The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-28
Cb&(Uin0$ Of the nlor11ifl9
A Thrilling Tale OF ShlpWPeck and Adventure.
LOUIS TRACY
A Thrilling Tale OF ShlpWPeck and Adventure.
By LOUIS TRACY.
Copyright 1908 by Edward J. Clode.
CHAPTER XVII.-COntinue

CHAPTER XVII.-COntinued.
Rainbow Island Again-and Afterward
The news flew fast thru the settle
ment that H. M. S. Orient had re-
turned from her long search for the
Sirdar. The warship occupied her
usual anchorage, and a boat was low
tenant Playdon went ashore with
them. A feeling Of consideration
for Anstruther prevented any ar
engagements being made for sub
sequent 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 1t to advan-
tage.
by the way, Fitzroy," he called out
to the commander as he prepared to
descend the gangway, Il want you,
and any others not detained by duty,
to come and dine with me tonight"
Captain Fitzroy answered blandly-
'It is very good of you to ask US, but
/ fear I cannot make any definite ar
engagements until I learn what orders
are awaiting me here
"Oh, certainly. Come if you can,
eh?S ,- =. =. 49,.
It in no way tended to sweeten Lord
Ventnor's temper, which was further
exasperated when he hurt his shin
against one of Roberts direputable-
looking tins, with it's accumulation OF
debris.
The boat swung off into the tide
way. Her progress shoreWards was
watched by a small knot of people
mostly loungers and coolies. Among
them, however, were two persons who
had driven rapidly to the landing,
place when the arrival of the Orient
was reported. One bore all the dls.
tinguishing marks of the army Officer
of high rank, but the other was I'm.
mistakably a globe-trotter. Only ir
Piccadilly could he have purchased his
wondrous sola topi, or pith helmet
with it's imitation puggr1 neatly fr1llec
and puckered-and no tailor who ever
carried his goose thru the Exile''
Gate would have fashioned his expen
sive garments. But the old gentleman
made no pretence that he could "hea7
the East a-callin'." He swOre impair
TALLY at the climate, the place, and it
Inhabitants. At this instant he was il
state of wild excitement: He wa
very tail, very stout, exceedingly red
faced. Any budding medico who un
aq. ad in a prescription, would hav
diagnosed him as a first-rate subjec
for apoplexy.
Producing a tremendous telescope
he vainly endeavored to balance it OF
the shoulder Of native servant.
Cant you stand still, you blitherinl
IDIOT" he shouted, after futile at
,tempts to focus the advancing boat
80 or shall + steady you by clout owe
the carp
His companion, the army man, wa
looking thru a pair Of feld-glasses:.
"By Jove!" he cried, II can see ST
Arthur Deane, and girl who look
like his daughter. There's that infer
hal scamp, Ventnor, too"
The big man brushed the servan
out Of his way, and brandished tn
telescope as tho it were a bludgeon.
"The dirty beggar! He drove m
lad to misery and death, yet he ha
I meet him. Ill---"
Now, Anstruther! Remember you
promise I will deal with Lord Vent
nor, MY vengeance has first claim
What! By the jumping Moses, l d
believe Yes. It is. Anstruthel
Your nephew is sitting next to tn
girl'' .,
The telescope fell on the stones wit
a. crash. The giants rubicund fac
suddenly blanched. He leaned on h
friend for support.
"You are not Mistaken" he alno:
whimpered. Look again, for God
sake, man. Make sure before 20
speak. Tell me! Tell mel"
"Calm yourself, Anstruther. 1t
Robert, as sure as I'm alive. Don
YOU think 7 know him, my poor, di:
z graced friend, whom I, like all the res
cast off in his hour of trouble ? b
T had some excuse. There! There
I didn't mean that, old fellow. Rol
ert himself will be the last man
a. nf
suspected that two people-one
them, God help me! my wife-wou
concoct such a hellish plot!
The boat glided gracefully alongsit
the steps of the quay, and Playde
sprang ashore to help Iris TO align
What happened Immediately atte
wards can best be told in his ON
words, as he related the story to 6
appreciative audience in the war;
room.
eve had just landed" he sal
4'and some Of the crew were pushi1
the coolies out Of the way, when tv
men jumped down the steps, and
most fiendish row sprang up. That
there was no dispute or wranglin
but one chap, who, it turned out, W!
Colonel Costobell, grabbed Ventnor
the shirt front, and threatened
smash his face if he didn't listen thu
and there to what he had to say
.E really LnOuSnC dpOul lHleileI1LS, I'LL
heard Colonel CostobelPs openil
y words. After that 7 would glad
have seen the beggar chucked into tt
harbor. We never liked him, did We
ASK no questions, Pompey, but
ahead with the yarn growled the fiji
lieutenant.
.'Well, it seems that Mrs. Costobe
is dead She got enteric a week aft
the Orient sailed, and was goner
four days Before she died she own
up"
He paused, with base eye TO effe'
Not a man moved a muscle.