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About The Falls City tribune. (Falls City, Neb.) 1904-191? | View Entire Issue (Dec. 18, 1908)
SYNOPSIS. CHAPTER I.—The story opens with the shipwreck of the steamer on which Miss Jenevleve Leslie, nn American heiress. Lord Winthrope. an Englishman, and Tom Blake, a brusque American, were passen gers. The three were tossed upon a?i un inhabited Island and were the only ones not drowned. Blake recovered from a drunken stunor CHAPTER II Blake, shunned on the boat, because of bis roughness, became -• hero as preservers of the helpless pair. I'he Englishman was suing for the hand of Miss Leslie Blake started to swim lack to the ship to recover what was left. CHAPTER 111. Blake returned safely. Winthrope wast'd his last match on a * igarette. for wide)- l.o was scored by P,'ake. Their first meal was a dead fish. CHAPTER IV. A Journey in Desolation. I TUEf I /3LI, ORXIX'R was well advanced IB and the sun beat down upon the three with almost over powering fierceness. The heat would have rendered llieir I hirst unendurable 1 ad not Blake hacked off for them bit ffter hit of the moist ooryphene flesh. In a temperate climate ten miles over firm ground is a pleasant walk for one accustomed to the exercise. Quite a different matter is ten miles across mud-flats, covered with a tan gle of reeds and rushes, and frequently dipping into salt marsh and ooze. Be fore they had gone a mile Miss Leslie would have lost her slippers had it not been for Blake’s forethought in tying them so securely. Within a lit tle more than three miles the girl’s strength began to fail. "Oh, Blake,” called Winthrope, for the American was some yards in the i* ad, ’’pull up a bit on that knoll We’ll have to rest a wh'le, I fancy. Miss Leslie is about pegged.” ‘What’s that?” demanded Blake. "We're not half-way yet!” Winthrope did not reply. It was all he could do to drag the girl up on the hummock. She sank, half-fainting, upon the dry reeds, and he sat down h« side her to protect her with the shade. Blake stared ai the miles of swampy flats which yet lay between lhem and the out-jutting headland of giay rock. The base of the cliff was screened by a belt of trees; hut the nearest clump of green did not look more than a mile nearer than the h* ndland. Hell!” muttered Blake, despondent ly "Not even a short four miles. Mush and sassiety girls!” Though he spoke to himself the others heard him. Miss Leslie flushed nod would have risen had not Win ihrope put his hand on her arm. "Could you not go on and bring hack a flask of water for Miss Leslie?” he asked. "By that time she will be routed.” "No; I don't fetch back any flasks of water. She's going when I go, or you can come on to suit yourselves.” Mr. Blake, you—you won’t go and leave me here! If you have a sister —f your mother—” She died of drink, and both my fi.sters did worse.” My God. man! do you mean to say you'll abandon a helpless young girl?” Not a bit more helpless than were Toy sisters when you rich folks’ guar dians of law and order jugged me for tlie winter ’cause I didn't have a job and turned both girls into the street —onto the street, if you know what that means—one only 16 and the other 17 Talk about helpless young girls— Ta nutation!” Miss Leslie cringed back as though she had been struck. Blake, however, seemed to have vented his anger in the curse, for when he again spoke there was nothing more than impa tience in his lone. ‘Come on. now: vet. aboard. Winthrope couldn't lug you a half-mile, and long's it’s the •only way don't be all day about it. Here, Winthrope, look to the fish.” But, my dear fellow, I don’t quite take your idea, nor does Miss Leslie, I fancy,” ventured Winthrope. Well, W'e've got to get to water or dit ; and as the lady can’t walk she's going on my back. It's a case of have-to.” No! I am not—1 am not! I’d sooner <5ie!” I’m afraid you'll find that easy enough later on. Miss Jenny. Stand by. Winthrope, to help her up. Do you hear? Take the knife and fish and lend a hand." There was a note in Blake’s voice that neither Winthrope nor Miss Les li< dared disregard. Though scarlet v.uh mortification, she permitted iter s'If to be taken pick-a-back upon P’ake’s broad shoulders and meekly obeyed bis command to clasp her bands about bis throat. Yet even at that moment, such are the inconsis tencies of human nature, she could not but admin the ea.