Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-07-29

asked, Il have something to say TO
you before we land.
The shipowner silently motioned him
to seat.
1T concerns Iris and myself" con
tinued Anstruther. Il gathered from
your words when we met on the island
that both you and Lord yentnor re-
garded Iris as his lordship's promised
bride. From your point OF view the
arrangement was perhaps natural and
equitable. but since your daughter left
Hongkong IL happens that she and
have fallen in love with each other
No; please listen 20 me. I am not
here to urge my claims on you won
her fairly and intend to keep her were
the whole house OF peers opposed 20
me. At this moment | want to tell
you. her father. why she could never.
even under other circumstances. mar
~ Lord VentDor"
Then he proceeded TO place before
the astounded baronet detailed his
tory OF bis recent career. IL was
sordid story OF womans perfidy twice
told 1t carried conviction In every
sentence.
At the conclusion Sir Arthur bowed
his head between his hands.
II cannot choose but believe you"
he admitted huskily. yet how came
you 10 be so unJustly convicted by a
tribunal composed OF your brother Of
ficcrsg'
They could not help themselves. To
acqult me meant that they discredited
the sworn testimony not only OF my
colonel's wife. but OF the civil head OF
an important government mission. not
TO mention some bought Chinese evil
dcnce"
But you are powerless now. You
can hardly hope 10 have your case ~
vised. What chance is there that your
name will ever be cleared?''
Mrs. CostobeE can dc IL II she will
The vagaries OF such n woman are not
20 be depended on. II Lord Ventnor
has cast her OF her hatred may prove
stronger than her passion. Anyhow.
should be the last man 10 despair OF
Gods providence. ompare the con
dition OF Iris and myself today with
our plight ON the LEDGE
The shipowner sighed heavily.
FL hope your faith will be justified.
III Il Is not-the more likely thing TO
happen-do understand that my
daughter and you intend TO get mar
ried whether I give or withhold my
SANCTION
Anstruther rose and opened the door
II have ventured 10 tell YOU" he said.
@'why she should not marry Lord Vent
nor. When come to you and ask you
for her. which | pray may be soon. IL
xrfIf no 20 th.,e
question should you then decide 20
put H."
II must be remembered that Robert
knew nothing whatever OF the older
mans predicRment while the baronet.
fun OF his own troubles. was In no
mood 10 take reasonable view OF
Anstruther's position.
Thus. for little while. these two
were driven apart. and Anstruther dis
dained TO urge the plea that not many
weeks wccid elapse before be would
be richer man than his rival The
chief sufferer was Sir Arthur Deane
Had Iris Guessed how her father was
tOrmeuted size would not have remain
ell on the bridge. radiant and mirthfGi.
while the gray haired baronet gazed
with stony eyed despair at some memo
randa which he extracted from his pa
pers.
Ten thousand poundsr" he muttered
Not n grent SUM for the millionaire
financier. SIR Arthur Deane. 10 raise
on his note OF hand. few months ago
men offered nue. one hundred times the
amount on no better security. And
now 10 think that set OF jabbering
fools in London Should so destroy nv
credit and their own: that not a bank
Will discount our paper unless they
are assured Lord ventnor has Joined
the board Fancy me. of all men. be-
ing willing to barter my child FOR a
few pieces OF goldr'
The thought was maddening. For
little while lie yielded 10 utter despond-
ency. Ii was quite true that csmpar-
atively small amount OF money would
restore the stability OF his hrm. Even
without IL. were his credit unimpaired.
be could easily tide over the period OF
depression until the first fruits OF hts
enterprise were garnered Then all
men would hail him as genius
YEARLY turning over his papers. he
suddenly came across the last letter
written TO him by Iris mother. How
she dotted on their only child. He re-
called one night shortly before his wife
died when the little Iris was brought
into her room to kiss her. and lisp her
lntantiie prayers. She had devised a
formula OF her own:
God bless fatheri God bless motherl
God bless me- their little girI-'
And what was II she cried to him
from the beachs
Your own little girl given back to
your
Given back to him. For what--to
marry that black hearted scoundrel
whose pastime was the degradation OF
women and the defaming OF honest
men: That settled IL. Instantly the
cloud was lifted FROM his soul. A great
peace came upon him. The ruin OF bis
business be might not be able 10 avert.
Dut be would save from the wreck
taat which be priced more than all |