Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-07-11

dition of Iris and myself today with
our plight on the ledge!
Tie shipowner Styled heavily.
81 hope your faith will be justified.
II it Is not-the more likely thing to
happen-do understand that my
daughter and you intend to get mar
ricd whether give or withhold my
anction?'
AnatrutEer rose and opened the door.
Il have ventured to tell you." he said,
WHY she should not marry Lord Vent
,or Vixen come to you and ask you
ior her which pray may he soon. II
will be time enough to answer that
question should you then decide to
nut 1t"
II must he remembered that Robert
Knew n,thng whatever of the older
mans pledicamcnt while the baronet,
full Of his own troubles. was In no
mood to take Il reasonable view OF
.lnstruther's position.
Thus. for n 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.
Not a great sum for the millionaire
financier. Sir Arthur Deane, to raise
on his note Of hand. \ few months ago
men offered me one hundred times the
amount on no better security. And
now to think that set of jabbcring
fools in London should so destroy my
credit and their own; that not bank
will discount cur paper unless they
are assured lord Ventnor has Joined
the board. Fancy me, of all men, be-
ing willing to barter my child for
few pieces of gold"'
The thought was maddening. For
little while lie yielded to utter despond-
| ency. 1t was quite true that compar-
,tvely small amount of money would
restore the stability of his firm. Even
without it, 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 rs Il genius.
Wearily 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 girl.'
And what was it she cried to him
from the beach?
Your own little girl given back to
youw
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 were entering the harbor OF Sin
gapore. In few hours the worst
would be over If Ventnor telegraphed
to London his withdrawal from the
board nothing short Of cabled draft
for 10000 would prevent certain cred
itors from filing a bankruptcy petition.
In the local banks the baronet had
about a 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 returned to his blood. The very
! belief that he was acting in the way
| best calculated to secure his daugh-
ter's happiness stimulated and encour.
aged him.
He went on deck. to meet Iris skip
ping down the hatcbway.
"Oh. there you are." she cried. Il
was just coming to find out why you
were moping in your cabin. You are
missing the most beautiful view-all
green's and blues and browns! Run,
quicl:. 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, were Anstruth-
er and Lord Ventnor Need 1t be
said to whom Iris drew her father?
Here he is, Robert" she laughed.
II do believe he was sulking because
Captain Fitzroy was so very attentive
to ne. Yet you didn't mind 1t blt!'
The two men looked into each others
eyes. They smiled. How could they
resist the contagion Of her sunny ma
ture?
81 have been thinking over what you
said to me just now, Anstruther." said
the shipowner slowly.
"Ohw cried Iris. "Have you two
been talking secrets behind my back
1T is no secret to you, my little
girl"- Her fathers voice fingered on
the phrase. when we are on shore,
Robert, / will explain matters to you
more fully. Just now l wish only to
tell YOU that where Iris has given her
heart, will not refuse her hand"
Sic took his face between her hands
and kissed him. Lord Nentnor. Won
dering ut this effusiveness. strolled for
ward.
What has happened. Miss Deane"
lie inquired "Have you just discover
ed what an excellent parent you pos
sess:"
ghe baropet laughed almost hysteric.
ally. "'Pon my honor" he cried, you
could not have hit upon happier ex-
PLANTATION"
His lordship was not quite satisfied.
81 suppose you will take Iris to
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. that