-e with which he rose under her »v*-’ in. Now that he no longer had tlx slow pace of the girl to consider, he ad vanced at his natural gait, the quick, tireless stride of an American railroad surveyor. His feet, trained to swamp travel In Louisiana and Panama, teemed to find the firmest ground as by instinct, $n£ vyhqther on tfco half —f-rf /<—^—J rmu-' -- dried mud of the hummocks or in the ankle-deep water of the hogs, they felt their way without slip or stumble. Winthrope, though burdened only with the half-eaten cory phene, toiled along behind, greatly troubled by the mud and the tangled reeds, and now and then flung down by some unlucky misstep, ills modish suit, already much damaged by the salt water, was soon smeared afresh with a coating of greenish slime. Tlis one consolation was thnk Blake, alter jeering at his first tumble, paid no more attention to him. On tin1 other hand, ho was cut by the seeming indifference of Miss Leslie. Intent on his own misery, he failed to consider that the girl might ho suffering far greater discomfort and humiliation. More than three miles had been cov ered before Blake stopped on a hum mock. Releasing Miss Leslie, he stretched out on the dry crest of the knoll and called for a slice of the fish. At his urging the others took a few mouthfuls, although their throats were so parched that even tlie moist flesh afforded scant relief. Fortunately for them all, Blake had been thoroughly trained to endure thirst. He rested less than ten minutes; then taking Miss Leslie up again like a rag doll, he swung away at a good pace. Stopped. Utterlv Sotni The trees were less than half a mile distant when he halted for the second time. He would have gone to them without a pause, though his mus cles were quivering with exhaustion, had not Miss Leslie chanced to look around and discover that Winthrope was no longer following them. For the last mile he had been lagging farther and farther behind, and now he had suddenly disappeared. At the girl's dismayed exclamation, Blake re leased his hold and she found herself standing in a foot or more of mud and water. The sweat was streaming down Blake's face. As he turned aroflnd, he wiped it off with his shirt sleeves. “Do you—can it be. Mr. Blake, that he has had a sunstroke?" asked Miss Leslie. “Sunstroke? No; he's just laid down, that’s all. I thought he had more sand—confound him!” “But the sun is so dreadfully hot, and 1 have his shade.” “And he’s been tumbling into every i other pool. No; it’s not the sun. t've ! half a mind to let him lie—the paper 1 legged swell! It. would no more than square our aboard-ship accounts.” "Surely, you would not do that, Mr. | Blake! It may be that he has hurt | himself in falling.” “In this mud?—bah! But 1 guess I I’m in for the pack-mule stunt all around. Now, now; don’t yowl, Miss Jenny. I'm going. But you can't ex pect me to love the snob.” As he splashed away on the return trail, Miss Leslie dabbed at her eyes to check the starting tears. "Oh, dear—Oh, dear!” she moaned; “what have I done to be so treated? ! Such a brute. Oh, dear!—and I am so thirsty! In her despair she would have sunk down where she stood had not the sliminess of the water repelled her. She gazed longingly at the trees, in the foi'e of which stood a grove of stately palms. The half-mile seemed an insuperable distance, but the ride on Blake’s back had rested her and thirst goaded her forward. Stumbling and slipping she waded on across the inundated ground, and came out upon a half-baked mud-flat, where the walking was much easier. But the sun was now almost directly overhead, and between her thirst and the heat she soon found herself falter ing. She tottered on a few steps farther, and then stopped, utterly spent. As she sank upon the dried rushes she glanced around and was vaguely conscious of a strange, double headed figure following her path across the marsh. All about her be came black. The next she knew Blake was splashing her head and face with brackish water out of the whisky flask. She raised her hand to shield her taee, and sat up, sick and dizzy. "That's It!" said Blake. He spoke in a kindly tone, though Ills voice was harsh and broken with thirst. "You’re all right now. Bull yourself together and we’ll got to the trees In a jiffy." "Mr. Winthrope—?" “I’m here, Miss Genevieve. It was only a wrenched ankle. If I had a stick, Blake, I fancy I could make a go of it over this drier