Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-12

such clever nlan.-just returning from the
far east after accomplishing a public mis-
sion sion. OF some som importsice must be reliable
asaaa ona to or Join restored eon-
| But-there was bargain If Iris lived
| His lordship was weary of peripatetic love-
| making. 1t was high time he settled down
! in life. took an interest in the legislature
and achieved position in the world of
affairs. He had a chance now. The certain
| success of his friendsProject, the fortunafe
| completion of his own diplomatic under
| taking. marriage with a beautiful and
charming woman-these items would con-
| sclidate his eareerI If Iris were not avail
| able, plenty of women, high-placed in So
ciety, would accept such an eligible bach
! elor. But his heart was set on Iris. She
| was honest. high-principled pure in body
| and mind, and none prdzes these essentials
| In wife more than worn-out roue
! He seized the first opportunity that PIE
| scented itself to make Sir Arthur Deane ac-
| quainted with decision already dreaded
| by the unfortunate shipowner. Iris must
| either abandon her infatuation for An
| struther or bring about the ruin of her
! father. There was no mean.
IF she declines to become Countess or
| Ventnor, she can marry whom she likes,
| as you will be all paupers together was
the earls caustie summing up
| This brutal argument rather overshot the
mark. The shipOwner's face flushed with
| anger and Lord Ventnor fastened to re-
| trieve false step.
II didn't exactly mean to put it that way.
| Deane, but my temper is a little short these
| days. My position on board this ship is
| intolerable. AS matter of fair dealing to
| me. you should put a stop to your daugn-
ters attitude toward Anstruther on The
ground that her engagement is neither APP
| proved of by you nor desirable under any
| consideration
Ii may be assumed from this remark that
even the earrs sardonic temper was ruffied
| by the girls outrageous behavior. Nor was
! il exactly pleasant to him to note now
| steadily Anstruther advanced in the favor
| of every officer on the ship By tacit cor
| sent the court-martial was tabooed, at any
| "a tie until the Orient reached Singapore.
Every one knew that the quarrel lay De-
| tween Robert and Ventnor. and it is not to
! be wondered at If Iris influence alone were
| sufficient to turn the scale i'll favor OF hsf
| lever
The shipowner refused point blank to in
| terfere in any way during the voyage.
You promised your cooperation in busi-
| ness even if we found that the Sirdar had
gone down with all hands, Ire retorted bit
terly. DO you wish me to make my daugh-
| ter believe she has come back into my lie
| only to bring me irretrievable ruin?'
THAT appears to be the result, no matter
| how you may endeavor to disguise it.
Il thought the days were gone when a
| man would wish to marry woman against
| her WILL.
| it, The glamour of this island romance
| will soon wear off 1t would be different II
| Anstruther were able to maintain her even
decently He an absolute beggar, tell you.
Didn't he ship ON your own vessel as q
steward? Take my tip, Deane Tell him
how matters stand with you and he will
| cool off,
He believed nothing of the sort. but he
was desperately anxious that IRIS should
| learn the truth as to her fathers dilemma
| from other lips than his own. This would
| be the first point gained. Others would
follow.
| The two men were conversing in the
| earrs cabin. On the deck overhead u
very different chat was taking place.
| The Orient was due in Singapore that
afternoon. Iris was INVITED into the chart
| room on some pretext and Lieut.. Playdon.
delegated by the commander and the first
| lieutenant, buttonholed Robert.
With salorlike, directness he came
straight to the point en-
"A few of us have been talking about
| you, Anstruther. and we cannot be far
wrong in assuming that you are hard up.
| The fact that you took a stewards job on
the Sirdar shows Your Discrimination to
appeal to your own people for funds. Now,
once you are ashore, you viii be landed
in difficulties To cut any further expla-
nations, I am commissioned to offer you
a loan of fifty pounds, which you can re-
pay when you like.
Roberts mouth frightened somewhat
For the moment he COULD not find words.
Playdon feared he was defended.
Il sorry, old chap. if we are mis-
taken, he said, hesitatingly; but we
please do not endeayor to explain away
your generous aGfr : exclaimed An
struther. Il accept II thankfully on one
condition
BLOW the condition. But what is it?
THAT you tell me the names of those to
W HON am indebted besides yourself
oh, that is easy enough. F'itzroy ard
the first huff are the others. We kept it
to small circle, don't you know. Thought
you would prefer that"
Anstruther smiled and wrung his hand.
There were some good fellows left in the
world. after all. The three officers acted
in pure good nature. They were assisting
a man apparently down in his luck. who
would soon be called on to face other
difficulties by reason of his engagement
tt girl apparently so far removed from
him in station. And the last thing they
dreamed of was that their kindly loan
was destined to yield them a better re-
turn than all the years of their naval
service, for their fifty pounds had gone
| into the pocket of potential millionaire.
who was endowed with the faculty. rare
in millionares, of not forgetting the
| friends of his poverty-stricken days.
Ito be concluded Monday)