Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-12-04
CHAPTER 1x-(contlnued.)

The sound OF his own voice startled
him. What was all the fuss about?
With barrow load Of gold he could
not buy an instant's safety for Iris,
not to mention himself. The language
difficulty was insuperable. Were 1t
otherwise the Dyaks would simply
humbug him until he revealed the
source Of his wealth. and then murder
him as an effective safeguard against
foreign interference.
Iris! Not once since she was hurled
ashore in his arms had jerks so long
forgotten her existence. Should he tell
her? They We're partners in everything
appertaining to the island. Why keep
this marvellous intelligence from her?
Yet was he tempted, not ignobly,
but by reason Of his love for her
Once years ago. when his arduous pro-
fessional studies We're distracted by
a momentary infatuntion for fair
face. woman had proved tickle when
tempted by greater wealth than he
possessed. For long he was con-
firined misogynist. to his great and
lasting gain as leader of mep. Bur
with more equable Judgment. came a
fixed resolution not to marry unless
his prospective bride cared only for
him and not for his position. To a
staff corps officer, even one with a
small private income, this was no
unattainable ideal. Then he met with
the shame and agony Of the court mar
tial. While his soul still quivered
under the lash Of that terrible down
fall Iris came into his life. He knew
not what might happen If they We're
rescued. The time would quickly pass
until the old order was resumed, she
to 80 back to her position in society,
he to become again disgraced ex-
officer, apparently working out II mere
existence before the mast or handing
plates in saloon.
Would 1t not be sweet defiance Of
adversely were he able. even under
such conditions, to win her love and
then disclose to her the potentialities
Of the island? Perchance he might
fail. Though rich as Croesus, he would
still be under the social ban melted out
to cashiered officer She was a girl
who could command the gift Of coro-
nets. With restoration to her father
and home, gratitude to her preserver
would assuredly remain; but, alas, love
might vanish like mirage! Then he
would act honorably. Half Of the
stored wealth would be hers to do as
she chose with it.
Yes. this was possible alternative.
In case Of accident to himself and her
ultimate escape he must Immediately
write full details of his discovery and
intrust the document to her, to be
opened only after his death or six
months after their release.
The idea possessed him so thorough
~ that he could brook no delay. He
searched for one of the notebooks TAX
en- from the Icad officers Of the Sir
dar and scrubbed the following letter:
Dear Miss Deane-whether am living
or dead when you read these lines, you
will know that I love you. Could re-
peat that avowal a million times In as
many varied forms should find no better
phrase to express the dream / have cher
ished since happy fate permitted me to
snatch you from death. Sol simply say.
II love you" I will continue to love you
while life lasts, and 1t is my dearest hope
that in the life beyond the grave may
still be able to voice my love for you.
But perhaps I am not destined to be
loved by you. Therefore, in the event Of
my death before you leave the island, l
wish to give you instructions how to find
gold mine of great value which Is hidden
in the rock containing the cave. You re-
member the sign on the piece of tin which
we could not understand. The figure 81
denotes the utmost depth Of the excava-
ton. and the signifies that one foot be-
low the surface, on reaching the face OF
the rock. there Is rich vein of gold. The
hollow on the other side of the cliff be-
came filled with anhydrate gas, and this
stopped the operations OF the Chinese,
who evidently knew Of the existence OF
tho mine. This is all the information the
experts employed by Sir Arthur Deane
will need. The facts are unquestionable.
Assuming that am alive, we will, of
course be copartners In the mine. II
am dead, 1 wish one-sixth share to be
given to my uncle, William Anstruther,
Grossthwaite Manor, Northallerton, York
shire, as recompense for his Kindness
to me during my early life. The remain.
der Is to be yours absolutely.
ROBERT ANSTRUTHER.
He read this remarkable document
twice through to make sure that 1t ex-
actly recorded his sentiments. He even
smiled sarcastically at the endowment
of the uncle who disinherited him.
Then, satisfied with the perusal, he tore
out the two leaves covered by the letter
and began to devise means Of pro-
tecting it securely while in Iris pos.
session.
At that moment he looked up and
saw her coming toward him across the
beach, brightly flushed after her bath,
walking like nymph clothed in tat
tered garments. Perceiving that he
was watching her, she waved her hand
and instinctively quickened her pace.
Even now, when they were thrown to-
Eether by the exigencies Of each hour,
she disliked to be long separated from
him.
Instantly the scales fell from his
mental vision. What! Distrust Iris!
Imagine for one second that riches or
poverty, good repute or i'll, would affect
that loyal heart when its virginia. font
was filled with the love that once in
her life comes to every true woman!
Perish the thought!
Laughing at his fantastic folly jerks
tore the letter into little pieces. 1t
might have been wiser to throw the