Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-02
CHAPTER I
The Wreck of the Sirdur

~ Hongkong she was known
III as the "Nandarin" Her
powers of merciess inquisi-
ton suggested torments long
drawn out The commander of the Sirdar'
homeward bound from Shanghai, knew that
he was about to be stretched on the rack
when he took his seat at the saloon table.
rs 1t true, captain. that we are running
into n typhoon?" demanded her ladyship.
From whom did you learn that, Lady
Tozer?" Captain Ross was wary though
somewhat surprised.
"From Miss Deane. I understood her
moment ago to say that you had told her.
"Didnt you? Some one told me this
morning. 1 couldn't have guessed IT, could
II" Miss Iris Deane's large blue eyes sur
veyed him with innocent indinerence 10
strict accuracy. Incidentally, she had OBJ
tanned the information from her maid.
nose-tilted coquette who extracted ships
secrets from youthful quartermaster.
'well-er-I had forgotten" explained
the tactful sailor.
'Is 1t trueg"
''Yes, 1t isI,' said Captain Ross.
''How horrible !" she gasped, in unat-
fected alarm. This return to femininity
soothed the sailors ruffled temper.
Sir John, her husband. frowned judicially
That frown constituted his legal stock,in'
trade. yet 1t passed current for wisdom with
the IIongkong bar
What evidence have your" he asked.
"Do tell u.s." chimed in Iris, delightfully
unconscious of interrupting the court. Did
you find out when you squinted at the
sum-"
The captain smiled. "You are nearer the
mark than possibly you imagine, Miss
Deane" he said. when we took our OBJ
servations yesterday there was very
weird-looking halo around the sun. This
morning you may have noticed several light
squalls and smooth sea marked OCCASION
ELY by strong ripples. The barometer Is
falling rapidly. and expect that as the
day wears we will encounter heavy swell.
II the sky looks wild tonight, and espe-
clallY II We observe a heavy bank OF cloud
approaching from the northwest, you viii
see the ciockery dancing about the table az
dinner. am afraid you are not a good
sailor. Lady Tozer. Are you, Miss Deane?'
Capital! I should just love to see reai
Storm"
"oh dear! do hope II will not be very
bad. Is there no way In which you can
avoid it, captain? viii It last lonsY
The polite skipper for once preferred 10
answer Lady Tozer 'There is no cause
for uneasiness," he said. "Of course
typhoons In the China Sea are nasty things
while they last, but ship like the Sirdar
Is not troubled by them. She Will drive
through the worst gale she is likely to meet
here in less than twelve hours Besides.
/ alter the course somewhat as soon as
discover our position with regard 10 us
center.
lHcn the CoAiiiildAucA hNAAANNAI
himself and the passengers saw no more Oh
him that day.
storm classed as ';periodic," whose
velocity can be measured. whose duration
4 and direction can be determined beforehand
by hours and distances ceases to be terrify-
ing. II became an accepted fact, akin 70
the steam engine and the electric telegraph,
marvellous yet commonplace.
So her ladyship dismissed the topic as or
no present interest and focused Miss Deane
through her eyeglasses.
Sir Arthur proposes to come home In
June. understand" she inquired
Iris was a remarkably healthy young
woman. A large banana momentarily en-
gagged her attention. She nodded anably,
You will stay with relatives until he
arrives?' pursued Lady Tozer.
The banana Is fruit OF simple eharae-
terlstics. The girl was able 70 reply with
E touch OF careless hauteur In her voice;
Relatives! We have none-none whom
We specially cultivate that Is. l Will stop
in town a day or two TO interview my dress
maker and then go straight 10 Helmdale,
our place in Yorkshire"
Surely you have ehaperonF
"a chaperonl Ny dear Lady fozer, dld
my father impress you as one who would
permit fassy and stout old person 70 make
my life miserableg
,rhe acidity OF the retort lay IN the word
sstout" But Iris was rot accustomed 70
eross-exaIninaton During a three months
residence on the island she had learned
how to avoid Lady Tozer.
Here It was Impossible. ana the older