The Red Cloud chief., 1905-09-22

thirst; how the DyaAs be-.
ond attack from toc ru-r
climbed down the IUlGIr a..g
lowed youi Oh. father. dlrl
went on impulsiycly. ti&htC..u
grasp. you will never know how h.
he was: how enduring; how lie g.
all for me and chcC.cd ne to tie e.
IL think | am beginning t. Ia.
stand now" answered the sGipuwu,
averting his eyes lest Iris should st.
the tears In them. Their Calvary wa
ended, they thought. Was IL for hin
to lead them again through the sorrow
full wayp 1t was II h~cartrcnding task
that lay before him, n task from which
his soul reyolted. He refused even to
attempt 1t.
The explanation OF the ship owner's
daring yet shrewd t%inancicr. he per
ceived in the troubled condition OF the
far east n magnificent opportunity to
consolidate the trading influence of his
company. lie negotiated two big loans,
one of Il semiprivatc nature to equip
docks and railways in the chief mari.
time province of China, the other of "A
more public character with the govern
mcnt of Japan. All his W resources,
together with those of his principal Iii.
rcctors and shareholders, were devoted
to these objects. Contcmporancously
he determined to stop paying heavy in
surance premiums on his fleet and
make it self supporting IN the well
known mutual principle.
His vessels were well equipped, well
manned, replete with every modern i'm
prOvcmcnt and managed with great
commercial skill. In three or four
years, given ordinary trading luck, he
must have doubled his own fortune.
No sooner were all his arrangements
| completed than three of his best ships
| went down, saddling his company with
an absolute loss of nearly 10000 q and
seriously undermining his financial
| credit. A fellow director, wealthy and
influential. resigned his seat on the
| board and headed n clique of disap-
| pointed stockholders. At once the fair
| sky became overcast.
Sir Arthur Deane's energy and finan-
cial skill might have enabled him to
weather this unexpected gale were it
not for the apparent loss OF his beloved
daughter with the crack ship Of his
line. Half frenZied with grief, he babe
his enemies do their worst and allow
| ed his affairs to get into hopeless con
fusion while he devoted himself wholly
to the search for Iris and her cOmpan-
ions. At this critical juncture Lord
Nentnor again reached his side. His
lordship possessed n large private for
tune and extensive estates. He was
, prudent withal and knew how admi-
rably the ~shipowner's plans would de-
velop If given the necessary time. He
| offered the use Of his name and money.
lie more than filed the gap created by
the hostile e~X-director. People argued
that such q clever man, just returning
from the far east after accomplishing
a public mission of some Importance,
must be a reliable guide. The mere
cabled intelligence of his intention to
join the board restored confidence and
| credit.
But there was n bargain. If Iris
lived she must become the Countess Of
Ventnor. His lordship was weary OF
perlpatetic l~ovemaking. 1t was high
time he settled down in life, took an
interest in the legislature and achieved
n position in the world of affairs. He
had n chance now. The certain success
Of his friends project, the fortunate
40