Genuine Castoria Always • Bears the Signature, of C In Use r" For Overi Thirty Years. CASTORIA 1HL GLMT,.U.. COM►AKV, MltW V...K .117. • r£ it fs firdavind' very' hurit, "" sire remarked. "See how it shakes the saloon! I—I am glaep we have agreed so well, Mr. Mannering. I will go now. You say we shall be able to sail to -morrow?" 0 "Yes, to -morrow," he said, rising as he spoke. She wished hien good -night and went out, and Mannering lit his pipe and sat pondering, The vein of re- flection which he struck was not a flattering one. The girl he had mar- ried was so indifferent—disliked him so much, to put it plainly—that she had bargained with him to conceal their marriage. And he had consent- ed. He drowsed over his pipe for half an hour or so, then he roso and made for his hut. But when he came in sight of the spot where Nina's het had stood, he stopped short with his heart in hisnreuth, Thee hut n'as no longer there and only a lit- ter of poles and undergrowth re- mained. • Ticran, calling upon her name, and found her lying on the ground, with one of the heaviest poles across her slim form. With a Herculean effort lie dragged the pole from off her and, raising her in his arms, called upon her fran- tically: Nina, Nina! Are you killed—dead? Nina!" Iter eyes, upon which his frantic gaze was fixed, did not open, but he felt her shudder in his arms, and, uecoesciously, he pressed her still more closely to his breast. "eina Miss Nina,a are hurt?" he called, his lips close to her ears, for the storm had risen again. "Oh, speak to me! Try—try to speak to me!" She opened her eyes, and as a dash of lightning lit up their violet depths, a gasp of relief, of thanks- giving, escaped his trembling lips. "Oh, thank God! I --I thought you had been killed. Are you—are you hurt?" She clung to him—still unconscious- ly. "I—I don't know!" she breathed With . labored 'breath. "The—the hut fell in as I entered— Oh—l—am . go- ing! Hold me!" He held her tightly to his breast, and, not knowing What he was doing, put his lips to hers. It was a kiss—a kiss of infinite pity rather than passion—but, weak and distraught with fear as she was, Nina was conscious' of it. The blood burnt in her face for a ..foment, then left it pale and wan. "I• •I ani all right,' she faltered, struggling feebly to free herself from his grasp. "I—I am more frightened and faint than hurt." "Ar•e you sure—are you sure?" he demanded . hoarsely. "You do not know yet, The beam may have faliea en yon. Bost try to stand. Leah on fine. Oh, poor girl, poor .girl! And it was my fault --mine! I heard the storm. X ought to have come With yea to have seen that the hut was safe." As he spoke he pressed fret to hint still more closely, and so great was her weakness that she yielded to hie embrace—for ft as was rioth ing less— and, half unconscious as she was, found a subtle pleasure, -Comfort, in the yielding. "I'll take you to the other hut," he said. "No, you can't walk. I must carry you. Ah, let met" She struggled faintly, feebly, but he lifted her 1n his strong arms and carried her into hie but and laid her on his teed. "Now rest there. Try .end sleep!" he exhorted her in a low and gentle voice. "Let me see if you are butt. Where did the beam fall On yoti-•» your arms, your chest?" She shook het ,head • and feebly` strove to put his bands front her. "I don't think ;you are badly hurt. It must have been the Shock, the fright. 'Dell me, do you feel any pain?" "No, not" Site ssesped. The gentle. eemmisserating touch of " his strong hands was like an ttnadyno and hyp- notized her. "I are in no pain; Y ant nikt.tllil:;t;v 7i-44ou*il1 .aha t lie rose at last, •bu•'t-"sii11 Wit ov- er her, his face lined with anxiety. "All my fault!" he muttered. "Let, me put the pillow higher for you., Oh, God, if there were only a doc- tor to see you! I don't know wbc- ther you are hurt or not!" "No, no, I'm not hart!" she gasped onee more, but in so low, so feeble a voice, that he bent low on his knees to catch it. "Go—now." He went at last, slowly, reluctant- ly, and with a backward glance that. held pity—and was it somethings warmer?—in it. The storm fell as suddenly as it. had risen; and Mannering slowly and. with immenao calm and patience re- built Nina's hut. His heart was full of pity for her—of something Warta- er. of . which he was fly, Partly and dimly conscious. He did not know that he had kissed her, that his words, his actions had been full of love, of a man's love, for the wo-'• man. And Nina! She lay awake tossing from side to side—on his bed. The memory of the kiss burnt in her con- scidusness. She had lain in his arms; she had yielded herself t'o him; she had, though he did not know it, been glad of his embrace, the touch of his lips. Maiden shame burnt like a fire within her bosom—a fierce, merciless - fire. Had he known, guessed at, the thrill of surrender that had run through her at his embrace? Had he known what his kiss meant to her? Like a dash of lightning from the rent skies she knew that she loved hint. This man who had saved her life at least twice—first from the sea and secondly from the Lascar—who had watched over her, guarded her, provided for her life's daily needs, was more to her than life itself—was the being one means when one whis- per "lover," And he was her hus- band by the caprice or Fate—her hus- band against his will. Had he kissed her or did she ima- gine it? If he did it made matters ten thousand times worse, for he had kissed her in pity, not in love. Not in love, for did he not carry in his breast the portrait of another wo- man? She rose, feverish and parched with thirst; but above her physical sUNering towered her mental, spirit- '- nal nal agony. She loved him and he— The fair face of that other Woman rose before her mockingly, taunting- ly, and embittered, Poisoned the glorious, wonderful dawn which rose as a daily miracle upon the fairy island. As if impelled by the ,spirit of her maidenly pride, which would not let her rest, she went down towards the beach. On her tray idle had to pass the saloon, and, after a moment's hesitation, She opened the doer and looked in. Mannering lav at full length be- fore the fire, his head resting oft his arm, on which was the blood of a• wound Caused by one of the falling beams. ' Mt fage was troubled, . his breath Caine Short and painfully, Her own grew labored and painful as she bent over hiin, and her love for him rt and ranver • ed upin her lea d Welled ad so that t Wes hard for her not to touch him, if with her finger txpteon- ly, As it was, kid bent -so low that her lips nearly touched his, and her breath stirred his hair. But alas, and alas! at that lnonaent he moved is his sleep and she heard him niurnxur, "Judith, .Tudithi'" She rose its if somthing had fitunig her, and in a tonflict of efnotions 'vent lona to the beaeit, It Was liigli: tide and tits -Aft tugged of its inner-. Mo. She gated at it thoughtfully, then the eoior rose to her pale fate+ ". 'v with and h+~r • eyesp;lo ed w an idea. She knew that if she remaineto 0R the isliind With him het lot•e Would betray her. Why ,should site not got Here 'were the int acts--tlie Pro den - tie t Melte 08-•ot •esetipe. The proviiiiotilb• whichMannering Jad.prepered , retro ' close by' the raft; "t was es readip ie' i oat its on, the clay lia,bad ,la . (tionig comm.) ro.}