Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-09-22
CHAPTER XVII (Continued).

Iris answered him.
Yes. My father has Just asked Rob-
ert to come with us-by inference, that
is. Where are you going?"
The adroit use Of her lovers Christian
name goaded his lordship to sudden
heat.
'Indeedw he snarled. 'Sir Arthur
Deane has evidently decided a good
many things during the last hour"
"Yes," was the shipowler's quiet
retort. 81 have decided that my daugh-
ter's happiness should be the chief con-
sideratiOn Of my remaining years. All
else must give way to it."
The earl's swarthy face grew sallow
with fury. His eyes blazed, and there
was a tense vibrato in his voice as he
said:
"Then must congratulate you, Miss
Deane. You are fated to endure ad-
ventures. Having escaped from the
melodramatic perils Of Rainbow island
you are destined to experience another
variety Of shipwreck here"
He left them. Not a word had Rob-
ert spoken throughout the unexpected
scene. His heart was trobbing with
a tremendous Joy, and his lordship's
sneers were lost on him. But he could
not fail to note the malignant purpose
Of the parting sentence.
In his quietly masterful way he
placed his hand on the baronet's shout
der.
What did Lord ventnor meanT' he
asked.
Sir Arthur Deane answered, with
calm smile: 1T is difficult to talk open
~ at this moment Wait until we
reach the hotel"
The news flew fast through the set
Element that her majesty's ship Orient
had returned from her long search for
the Sirdar. The warship occupied her
usual anchorage, and boat was low
cred to take of the passengers.
The boat swung off into the tideway.
Her progress shOreward was watched
by q small knot Of people, mostly
loungers and coolies. Among them.
however. were two persons who had
driven rapidly to the landing place
when the arrival Of the Orient was re-
ported. One bore all the distinguishing
marks Of the army officer Of high rank,
but the other was Enthusiastically q
globe trotter. The older gentleman
made no pretense that he could "hear
the east a-callln'." He swore impair.
TALLY at the climate, the place and its
Inhabitants. At this instant he was
In a state Of wild excitement. He was
very tall, very stout, exceedingly red
faced.
Producing tremendous telescope he
vainiy endeuvVred to balance it on the
shoulder Of native servant
Cant you stand still, you blithering
idiot" he shouted, after futile attempts
to focus the advancing boat, ''or shall
I steady you with a clout over the
carr
His companion, the army man, was
looking through pair of field glasses.
by Jove," he cried, II can see Sir
Arthur Deane and girl who looks like
his daughter! There's that internal
scamp, Ventnor, too"
The big man brushed the servant out
Of his way and brandished the tele-
scope as though 1t were a bludgeon.
1.-The dirty beggar! He drove my lad
to misery and death, yet he has come
back safe and sound. Wait till meet
him. ZIP
NOW, Anstruther! Remember your
promise. l will deal with Lord Vent
nor. My vengeance has first claim.
What! BY the jumping Moses, do
believe Yes. 1t Is. Anstruther!
Your nephew is sitting next to the
girlv
The telescope fell on the stones with
q crash. The giants rubicund face
suddenly blanched. He leaned on his
friend for support.
You are not mistaken" he almost
whimpered. Look again, for Gods
sake. man! Make sure before you
speak. Tell me! Tell me"'
Calm yourself, Anstruther. 1t is
Robert, as sure as I'm alive. Don't you
think know him, my poor disgraced
friend, whom l, like the rest, cast off
in his hour of trouble? But had some
excuse. There! There! / didn't mean
that, old fellow. Robert himself will
be the last man to blame either of us.
Who could have suspected that two
people-one Of them, God help me, my
wife-would concoct such hellish
plot"
The boat glided gracefully alongside
the steps Of the quay, and Playdon
sprang gracefully ashore to help Iris
to alight. What happened immediate
~ afterward can best be told in his
own words, as he retailed the story to
an appreciative audience in the ward
room.
I'VE had just landed" he said, 'and
some of the crew were pushing the
coolies out Of the way when two men
Jumped down the steps, and most
fendish row sprang up-that is, there
was no dispute or wrangling, but one
chap. who, it turned out, was Colonel
Costobell, grabbed Ventnor by the shirt
front and threatened to smash his face
in If he didn't listen then and there to