Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-09-15

you to be SO unjuStly convicted by a
tribunal composed Of your brother Of
ficers?'
"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-
vised. What chance Is there that your
name will ever be clearedr
"Mrs. Cos tobell can do It II she viii.
The vagaries Of such n woman are not
to be depended on. If Lord ventnor
has cast her Off her hatred may prove
stronger than her passion. Anyhow, I
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.
Il hope your faith will be justified.
II it is not-the More likely thing to
AuRPCil-OO thdS hiy
daughter and you intend to get mar
ried whether I give or withhold my
sanctionT'
Anstruther rose and opened the door.
II have ventured to tell you." he said,
"why she should not marry Lord Vent
nor. When come to you and ask you
for her, which 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 he 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.
mot a great sum for the millionaire
flnancier, 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 our paper unless they
are assured Lord Ventnor has Joined
the board! Fancy me. Of all men, be-
ing willing to barter my child for a
few pieces Of gold!'
The thought was maddening For q
little while he yielded to utter despond.
ency. 1t was quite true that a compar-
atively 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.
YEARLY turning over his papers, he
suddenly came across the last letter
written to 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 was brought
into her room to kiss her and lisp her
infantile prayers. She had devised a
formula Of her own:
God bless father! God bless mother!
God bless me, their little girly"
And what was it she cried to him
from the beach2
"Your own little girl given back to
your
Given back to him! For what-to
marry that black hearted scoundrel
whose pastime was the degradation Of
women and the defaming Of honest
men? That settled 1t. Instantly the
cloud was lifted from his soul. A great
peace came upon him. The ruin Of his
business he might not be able to avert,
but he would save from the wreck
that which Ne priced more than all
else. his daughters love.
The engines dropped to half speed.
They were entering the harbor of Sim
gapore. In a few hours the worst
would be over. II Ventnor telegraphed
to London his withdrawal from the
board nothing short Of q cabled draft
for 10000 would prevent certain cred !
itors from filing bankruptcy petition.
In the local banks the baronet had !
about thousand to his credit Surely |
among the rich merchants of the port. !
men who knew the potentialities of his
scheme, he would be able to raise the |
money needed. He would try hard. |
Already he felt Drawer. The old fire
had oil 70 hiu