Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-20

Wei, you didn't marry her. anyhow"
commented Iris, trihe sharply.
And now the sailor was on level ground
again.
Thank Heaven, no." he said, earnestly.
We had barely become engaged when she
went with her uncle TO Simla for the hot
weather. There she met Lord Ventnor.
who was on the viceroys stan. and-if you
don't mind. we will skip a portion OF the
r1rrative-I discovered then why men In
India usually go TO England for their wives.
While In Smla on ten days leave had
foolish row with Lord Ventnor In the United
states Club-hammered him. In fact. In de-
Tense or worthless woman, and was only
saved from a severe reprimand because l
had been badly treated. Nevertheless, my
hopes OF political appointment vanished,
and returned TO my regiment TO learn.
after due reflection. what a very lucky per-
son I was"
Concerning Miss Norris you mean7"
Exactly, And now exit Elizabeth. Not
being cut out for matrimonial enterprise
tried to become a good officer A year ago,
when the Government asked for volunteers
TO form Chinese regiments, I sent in my
name and was accepted. had the good for
tune TO serve under an old friend, Colonel
Costobell but some malign star sent Lord
Ventnor to the Far East this time In an
important capacity. met him occasionally,
and we found we did not like each other
any better. My horse beat his for the
Pagoda Hurdle Handicap-poor old Sultan!
wonder where he Is now3'
Was your horse called sultan'?"
Yes I bought him In Meerut, trained
him myself, and ferrled him all the way to
China. I loved him next to the British
army"
This was quite satisfactory. There was
genuine feeling in his voice now. Iris be-
| came even more interested.
Colonel Costobell fell Ill. and the COM
mand of the regiment devolved upon me-
our only major being absent in the interior
The Colonels wife unhappily chose that
moment to hirt, as people say. with Lord
Ventnor. Not having learned the advisable
lty OF minding my own business remon-
strated with her, thus making her my
deadly enemy. Lord ventnor contrived an
otiicial mission to a neighboring town and
detailed me for the military charge. 1 sent
| a junior officer. Then Mrs. Costobell and he
deliberately concocted n plot to ruin me
| he, for the sake of his old animosity-you
remember that had also crossed his path in
| Egypt-she, because she feared 1 would
| speak to her husband. On pretense of
seeking my advice, she inveigled me at
| night into deserted corner of the Club
grounds at Hongkong Lord Ventnor APP
peared, and as the upshot of their vile
| statements. which created an immediate up
roar. l-well Miss Deane, nearly killed
him"
Iris vividly recalled the anguish he be-
trayed when this topic was inadvertently
preached one day early in their acquaint-
| ance. Now he was recitng his painful his
| tory with the air of a man far more con-
cerned to be scrupulously accurate than
| aroused In his deepest passions by the
memory OF past wrongs. What had hap
| pened In the interim to blunt these bygone
sufferings? Iris clasped her lochet She
| thought she knew.
The remainder may be told In a sem
tence" he said. "Of what avail were my
| frenzied statements against the definite
proofs adduced by Lord Ventnor and his un-
| fortunate ally? Even her husband believed
her and became my bitter foe. Poor woman :
| l have II In my heart to pity her Well that
| is all. 1 am here"
Can a man be ruined so easily?" muir
INJURED the girl, her exquisite tact leading
her to avoid any direct expression Of sym
pathy.
1T seems so. But 1 have my reward II
ever 1 meet Mrs. Costobell again / will
thank her for great service"
Iris suddenly became confused. Her brow
and neck tlngled with a quick access of
| color.
why do you say that?" she asked and
jerks, who was rising, either did mot hear
or pretended not to hear, the tremor in her
tone.
Because you once told me you would
never marry Lord Ventnor. and after what
l have told you now am quite sure you
will not"
"Ah then you do trust meH' she almost
whispered.
He forced back the words trembling for
utterance. He even strove weakly to as
sumo an air OF good-humored badinage
See how you have tempted me from
work. Miss Deane." he cried. I'VE have
gossped here until the fire grew tired of
our company. To bed. please, at once"
Iris caught him by the arm.
II will pray tonight, and every night"
she said solemnly. that your good name
may be cleared in the eyes of all men as
II is in mine. And 1 am sure my prayer
will be answered"
She passed into her chamber, but her
angelic influence remained In his very