ground." "And lay yourself up for a month. Come, Miss Jenny, brace up for an other try. It's only a quarter-mile, and I've got to pack him." Tie girl was gasping with thirst; yet she made an effort, and, assisted by Blake, managed to gain her feet. She was still dizzy; but ns Blake swing Winthrope upon his back, lie (old her to take hold of his arm. Win thrope held the shade over her head. Thus assisted, and sheltered from the direct beat of the sun-rays, she tot tered along beside Blake, half-uncon scious. Fortunately the remaining distance lay across a stretch of bare dry ground, for even Blake had all but reached the limit of endurance. Step by step ho labored on, staggering un der the weigtit of the Knglishman and gasping with a tHirst which his ex ertions rendered even greater than that of his companions. But through the trees and brush whlrh stretched away inland In a wall of verdure he had caught glimpses of a broad stream and the hope of fresh water called out every ounce of his reserve strength. it last tiie nearest palm was only a listant Blake clutched .trm and dragged her forward with a rush in a final outburst of energy. A moment later all three lay gasping in th • shade. I!ut (he river was yet anoiher 100 yards dis tant. Blake waited only to regain his breath; then he staggered up and went on The others, unable to rise, gazed after him in silent misery. Soon Blake found himself rushing through the jungle along a broad trail pitted with enormous footprints; but he was so near mad with thirst that he paid no heed to the spoor other than to curse the holes for the trouble they gave him. Suddenly the trail turned to the left and sloped down a low bank into the river. Blind to all else, Blake ran down the slope and dropping upon his knees plunged his head into the water. At first his throat was so dry that he could no more than rinse his mouth. With the first swallow his swollen tongue mocked him with the salt, bitter taste of sea-water. The tide was flowing! He rose, sputtering and choking and gasping He stared around. There was no question that he was on the bank of a river and would be certain of fresh water with the ebb tide. But could he endure the agony of his thirst all those hours? He thought of his companions. “Good God!” he groaned, “they’re goners, anyway!” He stared dully up the river at the thousands of waterfowl which lined Its banks. Within close view were herons and black ibises, geese, pelicans, fla mingoes, and a dozen other species of birds of which he did not know the names. But he sat as though in a stupor, and did not move even when one of the driftwood logs on a mud shoal a few yards up-stream opened an enormous mouth and displayed two rows of hooked fangs. It was other wise when the noontime stillness was broken by a violent splashing and loud snortings down-stream. He glanced about and saw six or eight monstrous heads drifting towards him with the tide. ‘‘What In— Wheel a whole herd of hippos!" tie muttered. "That's what the holes mean." The foremost hippopotamus was headed directly for him. He glared at the huge head with sullen resent ment. For all his stupor he perceived at once that the beast intended to land: and he sat in the middle of its accustomed path. His first impulse was to spring up and yell at the crea ture. Then he remembered bearing that a white hunter had recently been killed by these beasts on one of the South African lakes. Instead of leap ing up he sank down almost flat and crqwled back around the turn iu the path. Once certain that he was hid den from the beasts he rose to his feet and hastened back through the jungle. He was almost in view of the spot where he had left Winthrope and Miss Leslie, when he stopped and stood hesitating. "I can't do It,” he muttered; "I can’t tell her—poor girl!” He turned and pushed into the thicket. Forcing a way through the tangle of thorny shrubs and creepers until several yards from the path he began to edge towards the face of the jungle, that he might peer out at his companions unseen by them. There was more of the thicket be fore him than he had thought, and he was still fighting his way through it when he was brought to a stand by a peculiar cry that might have been the bleat of a young lamb: "Ba—ba!” "What’s that?” he croaked. He stood listening, and in a moment he again heard the cry, this time more distinctly: “Blak!