The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1910-06-10
IcoNTINUED.l

l hope you will forgive me, though 1
shall never forgive myself. oh, my
dear, my dear, why did we ever meet?
And what am to say? I-well, have
promised to marry another man."
"Disgraceful" said Philip.
"Philip, dear, 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 a favored cline. Bad wealth
er is there mere link, as it were, be-
tween unbrollen weeks of brilliant sun
shine At her present pace the Unser
| Fritz would enter the harbor at Per
nambuco on the following morning.
Iris, her troubled face resting on her
hands, her elbows propped on 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 a low voice that vibrated
with emotion. Il have given my word
written it-entered into most sol
emn obligation. Somehow the pros
pect of reaching a civilized place to-
morrow induces q more ordered state
of mind than has been possible since
| since the Andromeda was lost"
"Who is he?" demanded HoZier dark
| ly. "Coke is married. So is Watts.
Dom Corria has other fish to fry than
to dream Of committing bigamy. OF
course am well aware that you have
been flirting with San Benavides"-
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, l had prom
ised to marry Mr.. Bulmer, an old
friend of my uncle's"-
"Oh-he? l am sorry for Mr.. Bull
mer, but it can't be DONE" interrupted
Hozier.
philip, you do not understand. II
cared for nobody then, and my uncle
said he was in danger of bankruptcy,
and Mr.. Bulmer undertook to help him
IL would consent"
He turned and met her eyes. There
was tender smile on his lips.
$50 you really believe you will be
compelled to marry Mr.. Bulmerr' he
cried.
"Oh, don't be horridr' she almost
sobbed. II cuc-cuc-can't heto it."
II have given some thought to the
problem myself" he said. land
appreciate exactly how well 1t would
serve Mr.. David Veritys interests If
his niece married wealthy old party
like Bulmer. BY the way, how old Is
BulmerT"
NEARLY, seventy"
ut II q pity that Buimer should b
patriarch. because his only hope of
marrying you is that shall die first. |
Even then he must be prepared to |
espouse my widow. By the way, is il |
disrespectful TO describe him as patri- |
arch? Isn't there some proverb about |
threescore years and temp
Philip. if only you would appre.
ciate my dreadful position
81 do. 1t ought to be ended. The
first parson we meet shall be COM
Wandered. Don't you see, dear, we
really must get married at Pernam-
buco"
Iris clinched her little hands in de-
spair. Why did he not understand her
misery? Though she was unwavering
in her resolution to keep faith with the
man who had twitted her with taking
all and giving nothing in return, she
could not wholly restrain the tumult
in her veins. Married in Pernambuco!l
All. If only that were possible!
Il am sure we would be happy to-
gether," she said. with pathetic con-
fdence that tempted him strongly to
take her in his arms and kiss away
her fears. I'VE must forget what hap
pened in the land of dreams. | will
never love any man but you, Philip.
Yet cannot marry you"
You will marry me I'm Pernambuco."
Il VIII not because l may not. Oh,
spare me any more of this! | cannot
bear 1t! Have pity. dearr'
Iris, let us at least look at the posi-
ton calmly. Do you really think that
fate's own decree should be set aside
merely to keep David Verify out of
the bankruptcy courtT"
II have given my promise. and those
two men are certain will keep it."
"Ah, they will release you. What
HEMP
You do not know my uncle or Mr.
Bulmer. Money is their god. l owe
to my uncle. He rescued
ny mother and me from dire poverty
lie gave us freely of his abundance.
We have had our hour, dear. Its men,
Try will never leave me. l shall think
If you. dream of you, when, 1t may be,
iome other girl-oh, no, do not mean
hat! Philip, don't be angry with me
oday. You are wringing my hearth
Il shall never give you up to any {
'ther man." he said. al have won you ,
" the sword. and, please God, shall ,
lever give you up! Not while / live! ,
Why. you yourself dragged me away
rom certain death when I was lying