The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1905-11-24

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Father, DEAR said Iris solemnly,
but in a voice free from all uncertain
ty, my aianced husband stands here!
We plighted u troth at the very gate
of death. 1t was ratified in the pres
ence Of God and has been blessed by
him. l have made no compact with
Lord Ventnor. He is a base and I'M
worthy a Did you but know the
truth concerning him you would not
mention his name in the same breath
with mine. Would he, Roberto"
b advised by me, Sir Arthur, and
you, TOO, Iris" he said. '"This is no
hour cJr explanations. Leave me to
deal with Lord Ventnor. l am content
to trust the ultimate verdict to you, Sir
Arthur. You will learn in due course
all that has happened. Go on board,
Iris. Meet Lord Ventnor as you would
meet any other friend. You will not
marry him, l know. l can trust you.'
Il am very much obliged to you,"
murmured the baronet, who, notwith-
standing his worry, was far too experi-
enced a man of the world not to &C
knowledge the good sense Of this adj
vice, no matter how ruffianly might be
the guise of the strange person who
gave it.
''That is settled, then," said Robert,
laughing good naturedly, for he well
knew what a weird spectacle he must
present to the bewildered old gentle
man.
Even Sir Arthur Deane was fascinat-
ed by the ragged and hairy giant who
carried himself so masterfully and
helped everybody over the stile at the
right moment. He tried to develop the
change in the conversation.
.By the way" he said, ''how came
you to be on the Sirdar? I have a list
Of all the passengers and crew, and
your name does not appear therein"
"Oh, that is easily accounted for. l
shipped as a steward in the name of
Robert jerks"
Robert jerks! A stewardw Z
eyes. That forms some part Of the
promised explanation"
Iris rapidly gathered the drift of her
lovers wishes.
"Come, father" she cried merrily.
II am aching to see what the ships
stores, which you and Robert pin your
faith to, a do for me in the shape Of
garments. Il have the utmost belief in
the British navy, and ven a skeptic
should be convinced Of its infallibility
IL n. NJ. S. Orient is able to provide a
lady's outfit"
Sir Arthur Deane gladly availed him
self of the proffered compromise. He
assisted Iris into the boat, though that
active young person was far better
able to support him, and a word to the
officer in command sent the gig flying
back to the ship. Anstruther during a
momentary delay madesa small request
on his own account. Lieutenant Play
don, nearly as big a man as Robert
dispatched a note to his servant, and
the gig speedily returned with a COM
plete assortment of clothing and linen.
The nan also brought a dressing case,
with the result that a dip in the bath
and ten minutes in the hands Of an ex-
pert valet made Anstruther a new man.
Acting under his advice, the bodies
Of the dead were thrown into the la
COON, the wounded were collected in
the hut, to be attended to by the ships
surgeon, and the prisoners were parad-
ed in front Of Mir Jan, who identified
every man and found by counting
heads that none was missing.
Robert did not forget to write out q
formal notice and fasten it to the rock.
This proceeding. further mysti1ed the
officers Of the Orient, who had gradual
" formed a connected idea of the great
fight made by the shipwrecked pair,
though Anstruther squirmed inwardly
when he thought Of the manner in
which Iris would picture the scene.
AS it was, he had the first innings. and
he did not fail to use the opportunity.
In the few terse words which the mill
tant Briton best understands he de
scribed the girls fortitude, her unfag-
cling cheerfulness, her accomplishing
readiness, to do and dare.
when he ended, the first lieutenant,
who commanded the boats sent In pur-
s,1it Of the flying Dyaks-the Orient
sank both sampans as soon as they
were launched-summed up the gener-
al verdict:
"You do not need admlra.aou
Captain Anstruther. Each man of .us
enyies you from the bottom Of his
soul."