Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-04-12

thirty grew very fat"
Artful jerks! Iris settled herself
comfortably TO listen.
Il have jumped that fence with n lot
in hand" he thought
1--WE became engaged he said aloud.
"Shc threw herself at him." commun-
ed Iris.
"IIer name was Elizabetli-Eliza-
beth Norris" The young lieutenant
Of those days called her Bessie, but no
matter.
well, you didn't marry her, any
how" commented Iris, trife sharply.
And now the sailor was on level
ground again.
"Thank heaven, no!' he said earnest
ly. 1--WE had barely become engaged
when she went with her uncle to Sim
Ia for the hot weather. There she met
Lord Ncntnor, who was on the vice
roy's staff, and-if you don't mind, we
will skip portion of the narrative
discovered then why men in India
usually so to England for their wives.
While in Simla on ten days leave 1
had foolish row with Lord Vcntnor
in the United Service club-hammered
him, in fact, in defense of worthless
woman-and was only saved from Il
severe reprimand because 1 had been
badly treated. Nevertheless, my hopes
of political appointment vanished.
and returned to my regiment to learn
after due reflection what very lucky
person was"
Concerning Miss Morris, you mean?'
Exactly. And now exit Elizabeth.
Not being cut out for matrimonial en-
terprise, 1 tried to become good Of
ficer. A year ago, when the govern
mcnt asked for volunteers to form
Chinese regiments, l sent in my name
and was accepted. l had the good for
tune to serve under an old friend, Colo
mel Costobell, but some malign star
sent Lord Eentnor to the far east,
this time in an important civil capaci-
ty. l met lin occasionally, and we
| found we did not like each other any
better. My horse beat his for the Pa
CODA Hurdle handicap. Poor old Sui
tan, wonder where he is now!
Colonel Costobcll fell i'll, and the
command of the regiment devolved up
on me, our only major being absent in
the interior. The colonel's wife, unllap-
pifJ, chose that moment to fiirt, as PEG.
pie say, with Lord Ecntnor. Not hav-
Ing learned the ACCESSIBILITY of minding
my own business, demonstrated with
her, thus making her my deadly enc
my. Lord Eentnor contrivcd an Off
cial mission to ncighboring town and
detailed me for the military charge
sent n junior officer. Then Mrs. Costo-
bell and he deliberately concocted
| plot to ruin me- he for the sake of his
old animosity-you remember that
had also crossed his path in Egypt
she because she feared l would speak
to her husband. On pretense of seek
| ing my advice she inveigled me ut
night into deserted corner of the club
grounds at Hongkong. Lord Ventnor
appeared, and as the upshot of their
vile statements, Which created an i'm
mediate uproar, I-well, Miss Deane,
nearly killed him.
Iris wildly recalled the anguish lie
betrayed when this topic was inadver-
tently broached one day early in their
acquaintance. Now he was reciting his
painful history with the air of man
far more concerned to be scrupulously
accurate than aroused in his deepest
passions by the memory of past
wrongs. What had happened in the in
term to blunt these bygone sufrerings?
| Iris claSped her locket She thought
she knew.
"The remainder may be told in a SEN
tence," he said. "Of what avail were
my frenzed statements against the
definite proofs adduced by Lord Vent
nor and his unfortunate ally? Even
her husband believed her and became
my bitter foe. Poor woman! have it
in my heart to pity her. Well, that is
all. | am here!'
"Can man be ruined so easily?"
murmured the girl, her exquisite tact
leading her to avoid any direct express
sion of sympathy.
| 1T seems SO. But have had my re-
ward. If ever I meet Mrs Costobell
again will thank her for great sery-
| ice"
Iris suddenly became confused. Her
brow and neck tingled with a quick
access of color
why do you say that?" she asked.
And jerks, who was rising either did
not hear or pretended not to hear tile
| tremor i'll her tone.
Because you once told me you would
never marry Lord Ventnor, and after
what have told you now l am quite
sure you will not"
"Ah, then you do trust mc?" she al
most whispered.
He forced back the words trembling
for utterance. lie even strove weakly
to assume an air of good humored
badinage
See how you have tempted me from
work, Miss Deane," he cried I'VE have
gosslped hore until the fire grew tired
OF our company. To bed, please. Mt
| once"
Iris caught him by the arm.
Il Will pray tonight and every night"
she said solemnly, "that your good
name may be cleared in the eyes of all
men, as 1t Is In NINE And | am SIRE
my prayer will be answered."
She passed into her chamber, but her
angelic influence remained. In Ills
very soul the man thanked God for the
trlbulation which brought this woman
into Ills life. He had traversed the
Wilderness to find an oasls of rare
beauty.
1t was n beautiful night. After a
baking hot day the rocks were radiat-
ing their stored up heat, but the pleas
ant southwesterly breeze that general
~ set In at sunset tempered the at
mosphere and made sleep refreshing.
jerks could not settle down to rest for
little while after Iris left him. She
did not bring forth her lamp, and, un-
willing to disturb her, lie picked up
reslnous branch, lit it in the dying fire
and went into the cave.
He wanted to survey the work al
ready done and to determine 1vbethor