Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-12-27
CHAPTER xvn-concluded.

The next cbmmotion arose in the no
tel when Sir Arthur Deane seized the
first opportunity to explain the predic-
ament in which his company was
placed and the blow which Lord Vent
nor yet had 1t in his power to deal.
Mr.. William Anstruther was an in
tsrested auditor. Robert would have
spoken, but his uncle restrained him.
Leave this to me, lad" he ex-
claimed. "When was coming here in
the Sirdar there was q lot Of talk
about Sir Arthur's scheme, and there
should not be much difficulty in rails
ing all the brass required if half what
| heard be true. Sit you down, Sir Ar
thur, and tell us all about 1t.
The shipowner required no second
bidding With the skill for which he
was noted he described his operations
in detail, telling how every farthing of
the first installments Of the two great
loans was paid up, how the earnings
Of his feet would quickly overtake the
deficit in capital value caused by the
loss of the three ships and how In six
months time the leading financial
houses Of London, Paris and Berlin
would be offering him more money
than he would need.
To shrewd man OF business the
project could not fail to commend it
self, and the Yorkshire squire, though
a trifle obstinate in temper, was Singh
larry clear headed in other respects.
He brought his great fist down on the
table with whack.
"Send cable to your company, Sir
Arthur" he cried, land tell them that
your prospective son-in-law will pro-
vide the 100000 you require. will
see that his draft is honored. You can
add, If you like, that another ten will
be ready If wanted when this lot Is
spent. did my lad one deuced bad
turn in my life. This time, think, !
am doing him good one"
"You are, indeed" said Iris father
enthusiastically. 1.-THE unallotted capt.
tai he is taking up will be worth four
times it's face value in two years"
Cali the more reason to make his
holding twenty instead of ten," roared
the Yorkshireman. "But, look here.
You talk about dropping proceedings
against that precious earl whom l
saw today. Why not tell him not to
try any funny tricks until Roberts
money is safely lodged to your ac-
count? We have him in our power.
Dash it all, let us use him a bit"
Even Iris laughed at this naive sug-
gestion. 1t was delightful to think
/ that their arch enemy was actually
helping the baronet's affairs at that
very moment and would continue to
do so until he was flung aside as being
of no further value. Although Ventnol
himself had carefully avoided any
formal commitment, the cablegrams
awaiting the shipowner at Singapore
showed that confidence had already
been restored by the uncontradfcted
use Of his lordship's name.
Robert at last obtained hearing.
"You two are quietly assuming the
attitude of the financial magnates Of
this gathering" he said. II must ad
NIT that you have managed things
very well between you, and I do not
propose for one moment to interfere
with your arrangements. Nevertheless,
Iris and are really the chief moneyed
persons present You spoke of finan-
cial houses in England and on the con-
tinent backing up your loans six
months hence, Sir Arthur. You need
not go to them. We will be your
bankers"
The baronet laughed with whole
hearted gayety that revealed whence
Iris got some part at least Of her
bright disposition.
"Will you sell your island, Robert?"
Iris could wheedle any one into buy
ing it."
"But, father, DEAR" interrupted the
girl earnestly, what Robert says Is
true We have a gold mine there. 1t
is worth so much that you will hardly
believe it until there can no longer be
any doubt in your mind. suppose
that is why Robert asked me not to
mention his discovery to you earlier"
mo, Iris, that was not the reason"
said her lover, and the elder men felt
that more than idle fancy inspired the
astounding intelligence that they had
just heard. .Your love was more to
me than all the gold in the world l
had won you. l meant to keep you,
but refused to buy you"
He turned to her father. His pent-