Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1924-12-24
(By LOUIS TRACY

oped, but he would not expose Iris
to the insiduous treachery of a
Chinese spring. So, with tears, they
separated. She was confided to the
personal charge of Captain Ross. At
each point of call the company's
agents would be solicitous for her
welfare. The cables Geographic eye
would watch her progress as that of
some princely maiden sailing in a
royal caravel. This fair, slender, we'll
formed girl-delightfully English in
face and fgure-with her fresh, clear
complexion, limpid blue eyes, and
shining brown hair, was a parsonage
of some Importance.
Lady Tozer knew these things and
sighed complacently.
"Ah, WE'LL" she resumed. parents
had different views when | was girl.
But 7 assume Sir Arthur thinks you
should become used to being your own
mistress in view of your approaching
marriage"
my - approaching - marriage!"
cried Iris, now genuinely amazed.
Eyes. Is it not true that you are go
ing to marry Lord Ventnor?"
A passing steward heard the point
blank question.
1t had a curious effect upon him. He
gazed with fiercely eager eyes at Miss
Deane, and so far forgot himself as
to permit a dish of water ice to rest
against Sir John Tozer's bald head
Iris could not help noting his
strange behavior. A flash of humor
chased away her first angry resent
ment at Lady Tozer's interrogatory.
"That may be- my happy fate" she
answered gaily, "but Lord Ventnor
has not asked me-"
Every one says in Hong Kong
began her ladyship.
"Confound you, you stupid rascal
what are you doing?" shouted Sir
John His feeble nerves at last con-
veyed the information that something
more pronounced than a sudden
draught affected his scalp; the ice was
melting.
The incident amused those passen-
gers who sat near enough to observe
it. But the chief steward, lowering
watchful near the captains table,
darted forward Pale with anger he
Kissed
Report yourself for duty in the
second saloon tonight" and he hustled
his subordinate away from the judges
chair
Miss Deane, mirthfully radiant, rose.
please don't punish the man, Mr..
JONES'" she said sweetly. "It was a
sheer accident. He was taken by sur
prise. In his place / would have emp
tied the whole dish"
The chief steward smirked. He did
not know exactly what had happened;
great though Sir John
Tozer might be, the owners daughter
was greater.
Certainly, Miss, certainly" he
agreed, adding confidentially:-'It is
rather hard on a steward to be sent
aft, miss 1t makes such a difference
in the-er-the little gratitudes given
by the passengers"
The girl was tactfu1. She smiled
comprehension at the official and bent
over Sir John, now carefully polish
ing the back of his skull with table
napkin.
lam sure you will forgive him"
she whispered. II can't say why, but
the poor fellow was looking so in
tently at me that he did not see what
he was doing"
The ex-Chief Justice was instantly
Modified. He did not mind the appli-
cation of ice in that way-rather liked
tible to the fire in Miss Deane's eyes.
Lady Tozer was not so easily ap-
peased When Iris left the saloon she
inquired tartly: "How is it, John, that
makes ship-owner
baronet and a Chief Justice only a
knight"
"That question would provide an in
subject for debate at the
Carlton, my dear" he replied with
equal asperity
Suddenly the passengers still seated
prolonged sinking sem
sation, as iw the vessel had been con-
verted into a gigantic lift. They were
pressed hard into their chairs, which
creaked and rtied to swing around on
their pivots AS the ship yielded stiffly
to the sea Whit of spray dashed
through an open port.
There" snapped her ladyship, Il
knew we should run into storm, yet
Captain Ross led us to believe
John. take me to my cabin at once"
From the promenade deck the list
less groups watched the rapid adj
vance of the gale. There was mourn
,ul speculation upon the Sirdar's
chances of reaching Singapore before
he next evening.
eve had two hundred and ninety
eight miles to do at noon" said Ex-
oerience. eff the wind and sea catch
is on the port bow the ship will
bitch awfully Half the time the screw
will be racing. l once made this trip
n the Sumatra, and we were struck
1y a southeast typhoon in this local
ty How long do you think it was
before we dropped anchor in Singa-
pore harbor?"
No one hazarded a guess.
"Three days!" Experience was SOL.
emily pompous. 'Three whole days
They were like three years. By Jovei
never want to see another gale like
hat"
A timid lady ventured to say
perhaps this may not be typhoon
It may only be little bit of storm"
Her sex saved her from a jeer. Elk
lerience gloomiIy shook his head.
THE barometer resists your plea,
ne said. "I fear there will be a good
many empty saddles in the saloon at
inner"
The lady smiled weakly. 1t was a
eeble joke at the best. you think we
ire in for a sort of marine steeple
,hase?" she asked.
We'll, thank Heaven, had a good
unch." staggered a rosy-faced suba1-
I'm, and a ripple of laughter greeted
lis enthusiasm.
Iris stood somewhat apart from the
peakers. The wind had freshened and
Ter hat was tide closely over her ears.
II. 4 &rf