Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-10


 \I ting alone in his cabin in
 state of deep dejection when he was aroused by a knock, and Robert entered.
 "Can you give me half an hour?' he asked. T have something to say to you before we land"
 The shipowner silently motioned him to a seat
 Tt concerns Iris and myself" con- tinued Anstruther. '1 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. I won her fairly and intend to keep her were the whole house of peers opposed to me. At this moment I want to tell you her father, why she could never, even under other circumstances, mar " Lord ventnor."
 Then he proceeded to place before the astounded baronet detailed his- tory of his recent career. It was sordid story of woman's perfdy twice told. It carried conviction in every sentence.
 At the conclusion Sir Arthur bowed his head between his hands.
 T 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- ficersr'
 '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- yised. What chance is there that your name will ever be cleared?"
 'Mrs. Costobell can do 1t if she will. The vagaries of such a 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 ledge!"
 The shipowner sighed heavily. 'sI hope your faith will be justified. If it is not-the more likely thing to happen-do I understand that my daughter and you intend to get mar ried whether l give or withhold my sanction%
 Anstruther rose and opened the door. q 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 I 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 a little while, these two were driven apart, and Anstruther dis dained to urge the plea that not many weeks would elapse before be 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 pounds!" he muttered. "Not a great sum for the millionaire fnancier, 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 a set of jabbering fools in London should so destroy my credit and their own; that not bank will discount OUT paper unless they are assured Lord VentnOr has joined the board! Fancy me. of all men. be- ing willing to barter my child for c few pieces of gold"'
 The thought was maddening. For little while he yielded to utter despond- ency. It WIS quite true that compar- ntively small amount of money would restore the stability of his firm. Even without 1t. 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 a genius.
 wearily turning over his papers. he suddenly came across the last letter written 10 him by Iris mother. How she dotted on their only child' He re- called one night shortly before his wife died when the little Iris vss brought into her room to kiss her and lisp her szfantile prayers She had devised Formula of her own:
 God bless father. God bless mother, Sd bless me. their little girl.''
 and what was it she cried 10 him from the beachI
 -Four own little girl given back to you-'
 Given back t0 hin, For vhst-tO Ssrry that black hearted scUundrei whose pastime was the degradation of women and the defaminE of honest mcn5 That settled it. Instantly the cloud was lifted from his soul 4 great peace came upon him The ruin of his