The Red Cloud chief., 1905-09-22

me. At this ome | want to tell
you, her father, why she could never.
even under other circumstances, mar
ry Lord Ventnor."
Then he proceeded to place before
the %astounded baronet a detailed his
tory Of his recent career. 1t was q
sordid story of woman's perfidy twice
told. 1t carried conviction in every
sentence.
At the conclusion Sir Arthur bowed
his head between his hands.
II cannot choose but believe you"
he admitted huskily. yet how came
you to be so unjustly convicted by a
tribunal composed Of your brother Of
iicers?"
"They could not help themselves. To
acquit me meant that they discredited
the sworn testimony not only of my
colonel's wife, but Of the civil head Of
an important government mission, not
to mention some bought Chinese evil
dence."
But you are powerless now. You
can hardly hope to have your case re-
vlsed. What chance Is there that your
name will ever be cleared?'
Mrs. Costobell can do 1t IL she will.
The vagaries of such a are not
to be depended on. If Lord Ventnor
has cast her off her hatred may prove
stronger :nan her passion. Anyhow, l
should be the last man to despair of
Gods providence. Compare the con
dition of Iris and myself today with
our plight on the ledge!"
The shipowner sighed heavily.
81 hope your faith will be justified.
If it is not-the more likely thing to
happen-do l understand that my
daughter and you intend to get mar
ried whether l give or withhold my
sanction?'
Anstruther rose and opened the door.
81 have ventured to tell you" he said,
"why she should not marry Lord Vent
nor. When | come to you n ask you
for her. which l pray may be soon, it
will be time enough to answer that
question should you then decide to
put It,"
1t must be remembered that Robert
knew nothing whatever of the older
mans predicament, while the baronet,
full of his own troubles, was in no
mood to take n reasonable view Of
Anstruther's position.
Thus, for a little while, these two
were driven apart, and Anstruther dis
lained to urg 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
t)rmented 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.
mot n great sum for the millionaire
financier, Sir Arthur Deane, to raise
on his note Of hand. A few months ago
men offered me one hundred times the
amount on no better security. And
now to think that a set Of jabberlng
fools in London should so destroy my
credit and their own; that not n bank
will discount our paper unless they
pre assured Lord Ventn1S has Joined
liz Douiu' rulNy me-, VI All men, De-
ing willing to barter my child for a
few pieces of gold!'
The thought was maddening. For a
little while he yielded to utter despond-
ency. 1t was quite true that a compar-
atively small mount of money would
restore the stability of his firm. Even
without 1t, were his credit unimpaired,
he could easily tide over the period Of
depression until the first fruits of his
enterprise We're garnereI. Then all
men would hail him as a genius.
YEARLY 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 motheri
God bless me-. their little girl!''
(To be Concluded Next Week.)
- -