The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1905-06-02
6be Wings Of the
Az By LOUIS
VUnRn1n q TRACY
~ - 40 <Y Copyright 1908, by
n - ~ iode


women and the defaming s-0f noneSt
men? That settled 1t. Instantly the
cloud was lifted from his soul. A great
peace came upon him. The ruin Of his
business he might not be able to avert,
but he would save from the wreck
that which he priced more than all
else, his daughters love.
The engines dropped to half speed.
They were entering the harbor Of Sin
gapore. In q few hours the worst
would be over. If Ventnor telegraphed
to London his withdrawal from the
board nothing short of a cabled draft
for 10000 would prevent certain cred
itors from filing bankruptcy petition.
In the local banks the baronet had
about a thousand to his credit. Surely
among the rich merchants of the port,
men who knew the potentialities of his
scheme, he would be able to raise the
money needed. He would try hard.
Already he felt Drawer. The old fire
had returned to his blood. The very
belief that he was acting in the way
best calculated to secure his daugh-
ter's happiness stimulated and encour-
aged him.
He went on deck, to meet Iris skip
ping down the hatchway.
"Oh, there you arev' she cried. 81
was just coming to find out why you
were moping in your cabin. You are
missing the most beautiful view-all
greens and blues and browns Run,
quick! / want you to see every inch
Of it."
She held out her hand and pulled
him gleefully up the steps. Leaning
against the taffrail some distance
apart from each other were Anstruth-
er and Lord Ventnor Need it be
said to whom Iris drew her father?
Here he is, Robert" she laughed
II do believe he was sulking because
Captain Fitzroy was so very attentive
to me. Yet you didn't mind it bit!'
The two men looked into each others
eyes. They smiled. How could they
resist the contagion of her sunny ma
ture?
II have been thinking over what you
said to me just now, Anstruther," said
the shipowner slowly.
"Oh!" cried Iris. "Have you two
been talking secrets behind my back 2"
ut is no secret to you, my little
girl"- Her fathers voice fingered on
the phrase. when we are on shore,
Robert, / will explain matters to you
more fully. Just now l wish only to
tell you that where Iris has given her
heart, 1 will not refuse her hand
She took his face between her hands
and kissed him. Lord ventnor, Won
dering at this effusiveness, strolled for
ward.
What has happened, Miss DeaneY
he inquired. "Have you just discover
ed what an excellent parent you pos
sess?"
The baronet laughed almost hysteric-
ally. "'Pon my honor" he cried, "you
could not have hit upon happier ex-
PLANTATION"
His lordship was not quite satisfied.
II suppose you will take Iris to
Smiths hotel?" he said, with cool i'm
pudence.
Iris answered him.
"Yes. My father has just asked Rob-
ert to come with us-by inference, that
is. Where are you going?"
The adroit use Of her lovers Christian
name goaded his lordship to sudden
heat.
"Indeedw he snarled. "Sir Arthur
Deane has evidently decided a good
many things during the last hour"
Eyes," was the shipowners quiet
retort. II have decided that my daugh-
ter's happiness should be, the chief con-
sideration of my remaining years. All
else must give way to it."
The earfs swarthy face grew sallow
with fury. His eyes blazed, and there
was tense vibrato in his voice as he
said:
'Then I must congratulate you, Miss
Deane. You are fated to endure adj
ventures. Having escaped from the
melodramatic perils of Rainbow island
you are destined to experience another
variety Of shipwreck here"
He left them. Not word had Rob-
ert spoken throughout the unexpected
scene. His heart was trobbing with
a tremendous joy, and his lordship's
sneers were lost on him. But he could
not fail to note the malignant purpose
Of the parting sentence.
In his quietly masterful way lie
placed his hand on the baronet's shout
der.
what did Lord ventnor meanY he
asked.
Sir Arthur Deane answered, with q
calm smile: "Tt is difficult to talk open
ly ut this moment. Wait until we
reach the hotel"
The news few fast through the set
Element that her majesty's ship Orient
had returned from her long search for
the Sirdar The warship occupied her
usual anchorage, and a boat was low
cred to take off the passengers.
The boat swung off into the tideway
Her progress shoreward was watched
by O small knot of people, mostly
loungers and coolies. Among them,
however, were two persons who had
driven rapidly to the landing place
when the arrival of the Orient was re-
ported. One bore all the distinguishing
marks of the army officer Of high rank,
but the other was Enthusiastically
globe trotter. The older gentleman
made no nsfteTsss that he could hear