Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-09-01

mention his name in the same breath
with mine. Would he, Robert?"
BE advised 10y me, Sir Arthur. and
you. TOO, Iris. he said. This IS no
hour for explanations. Leave ne to
deal with Lord Ncntnor. am content
to trust the ultimate verdict to you, Sir
Arthur You will learn in due course
all that has happened. Go on board,
Iris. Meet Lord Nentnor as you would
meet any other friend. You will not
marry him. know. l can trust you"
II am very much Obliged to you,'
murmuretl the baronet, who, notwith-
standing his worry, was far too expert
cnced a man of the world not to ac-
knowledge the good sense of this adj
vice, no matter how rutlianly might he
the guise of the strange person who
gave it,
THAT is settled. then" said Robert.
laughing good naturally, for he well
knew what weird spectacle he must
present to the bcwildcrcd 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 In the conversation.
"By the way" he said. "how came
you to be ON the Sirdar? l have list
Of all the passengers and crew. and
your name does not appear therein"
ooh, that is easily accounted for. l
shipped as a steward in the name Of
Robert jerks"
Robert jerks. a steward!'
eyes. That forms some part of the
promised explanation"
Iris rapidly gathered the drift Of her
lovers wishes.
"C0me, father" she cried merrily.
II 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 a skeptic
should be convinced of its infallibility
If III. NJ. 8. Orient Is able to provide a
lady's outfit"
Sir Arthur Deane gladly awaited him
self Of the proffered 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 Il
momentary delay made small request
on his own account. Lieutenant Play
don, nearly as big man as Robert.
dispatched n note to his servant, and
the gig speedily returned with COM
plete assortment Of clothing and linen.
The man also brought dressing case.
with the result that Il 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 Ia
COON, the wounded were collected II
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 q
formal notice and fasten 1t 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 mill
tant Briton best understands he de-
scribed the girls fortitude. her unfag-
cling 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-summedu up the gener-
al verdict:
"You do not need our admiration,
Captain Anstruther. Each man of us
envies you from the bottom Of his
SOUL"
There is an error about my rank"
he said. II did once hold commission
in the Indian army, but was court
martialed and cashiered In Hongkong
six months ago. was unjustly con-
victed on a grave charge. and l 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 Orient's twelve
FOUNDER shells suddenly burst in the
midst Of the group Of officers 1t would
have created less dismay than this un
expected avowal. Court martialed
Cashiered! None but a service man
can grasp the awful significance OF
those words to the commissioned ranks
Of the army and navy.
Anstruther well knew what he was
doing. Somehow he found nothing hare
in the performance Of these penances
now. OF course the ugly truth mus
be revealed the moment Lord Ventnol
heard his name 1t was not fair to thu
good fellows crowding around him ant
Offering every attention that the franz
hospitality of the British sailor could
suggest to permit them to adopt the
tone Of friendly equality which rigit
discipline If nothing else would not al
low them to maintain.
The first lieutenant by reason Of hi.
rank was compelled to say something.
'"That Is q devilish bad job, Mr.. An
struther," he blurted out.
"Well, you know had to 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, a maj
SO brave and modest, such a splendid
type of the soldier and gentleman, ye
by their common law an outcast. Mo-
could they wholly understand his de
meanor. There was a noble dignity II
his candor, conscious innocence thai
disdained to shield itself under a par
tial truth.