The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-08-10
TUE PRINCETON UNION: THU RsDA VI AUGTsT "a 1ao5

the board! Fancy me, Of all men, be.
ing willing to barter my child for q
few pieces Of goldv'
The thought was maddening For
little while he yielded to utter despond-
ency. 1t was quite true that compar-
atively small amount Of money would
restore the stability of his firm. Even
without it, were his credit unimpaired.
he could easily tide over the period Of
depression until the first fruits Of his
enterprise were garnered. Then all
men would hail him as genius.
YEARLY Warming 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 mother!
God bless me, their little grill"
And what was it she cried to him
from the beach? .
''Your own little girl given back to
your
Given back to him! For what-to
marry that black hearted scoundrel
whose pastime was the degradation of
women and the defaming of honest
| men? That settled it. Instantly the
cloud was lifted from his soul. A great
peace came upon him. The ruin of his
business he might not be able to avert,
but he would save from the wreck
that which he priced more than all
else, his daughters love.
The engines dropped to half speed.
They were entering the harbor of Sim
gapore. In few hours the worst
would be over. If Ventnor telegraphed
to London his withdrawal from the
board nothing short of cabled draft
for 10000 would prevent certain cred
itors from filing bankruptcy petition
In the local banks the baronet had
about thousand to his credit Surely
among the rich merchants Of the port,
men who knew the potentialities of his
scheme, he would be able to raise the
money needed. He would try hard.
Already he felt Drawer. The old fire
had returned to his blood. The very
belief that he was acting in the way
best calculated to secure his daugh-
ters happiness stimulated and encour-
aged him.
He went on deck, to meet Iris skip
ping down the hatchway.
"Oh, there you are!' she cried. II
was just coming to find out why you
were moping in your cabin. You are
missing the most beautiful view-all
green's and blues and browns! Run,
quick! I want you to see every inch
of it,
She held out her hand and pulled
him gleefully up the steps. Leaning
against the taffrail, some distance
apart from each other, were Anstruth-
er and Lord Ventnor. Need it be
said to whom Iris drew her father?
"Here he is, Robert" she laughed.
II do believe he was sulking because
Captain Fitzroy was so very attentive
to me- Yet you didn't mind it bit!
The two men looked into each others
eyes. They smiled. How could they
resist the contagion of her sunny ma
ture?
II have been thinking over what you
said to me just now, Anstruther," said
the shipowner slowly.
"Oh!' cried Iris. ''Have YOU two
been talking secrets behind my back ?"
1T is no secret to you, my little
grip Her fathers voice fingered on
the phrase. when we are on shore
Robert, will explain matters to you
more fully. Just now 1 wish only to
tell you that where Iris has given her
heart, I will not refuse her hand"
She took his face between her hands
and kissed him. Lord Ventnor, won
dering at this effusiveness, strolled for
ward.
what has happened, Miss DeaneY'
he inquired. 'Have you just discover
ed what an excellent parent you pos
sess?"
The baronet laughed almost hysteric-
ally. "'Pon my honor" he cried, '.you
could not have hit upon happier ex-
planation."
His lordship was not quite satisfied.
Il suppose you will take Iris to
Smiths hotel?" he said, with cool i'm
pudence.
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.
Indeed" he snarled. "Sir Arthur
Deane has evidently decided a good
many things during the last hour"
YES" was the shipowner's quiet
retort. Il 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 earps swarthy face grew sallow
with fury. His eyes blazed, and there
was a tense vibrato in his voice as he
said:
| 'Then mist conprat1lat TO vo,, Miss