—Blak!” There could be no mistake. It was Winthrope calling for him, and call ing with a clearness of voice that would have been physically impossible half an hour since. Blake’s sunken eyes lighted with hope. He burst through the last screen of jungle and stared towards the palm under which he had left his companions. They were not there. Another call from Winthrope di rected his gaze more seaward. The two were seated beside a fallen palm, and Miss Leslie had a large round ob jert raised to her lips. Wlnthrop was waving to him. “Cocoanuts!” ho yelled. "Come on!” Three of the palms had been over thrown by the hurricane, and when Blake came up he found the ground strewn with nuts, lie seized the first he came to; but Wlnthrope held out one already opened. He snatched li from him and placed the hole to his swollen lips. Never had champagne tasted half so delicious ns that cocoa j nut milk. Before he could drain the j last of It through (lie littlo opening Wlnthrope had the husks torn from j the ends of two other nuts, and the convenient germinal spots gouged open with his penknife. Blake emptied the third before he spoke. Kven then his voice was hoarse and strained. "Mow'd you strike ’em?” "I couldn't help it," explained Wln thrope. "Hardly had you disappeared when T notieed the tops of the fallen palms and thought of (lie nuts. There was one in the grass not 20 feet from where we lay." “Lucky for you—and for me. too. I guess," said Blake. "We were all three down for the count. But (his settles the fkst round in our favor. How do you like the picnic, Miss Jenny?” "Miss Leslie, If you please,” replied Ihe girl, with hauteur. "Oh, say, Miss Jenny!" protested Blake, genially. "We live In the same boarding house now. Why not be folksy? You’re free to call me Torn. Pass me another nut, Wlnthrope. Thanks! By the way, what’s your front name? Saw it aboard ship— Crrtl—’’ "Cecil,” corrected Wlnthrope, In a low tone. "Cecil Lord Cecil, eh" or is it only the Honorable Cecil?” "My dear sir, I have intimated be fore that, for reasons of or—state—” "Oh, yes; you're traveling incog., in the secret service. Sort of detect ive—” "Detective!” echoed Winthrope, In a peculiar lone. Blake grinned. "Well, it is rawther a nawsty business for your honorable ludship. But there's nothing like call ing things hy their right names.” "Right names—er—I don’t Quite take you. 1 have told you distinctly my name is Cecil Winthrope!” "O-h-h! how lovely!—See-sill! See seal!—Bet they called you Sissy at school. English chum of mine told me your schools are corkers for nick names. What’ll we make it—Sis or Sissy?" "I prefer my patronymic, Mr. Blake,” replied Winthrope. “All right, then; we'll make it Pat., if that’s your choice. 1 say, Pat, thiB juice is the stuff for wetness, but it Blake Pushed Out from Among the Close Thickets. makes a fellow remember his grub. Where’d you leave that fish?” "Iteally. I can’t just say. but it must have been where 1 wrenched my ankle.” "You cawn't just say! And what are we going to eat?" "Here are the eocoanuts.” "Bright boy! go to the head of the class! Just take some more husk off those empty ones.” Winthrope caught up one of the nuts, and with the aid of his knife stripped it of its husk. At a gesture from Blake he laid it on the bare ground and (lie American burst it open with a blow of his heel. It was an Immature nut, and the meat proved to be little thicker than clotted cream. Blake divided it Into three parts, hand ing Miss Leslie the cleanest. Though his companions began with more restraint, they finished their shares with equal gusto. Winthrope needed no further orders to return to bis busking. One after another the nuts were cracked and divided among the three, until even Blake could not swallow another mouthful of the luscious cream. Toward the <^d Miss Leslie had be come drowsy. At Winthrope’s urg ing, she now lay down for a nap, Blake's coat serving as a pillow. She fell asleep while Winthrope was yet arranging ft for her. Blake had turned his back on her and was staring moodily at the hippopotamus trail when Winthrope hobbled around and sat down on the palm trunk beside him. “I say, Blake,” he suggested, ”1 feel deuced fagged myself. Why not all take a nap?” "'And when they awoke, they were all dead men,’ ” remarked Blake. “By Jove, that sounds like a joke,” protested th# Englishman. "Don't rag me now.” eRBj\M ; BAKING PIWDGR For making quickly and perfectly delicious