Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-07

standing his worry, was far too experj
 enced man of the world not to ac
 knowledge the good sense of this ad
 vice, no matter how ruff1anly might b.
 the guise of the strange person wh, | gave it.
 That is settled, then" said Robert
 laughing good naturedly, for he wei
 knew what a weird spectacle he mus I present to the bewildered old gentle l man.
 Even Sir Arthur Deane was fascinat
 ed by the ragged and hairy giant wht
 carried himself so masterfully and
 helped everybody over the sile at tht | right moment He tried to develop the
 change in the conversation.
 By the way" he said, "how came
 you to be on the Sirdar? I have list
 of all the passengers and crew, and your name does not appear therein"
 "Oh, that is easily accounted for. ]
 shipped as a steward in the name of
 Robert Jenks."
 Robert Jenks! A stewardr' "Yes. That forms some part of the l promised explanation"
 Iris rapidly gathered the drift of her l lovers wishes.
 Come, father,' she cried merrily.
 q 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. I have the utmost belief in the British navy, and even a skeptic should be convinced of its infallibility if H. NJ. S. Orient is able to provide a lady's outfit"
 Sir Arthur Deane gladly availed him. self of the profered compromise He assisted Iris into the boat, though that active young person was far better
 able to support him, and word to the
 officer in command sent the gig flying
 back to the ship. Anstruther during a
 momentary delay made small request on his own account. Lieutenant Play don, nearly as big a man as Robert, dispatched note to his servant, and the gig speedily returned with con- plete assortment of clothing and linen The man also brought dressing case, with the result that dip in the bath and ten minutes in the hands of an ex- pert valet made Anstruther new man.
 Acting under his advice, the bodies of the dead were thrown into the la- goon, the wounded were collected in the hut, to be attended to by the ships surgeon, and the prisoners were parad- ed in front of Mir Jan, who identified every man and found by counting heads that none was missing.
 Robert did not forget to write out formal notice and fasten it to the rock. This proceeding further mystified the officers of the Orient, who had gradual ly 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 it was, he had the first innings. and he did not fail to use the opportunity. In the few terse words which the mili- 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 Dyaks-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 of bis soul"
 There is an error about my rank" he said. "I did once hold a commission in the Indian army, but I was court martialed and cashiered in Hongkong | six months ago. I was unjustly con victed on a grave charge. and hope some day to clear myself. Meanwhile I am a mere civilian. It was only | Miss Deane's generous sympathy | which led her to mention my former | rank, Mr. Playdon."
 Had another of the Orients twelve | ,ounder shells suddenly burst in the | midst of the group of officers 1t would nave created less dismay than this un- avowal. Court martialed, None but a service man an grasp the awful significance of hose words to the commissioned ranks if the army and navy.
 Anstruther well knew what he was IoIng. Somehow he found nothing hard n the performance of these penances LOW. Of course the ugly truth must e revealed the moment Lord ventnor leard his name. It was not fair to the 'ood fellows crowding around him and 'ffering every attention that the frank of the British sailor could uggest to permit them to adopt the one of friendly equality which rigid discipline if nothing else would not sl- DIV them to maintain
 The first lieutenant by reason of his ank was compelled to say something. That Is devilish bsd job. MT. An truther.- he blurted out
 Well. you know I had 10 tell you
 He smiled unaffecfedly at the won erinr circle. He. too. was an officer nd appreciated their sentiments. They rere unfeigneily sorry for him. a man Q brave snd modest such q splendid vpe of the soldier and gentleman yet ' their common law an outcsst Nor