The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-07-12

had left him a joyous, needless girl.
He found her a woman. strong. self re-
liant. purposeful. Yet he kept on.
choosing the most Straightforward
means as the only honorable way Of
clearing q course so beset with unsus-
pected obstacles.
"It is only reasonable, Iris, that your
afianced husband should suffer an as
ony Of apprehension on. your account
and do all that was possible to effect
your rescue"
.Iy-affianced-husba
"Well, my dear girl. perhaps that Is
hardly the correct phrase from your
point of view. Yet you cannot fail to
remember that Lord Ventnor''-
"Father, DEAR" said Iris solemnly,
but in voice free from all uncertain
ty. my affianced husband stands here!
We plighted our troth at the very gate
of death 1t was ratified in the pres
eDce of God and has been blessed by
him. l have mace no compact with
Lord ventnor He is base and IN
worthy man. Did you but know the
truth concerning him you would not
mention his name in the same breath
with mine. Would be. Roberto"
"Be advised by me, Sir Arthur, and
you, too, Iris" he said. This is no
hour for explanations. Leave me to
deal with Lord Ventnor. 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 1'entnor as you would
meet any other friend. You will not
| marry him, know. 1 can trust you
81 am very much obliged to YOU
murmured the baronet, who, notwith-
standing his worry, was far too expert
enced a man of the world not to ac-
knowledge the good sense of this ad-
vice, no matter how rufianly 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 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. chow came
you to be on the Sirdar? I have list
| of all the passengers and crew, and
your name does not appear therein"
"Oh, that is easily accounted for. l
| shipped as q steward in the name OF
Robert jerks
'Robert jerks! A steward
ayes. That forms some part Of the
| promised explanation"
Iris rapidly gathered the drift OF her
lovers wishes.
s.Come, father" she cried merrIy.
"I am aching 10 see what the ships
stores, which you and Robert pin your
| faith to, can do for me in the shape OF
garments. have the utmost belief in
| the British navy, and even a skeptlc
should be convinced Of its infall1blllty
| If 81. NJ. S. Orient is able to provide
lady's outfit"
Sir Arthur Deane gladly availed him
self Of the proffered compromise. be
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
momentary delay made small request
on his own account. Lieutenant Play
don, nearly as big man as Robert,
dispatched note to his servant and
| the gig speedily returned with a COM
plete assortment of clothing and linen.
| The man also brought dressing case'
with the result that a dip in the bath
and ten minutes in the hands Of an ex-
pert valet made Anstruther new man.
Acting under his advice, the bodies
Of the dead were thrown into the Ia
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 a
formal notice and fasten it to the rock.
This proceeding further mystihed the
officers of the Orient, who had gradual
ly formed connected idea OF the great
fight made by the shipwrecked PAIR.
though Anstruther squirmed inwardiy
when he thought Of the manner IN
which Iris would picture the scene.
AS it was. he had the first innings. and
| be 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 un1ag-
ging cheerfulness, her uhcompiamlng
| readiness, to do and dare.
When he ended, the first lieutenant
who commanded the boats sent in pur-
suit of the flying Dyaks-the ORIENT
sank both sampans as soon as tney
were launched--summed up the gener-