Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-07-11
NUMBER %.

Il have had no chance to thank you
for the words you uttered at the mo-
ment we quilted the ship. Yet VIII
treasure them while life lasts. You
gave Iris to me when was poor, dis
graced. an outcast from my family
and my profession. And l know why
you did this thing. 1t was because
you valued her happiness more than
riches or reputation. am sorry now
did not explain matters earlier. 1t
would have saved you much needless
suffering. But the sorrow has spec
like an evil dream, and you will per-
haps not regret it, for your action to-
day binds me to you with hoops OF
steel. And you, too, uncle. You trav'
eled thousands Of miles to help and
comfort me in my anguish. Were l az
bad as was painted your kind old
heart still pitied me- You were pre-
pared to pluck me from the depths or
despair and degradation. Why should
[ hate Lord Ventnor? What man
could have served me as he did? he
has given me Iris. He gained for me
at her fathers hands concession such
rs mortal has seldom wrested from
black browed fate He brought my
uncle to my side IN the hour OF my
adversely. Hate him! | would have
his statue carved in marble and set
on high to tell all who passed how
good may spring out Of evil-how Gods
wisdom can manifest itself by puttink
even the creeping and crawling things
Of the earth To some useful purpose.
Dash II all, lad" yociferated the
elder Anstruther. what ails thee!
never heard you talk like this before|
The old gentleman's amazement was
Sc 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 Ike
widest romance-this finding Of vol
canic dyke guarded by the bones OF
-. s." and the poison filled quarry
but the production Of the ore samples
changed wonder Into certainty.
Next day n government metallurgist
estimated the value of the contents or
the two oil tins ut about 500, yet the
specimens brought from the island
were not by any means the richest
available.
And now there Is not much more 20
tell of Rainbow island ANA It's cast
awavs. ON the day that Captain
Robert .Anstruthers name Appeared n
the Gazette. reinStating him - y
rank and regiment. Iris and he were
married in the English church III Hong
kong. for il was his wifc'S wish that
the place which witnessed his igno-
niiny should also witness his triumph
Soon afterward Robert resigned his
commission. He regretted the neces-
sity. but the demands of his new
sphere IN life rendered this step in.
perative Mining engineers. laborers,
stores. portable houses. engines and
equipment were obtained with all
haste, and Tie whole party sailed Oh
one of Sir Arthur Deane's ships To con-
Wy small steamer specially hired 10
ar,and To tie wants Of the miners.
At last. one evening early in July,
TIE two vessels anchored outside Palm
Tree rock. ana Mir Jan could he seen
running frantically about the shore,
for no valid reason save that he could
not stand still. The sahib brought him
good news The governor T Hong
kong felt that any reasonable request
m.dr hy AEStruthcr should be granted
IL possible. He had written such
strong representation Of tie Moham-
melan's case To the government OF In
dia that tiie.e WAS little doubt the re-
turning mail would convey IN official
notification that Mir Jan had been
granted Il free pardon.
Tie mining experts verified Roberts
most Sanguine views after = very brief
examination of the deposit. Hardly
any preliminary work Mas needed. In
twenty-four hours n snAll concentrate
ing plant was erected \nd ditch
made TO drain off the caRonic anhy-
bride in the valley. After Musk par
ty of coolies cleared the Iufrry OF Its
former occupants. Toward Vhe close
of the following day. when tle great
steamer once more slowly tuNed her
head TO the northwest. Iris could hear
the steady thud Of an engine ut work
on the first consignment Of ore.
Robert had been busy up to the last
moment There was so much to be
done I'm short space OF time. The
vessel carried large number or pas
sengers, and he did not wish to de-
tain them too long. though they one
and all expressed their willingness TO
suit his convenience In this respect.
Now his share Of the necessary prep
arations was concluded His wife. Sir
Arthur and his uncle were gathered In
q corner Of the promenade deck when
he approached and told them that his
last instruction ashore was for iight
TO be fixed on Summit rock as soon rs
the dynamo was I'm working order.
"When we all come back in the cold
weather" he explained gleefully. we
will not initiate the Sirdar by running
on TO the reef should we arrive by
night"
Iris answered not. Her blue eyes
were fixed on the fast receding cliffs.
Sweetheart" said her husband,
"why are you so silent"
She turned to him. The light OF the
setting sun illumined her face with Its
golden radiance.
Because am so happy" she said
ooh. Robert. dear. so happy ana
thankful"
THE END.