Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-12-21

lORD vENTNOR was no fool.
I While Iris was transforming
herself from semisavage con-
- dition into a semblance of an
ultra chic Parislenne. Sir Arthur
Deane told the earl something of the
state of affairs on the island.
| His lordship. handsome, saturnine
man, cool. insolently polite, counseled
| patience, liberation, even silent recog-
milton of Anstruther's undoubted
claims for services rendered.
"She is an enthusiastic, high spirited
girl" he urged upon his surprised hear
er, who expected Il very different ex-
preston of opinion. "This fellow An
strutber is a plausible sort Of rascal, a
good man in tight place, too-just the
sort of fire eating blackguard who
would fill the heroic bill where fight
is concerned Hang him, he licked me
| twicer'
Further amazement for the shipown-
| er.
Eyes, It's quite true. l interfered
with his little games. and he gave me
the usual reward of the DEVILS apothe-
cary. Leave Iris alone. At present
she is strung up to an intense pitch OF
gratitude. having barely escaped ter
rible fate. Let her come back to the
normal. Anstruther's shady record
must gradually leak out. That will dis
gust her. He Is hard up-cut Off by his
people and that sort Of thing. There
you probably have the measure Of his
scheming He knows quite well that
he can never marry your daughter 1t
is all matter of price"
Sir Arthur willingly allowed himself
to be persuaded At the back of his
head there was an uneasy conscious
ness that 1t was not "all matter Of
price" If it were he would never
trust mans face again. But Vent
nor's we'll balanced arguments swayed
him. The course indicated was the
only decent one. 1t was humanity i'm
possible for man to chide his daugh-
ter and flout her rescuer within On hour
of finding them.
Lord ventnor played bis cards with
a deeper design. He bowed to. the In
evitable Iris said she loved his rival.
Very well. To attempt to dissuade
her was to throw her more closely into
that rivals arms. The right course
was to appear resigned, saddened, COM
PEELED against his will to reveal the
distressing truth. Further, he counted
on Anstruthers quick temper as an
active agent. Such man would be
+y,n a,e< - vot,oI oooine< a n oec,1mpt{on
of plying tolerance He would bring
bitter charges of conspiracy, Of I'M
believable compact to secure his ruin.
All this must recoil on his own head
when the facts were laid bare. Not
even the hero Of the island could pre-
vail against the terrible Indictment Of
the court martial Finally, at singa-
pore, three days distant, Colonel Cos.
tobell and his wife were staying. Lord
Ventnor, alone of those on board, knew
this. Indeed, he accompanied Sir Ar
thur Deane largely in order to break
of somewhat trying ENHANCEMENT.
He smiled complacently as he thought
of the effect on Iris Of Mrs. Costobell's
Indignant remonstrances when the bar
onet asked that injured lady to tell the
girl all that had happened at Hong
kong.
However, Lord ventnor was most
profoundly annoyed, and he cursed
Anstruther from the depths Of his
heart. But he could see way out.
He came ashore with Iris and her
father. The captain Of the Orient also
Joined the party. The three men
watched Robert and the girl walking
toward them from the group Of OFF,
GERS.
"Anstruther is a smart looking fell
low" commented Captain Fitzroy.
"Who is hep
Truth to tell, the gallant commander
of the Orient was secretly amazed by
the metamorphosis effected in Roberts
appearance since he scrutinized him
through his glasses.
Poor Sir Arthur said not word, but
his lordship was quite at ease.
"From his name and from what
Deane tells me believe he is an ex-
officer of the Indian army"
"Ah! He has left the service?"
Eyes. met him last in Hongkong."
"Then you know him?"
"Quite well, If he is the man i'm
agine."
"That is really very nice Of Ventnor,"
thought the shipowner. 1.-THE last thing
l should credit, him with would be
forgiving disposition"
Meanwhile Anstruther was reading
Iris little lecture. Sweet one" he
explained to her, do not allude to me
by my former rank. I am not entitled
to it. Some day, please God, it will be
restored to me. At present l am a
plain civilian, and, by the way, Iris,
during the next few days say nothing
about our NINE"
''Oh, why not?"
"Just personal whim. 1t will please
me-"
"If It pleases you, Robert, am salts
fed"
He pressed her arm by way Of an
swer They were too near to the wait
ing trio for other comment.
Captain Fizroy," cried Iris, 'let me
introduce Mr.. Anstruther to you. Lord
Ventnor, you have met Mr.. Anstruther
before"
The sailor shook hands. Lord Vent,
nor smiled afably.
"Your enforced residence on the is