The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-09-23

We pIfchted our troth at the very gate
of death It was ratified II the pres
ence OF God and has been blessed by
rbim I have made no compact with
Lord Veutnor. lie Is a base and un-
worthy man. Did Won but know the
truth concerning hiyl you would no;
mention his name in the same breath
with mine. Would he. RobertE"
s'Ee 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 Ventnor as you would
meet any other friend. You viii not
marry him. / know 1 can trust YOU
Il 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 adj
vice, no matter how ruffianly might be
the guise Of the strange person who
gave it.
''That is settled, them said Robert,
laughing good naturally, for he well
knew what a weird spectacle he must
present to the bewildered old gentle
man.
Even Sir Arthur Deane was fascinat-
cd by the ragged ana hairy giant who
carried himself SO masterfully and
helped everybody over the stne at the
right moment He tried to develop the
change in the conversation.
by the way" he said, "how came
you to be ON the Sirdar? l have list
of ali the passengers and crew, and
your name does not appear therein
''Oh. that is easily accounted for. /
shipped as Il steward ia the name of
Robert jerks"
Robert jerks A steward"'
Yes. That forms some part of the
promised explanation"
Iris rapidly gathered the drift of her
lovers wishes.
Come father" she cried merrily.
81 am aching to 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 skeptic
should be convinced of its infallibility
If H. NJ s. Orient is able to provide
Iady's outfit"
Sir Arthur Deane gladly availed him
self OF the proffered compromise. He
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 a
mohentary delay made a small request
on his own account. Lieutenant Play
don, nearly a big u 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 a dressing case,
with the result that q 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 We're parad- |
ed in front Of Mir Jan, who Identified |
every man and found by counting /
heads that none was missing.
Robert did not forget 10 write out Il |
formal notice and fasten it to the rock. |
This proceeding further mystifed the |
officers of the Orient. who had gradual /
~ formed connected idea of the great /
fight made by the shiHwrecked pair. I
though Anstruther squirmed inwardly /
when he thought Of the manner in 1
which Iris would picture the scene.
AS it was. he had the first innings. and /
he did not fail to use the opportunity.
In the few terSc words which the mill
tant Brltoa best understands he de-
- der
riur ehecrfulness her accompanying
readiness. to do and dare.
When he ended. the first lieutenant.
who commanded Tie boats sent in pur-
suit OF the Tying Dyaks-the Orient
sank both sanipaus as soon as they
were launehed-summed up the geaer
al verdict:
''Yeu do not need our admiration,
Captain Anstruther. Each man of US
enyics you from the bottom of his
SOUL
There is an error about my rank"
he said. = did once hold j commission
in the Indian army. but l was court
marfialed and cashierel IN Hongkong
six months ago. l was unjustly con-
victed on grave charge. and I hope
some DAY u clear myself. Meanwhile
/ asn mere civilian. 1t was only
Miss l4cane's generous sympathy
whici, lei her to mention my former
rank. Mr. Playdon."
Had another OF tie Orient's twelve
FOUNDER shells suddenly burst in the
midst of the group OF officers it would
have created less dismay than this I'M
expected avowal Court martialed.
Cashiered, None but a service man
can grasp the awful significance of
those words 10 the commissioned ranks
of the army aud navy
Anstruther well knew what he was
doing. Somehow he found nothing hard
in tie performance of these penances
now OF course the ugly truth must
be revealed the moment Lord Nentnor
heard his name. 1t was not fair to the
good fellows crowding around him and
Offering every attention that the frank
hospitality Of Tie British sailor could
suggest to permit them To adopt the
tone Of friendly equality which rigid
,iissifsFiue If nothing else would not al /