Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-02-15

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He found her a woman. strong. self re-
liant, purposeful. Yet he kept on,
choosing the most straightforward
means as the only honorable way Of
clearing a course so beset with unsus-
pected obstacles.
at is only reasonable, Iris, that your
affianced husband should suffer an ng.
ony of apprehension on your account
and do all that was possible to effect
your rescue"
"My-a fflanced-husband?"
well. my dear girl, perhaps that is
hardly the correct phrase from your
point of view. Yet you cannot fail to
remember that Lord Nentnor"-
"Father, dear" said Iris solemnly.
Int in voice free from all uncertain-
ty. my aftianced husband stands here.
We plighted our troth at the very gate
of death 1t was ratified in the pres
ence Of God and has been blessed by
him. I have made no compact with
Lord Nentnor. He is base and un.
worthy man. Did you but know the
truth concerning him you would not
mention his name in the same breath
with mine Would he. Roberto
"Be advised by me. Sir Arthur. and
Ton. too, Iris" he said. This is no
hour for explanations. Leave me to
zeal with Lord Nentnor. am content
10 trust the ultimate verdict to you, Sir
Arthur. You will learn in due course
all that has happened. Go on board
Iris Meet Lord Nentnor as you would
meet any other friend. You will not
marry him, | know. l can trust you"
Il ain very much obliged to you"
murmured the baronet. who, notwith.
standing his worry. was far too expert
enccd man of the world not to &C
knowledge the good sense of this ad
vice, no matter how ruffianiy might be
the g,ise of the strange person who
gave il.
"rhat is settled. then" 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
ed by the ragged and hairy giant who
carried himself so masterfully and
helped everybody over the stile 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? I have list
of all the passengers and crew. and
your name does not appear therein"
"Oh. thst is easily accounted for. !
shipped as steward in 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.
II 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. I have the utmost belief in
the British navy, and even skeptic
should be convinced Of its infallibility
if II. NJ. s. Orient is able to provide a
lady's outfit"
Sir Arthur Deane gladly availed him
self of the proffered compromise. He
assisted Iris into the boat. though thai
active young person was fur better
able to support him. and word to the
officer in command sent the gig flying
back to the ship. Anstruther during a
momentary delay made a small request
on his own account. Lieutenant Play
don, nearly as big a man as Robert,
dispatched 4 note to his servant, and
the gig speedily returned with n com
| plete assortment of clothing and linen.
| The man also brought dressing case,
| with the result that n 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 We're thrown into the la
| COON, the wounded We're collected in
| the hut, to be attended to by the ships
| surgeon and the prisoners were parad-
| ed in front Of Mir Jan. who identified
every man and found by counting
| heads that none was missing.
Robert did not forget to write out a
| formal notice and fasten it to the rock
| This proceeding further mystified the
| ly formed connected idea of the great
| fight made by the shipwrecked pair,
| though Anstruther sQuirmed inwardly
when he thought of the manner in
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 terse words which the mill
| tant Briton best understands he de.
| scribed the girls forttude, her uullag-
| ging cheerfulness. her accomplishing
| readiness, to do and dare.
| When he ended, the first lieutenant
who commanded the boats sent in pur-
suit of the flying Dyaks-th Orient
! sank both sampans as soon as they
were unched-summed up the gener-
al verdict:
You do not need our admiration
| CAPTAIN Anstruther Each man of lis
envies you from the bottom of his
soul"
"There is an error about my rank
he said. II did once hold commission
| in the Indian army, but | was court
martialed and cashiered in Hongkong
six months ago. ! was unjustly con
victed ON a grave charge, and hope
some day to clear myself. Meanwhile
am n mere civilian 1t was only
Miss Deane's generous sympathy