Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-02-22

II lord NENTNOR was no TOOL.
While Iris was Transforming
herself from a semisavage con-
dition into semblance Of an
ultra chic Parisienne, Sir Arthur
Deane told the earl something Of the
state Of affairs on the island.
His lordshlp. a handsome saturnine
man, cool. insolently polite. counseled
patience, federation, even silent recog-
milton of Anstruthers undoubted
claims for services rendered.
"She is an enthusiastic, high spirited
girl" he urged upon his surprised hear
er who expected a very different ex-
preston OF opinion. This fellow An
etruther is plausible sort of rascal.
good man In tight place, too--iust the
sort OF fire eating bsckguard who
WouId fill re heroic bill where fight
Is concerned. Hang him. he licked me
twice."
Further amazemcnt for the shipown-
Or
Yes. it's quite true. I interfered
with his little games. and he gave me
kbe usual reward Of the devils apothe-
cary. Leave Iris alone. At present
she is strung up TO an intense pitch of
gratitude, having barely escaped ter
ribe fate. Let her come back TO the
normal. Austruther's shady record
must gradually leak out. That will dis
gust her. He is hard up-cut off by his
people and that sort Of thing. There
sou probably have the measure Of his
scheming. He knows quite well that
he can never marry your daughter 1t
Is all n matter of price
Sir Arthur Willingly allowed himself
70 be persuaded. At the back Of his
head there was an uneasy conscious
ness that it was not all matter Of
price" II 1t were he would never
trust a mans face again. But Vent
nor's well balanced arguments swayed
him. The course indicated was the
only decent ONE 1t was humanity i'm
possible for q man 10 chide his daugh-
Ter and fout her rcscuer within an hour
Of finding them
Lord Ventnor played his cards with
n deeper design He bowed TO the in
evitable. Iris said she loved his rival.
Very well. To attempt to dissuade
her was to throw her more closely into
was to appear resigned. saddened. com
PEELED against his will TO reveal the
distressing truth. Further he counted
On Anstruther's quick temper as an
active agent. Such q man would be
the first to rebel against an assumption
of plying tolerance. He would bring
bitter charges of conspiracy, Of I'M
believable compact to secure his ruin.
All this must recoil on his own head
when the facts were laid bare Not
even the hero Of the island could pre-
vail against the terrible indictment OF
the court martial. Finally, at Singa-
pore, three days distant, Colonel Cos.
kobell and his wife were staying. Lord
ventnor, alone of those on board knew
this. Indeed he accompanied Sir Ar
thur Deane largely in order to break
of a somewhat trying ENHANCEMENT.
He smiled complacently as he thought
nf the effect on Iris of Mrs. Costobell's
Indignant remonstrances when the bar.
pnet asked that injured lady to tell the
girl all that had happened at Hong
kong
However, Lord Nentnor was most
profoundly annoyed. and he cursed
Anstruther from the depths of his
heart But he could see way out.
He came ashore with Iris and her
father. The captain Of the Orient also
bolned the party. The three men
watched Robert and the girl walking
toward them from the group of off
GERS.
"Anstruther is smart looking fel.
low" commented Captain Fitzroy.
"Who is he"
Truth to tell, the gallant commander
Of the Orient was secretly amazed by
khe metamorphosis effected in Roberts
appearance since he scrutlnized him
Through his glasses
Poor Sir Arthur said not n word but
his lordship was quite at ease.
From his name and from what
Deane tells me believe he is an ex-
en1cer Of the Indian army"
'Ah! He has left the service?'
Eyes. l met him last in Hongkong."
"Tben you know him."
Quite well, if he is the man I i'm
hgine."
THAT is really very nice Of ventnor,"
thought the shipowner. THE last thing
should credit him with would be a
Sorgiving disposition"
Meanwhile Anstruther was reading
Iris a little lecture. Sweet one" he
explained to her, do not allude to me
by my former rank. / am not entitled
to 1t. Some day. please God. it will be
restored to me. At present I am a
plain civilian, and, by the way, Iris,
during the next few days say nothing
about our mine"
"Oh, why not?''
Just a personal whim. 1t will please
the"
1T it pleases you, Robert, am salts
6ed'
He pressed her arm by way Of an
swer. They were too near to the wait
ting trio for other comment.
Captain Fitzroy," cried Iris, "let me
Introduce Mr. Anstruther to you. Lord
Nsntnor, you have met Mr.. Anstruther
before"
The sailor shook hands. Lord Vent
nor smiled affably.