Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-07-14
CHAPTER EIII.


arrive"
CHAPTER EIII.
THE LURE OF GOLD.
'@HII.IP. want to :cll you
'o "ssns's;ns pleasant,
NO"
Then why tell me?'
because, unhappiy. it must be tod.
hope you will forgive ne. though
shall never forgive myself. oh. my
dear, my dear, why did we ever meet:
And what am to say: well. have
promised TO marry another man.
"Disgrnceful.' said Philip.
Philip. denr, this is quite serious"
said Iris. momentarily withdrawing
her wistful gaze from the faraway
! line where sapphire sea and amber
sky met in harmony. Northeastern
Brazil is n favored cline Bad wealth
err is there a mere link. ms 1t were. he
tween unbroken weeks Of brilliant sun
shine. At her present pace the Cnser
| Fritz would enter the harbor at Per
nambuco on the following morning.
Iris. her troubled face resting on her
hands. her elbows propped OH the rails
Of the poop on the port side. looked at
Philip with an intense sadness that
was seemingly lost on him.
! Il really mean what l say" she con-
tinued in low voice that vibratcd
with emotion. Il have given my word
written it--entered into a most sol
emn obligation Somehow the pros
pect of reaching a civilized place to-
morrow induces more ordered state
Of mind than has been possible since
since the Andromeda was lost"
who is he:' demanded Hozier dark
ly. Cooke is married. So Is Watts.
Dom Corria has other fish to fry than
to dream Of committing bigamy. OF
course am we'll aware that you have
been flirting with San Renavides"-
please don't make my duty harder
for me-" pleaded Iris. Before l met
you. before we spoke to each other
that first day at Liverpool. had prom
ised to marry Mr.. Bulmer. an old
friend Of my uncles''-
"Oh-he? am sorry for Mr.. Bull
mer but It can't be done" interrupted
Hozier
Philip, You do not understand. IL
rared for nobody then. and my uncle
Eaid he was in danger of bankruptcy
and Mr. Bulmer undertook to help him
If | would consent
He turned and met her eyes There
was tender smile on his lips.
80 you really belieye you will be
compelled to marry Mr.. Bulmer" he
cried.
"Oh. don't be horrid. she almost
sobbed. ~ cuc-cuc-can't help It,"
Il have given some thought to the
problem myself" he said land
appreciate exactly how well 1t would
serve Mr. David verity's interests II
his niece married a wealthy old party
like Bulmer. Ply the way. how old Is
Rulmer?"
Nearly seventy"
at is a pity that Bulmer should be
a patriarch. because his only hope o
marrying you is that shall die first
Even then he must be prepared Il
espousc my widow. by the way. is !
iisrcspectful to describe him as 4 patri
arch: Isn't there some provcrb abou
threescore years and ten:"
philip. If only you would apprc
ciate my dreadful position"-
~ do. 1t ought to be ended. Tn
first pnrson we meet shall be com
Wandered. Don't you see. dear. W
really must get married at Peruam
HUGO"
Iris clinched her little hands In de
spnir. Why did he not understand he
misery? Though she was unwaverinl
in her resolution to keep faith with tn
man who had twitted her with taking
all and giving nothing In return. sh
could not wholly restrain the tumul
10 her veins Married in Pernambuco
All. II only that were possible!
II am sure we would be happy to
gether." she said. with pathetic con
1dence TINT tempted him strongly t
take her In his arms and kiss ava,
Der fears. I'VE must forget what hap
pened In the land Of dreams. l vii
never love any man but you. Philip
Yet I cannot marry you"
you will marry ME In Pernambuco.
II will not because | may not. Oh
spare me any more Of this! cannO
bear 1t! Have pity. DEAR
Iris. let us at least look at the posi-
ton calmly. DO you really think tina
fate's own decree should be set asid
merely to keep David Verify out o
the bankruptcy court?'
II have given my promise. and thos
two men are certain l will keep It,"
"Ah, they will release you. Wha
them"
You do not know my uncle or Mi
Bulmer. Money is their god. ow
everything to my uncle. He rescue'
my mother and me from dire poverty
He gave us freely Of his abundance
We have had our hour. dear. IT. mem
DRY will never leave me. l shall thinl
Of you. dream OF you. when. 1t may be
some other girl-oh. 10. ! do not meal
that! Philip, don't be angry with IN