The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-05-24

horse, she''-
Don't be horrid. Was she really
pretty?"
.I believe so. People said she was"
"But what did you think?"
s.At the time my opinion was biased
I have seen her since, and she wears
badly. She is married now and after
thirty grew very fat
Artful jerks! Iris settled herself
comfortably to listen.
Il have jumped that fence with lot
in hand" he thought
eve became engaged" he said aloud.
"She threw herself at him. commun-
ed Iris.
"Her name was Elizabeth-Eliza-
beth Morris" The young lieutenant
Of those days called her Bessie, but no
matter.
"Well, you didn't marry her, any
how" commented Iris, tri1e sharply.
And now the sailor was on level
ground again.
seThank heaven, nor he said earnest
ly. eve had barely become engaged
when she went with her uncle to Sim
la FOR the hot weather. There She met
Lord Ventnor, who was on the vice
roy's staff, and-if you don't mind, we
will skip a portion OF the narrative
I discovered then why men in India
usually go to England for their wives.
While In Simla on ten days leave I
had a foolish row with Lord Ventnor
in the United Service club-hammered
him, in fact, in defense Of worthless
woman-and was only saved from a
severe reprimand because had been
badly treated Nevertheless, my hopes
Of political appointment vanished.
and I returned to my regiment to learn
after due reflection what very lucky
person was"
Concerning Miss Morris, you mean?"
Exactly. And now exit Elizabeth.
Not being cut out for matrimonial en-
terprise, I tried to become a good Of
fcer. a year ago, when the govern
ment asked for volunteers to form
Chinese regiments, I sent in my name
and was accepted. I had the good for
tune to serve under an old friend, Colo
mel Costobell, but some malign star
sent Lord Ventnor to the far east,
this time in an important civil capaci-
ty. I met him. occasionally, and we
fonnd we did not like each other any
better. My horse peat ms Tor rne fa-
CODA Hurdle handicap. Poor old Sul-
tan, wonder where he is now!'
Colonel CostobeT fell i'll, and the
command of the regiment devolved up
on me, our only major being absent in
the interior. The colonel's wife, unhap-
ply, chose that moment to firt, as peo-
pie say, with Lord Ventnor. Not hay-
ing learned the advisability of minding
my own business, demonstrated with
her, thus making her my deadly enc
my. Lord Fentnor contrived an Off
cial mission to neighboring town and
detailed me for the military charge. I
sent a junior officer. Then Mrs. Costo-
bell and he deliberately concocted
plot to ruin me, he for the sake OF his
old animosity-you remember that
had also crossed his path in Egypt
she because she feared would speak
to her husband. On pretense Of seek
ing my advice she inveigled me at
night into deserted corner Of the club
grounds at Hongkong. Lord Ventnor
appeared, and as the upshot Of their
vile statements, which created an I'M
mediate uproar, well, Miss Deane. /
nearly killed him.
Iris yividly recalled the anguish he
betrayed when this topic was inadver-
tently broached one day early in their
acquaintance. Now he was reciting his
painful history with the air Of man
far more concerned to be scrupulously
accurate than aroused in his deepest
passions by the memory Of past
wrongs. What had happened in the in
term to blunt these bygone suferings?
Iris clasped her locket. She thought
she knew.
..The remainder may be told in SEN
tence," he said. "Of what avail were
my frenzied statements against the
definite proofs adduced by Lord Vent
nor and his unfortunate ally? Even
her husband believed her and became
my bitter foe. Poor woman! I have it
in my heart to pity her. Well, that is
all. am herei"
"Can a man be ruined so easily?"
murmured the girl, her exquisite tact
leading her to avoid any direct express
sion Of sympathy.
"It seems so. But have had my re-
ward. If ever I meet Mrs Costobell
again will thank her for great serv-
ice"
Iris suddenly became confused. Her
brow and neck tingled with quick
access Of color.
"Why do you say that?" she asked.
And jerks, who was rising, either did
not hear or pretended not to hear the
tremor in her tone.
Because you once told me you would
never marry Lord Ventnor. and after