The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-07-19
By LOUIS
TRACY
Copyright. 1898. by
Edward J. Clode


possible for man to chide his daugh-
ter and aout her rescuer within an hour
Of finding them.
Lord ventnor played his cards with
deeper design. He bowed to the in
evitable. Iris said she loved bis rival.
vesy 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 Anstruther's quick temper as an
j active agent. Such a man would be
the first to rebel against an assumption
Of plying tolerance. BE would bring
bitter charges Of conspiracy, Of IN
believable: compact to secure his ruin.
ALI this must recon 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
ventncr. alone Of those on board, knew
this. Indeed, he accompanied Sir Ar
thur Deane largely in order to break
off somewhat trying entanglement.
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 TIE Orient also
Joined the party. The three men.
watched Robert and the girl walking
toward them from the group Of OFF,
!, GERS.
sAnstruther is a smart looking fel-
low" commented Captain Fizroy.
ssWho is he?"
Truth to tell, the gallant commander
of the Orient was secretly amazed b7
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 I believe he is an ex-
officer of the Indian army"
..Ahi He has left the service"
eyes. met him last in Hongkeng."
'Then you know hin:"
Quite well, if he is the man l I'M
agine."
THAT is really very nice Of Ventnor,'
thought the shipowner. ''The last thing
I should credit him with would be
forgiving disposition"
Meanwhile Anstruther was reading
Iris a little lecture Sweet one," he
explained to her, ''do not allude to me
by my former rank. am not entitled
to it. Some day, please God, it will be
restored to me-. At present l am
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-"
eff 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 Fitzroy," cried Iris. let ne
introduce Mr.. Anstruther to you. Lor..!
yentnor, you have met Mr.. Anstruthe.
before
The sailor shook hands. Lord Vent
nor smiled afably.
.Your enforced residence on the is
land seems to have agreed with you,'
he said.
Admirably. Life here had its draw
backs. but we fought our enemies in
tie open. Didn't we, Iris?"
Yes. dear. TIE poor Dyaks We're
not sufficiently modernized to attack US
with false testimony
HIS lordsaip's sallow face wrinkled
somewhat. So Iris knew Of tie court
martial, nor was she afraid to pro-
lain to all the world that this man
WIS her lover. AS for Captain Fitz-
roy. his Dushy eyebrows disappeared
:ato lis peaked cap when he heard the
.,a nner of their speech.
Nevertheless Ventnor smiled again.
Even the Dyaks respected Miss
Dec2e." he said.
Eut Anstruther, sorry for the mani
fest uneasiness Of the shipowner. re-
pressed the retort on his lips ara
forthwith suggested that they should
we'll. to the north beach in the first
instance. that being the scene Of the
wreck
During the next hour he became audi
to-. r,tt..-- than narrator 1t WAS Iris
wAo to.ei Of rs wiiG :G:SSlt against wind
and waves: Iris who showed them
where he fought with the devilfish;
Iris who eXpatiated on the long days
! Of ccaSc;eSS toll. lis GauntleSS cOur-