Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-07-15

Iris. Meet Lord Nentnor as you would
meet any other friend You will not
marry him. I know. can trust you
Il am very much obliged 60 you"
murmured the baronet who. notwith-
standing his worry. was far too expert
enced a man OF the world not to ac-
knowledge the good sense OF this adj
vice. no matter how ruffianly might be
the guise of the strange person who
gave 1t.
That is settled. then" said Robert.
laughing good naturedly. for he well
knew what a weird spectacle be must
| present TO the bewildered old gentle
man.
Even Sir Arthur Deane was fascinat-
ed by the ragged and hairy giant who
carried himself so masterfully and
helped everybody over the stile at the
right moment. he tried TO develop the
change i'm the conversation.
by the way" he said. how came
you TO be on the Sirdar? have a list
Of all the passengers and crew. AMI
your name does not appear therein"
''Oh. that is easily accounted for. /
shipped as steward In the name OF
Robert jerks"
Robert jerks, A steward
"Nes. That forms some part OF the
promised explanation"
Iris rapidly gathered the drift of her
lovers wishes.
Come. father she cried merrlly.
Il am aching TO see what the ships
stores. which you and Robert pin your
| faith to. can do for me in the shape OF
garments. have the utmost belief In
the British navy. and even skeptic
should be convinced of its infallibility
| IL H. NJ. :. Orient is able to provide a
lady's outfit"
Sir Arthur Deane gladly availed him
self OF the pronered compromise He
assisted Iris into the boat. though that
active young person was far better
| able to support him. and n word to the
officer in command sent the gig flying
back to the ship. Anstruther during a
momentary delay made a small request
on his own account. Lieutenant Play
| don. nearly as big a man as Robert.
| dispatched a note TO his servant. aud
the gig speedily returned with com
plete assortment OF clothing and linen.
The man also brought a dressing case.
with the result that'a dip in the bath
and ten minutes In the hands OF an ex-
| pert valet made Anstruther a new man.
| Acting under his advice. the bodies
or the dead We're thrown Into the la
COON. the wounded were collected in
the hut. 10 be attended to by the ships
surgeon. and the prisoners were psrad-
ed in front Of Mir Jan. who identified
every man and found by counting
heads that none was missing
Robert did not forget 20 write out a
| formal notice and fasten IL 10 the rock
This proceeding further mystitied the
officers OF the Orient. who had gradual
| ~ formed a connected idea.of the great
fight made by the shipwrecked pair.
though Anstruther squirmed inwardly
when he thought OF the manner in
which Iris would picture the scene
| As II was. he had the first innings. and
be did not fail TO use the opportunity
| In the few terse words which the mill
tant Briton best understands he de
scribed the girls fortitude her unfiag-
| ging cheerfulness. her accomplishing
| readiness. TO do and dare
When he ended. the first lieutenant
who commanded the boats sent in pur-
suit OF the flying DyaSs-the Orient
| sank both sampans as soon as they
were launched-summed up the gener-
al verdict:
you do not need our admiration.
Captain Anstruther. Each man OF Us
envieS you from the bottom % his
soul"
There is an error about my rank, 3"
he said. Il did once hold "A commission
in the Indian army. but I was court
martialed and cashiered in HongkOng
six months ago. was unjustly con
victed on grave charge. and l hope
some day to clear myself. Meanwhile
1 am mere civilian. II was only
Miss Deane's generous sympathy
which led her TO mention my former
rank, Mr. Playdon."
Had another OF the Orient's twelve
FOUNDER shells suddenly burst In the
midst OF the group OF officers IL would
have created less dismay than this un-
| expected avOwal. Court martialed,
Cashiered, None but service man
can grasp the awful significance Of
those words 10 the commissioned ranks
| OF the army and navy.
Anstruther well knew what he was
doing. Somehow he found nothing hard
In the performance OF these penanceS
now. OF course the ugly truth must
be revealed the moment Lord Ventnor
heard his name Ii was not fair TO the
good fellows crowding around him and
| Offering every attention that the frank
| hospitality OF the British sailor could
| suggest 10 permit them 10 adopt the
tone OF friendly equality which rigid
| discipline II nothing else would not al
| low them to maintain.
The first lieutenant by reason or his
rank was compelled 20 say something.
THAT is devilish bad Job. Mr.. An
struther." he blurted out
We'll, you know / had 10 tell you"
He smiled unaffectedly at the won
dering circle. He. too. was an officer
and appreciated their sentiments. They
were unfeignedly sorry for him, man
so brave and modest. such a splendid