The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-02-22
CHAPTER XIII.

"nHILIP. want to tell you
Something pleasantf"
"No."
Then why tell me2'
because. unhappily. 1t must be told.
I hope you viii forgive me. though 1
shall never forgive myself. Oh, my
dear. my dear. why did we ever meet 2
And what am to sayi I-well, i have
promised to marry another man."
"Disgracefulr' 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
or A. there mere link, as Il were, be-
tween unbroken 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
II really mean what say" she con-
tfnued In low voice that vibrated
with emotion. II have given my word
written t-entered into q most SOL
emn obligation Somehow the pros
pect Of reaching a civilised pla13 to-
morrow induces q more ordered state
Of mind than has been possible since
since the Andromeda was lost"
-who Ia her demanded Hozter dark
~. "Coke IL married So Is Watts.
Dom Corria has other fish to fry than
to dream Of committing bigamy. OF
course I am well aware that you have
been flirting with San Benavides'-
'sPlease don't make my duty harder
for me-" pleaded Iris. Before I met
you. before We spoke to each other
that first day mt Liverpool, had prom
ised to- marry Mr.. Bulmer, an old
friend Of my uncle's"-
"Oh-he? am sorry for Mr.. Bull
mer. but IL can't be done" interrupted
Hozier.
Philip. you do not understand. II
said he was In danger Of bankruptcy,
and Mr.. Bulmer undertook to help him
n I 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.. Buimerw he
cried.
"Oh. don't be horridr' she almost
sobbed. 81 cuc-cuc-can't help t."
II have given some thought to the
problem myself" he said. "and |
appreciate exactly how we'll II would
serve Mr.. David yerity's interests IL
his niece married a wealthy old party
Ike Bulmer. BY the way, how old Is
Buimerf'
Nearly seventy"
at n pity that Bulmer should be
q patriarch. because his only hope of
marrying you In that I shall die first.
Even then he must be prepared 10
espouse my widow. By the way. is 4.
disrespectful TO describe him as a patri-
nrchr Isn't there some proverb about
threescore years and ten?"
phillip. II only you would appre-
cfate M dreadful position
81 90. II ought TO be ended. The
nrst parson we meet shall be COM
mandeered. Don't you see. dear, we
really must get married at Pernam-
buco."
Iris clinched her little hands I'm de.
spair Why did he not understand er
misery Though she was unwaver,ug
In her resolution to keep faith with the
man who had twitted her with taking
ail and giving nothing In return. she
could not wholly restrain the tumult
Az her veins darried In Pernambuco,
All. II only that were possible!
-. am sure we would be happy to-
gether." she said. with a pathetic con-
hdence 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 will not because I may not. oh.
spare me any more OF this! cannot
bear II! Have pity. dearr'
"lris. let US at least look at the posi-.
tion calmly. DO you really think that
fate's own decree should be set aside
merely to keep David Verify out OF
the bankruptcy cOurtf'
II have given my promise. and those
two men are certain I will keep It,"
"Ah. they will release you. What
them
You do not know my uncle or Mr..
Bulmer. Money Is their god. owe
everything To my uncle lie rescued
my mother and me from dire poverty.
He gave US freely OF his abundance.
We have had our hour. dear. Its mem
ory Will never Jeave me. I shall think
OF you. dream OF you. when. IL may be.
some other girl-oh. no. I do not mean
thatl Philip. don't bc angry with me