The Red Cloud chief., 1905-09-15

h'ic''h " a. StllllSiN uSt tOu-
- dition into a semblance of an
ultra chic Parlsienne, Sir Arthur
Deane told the earl something of the
state of affairs on the island.
His lordship, a handsome. saturninc
man, cool, %insolently polite, %counseled
patience, liberation, ever silent rccog-
milton of Anstruthcr's %undoubted
claims for services rendered.
"She is an enthusiastic, high spirited
girl" he urged upon his surprised hear
er, who expected a very different ex-
preston of opinion. This fellow An
struthcr Is a plausible sort of rascal, Il
good nan in n tight place, too-just the
sort of fire eating blackguard who
would fill the heroic bill where n fight
is concerned. Hang him, he licked me
twice.''
Further amazement for the shlpown-
err.
Eyes, It's quite true. I intcrfcrcd
with his little games, and he gave me
the usual reward Of the devils apothc-
cary. Leave Iris alone. At present
she Is strung III to an intense pitch of
gratitude, having barely escaped Il ter
riblc fate. Let her coInc back to the
normal. Anstruther's shady record
must gradually leak out. That will dis
gust her. He is hard up-cut off by his
people and that sort of thing. There
you probably have the measure OF his
scheming. lie knows quite well that
he can lever marry your daughter. 1t
is all u matter of price"
Sir Arthur willingly allowed himself
to be persuaded. At the back of his
head there was al uneasy conscious
ness that II was not "all u matter OF
price" If 1t were he would never
trust a mans face again. But Vent
nor's well balanced arguments swayed
him. The course indicated was the
only decent II 1t was humanity i'm
possible for a man to chide his daugh-
ter and fiout her rescuer within an hour
Of finding them.
Lord Ventnor played his cards with
a deeper design. He bowed to the in
evitable. Iris said she loved his rival.
Very well. To attempt to dissuade
her was to throw her more closely into
that rivals arms. The right course
To- appear resigned, saddened, COM
PEELED against his will to reveal the
distressing truth. Further, he counted
on Anstruther's quick temper as an
active agent. Such a man would be
the first to rebel against an assumption
of plying tolerance. He would bring
bitter charges Of conspiracy, Of I'M
b~elievable compact to secure his ruin.
All this must recoil on his own head
when the facts were laid bare. Not
the hero Of the island could pre-
vail against the terrible Indictment Of
the court martial. Finally, at Singa-
pore, three days distant, Colonel Cos.
tobell and his wife We're staying. Lord
Ventnor, alone Of those on board, knew
this. Indeed, he accompanied Sir Ar
thur Deane largely in order to break
off a somewhat trying ENHANCEMENT.
He smiled complacently as he thought
Of the effect on Iris Of Mrs. Costobell's
indignant remonstrances when the bar
onet asked that injured lady to tell the
girl all that had happened at Hong.
kong.
However, Lord ventnor was most
profoundly annoyed, and he cursed
Anstruther from the depths Of his
heart. But he could see a way out.
He came ashore with Iris and her
The captain of the Orient also
Joined the party. The three men
watched Robert and the girl walking
them from the group Of off,
GERS.
"Anstruther Is a smart looking fel-
low" commented Captain Fitzroy.
"Who Is hep
Truth to tell, the gallant commander
Of the Orient was secretly amazed by
The metamorphosis effected in Roberts
appearance since he scrutinized him
through his glasses.
Poor Sir Arthur said not a word, but
lordship was quite at ease.
From his name and from what
Deane tells me I believe he is an ex-
officer Of the Indian army"
"Ah! He has left the service?~
"Yes. I met him last in Hongkong."
"Then you know himr'
quite well, IL he is the man I i'm
agine."
THAT is really very nice Of Ventnor,"
thought the shipowner. 1.-THE last thing
I should credit him with would be a
forgiving disposition"
Meanwhile Anstruther was reading
Iris a little lecture. Sweet one" he
explained to her, do not allude to me
by my former rank. / am not entitled
It. Some day, please God, It will be