The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-04-26
CHAPTER XVII.
RAINBOW ISLAND AGAIN-ANC
AFTERWARD,

RAINBOW ISLAND AGAlN-AND
AFTERWARD.
Sir Arthur Deane was sitting alone in
his cabin in a state of deep detection,
when ne was aroused by knock, and
Robert entered.
can you give me half an hour?" he
asked. Il have something to say to
you before We land"
The ship owner silently motioned him
TO a seat.
1T concerns Iris and myself con-
tinued Anstruther. Il gathered from
your words when we met on the island
that both you and Lord VentnOr re-
garded Iris as his lOrdship's promised
bride. From your point of view the ar
rangement was perhaps natural and
equitable, but since your daughter left
Hongkong it happens that she and I
have fallen in love with each other. No;
please listen to me. 1 am not here TO
urge my claims upon you. l won her
fairly and intend to keep her, were the
whole house of peers opposed TO me.
At this moment I want to tell you, her
father why she could never. even UNI
der other circumstances, marry Lord
Ventnor"
Then he proceeded to place before
the astounded baronet a detailed his
tory of his recent career. 1t was a
SlOIy VI NOlld1l ptIluyg lNtCC
told. II carried conviction in every
sentence. 1t was possible. of course.
to explain matters more fully to the
baronet than to Iris, and AuStruthers
fierce resentment of the cruel wrong
inflicted upon him blaZed forth with
overwhelming force. The intensity of
his wrath in no way impaired the
cogency of his arguments. Rather did
1t lend point and logical brevity. Each
IL -
consciousness, for Robert did not know
coerced to a distasteful compact by the
scoundrel who figured in the narra-
tive as his evil genius.
At the conclusion Sir Arthur bowed
his head between his hands
81 cannot choose but believe you" he
admitted huskily. Yet how came you
10 be so unjustly convicted by a trib-
unal composed of your brother Off
cers?"
They could not help themselves. To
acquit me meant that they discredited
the sworn testimony not only of my
Colonels wife, but of the civil head of
an important government mission. not
10 mention some bought Chinese evil
dence. Am the first man to be of
fered up as a sacrifice on the altar of
official eXpediency?"
''But you are powerless now. You
can hardly hope to have your case re-
vlsed. What chance is there that your
name will ever be cleared?''
Mrs. CostObell can do 1T If she will.
The Vagaries of such a woman are not
to be depended on. . If Lord Ventnor
has cast her off, her hatred may prove
stronger than her passion. Anyhow, I
should be the last man to despair of
Gods providence. Compare the cOndi-
- III 4 Ia
plight during the second night on the
ledge! | refuse to believe that a bad
and tickle woman can resist the work
ings of destiny. and it was a happy
fate which led me to ship on board the
SirG>r, though at the, time l saw it in
another light"
How different the words. the aspira-
tions, of the two suitors. Quite uncon-
sciously, Robert could not have pleaded
better. The ship owner sighed heavily
Il hope your faith will be justified
If it be not-the more likely thing to
happen-dO l understand that my
daughter and you intend TO get mar
ried whether 1 give or withhold my
sanctiOn?"
Anstruther rose and opened the door.
Il have Ventured to tell you,'' he said.
why she should not marry Lord Vent
nor. When / come to you and ask You
A'i AiNis WHICH L clg may Dt SOOU. II
will be time enough to answer that
question, should you then decide to put
it,"
1t must be remembered that Robert
knew nothing whatever of. the older
mans predicament, whilst the baronet
full of his own troubles, was in no
mood 10 take reasonable view of An
struther's position. Neither Iris nor
Robert could make him understand the
IpFtc n -
on the island, nor was it easy to depict
the tumultuous agony of that terrible
hour on the ledge when the girl forced
the man to confess his love by suggest
ing acceptance of the Dyaks' terms.
Thus, for a little while, these two
were Sciven apart, and Anstruther dis
dained TO urge the plea that not many
weeks would elapse before he would be
a richer man than his rival. The chief
sufferer was Sir Arthur Deane. Had
Iris guessed how her father was tor
mented, she would not have remained
on the bridge, radiant and mirthful,
whilst the gray-haired baronet gazed
with stony-eyed despair at some menu
oranda which he extracted from his
papers.
Ten thousand pOundsr' he muttered.
mot a great sum for the millionaire
flnancier, Sir Arthur Deane, TO raise on
blH ltolc VI ucJtu. "A lew months ago
men offered me one hundred times the
amount on no better security And
now, TO think that a set of iabbering
fools In London should so destroy my
credit and their own. that not a bank
will discount our paper unless they are
assured Lord Ventnor has Joined the
board, Fancy me, of all men, being
willing to barter my child for a few
pieces OF goldr'
The thought was maddening For a
little while he yielded TO utter despon-
dency. 1t was quite true that q COM
paratively small amount of money
would restore the stability of his Arm.
Even without it, were his credit unim-
paired, he could easily tide over the
period Of depression until the first
fruits of his enterprise were garnered
Then, all men would hail him as q
genius.
Wearfly turning over his papers, he
suddenly came across the last letter
written to him by Iris mother. How
she dotted on their only child, He re-
called one night, shortly before his wife
died. when the little Iris was brought
into her room TO kiss her and lisp her
infantile prayers. She had devised a
formula of her own