Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-14

| father?
Here he is, Robert" she laughed. 81 do
believe he was sulking because Captain
Fitzroy was so very attentive to me. Yet
| you didn't mind it bit.''
The two men looked into each others
eyes. They smiled. How could they resist
The contagion of her sunny nature?
| 4 have been thinking over what you
| said to me just now, Anstruther," said
| the shipowner slowly.
| on cried Iris. Have you two been
| talking secrets behind my back?"
| 1T is no secret to you-my little girl
! Her fathers voice fingered on the phrase
| When we are on shore, Robert, I will ex-
plain matters to You more fully. Just now
| L wish only to tell you that where Iris has
| given her heart will not refuse her hand. -
You darling old dad! And is that what
all the mystery was about?''
She took his face between her hands and
kissed him. Lord Ventnor. wondering at
this effusiveness, strolled forward.
What has happened. Miss Deane?' he
| Inquired Have you just discovered what
an excellent parent you possess?'
The baronet laughed, almost Historically.
Pom my honor, he cried, you could not
| have hit upon happier explanation"
| His lordship was not quite satisfied.
Il suppose you will take Iris to Smiths
Hotel?'' he said with cool impudence.
Iris answered him.
Yes. My father has just asked Robert
to come with us-by inference, that is.
Where are you gO1ng?
The adroit use of her lovers Christian
| name goaded his lordship to sudden heat.
Indeed he snarled. "Sr Arthur Deane
has evidently decided a good many things
! during the last hour"
YES" was the shipowner's quiet retort
| II have decided that my daughters happi-
ness should be the chief consideration of
my remaining years. All else must give
way to it,
The earls swarthy face grew sallow with
fury His b1aZad and there
tense vibrato to his voice as he said
Then 1 must congratulate you, Miss
Deane. You are fated to endure adventures.
Having escaped from the melodramatic
perils of Rainbow Island you are destined
to experience another variety of shipwreck
here"
He left them Not a word had Robert
spoken throughout the unexpected scene.
His heart was throbbing with tremulous
joy, and his lordship's sneers were lost on
him. But he could not fail to note the
malignant purpose of the parting sentence.
In his quietly masterful way he placed
his hand on the baronet's shoulder.
What did Lord Ventnor mean?" he
asked.
Sir Arthur Deane answered, with a calm
smile-'Tt is difficult to talk openly at this
moment. Wait until we reach the hotel
The news flew fast through the settlement
that H. NJ. 8. Orient had returned from her
long search for the Sirdar. The warshp
occupied her usuel anchorage, and a boat
Lieutenant Playdon went ashore with them.
A feeling of consideration for Anstruther
prevented any arrangements being made
for subsequent meetings. Once their cour-
teous duty was ended, the officers of the
Orient could not give him any further social
recognition.
Lord ventnor was aware of this fact and
endeavored to turn it to advantage
"By the way, Fitzroy," he called out to
the commander as he prepared to descend
the gangway, "I want you. and any others
not detained by duty, to come and dine
with me tonight
very good of you to ask us, but I fear I
cannot make any definite arrangements
until I learn what orders are awaiting me
here"
eyes: suppose we leave 1t at that"
1t was a polite but decided rebuff. 1t in
no way tended to sweeten Lord Ventnor's
temper, which was further exasperated
when he hurt his shin against one of Rob-
erts disreputable-looking tins, with its ac-
cunulation of debris.
The boat swung off into the tdeway.
Her progress shorewards was watched by
a small knot of people. nasty loungers
and coolies Among them. however were
two persons who had driven rapidly to
the landing place when the arrival or
the Orient was reported One bore all the
distinguishing marks of the army officer OF
high rank. but the other was unrnistak bly,
a grobe-trotter Only in Piccadlly could he
have purchased his wondrous sola topi, or
pith helmet-with its imitation puggri
neatly friled and puckered-and no tailor
who ever carried his goose through the
Exile's Gate would have fashioned his ex-
pensive garments. But the old gentleman
made no pretense that he could hear the
east a-callin'." He Swore impartially at
the climate. the place and its inhabitants
At this instant he was in state of wild
excitement. He was very tall. very stout,
exceedingly red-faced. Any budding medico
rpn tn6a no n
by 40. ad in a prescription would have
diagnosed him as a first-rate subject for
aDoplexy.
Producing tremendous telescope. he
vainiy endeavored to balance 1t on the
shoulder of a native servant.
Cant you stand still, you blithering
idiot?" he shouted. after futile attempts to
focus the advancing boat, "or shall steady
you by a clout over the carp
His companion. the army man, was look
ing through pair of field glasses.
by Jove.' he cried, II can see Sir Ar
thus Deane I'd a girl who looks like his
daughter. There's that internal scamp,
Ventnor. too
The big man brushed the servant out of
his way. and brandished the telescope as
though it We're bludgeon.
The dirty beggar. He drove my lad to
, misery and death, yet he has come back
safe and sound. Wait till l meet him.
III
Now. Anstruther, Remember your prom
/ Use. l will deal with Lord ventnor My
vengeance has first claim. What, BY the
! jumping Moses. do believe. Yes 1t is
| Anstruther! Your nephew is sitting next
| to the girl,''
/, The telescope fell on the stones with a
! crash. The giants rubicund face suddenly
/ blanehed. He leaned on his friend for sup
| port.
! You are not mistaken" he almost whim-
pered- Look again. for Gods sake man.
Make sure before yeu speak Tell me, Tell
| met
Calm yourself. Anstruther 1t is Robert
| as sure as I'm alive. Don't You think
know him, my poor disgraced friend whom
/ l, like all the rest, east off in his hour of
! trouble? But l had some excuse There,
| There. / didn't mean that, old fellow. Rob
/ ert himself will be the last man to blame
| either of us. Who could have suspected
| that two people-one of them, God help me
! my wife-could have concocted such a hell
I fish plot?''
The boat glided gracefully alongside the
| steps of the quay. and Playdon spra ng
ashore to help Iris to aight What han
| pened immediately afterward can best be
! told in his own words as he retailed the
! story TO an appreciative audience i'm the
aard-roon.
I'VE had just landed he said land some
| of the crew were pushing the coolies ont
| of the way. when two men jumped down
| the steps and a most fiendish row snra mo-
w. L..