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

lover watched. the familiar outlines OF
Rainbow island growing dim in tbs
evening light For long while they
could see Mir Jams tall. thin figure
motionIess on a rock at the extremity
of Europa point. Their hut. the reef
TIE ledge. came into view as the cruis-
er swung round TO more northerly
course
Iris had thrown an arm across her
fathers shoulders. The three were left
alone just then. and they We're silent
for many minutes. At last the flying
miles merged the solitary palm beyond
the lagoon with the foliage on the elf
The wide cleft eff Prospect park grew
less distinct. Mir JAMS white clothed
figure WAS lost in the dark background.
The island was becoming vague,
dreamllke, a blurred memory.
Robert" said the girl deyoutly,
God has been very good to us. Do
you remember this hour yesterday? p
she murmured. How we suffered from
thirst; how the Dyaks began their see
ond attack from the ridge; how YOU
climbed down the ladder and | fol-
lowed you: Oh. father, darling" she
went on impulsively tightening her
grasp, you will never know how braye
he WAS: how enduring: how he risked
all for me and cheered me To the end"
Il think | am beginning TO under
stand now answered the shipowner.
averting his eyes lest Iris should see
the tears in them. Their Calvary was
ended. they thought. Was it for him
to lead them again through the SORROW
full way: 1t was a heartrending task
that lay before him. n task from which
his soul revolted. He refused even to
attempt ii.
The explanation of the shipowner's
position was painfully simple. Being a
daring yet shrewd fiaaneier, he per-
ceived in the troubled condition of the
far east magnificent opportunity to
consolidate the trading influence of his
company. He negotiated two big loans,
one of semiprivate nature to equip
docks and railways in the chief mari
time province of China, the other of q
more public character with the govern
ment of Japan. All his own resources,
together with those of his principal di-
rectors and shareholders. were devoted
to these objects. Contemporaneously
he determined to stop paying heavy in
surance premiums on his fleet and
make it self supporting on the well
known mutual principle.
His vessels were we'll equipped, well
manned, replete with every modern i'm
provement and managed with great
commercial skill. In three or four
years, given ordinary trading luck, he
must have doubled his own fortune.
No sooner were all his arrangements
completed than three of his best ships
went down, saddling his company with
an absolute loss of nearly 100000 and
seriously undermining his financial
credit. A fellow director, wealthy and
influential. resigned his seat on the
board and headed a clique of disap-
pointed stockholders. AT once the fair
sky became overcast.
Sir Arthur Deane's energy and finan-
cial skill might have enabled him to
weather this unexpected gale We're it
not for the apparent loss of his beloved
daughter with the crack ship of his
line. half frenzied with grief, he babe
his enemies do their worst and allow
ed his affairs to get into hopeless con-
fusion Wnlle he UeNOIeu nllifSeiI WHOLLY
to the search for Iris and her compan-
ions. At this critical juncture Lord
Nentnor again reached his side. His
lordship possessed a large private for
tune and extensive estates. He was
prudent withal and knew how admit
rably the shipowner's plans would de-
velop if given the necessary time. He
offered the use of his name and money.
He more than filed the gap created by
the hostile eX-director. People argued
that such a clever man, just returning
from the far east after accomplishing
a public mission of some Importance,
must be a reliable guide. The mere
cabled intelligence of his intention to
join the board restored confidence and
credit.
But there was a bargain. If Iris
lived she must become the Countess of
Ventnor. His lordship was weary OF
peripatetic lovemaking 1t was high
time he settled down in life, took an
interest in the legislature and achieved
a position in the world of affairs. He
had a chance now. The certain success
Of his friends project, the fortunate