Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-12-07
I d6e Wings Of the
:: "A ~ By LOUIS
=: yHE ~ HSm 80 q TRACY
J: L AVA Il A44 ND Copyright 1908. by
Z: q Edward IL lode
By LOUIS
TRACY
Copyright. 1908. by
rd~aed 4 C1nGA

While In Simla on ten days leave l
had foolish row with Lord Ventnor
in the United Service club-hammered
him, in fact, in defense of worthless
woman--and was only saved from a
severe reprimand because l had been
badly treated. Nevertheless, my hopes
of political appointment vanished.
and returned to my regiment to learn
after due reflection what very lucky
person l was"
Concerning Miss Morris, you mean?"
Exactly. And now exit Elizabeth.
Not being cut out for matrimonial en-
terprise, tried to become good Of
flcer. A year ago, when the govern
ment asked for volunteers to form
Chinese regiments, ! sent in my name
and was accepted. I had the good for
tune to serve under IN old friend, Colo
mel Costobell, but some malign star
sent Lord Ventnor to the far east.
this time in an important civil capacj-
ty. l met him occasionally, and we
found we did not like each other any
better MY has-e beat his for the Pa
CODA Hurdle handicap. Poor old Sui
tan, wonder where he is now"
Colonel Costobel lell i'll, and the
command OF the regiment devolved up
on me, our only major being absent in
the interior The colonels wife, unhap-
PLY, chose that moment to tiirt, as peo
pie say, with Lord Ventnor. Not hav-
ing learned the ACCESSIBILITY of minding
my own business, | demonstrated with
her, thus making her my deadly enc
my Lord Nentnor contrived an Off
eial mission to neighhoring town and
detailed me for the military charge. l
sent junior officer. Then Mrs. Costo-
bell and he deliberately concocted a
plot to ruin me. he for the sake of his
old animosity-you remember that l
had also crossed his path in Egypt
she because she feared would speak
to her husband. On pretense Of seek.
ing my advice she fnveigled me Mt
night into deserted corner of the club
grounds at Honglong. Lord Ventnor
appeared, and as the upshot of their
vile statements, which created an i'm
mediate uproar. well, Miss Deane,
nearly killed him."
Iris wildly recalled the anguish he
betrayed when this topic was inadver-
tently preached one day early in their
acquaintance. Now he was reciting his
painful history with the air of man
far more concerned to be scrupulously
accurate than aroused in his deepest
passions by the memory Of past
wrongs. What had happened in the in
term to blunt these bygone sufferings?
Iris clasped her locket She thought
she knew.
"The remainder may be told in a SEN
tence," he said "Of what avail We're
my frenzied statements against the
definite proofs adduced by Lord Vent
nor and his unfortunate ally? Even
her husband believed her and became
my bitter foe. Poor woman! / have it
in my heart to pity her. Well, that is
all. am herev'
Can a man be ruined so easily?"
murmured the girl, her exquisite tact
leading her to avoid any direct express
sion of sympathy,
"It seems so. But have had my re-
ward If ever I meet Mrs. Costobell
again will thank her for great serv-
ice."
Iris suddenly became confused. Her
brow and neck tingled with q quick
access of color.
"Why do you say that?" she asked.
And jerks, who was rising, either did
not hear or pretended not to hear the
tremor in her tone.
Because you once told me you would
never marry Lord Ventnor, and after
what have told you now am quite
sure you will not.''
"Ah, then you do trust me?' she al
most whispered.
He forced back the words trembling
for utterance. He even strove weakly
to assume an air of good humored
badinage.
"See how you have tempted me from
work, Miss Deane," he cried. 1--WE have
gossiped here until the fire grew tired
of our company. To bed, please at
once"
Iris caught him by the arm.
~ will pray tonight and every night"
she said solemnly, "that your good
name may be cleared in the eyes of all
men, as 1t is In mine. And am sure
INV nro Vrnr mill ho orcrornx5
She passed into her chamber, but her
angelic influence remained. In his
very soul the man thanked God for the
tribulation which brought this woman
into his life. He had traversed the
wilderness to find an oasis of rare
beauty.
1t was beautiful night. After
baking hot day the rocks were radiat-
ing their stored up heat, but the pleas
ant southwesterly breeze that general
~ set in at sunset tempered the at
and made sleep refreshing.
jerks could not settle down to rest for
a little while after Iris left him. She
did not bring forth her lamp, and. I'M
willing to disturb her, he picked up a
resinous branch, lit it In the dying fire
and went imp the cave.
He wanted to survey the work al
ready done and to determine whether
1t would be better to resume operations
In the morning from inside the exca-
walton or from the ledge. Owing to
the dimculty Of constructing vertical
upward shaft and the danger of a sud
den fall Of heavy material he decided
in favor Of the latter course. although