The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-08-02

5'IIeaye this to me, laQ, ne eA-
claimed. "When I was coming here In
the Sirdar there was lot OF talk
about Sir Arthurs scheme, and there
should not be much difficulty in rails
ing all the brass required if half what
heard be true. Sit you down, Sir Ar
thur. and tell us all about it.
The shipowner required no second
bidding. With the skill for which he
was noted he described his operations
in detail, telling how every farthing Of
the first installments of the two great
loans was paid up, how the earnings
of his fleet would quickly overtake the
deficit in capital value caused by the
loss Of the three ships and how in six
months time the leading financial
houses of London, Paris and Berlin
would be offering him more money
than he would need.
To a shrewd man Of business the
project could not fail to commend it
self, and the Yorkshire squire, though
a trifie obstinate in temper, was singu-
larly clear headed in other respects.
He brought his great fist down on the
table with a whack.
"Send a cable to your company, Sir
Arthur" he cried, "and tell them that
your prospective son-in-law will pro-
vide the 10000 you require. l will
see that his draft is honored. You can
add. if you like, that another ten will
be ready if wanted when this lot Is
spent. I did my lad one deuced bad
turn in my life. This time. I think, l
am doing him a good one"
"You are, indeed" said Iris father
enthusiastically. ."The unallotted capi-
tai he is taking up will be worth four
times its face value in two years"
Cali the more reason to make his
holding twenty instead often" roared
the Yorkshireman. "But, look here.
You talk about dropping proceedings
against that precious earl whom l
saw today. Why not tell him not to
try any funny tricks until Roberts
money is safely lodged to your ac-
count? We have him in our power.
Dash it all, let us use him Bit
Even Iris laughed at this naive sug-
gestion. It was delightful to think
that their arch enemy was actually
helping the baronet's affairs at that
very moment and would continue to
do so until he was flung aside as being
Of no further value. Although Ventnor
himself had carefully avoided any
formal commitment, the cablegrams
awaiting the shipowner at Singapore
showed that confidence had already
been restored by the uncontradicted
use of his lordship's name.
Robert at last obtained a hearing.
.1You two are quietly assuming the
attitude OF the financial nlasnateS of
this gathering he said. Il must aa-
nit that you have managed things
rery well between you. ana CO not
propose for one monent &c interfere
with your arrangements. Neveruheiess,
Iris and I are really the chief nnoneyed
persons present You spoke of fnan-
cial houses in England and on the con-
tinent backing up your loans Six
mouths hence. Sir Arthur. You need
not go to them. We will be your
bankers
The baronet laughed with whole
hearted gayety that revealed whence
Iris got some part at least of her
bright disposition.
will you sefb your island, Robert"
he cried. II an>afraid that not even
Iris could Gheedle any one into buy
ing ii.
But, father, DEAR" interrupted the
girl earnestly, what Robert says is
true. We have gold mine there. It
is worth so much that you will hardly
believe it until there can no longer be
any doubt in your mind. suppose
that is why Robert asked me rot to
mention his discovery to you earlier
ssNo, Iris, that was not the reason, >
said her lover. and the elder men felt
that more than idle fancy inspired the
astounding intelligence that they had
just heard Your love was more to
me than al the gold in the world. !
had won you. l meant to keep you
but I refused to buy YOU
He turned to her father. His pent-
up emotion mastered him, and he
spoke as one who could no longer re-
strain his feelings.
81 have had no chance to thank you
for the words you uttered at the mo-
ment we quilted the ship Yet l will
treasure them while life lasts. You
gave Iris to me when l was poor, dis
graced, an outcast from my family
and my profession. And know why
you did this thing. 1t was because
YOU valued her happiness more than
riches or reputation 1 am sorry now
RI did not explain matters earlier. 1t
would have saved you much needless
suffering. But the sorrow las sped
like an evil dream, and you will per
haps not regret it, for your action to-
day binds me to you with hoops OF
steel. And you, too, uncle. You tray,
eled thousands Of miles to help and
comfort me in my anguish. Were I as