e found a different
verdict had its members been of her sex. As for Lord Ventnor, he is
nothing to me. It is true he asked my father to be permitted to pay his
addresses to me, but my dear old dad left the matter wholly to my
decision, and I certainly never gave Lord Ventnor any encouragement. I
believe now that Mrs. Costobell lied, and that Lord Ventnor lied, when
they attributed any dishonorable action to you, and I am glad that you
beat him in the Club. I am quite sure he deserved it."

Not one word did this strange man vouchsafe in reply. He started
violently, seized the axe lying at his feet, and went straight among
the trees, keeping his face turned from Iris so that she might not see
the tears in his eyes.

As for the girl, she began to scour her cooking utensils with much
energy, and soon commenced a song. Considering that she was compelled
to constantly endure the company of a degraded officer, who had been
expelled from the service with ignominy, she was absurdly contented.
Indeed, with the happy inconsequence of youth, she quickly threw all
care to the winds, and devoted her thoughts to planning a surprise for
the next day by preparing some tea, provided she could surreptitiously
open the chest.

CHAPTER VII

SURPRISES

Before night closed their third day on the island Jenks managed to
construct a roomy tent-house, with a framework of sturdy trees selected
on account of their location. To these he nailed or tied crossbeams of
felled saplings; and the tarpaulins dragged from the beach supplied
roof and walls. It required the united strength of Iris and himself to
haul into position the heavy sheet that topped the structure, whilst he
was compelled to desist from active building operations in order to
fashion a rough ladder. Without some such contrivance he could not get
the topmost supports adjusted at a sufficient height.

Although the edifice required at least two more days of hard work
before it would be fit for habitation Iris wished to take up her
quarters there immediately. This the sailor would not hear of.

"In the cave," he said, "you are absolutely sheltered from all the
winds that blow or rain that falls. Our villa, however, is painfully
leaky and draughty at present. When asleep, the whole body is relaxed,
and you are then most open to the attacks of cold or fever, in which
case, Miss Deane, I shall be reluctantly obliged to dose you with a
concoction of that tree there."

He poi