Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-06-07
By LOUIS
TRACY
Copyright. 1908. by
Edward J. Clode

\
called one night shortly before his wife
into her room to kiss her and lisp her
infantile prayers. She had devised
formula of her own:
God bless father! God bless mother!
God bless me, their little girl!'
And what was it she cried to him
from the beach?
"Your own little girl given back to
you"
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 it. 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 he priced more than all
else, his daughters love.
The engines dropped to half speed.
They We're entering the harbor Of Sin
gapore. In few hours the worst
would be over If Nentnor telegraphed
to London his withdrawal from the
board nothing short of cabled draft
for 100000 would prevent certain cred
itors from filing Il bankruptcy petition.
In the local banks the baronet had
about Il thousand to his credit Surely
among the rich merchants of the port,
scheme. he would be able to raise the
money needed He would try hard.
Already he felt Drawer The old fire
had returned TO his blood. The very
belief that lie was acting in the way
best calculated to secure his daugh-
ter's happiness stimulated and encour-
aged him.
He Went on deck, 10 meet Iris skip
ping down the latchway.
ooh, there you are!", she cried. 81
was just coming to find out why you
were moping i'll your cabin. You are
missing the most beautiful view-all
! greens and blues and browns! Run,
quick! l want you to see every inch
of it."
She held out her hand and pulled
him gleefully up the steps. Leaning
against the taffrail some distance
apart from each other, We're Anstruth-
er and Lord Nentnor. Need it be
said to whom Iris drew her father?
Here he is, Robert" she laughed
II do believe he was sulklng because
Captain Fitzroy was so very attentive
to me. Yet you didn't mind it Bit"
The two men looked into each others
eyes. They smiled. How could they
resist the contagon of her sunny ma
ture?
II have been thinking over what you
said to me just now, Anstruther," said
the shipowner slowly.
"Oh!' cried Iris. "Have you two
been talking secrets behind my back p
ut is no secret to you, my little
girl Her fathers voice fingered on
the phrase. when we are on shore,
Robert, l will explain matters to you
more fully. Just now l wish only to
tell you that where Iris has given her
heart, l will>not refuse her hand.'
She took his face between her hands
and kissed him. Lord Nentnor, won
dering at this effusveness, strolled for,
ward.
What has happened, Miss Deane?'
he inquired. Have you just discover.
ed what an excellent parent you pos,
sess"
The baronet laughed almost hysteric
ally. "'Pon my honor" he cried, "you
could not have hit upon happier ex
PLANTATION"
l On isftn l
II suppose you will take Iris tc
Smiths hotel?" he said, with cool i'm
pudence.
Iris answered him.
''Yes. My father has just asked Rob
ert to come with us-by inference, thai
is. Where are YOU going?"
The adroit use of her lovers Christian
name goaded his lordship to suddeI
heat.
Indeed" lie snarled. "Sir Arthur
Deane has evidently decided goot
many things during the last hour
YES" was the shjpowner's quie
retort. 81 have decided that my daugh
ter's happiness should he the chief con
sideration of my remaining years. al
else must give way to IT,"
The earl's swarthy face grew sallow
with fury. His eyes blazed, and there
was tense vibrato in his voice us Il,
said:
"Thcn l must congratulate you. Miss
Dcane. You are fated to endure adj
ventures. Having escaped from the
melodramatic pcrils of Rainbow island
you are destined to experience another
variety of sliipwreck here"
He left them. Not word had Rob
ert spoken throughout the unexpected
scene. His heart was trobbing Will
n tremendous joy, and his lordship's
sneers were lost on him. But he could
not fail to note the malignant purpose
of the parting sentence.
In his quietly masterful way liz
placed his hand on the baronet's shoul
der.
WHAT did Lord ventnor mean?" he
asked.
Sir Arthur Dcane answered, with /:
calm smile: at is difficult to talk open
ly at this moment. Wait until We
reach the hotel"
The news flew fast through the set
Element that her majesty's ship Orient
had returned from her long search fol
the Sirdar The warship occupied hcl
usual anchorage, and boat was low
cred to take off the passengers.
The boat swung off into the tideway
Her progress shoreward was watched
by small knot of people, mostly
lounsers and coolies. Among them
however, were two persons who hat
driven rapidly TO the landing place
when the arrival of the Orient was re
ported. One bore all the distinguishing
marks of the army officer of high rank
but the other was Enthusiastically T;
globe trotter. The older gentleman
made no pretense that he could "heal
the east a-callin'." lie swore impair
TALLY ut the climate, the place and it.
inhabitants. AT this instant he wa.
In state of wild excitement. He wa.
very tall, very stout, exceedingly rec
faced