Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-12
CHAPTER XVI.
Bargains, Great and Small.

Lord NentnOr was no 1901. w INST III"
was Transforming herself from semi
savage condition into seEnblance OF an
ultra chic Paris:enne-the Or.ents dramatic
costuIn:er went in for strong sage effects
in feminine attire-Sir Arthur Deane told
the earl hing of the state of affairs on
the island
His lordship-a handsome. saturnine man.
cool, insolently polite and plentifully en-
dowed with the judgmatical daring that is
the necessary equipment of a society lber-
tine-counseled patience. liberation, even
silent recognition of Anstruther's undou6t-
ed claims for services rendered.
She is an enthusiastic, High-spirited
girl he urged upon his surprised nearer.
who expected very different express on of
opinion This fellow Anstruther is a
plausible sort of r. seal. a coed man in a
tight place. too-just the sort of fire-eating
blackguard wEo would ill the heroic bill
where fight is corcc: ned. D. him, lie
licked me twice
Further amazement for the ship owner
Yes, it's quite true. l interfersd
with his little games, and he gave
me the usual Ieward of the devirs
apothecary. Leave Iris alone. At present
she is strung up to an intense pitch of
gratitude. having barely escaped a terrible
IA Let her come back to the normal.
Anstruther's shady record must gradually
leak out That VIII disgust her. In
I
He is hard up-cut off by his people and
that sort Of thing. There you probably
have the measure of his scheming. He
knows quite well that he can never marry
your daughter 1t is all matter of
price"
Sir Arthur willingly allowed himself 10
be. persuaded. At the back of his head
there was an uneasy consciousness that it
was not "all a matter of price" If it were
he would never trust mans face again.
But Nentaor's well-balanced arguments
swayed him. The course indicated was the
only decent one. Ii was humanity impos-
S!ble for Il man to chide his daughter and
nout her rescuer within an hour of finding
them.
Lord Eentnor played his cards with
deeper design. He bowed to the inevitable
Iris said she loved his rival Very we'll. To
attempt to diSsuade her was to throw ner
more closely into that rivals arms. The
right course was to appear resigned. sad
dened, compelled against his will to reveal
the distressing truth. Further, he count
ed IN Anstruthers quick temper as an ac-
tive agent Such man would be the first
! 10 rebel against an assumption of plying
tolerance. He would bring bitter charges
of conspiracy. of unbelievable compact to
secure his ruin. All this must recoil on his
own head when the facts were laid bare.
Not even the hero of the island could pre-
VAN against the terrible Indictment of the
court-martial. Finally. at Singapore three
days distant. Col. Costobell and his wife
were staying Lord Nentnor alone of those
on aboard, knew this. Indeed he accompa-
MED Sir Arthur Deane largely in order to
break off a somewhat trying ENHANCEMENT.
He smiled complacently as he thought of
the effect on Ir-s of Mrs. Costobells indg-
nant remonstrances when the baronet ask
ed that injured lady to tell the girl all that
had happened at Hong Kong.
In "A word Lord Nentnor was most pro
foundry annoyed, and he cursed Anstruthar
from the depths of his heart. But he could
see a way oct. The more desperate the
emergency the more need to display finesse.
Above all, he must avoid an immediate
rupture.
He came ashore with Iris and her father;
the captain of the Orient also joined the
party. The three men watched Robert ami
the girl walking toward them from the
group of officers.
'Anstruther is a smart-looking fellow"
commented Captain Fitzroy. Who is hep
Truth to tell the gallant commander of
The orient was secretly amazed by the
metamorphosis effected in Roberts ap-
pearance since he scrutiuized him through
his glasses. Iris, too. unaccustomed to the
constrdint Of high-heeled shoes. chung TO
the nondescriDts arm in a manner that
shook the sailors faith in Lord Fentnor's
pretentions as her favored sutton
Poor Sir Arthur said not a word but
his lordship was quite at ease
From his name. and from what Deane
tells me. believe he is an ex-efficer of the
Indian army"
All. He has left the servica?''
Yes: | met him last in Hong Kong"
Then you know h!m?'
Quite well. if he is the man l imagine"
That is really very nice of Nentnor."
thought the shipowner The last thing /
should credit him with would be a forsiy-
ing d.spC sition."
Meanwhile, Anstruther was reading Iris
a little lecture. Sweet one" he explained
To her, do not allude to me by my former
rank | not entitled to it. Some day
please God. it Will De restored to me. At
present | am a plain civilian"
Il think you very handsome.
Don't tease. there's a good girl 1t is
not fair with all these people looking"
But really. Robert. only since you
StIaped or the upper crust have | been
able 10 recognize YOU again. | remember
low that | thought You were a most Gis-
tirguisEed looking steward"
We'll l am HELPLESS 1 cannot even
squeeze you. BY tie way Iris, during the
next few days say nothing about our
rniua"
''Oh. Why not?''
Just personal whim. It will please
If it plcases you. Robert. I am salts
fi.d"
He pressed her arm by way of answer.
They wee too near to the waiting trio for
otEer comment.
Capt. Fitzroy " cried Iris "Iet me intro
duce Mi Anstruthcr to you Lord Vent
nor, you have met AIR. AnstrUther before"
The sailor shook hands. Lord Ventnor
smiled afrabIy.
Your enforced residence on the island
seems to have agreed with YOU" he said
Admirably. Life here had its draw
backs. but we fought our enemies in the
open. Didn't we, Iris?'
Yes. dear. The poor Dyaks were not
sufficiently modernized to attack us with
false testimony"
His iordship's sallow face wrink!ed some
what So Iris knew of the court-martial
nor was she afraid to proclaim to all the
world that this man was her lover AS for
capt. Fitzroy, his bushy eyebrows disap-
peared into his peaked cap when he heard
the manner OF their speech.
Nevertheless Nentuor smiled again
Even the Dyaks respected Miss Deane"
he said
But Anstruther. sorry for the manifest
uucas-Hess of the sEip0Wner. repressed the
rctort ca his lips. and forthwith suggested
that they should walk to the north beach
in the first instance. that being the scene
Of the wreck
During the next hour he became auditor
rather than narrator. 1t was Iris who told
of his wild fight against wind and waves
IRIS who showed them where he fought
with the devii-fSh. Iris who expatiated on
the long days of ceaselesS toll his dauut-
less courage in tie face of every difficulty
the way in which he rescued her from the
clutch of the no sill Of