The Red Cloud chief., 1905-05-19
By LOUIS
TRACY
Copyright. 1905. by
Edward J. Clode

men thanked Il judicious heaven, while
women sniScd %enviously.
Business detained Sir Arthur. A war
cloud overshadowed the two great d.
visions of the yellow race. He must
wait to see how matters developed, but
he would not expose Iris to the in
sidiOus treachery Of a Chinese spring
She was confided to the personal
charge OF Captain Ross. ~ each point
Of call the company's agents would De
solicitous for her walfare. The cables
.tclegraphic eye would watch her prog
ress us that of some princely maiden
sailing in royal caravel. This fair,
slender, we'll formed girl-delightfully
English i'm face and tigure-with her
fresh, clear complexion, limpid blue
eyes and shining hair was Il parsonage
OF some Importance.
Lady Tozer knew these things and
sighed co~mplacently.
".Ah, WELL" she resumed. "Parents
had different views when l wGs Il girl.
But | assume Sir Arthur thinks you
should become used to being your own
mistress in view of your approaching
marriage"
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS cried
Iris, now genuinely amazed.
Yes. Is 1t not true that you are
going to marry Lord Nentnor!'
A passing steward heard the point
blank question.
1t had u curious effect upon him. He
gazed with tiercely eager eyes at Miss
Deane and SO far forgot himself as to
permit a dish of water ice to rest
against Sir John Tozer's bald head.
Iris could not help noting his strange
behavior. A fash of humor chased
away her first angry resentment at
Lady Tozer's interrOgatOry.
THAT may be my happy fate" she
answered gayly, but Lord NentnOr has
not asked me-"
Every one says in Hongkong"- be-
gan her ladyship.
''Confound you, you stupid rascal!
What are you dOing!" shouted Sir John.
Ills feeble nerves at last conveyed the
information that something more pro-
nOunced than a sudden draft affect
cd his scalp; the ice was melting.
The incident amused those passen-
gers who sat neal enough to observe it.
But the chief steward. lowering. watch
full near the captains table, darted for
ward. Pale with anger, he Missed:
Report yourself for duty In the sec.
Ond saloon tonight" And he hustled
his subordinate away from the judges
chair.
Miss Deane, mirthfully radiant, rose
please don't punish the man, Mr.
jones'" she said sweetly. 1T was a
sheer accident. lie was taken by sur
prise. In his place l would have emp
| tied the whole dish"
The chief steward smirked. He did
not know exactly what had happened
Nevertheless, great though Sir John
was greater.
certainly, miss, certainly" he
agreed, adding cOntidentially: 1T II
rather hard OH IA steward to be SEN
aft, miss. 1t makes such a difference
in the-er-the little g%ratuities siver
by the passengers"
The girl was tactful. She smiled
comprehension at the official and ben
Over Sir John, now carefully polishing
the back Of his skull with Il table nap
kin.
II am sure you will forgive him.
she whispered. II can't say why, bu'
the poor fellow was looking so %intently
at me that he did not see what lie wa.
doing"
The ex-chief justice was instantly
Modified. He did not mind the appli
' cation of ice in that way-rather liket
It, in fact. Probably ice was suscepti
bic to the fire in Miss Deane's eyes.
Suddenly the passengers still seated
experienced II prolonged sinking sensa
ton, rs If the vessel had been convert
ed into n gigantic lift. They wer,
pressed hard into their chairs, which
creaked and tried to swing around OF
their pivots. AS the ship yielded stiffi!
to the sea a Whit Of spray dashet
through nm open port.
There" snapped her ladyship. e"
knew we should run into a storm. Ye
captain Ross led rs to believe John
take me to my cabin at once"
From the promenade deck the list
s,ss groups watched the rapid ad5Anc,
of the gale. There was mournful spet
ulation upon the Sirdar's chances O
!. reaching Singapore before the mex
evening.
. Iris stood somewhat apart from tn
: other passengers. The wind had fresl
ened, and her hat was tied closely owe
= her ears. She leaned against the taf
roiI anioyinp the cOnl braaZa nftp