The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-07-26
CEAPTLR NlI

CEAPTER XVI
f~s[IR ARTHUR DEANE was sit
H. ting alone in lis cabin in
|, As state Of deep detection Wien
be was aroused by knock.
ana EoberT entered.
Can you give nle half an hour: he
asked. Il have something to say to
you before we land
TIE shipownes silently motioned him
to a seat
ct concerns Iris and myself con-
tinued Anstruther Il gathered from
your words when we met on tie island
that both you and Lord Ventnor re-
garoed Iris as his lordship's promised
bride. From your point of view the
arrangement was perhaps natural and
equitable, but since your daughter left
Hongkong it happens that she and I
have fallen in love with each other
No; please listen to me. l am not
here to urge my claims on you. won
her fairly and intend to keep her were
the whole house Of peers opposed to
me. At this moment I want to tell
YOU. her father, why she could never.
even under other circumstances, mar
~ Lord Ventnor."
Then he, proceeded to place before
the astounded baronet a detailed his
tory of his recent career. 1t was
sordid story Of woman's perfdy twice
told. 1t carried conviction in every
sentence.
At the conclusion Sir Arthur bowed
his head between his hands.
"I 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
ficers%
4AThey could not help themselves. To
acouit me meant that they discredited
the sworn testimony not only OF my
coloners wife, but Of the civil head OK
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-
vised. What chance is there that your
name will ever be cleared?"
~Mrs. Costobell can do It II she Will.
The vagaries Of such woman are not
to be depended on. II Lord yentnor
has cast her OF her hatred may prove
stronger than her passion. Anyhow, l
should be the last man to despair OF
Gods providence. Compare the con-
didon 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 I understand that my
daughter and you intend to get mar
ried whether I give or withhold my
sanction"
Anstruther rose and opened the door.
81 have yentured to tell you" he said,
.swhy she should not marry Lord Vent
nor. When come to you and ask you
for her, which l pray may be soon, 1t
will be time enough to answer that
question should you then decide to
put it.
It 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 a reasonable view OF
Anstruther's position.
Thes. for a 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 q 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 mlrthful.
While the gray haired baronet Gazed
with stony eyed despair at some memo
randa which be extracted from his pa
pers.
Ten thousand pounds be muttered
Not great sum for the millionaire
fnancier. 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 jabbering
fools in London should so destroy ms
credit and their own; that not bank
will discount our paper unless they
are assured Lord Ventnor has joined
tie board. Fancy NE, of all men. be-
ing willing to barter my child for
few pieces of soldE'
The thought was madcening. For a
little While he yielded to utter despond-
ency. 1t was quite true that ccmpar-
atively small amount Of money would
restore the stability OF his firm. Even
without it, were his credit unimpaired,
he could easily tide over tie period OF
depression until the first t:e.its OF his
enterprise were garaered. Then ali
men would hail him as a genius.
YEARLY turning over his papers, he
suddenly came across the last letter
ritten to him by Iris mother. HOW
l. ~ Il -