The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1905-06-02

and Robert entered.
Can you give me half an hourT' he
asked. II have something to say to
you before we land"
The shipowner silently motioned him
to seat
1T concerns Iris and myself" con-
tinued Anstruther. II gathered from
your words when we met on the island
that both you and Lord Ventnor re-
garded Iris as his lordship's promised
bride From your point of view the
arrangement was perhaps natural and
equitable, but since your daughter left
Hongkong it happens that she and
have fallen In love with each other
No; please listen to me- am not
here to urge my claims on you. 1 won
her fairly and intend to keep her were
the whole house of peers opposed to
me. At this moment l want to tell
you her father, why she could never,
even under other circumstances, mar
ny Lord Ventnor."
Then he proceeded to place before
the astounded baronet detailed his
tory Of his recent career. 1t was a
sordid story of woman's perfidy twice
told 1t carried conviction in every
sentence.
At the conclusion Sir Arthur bowed
his head between his hands.
II cannot choose but believe you,"
he admitted huskily. yet how came
you to be so unjustly convicted by a
tribunal composed Of your brother Of
fcers?"
''They could not help themselves. To
acquit me meant that they discredited
the sworn testimony not only of my
colonel's wife, but of the civil head of
an important government mission, not
to mention some bought Chinese evil
dence."
"But you are powerless now. You
can hardly hope to have your case re-
vised. What chance is there that your
name will ever be clearedw
"AIrs. Costobell can do it if she will.
The vagaries Of such woman are not
to be depended on. If Lord Ventnor
has cast her off her hatred may prove
stronger than her passion. Anyhow,
should be the last man to despair OF
Gods providence. Compare the con-
dition of Iris and myself today with
our plight on the ledger
The shipowner sighed heavily.
81 hope your faith will be justified.
If it is not-the more likely thing to
happen-do understand that my
daughter and you intend to get mar
ried whether 1 give or withhold my
sanction?'
Anstruther rose and opened the door.
IT have ventured to tell you," he said,
"why she should not marry Lord Vent
nor. When 1 come to you and ask you
for her, which pray may be soon, 1t
will be time enough to answer that
question should you then decide to
put it,"
1t must be remembered that Robert
knew nothing whatever Of the older
mans, predicament, while the baronet,
full of his own troubles, was In no
mood to take a reasonable view OF
Anstruther,s position.
Thus, for little while, these two
were driven apart. and Anstruther dis
dained to urge the plea that not many ]
weeks would elapse before he would
be a richer man than his rival. The
chief sufferer was Sir Arthur Deane.
Had Iris guessed how her father was
tormented she would not have remain
ed on the bridge, radiant and mirthful,
while the gray haired baronet gazed
with stony eyed despair at some memo
randa which he extracted from his pa
pers.
"Ten thousand poundsv he muttered.
mot great sum for the millionaire
financier, Sir Arthur Deane, to raise
ON his note Of hand. A few months ago
men offered me one hundred times the
amount on no better security. And
now to think that set Of jabbering
fools in London should so destroy my
credit and their own; that not bank
will discount our paper unless they
are assured Lord ventnor has Joined
the board! Fancy me. Of all men, be
ing willing to barter my child for a
few pieces Of goldr
The thought was maddening. For
little while he yielded to utter despond-
ency. 1t was quite true that compar-
atively small amount Of money would
restore the stability Of his firm. Even
without It, were his credit unimpaired,
he could easily tide over the period OF
depression until the first fruits OF his
enterprise were garnered Then all
men would hail him as genius.
YEARLY turning over his papers, he
suddenly came across the last letter
written to him by Iris mother. How
she dotted on their only childl He re-
called one night shortly before his wife
died when the little Iris was brought
into her room to kiss her and lisp her
infantlle prayers. She had devised al
formula of her own:
God bless fatherl God bless mother!
God bless me, their little girl"
And what was It she cried to him
from the beach?
your own little girl given back tol
your
Given back to himl For what-to
marry that black hearted scoundrel
whose pastjme was the degradation Of |