hot biscuits, cake and pastry. Renders the food more tasty, nutritious and wholesome. No alum, no lime phosphate , The government and food authorities have enabled the housekeeper to protect her family from the alum baking powder. They require that the label shall give her warning. She must buy from the label and decline any powder which the label does not show to be made from cream of tartar. "Joke!” repeated Blake. "Why, that's Scripture, Vat, Scripture! Any way, you'd think it no Joke to wake up and find yourself going down the throat of a hippo.” "Hippo?" "Dozens of them over in (lie river. Shouldn't wonder if they’ve all landed and're tracking me down by this time." "But hippopotami are not carnivor ous—they're not at all dangerous, un less one wounds them, out In the wa ter.” "That may be; but I'm not taking chances. They've got mouths like sperm whales—I saw one take a yawn. Another thing, that bayou Is chuck full of alligators, and a fellow down on the Hand told me they’re Ilka the Cen tral American gavials for keenness to nip a swimmer.” "They will not come out on this dry land.” "Suppose they won't—there’re no other animals In Africa but sheep, eh?” "What can we do? The captain told me that there are both lions and leopards on this coast.” "Nice place for them, too, around these trees,” added Blake. "Lucky for us, they’re night-birds mostly— If that Hand fellow didn't lie. He was a Boer, so 1 guess he ought to know.” "To be sure It’s a nasty flic we're In for to-night. Could we not build some kind of a barricade?” “With a penknife! Guess we'll roost In a tree." "But cannot leopards climb? It seems to me that I have heard—" "How about lions?” "They cannot; I’m sure of that." "Then we'll chance the leopards. Just stretch out here and nurse that ankle of yours. I don't want to be lugging you nil year. I'm going to hunt a likely tree.” I'ontinuftd noxt wwk. Foley’s Orino Laxative cures chronic constipation and stimulates the liver. Orino regulates the bowels so they will act naturally and you do not have to take purgatives constantly. Kerr's Pharmacy. Listen. Mr. Farmer When in Falls City, and you feel a spasm of gnawing of the inner man hunger the best place in town to get full satisfaction for two-bits 25 cents . in a square meal is at The City Hotel F. P. SHIELDS. Proprietor Why Suffer? If you suffer pain from any cause, Dr. Miles’ Anti Pain Pills will relieve it —and leave no bad after effects. That’s the impor tant thing. Neither do they create a habit. More often the attacks become less frequent, or disappear altogether. Dr. Miles’ Anti-Pain Pills have no other effect except to re lieve pain and quiet nerv ous irritation. MWfl nre never without Dr. Miles* Anti-1*h in Fills. My husband and son, aged 15 were always subject to sick headache until we began using these Pills, and they have broken them up entirely. Don’t think they have had to use them for six months. I recommend them to every one. A few weeks ago 1 heard an old lady friend was sick. 1 went to see hei\ She was down with LaGrlppe, and nearly crazy with awful backache. I gave her one of the Anti-Pain Pill® and left another for her to take In a short time. They helped her right away, and she says she will never b® without them again, l^afet winter my husband was taken with pluerlsy on both sides, and I know he would have died if it hadn’t been for the Pills. In less than half an hour he was sweating, and went to bed and slept.’ MRS. G. H. WEBB. » Austlnburg. Ohio. Your druggist sells Dr. Miles’ Antl Pain Pills, and we authorize him to return the price of first package (only) If It fails to benefit you. Miles Medical Co., Elkhart, Ind Magnetic Healing Miss Lizzie Heitland, a gradu ate of the Weltmer School of Magnetic Healing at Nevada,Mo. I arn prepared to treat diseases of all kinds, l'hone 27*>. Located at Mrs. Burris' residence, south of the convent. 44-St Hides and Purs Wanted I Highest market prices —1st house sogth of Peter Freder ick, sr. PORTER RANDOLPH Phone 422 Rings always give more than usual pleasure. Their beauty and tasting qualities distinguish them as a gift, treas ured for years after other gifts have been forgotten. We have a host of them in stock--signet, solitaire stone, cluster combinations, etc., in both plain and elaborate patterns. All are solid gold and the beauty of the designs and the stones will appeal to you. A. E. JAQUET “THE OLD RELIABLE "