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


may spring out of evil-how Gods wisdom
can manifest itself by putting even the
creeping and crawling things of the earth
to some useful purpose"
Anstruther, what ais thee? ! never heard
you talk like this before!
The old gentlemans amusement was so
comical that further tension was out of
the question.
Robert in calmer mood, informed them Of
the manner in which he hit upon the mine.
The story sounded like widest romance
this finding of a volcanic dyke guarded by
the bones Of ~. g." and the poison-flled
quarry-but the production OF the ore SAM
pies changed wonder into certainty.
Next day a government metallurgist esti-
mated the value of the contents Of the two
oil-tins at about 600, yet the specimens
brought from the island were not by any
means the richest available.
And now there is not much moro to tell
of Rainbow Island and its castaways On
the day that Capt. Robert Anstruthers
name appeared in the Gazette, reinstating
him to his rank and regiment. Iris and he
were married in the English Church at
Hong Kong, for 1t was bis wife's wish that
the place which witnessed his fgnominy
should also witness his triumph.
A good-natured admiral decided that the
urgent requirements of the British navy
should bring H.M.S. Orient to the island
before the date fixed for the ceremony.
Lieut.. Playdon officiated as best man, while
the Orient was left SO scandalously short
handed for many hours that hostile ves
sci at least twice her size might have VEN
tured to attack her. a
Soon afterward Robert resigned his COM
mission. He regretted the necessity, but
the demands of his new sphere in life rem
dered this step imperative. Mining engi-
neers, laborers, stores. portable houses, en-
gfnes and equipment were obtained with all
haste, and the whole party sailed on one of
Sir Arthur Deane's ships to convoy small
steamer specially hired to attend the wants
of the miners.
At last, one evening early in July the two
vessels anchored outside Palm-tree rock,
and Mir Jan could be seen; running franti-
cally about the shore, for no valid reason
save that he could not stand still. The
sahib brought him good news. The gov
ernor of Hong Kong felt that any reason
able request made by Anstruther should be
granted If possible. He had written such a
strong representation of the Mahomme-
dams case to the governor of India that
there was little doubt the, returning mail
would convey an official notification that
Mir Jan, formerly naik in the Kumaon Ris-
sala-he who once killed man-had been
granted free pardon.
The mining experts verified Roberts most
sanguine views after very brief examina-
ton of 'the deposit. Hardly any prelimi-
nary work was needed. In twenty-four
hours small concentrating plant was
erected, and ditch made to drain off the
carbonic anhydride In the valley After
dusk party of coolies cleared the quarry
OF Its former occupants. Toward the close
OF the Following day, when the great
to the northwest, Iris could hear the steady
thud OF an engine at work on the first con-
signment of ore.
Robert had been busy up to the last mo-
m nn Ihere was SO much to be done in
short space of time. The vessel carried a
large number Of passengers, and he did not
wish to detain them too long, though thew
one one, ana an, an expressed their willingness to
suit his convenience in this respect
Now his share of the necessary prepara
tions was concluded. His wife, Sir Arthur
ana his uncle were gathered in a corner of
the promenade deck when he approached
an ana tod them that his last instruction
ashore was for light to be fixed on sum
INIT rock as soon as the dynamo was In
working order, "
When we all come back In the cold
p weat ;na;t ne explained gleefuliy, I'VE will
not initiate the Sirdaf by running onte the
reeI should we arrive by night
IT'S answered not. Her blue eyes were
fixed on the fast-receding cliffs.
you so silent?'' why are
She turned to him. The light of the SET
radiance e'A"eii
Because I am SO happy" she said. ooh
sooert gear SO happy and thankful"
POSTSCRIPT
Ihe latest news of Colonel and Mrs An
struther is contained in letter written nv
an elderly maiden lady resident in ~
North Riding of Yorkshire. to a friend in
London. 1t is dated some four wears after
the events already recorded
Although its information il parbJed and
s ~ CERTAIN extent inaccurate, those who
nave 1oilowed the adventures of the young
couple under discussion will he able to an
Preclate Its opinions at their true yalue
w men the writer states facts. of course her
veracity is unquestionable, but occasionally
hof 1tyx =
her own Judgment '0
Here is the letter:
My Dear Helen
have not seen or heard of you during
SO long time that / am simply diving to
tell you all that is happening here yo,
will remember that some people named An
struther bought the Fairlawn estate near
our village some three years ago They are
as you Know enormously rich. The doctor
tells me that when they are not squeezing
money out of the wretched Chinese. they dig
IT in barrow loads out of some ma eic island
in the Atlantic or the Pacific 1 really for
get which.
Anyhow. they could afford to entertain
much more than they do. Mrs. Anstruther
is very nice looking, and could be leader
of society If she chose, but she seems to
care for no one but her husband and her
babies. She has a boy and girl very
charming children, ] admit. and YOU sell
dom see her without them They have a
French bonnie apiece. ana a most murderous-
looking persona MOhammedan native I
believe-stalks alongside and behaves as if
he would instantly decapitate any person
who as much as looked at them. Such a
procession you never saw! Mrs. Anstruth-
er's devotion to her husband is too absurd
He is tall, handsome man, Of distinguished
appearance, but on the few occasions have
spoken to him he impressed me as some-
what taciturn. Yet to see the way in which
his wife even looks at him you would
imagine that he had not his equal in the
world.
Il believe there is some secret in their
lives. Colonel Anstruther used to be in the
army-he is now in command of our local
yeomanry-and although his name is Rob-
ert, tout court have often heard Mrs. An
struther call him jerks Their boy. too.
Is christened Robert jerks Anstruther.'
Now, my dear Helen, do make INQUIRIES
about them in town circles particularly
wish you to find out who is this person
Jenks-a most vulgar narue.s / am sure
you viii unearth something curious. be-
cause Mrs. Anstruthef was a Miss Deane
daughter of the baronet, and. Anstruther's
people are well known in Yorkshire. There
are absolutely no Jenkses connected with
them on either side
Il think can help you by another clue.
as very odd incident occurred at our hunt
ball last week The Anstrutbers. I must
tell you, usually go away for the winter, to
China or to their fabulous island This