Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-06-07

holding twenty instead of ten," roared
the Yorkshireman. "But, look here.
You talk about dropping proceedings
against that precious earl whom l
saw today. Why not tell him not to
try any funny tricks until Roberts
money is safely lodged to your ac-
count? We have him in our power.
Dash it ALL let us use him Bit
Even Iris laughed ut this naive sug-
gestion. 1t was delightful to think
that their arch enemy was actually
helping the baronet's affairs at that
Very moment and would continue to
do so until he was flung aside as being
of no further value. Although yentnor
himself had carefully avoided any
formal commitment, the cablegrams
awaiting the shipowner at Singapore
showed that confidence had already
been restored by the uncontradicted
use of his lordship's name.
Robert at last obtained hearing.
You two are quietly assuming the
attitude of the financial magnates of
this gathering" he said. 81 must ad-
NIT that you have managed things
very well between you, and l do not
propose for one moment to interfere
with your arrangements. Nevertheless,
Iris and are really the chief moneyed
persons present. You spoke of finan-
cial houses in England and on the con-
tinent backing up your loans six
months hence, Sir Arthur. You need
not go to them. We will be your
bankers"
The baronet laughed with whole
hearted gayety that revealed whence
Iris got some part ut least of her
bright disposition.
"Will you sell your island, Roberto
he cried. Il am afraid that not even
Iris could wheedie any one into buy
ing it."
But, father, dear" interrupted the
girl earnestly, what Robert says is
true. We have gold mine there 1t
is worth so much that you will hardly
believe it until there can no longer be
any doubt in your mind. l suppose
| that is why Robert asked me not to
mention his discovery to you earlier
mo. Iris, that was not the reason, "
said her lover. and the elder men felt
astounding Intelligence that they had
just heard. Your love was more to
me than all the gold in the world.
had won you. | meant to keep you,
but | refused to buy YOU"
He turned to her father. His pent-
up emotion mastered him, and he
| spoke as one who could no longer re-
| strain his feelings.
II have had no chance to thank you
for the words you uttered at the mo-
mcnt we quilted tie ship. Yet l will
| treasure them willie life lasts. You
gave Iris to me when | was poor, dis
| graced, an outcast from my family
and my profession. And know why
| you did this thing 1t was because
you valued her happiness more than
riches or reputation. l am sorry now
| did not explain matters earlier 1t
would have saved you much needless
| suffering. But the sorrow has sped
like an EVIL dream, and YOU will per
| haps not regret it, for your action to-
day binds me to you with hoops OF
steel. And you, too, uncle. You trav.
eled thousands of miles to help and
comfort ne in my anguish. Were l as
bad as l was painted YOUR kind old
heart still pitied me. You were pre-
pared to pluck me from the depths Of
despair and degradation. Why should
hate Lord Nentnor? What man
could have served me as he did? lie
has given me Iris. He gained for me
| at her fathers hands concession such
as mortal has seldom wrested from
black browed fate. He brought my
uncle to my side in the hour of NJ.
adversely. Hate him! ] would have
his statue carved in marble and sci
on high to tell all who passed how
wisdom can manifest itself by putting
even the creeping and crawling things
of the earth to some useful purpose"
Dash it all, lad" vociferated the
elder Anstruther, "what ails thee? ]
never heard you talk like this beforeg'
The old gentleman's Amusement was
so comical that further tension was out
of the question.
Robert, in calmer mood, informed
them of the manner in which he hi
upon the mine. The story sounded like
widest romance-this finding of a vol
canic dyke guarded by the bones OF
81. s." and the poison filed quarry
l L.