Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-07-04

'InuOuDteulv.
"Well, Captain Fitzroy. when ! was
stationed with my regiment In Hong
kong ! encountered such reef and
wrecked my life on IT, At least that
Is how II seemed to me then. Fortune
threw me ashore here after long and
otter submergence. You can hardly
blame me II l cling to the tiny specb
of land that gave me salvation"
NO" admitted the sailor lie knew
there was something more in the nj
legory than the text revealed. but II
was no business of his.
Moreover" continued Robert smil
ingly, you see have partner"
There cannot he the slightest doubt
about the partner" WAS the prompt re
ply.
Then every one laughed. Iris more
than any, though Sir Arthur Dcnne's
gayety was forced, and Lord Nentnol
could taste the acidity of his own smile
Later i'm the day the first lieutenant
told his chief Of Anstruther'S voluntary
statement concerning the court martial
Captain FitZroy WAS naturally pained
by this unpleasant revelation. but he
took exactly the same view us that eX
pressed by the first lieutenant in Rob
ert's presence.
Nevertheless he ponderel the matter
and seized an early opportunity of men
tiOning it to Lord Nentnor. That dis
tinguished nobleman was vastly sur
prised to learn how Anstruther had cut
the ground from beneath his feet.
Yes" he said, in reply to the sailors
request for information, Il know al
about It, 1t could not well be other
wise, seeing that next to Mrs. Costobel
/ was the principal witness against
him."
THAT must have been awkward for
you." was the unexpected comment.
Indeed. Whyf"
Because rumor linked your name
with that Of the lady in somewhat
outspoken way"
You astonish me. Anstruther GER
tainly made some stupid allegations
during the trial. but | had no idea he
was able TO spread this malicious re-
port subsequently,"
81 am not talking Of Hongkong. my
lord. but'of Singapore, months later
Captain Fitzroy's tone was exceed
ing dry. Indeed, some people might
deem it offensive.
His lordsliip permitted himself the
rare luxury Of an angry scOwl.
"Rumor is lying jade ut the best,
he said curtly. You must remember
Captain Fitzroy. that l have uttered
no word Of scandal about Mr.. An
strlnher. AID any doubts concerning
his cond;ct can he set ut rest by pc
rusng the records of his case in the
adjutant generals office ut Hong
kong"
HUM. said the sailor, turning on
his heel to enter the chart room.
The girl and her father went back TO
the island with Robert. After taking
thought the latter decided TO ask Mir
Jan to remain in possession until he
returned. There was not much risk
Of another Dyak invasion. The fate OF
Taung SALTS expedition would not en-
courage a fresh set Of maraudcrs. ami
the Mohammedan would be well armed
to meet unforeseen contingencies, while
on his (.Instruther's, representations
the Orient would land IN abundance
of stores. In any event II was better
for the native to live in freedom on
Rainbow island than to be handed
over to the authorities as IN escaped
convict, which must he his immediate
fate no matter what magnanlmous
view the government Of India might
afterward take of his services.
Mir JAMS answer was emphatic! He
took off his turban and placed 1t on
Anstruthcr's feet.
"Sahib." he said 81 am your dog.
II some day | am found worthy to he
your faithful servant, then shall ]
know that Allah has pardoncd my
transgressions."
In snite of himself Sir ..rthur pcinc
could not help liking AnStruther. The
man was magnetic, Il hero. an Ideal
gentleman. No wonder his daughter
was infatuated with him. Yet the fu-
ture was dark and storm tossed, full OF
sinister threats and complications. Iris
did not know the wretchcd circum-
stances which had come. to pass since
they parted and which had changed
the whole aspect Of his life. How
could he tell her? Why should 1t he his
miserable lot To snatch the cup of hap
piuess from her lips? In that moment
of silent agony he wished he were
dead. for death alone could remove the
burden laid on him. Well. surely lie
mi-ht bask in the sunshine of her
laughter for another day. No need to
embitter her joyous heart until he wa'
driven to 1t by dire ccc;sity
So he resolutely brushed aside the
woa5cgone phantom Of care and en-
tered into the abandon of the hour
with Zest that delighted her. The
dear girl imagined that Robert. her
Robert. had made another speedy con-
quest, and Anstruther himself was
much elated by the sudden change III
Sir Arthur Deane's demeanor.
They behaved like school children OH
picnic. They roared over LIS trou-
bles I'm the matter of divided skirts, 100
much divided to be ut all pleasant. Inc
shipowner tasted some of her saSo
bread and vowed it WAS excellent
They unearthed two bottles Of cham
pague. the last Of the case. and prom
ised each other hearty toast ut dlh'
ner. Nothing would content IRIS Du'
that they should draw farewell buck
etful of wnter from the well and
dreuch Tie pitcher plant with torreh
tial shower.
Robert carefully secured the POCKET
hooks. money and otter eIects louht
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