Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1925-03-11
''The Wings
of the Morning
Copyrighted by E. J. Clode)
BY LOUIS TRACY

"Her name was Elizabeth-Eliza-
beth Norris" The young lieutenant
of those days called her Bessie, put
no matter.
"Well you didn't marry her, any
how" commented Iris, tribe sharp
ly.
And now the sailor was on level
ground again.
"Thank Heaven, no." he said ear
nestlv. 1--WE had barely become en-
gagged when she went with her uncle
to Simla for the hot weather. Ihere
she met Lord Ventnor, who was on
the Viceroy's staff, and-if you don
mind. we will skip a portion OF the
narrative-I discovered then why men
in India usually go to England 1of
their wives. Whilst in Slmla on ten
days' leave [ had a foolish row with
Lord VentnOr in the United service
CIub-hammered him, in TACT, IN de-
fence of a worthless woman, and was
only saved from a severe reprlmand
because had been badly treated.
Nevertheless, my hopes of political
appointment vanished, and [ returned
to nv regiment to learn, after due re-
Election, what a very lucky person l
was"
concerning Miss Morris, you
mean?"
Exactly. And now exit Elizabeth.
Not being cut out for matrimonial en-
terprise | tried to become good Of
ficer A year ago, when Government
asked for volunteers to form Chinese
regiments, | sent in my name and was
accepted. | had the good fortune to
serve under an old friend Colonel
Costobell; but some malign star sent
Lord Ventnor to the Far East, this
time in an important civil capacity. |
met him occasionally, and we found
we did not likeaeach other any better.
MY horse beat his for the Pagoda
Handicap-pOOr old Sultan! L wonder
where he is now
"Was your horse called 'Sultan'?'
Eyes. | bought him in Meerut
trained him myself, and ferried him
all the way to China. l loved him next
to the British Army"
This was quite satisfactory. There
was genuine feeling in his voice now.
Iris became even more interested.
Colonel Costobell fell ill., and the
command of the regiment devolved up
on me, our only major being absent
in the interior. The COlonels wife I'M
happily chose that moment to flirt, as
people say, with Lord Ventnor Not
having learnt the advisa bility of mind
ing my own business. | demonstrated
with her, thus making her my deadly
enemy Lord Ventnor cOntrived an Of
fetal mission to a neighboring town
and detailed me for the military
charge. l sent a junior officer. Then
Mrs. Costobel and he deliberately con-
cocted plot to ruin me-he, for the
sake OF his old animOsity-you re-
member that I had also crossed his
path in Egypt-she, because she feared
[ would speak to her husband. On
pretence of seeking my advice, she in
weighed me at night into deserted
corner of the Club grounds at Hong
Kong. Lord VentnOr appeared, and as
the upshOt of their vile statements,
which created an immediate uproar, |
well, Miss Deane, I nearly killed
him"
Iris wildly recalled the anguish he
betrayed when this topic was mad
vertently preached one day early in
their acquaintance. Now he was re-
citing his painful history with the air
of man far more concerned to be
scrupulously accurate than aroused
in his deepest passions by the mem
DRY of the past wrongs. What had hap
pened in the interim to blunt these
bygone sufferings? Iris clasped her
locket She thought she knew.
1.-THE remainder may be told in a
sentence" he said. "Of what avail
were my frenzied statements against
the definite proofs adduced by Lord
Ventnor and his unfortunate ally? Ev-
en- her husband believed her and be-
came my bitter foe. Poor woman!
have it in my heart to pity her. Well,
that is all. l am here!"
Can man be ruined so easily?'
murmured the girl, her exquisite tact
leading her to avoid any direct eX-
preston of sympathy.
ut seems so. But have had my re-
ward. If ever 1 meet Mrs. Costobel
again will thank her for great SER
vice"
Iris suddenly became confused. Her
brow and neck tingled with quick
access of color.
''Why do you say that?" she asked
and jerks, who was rising, either did
not 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 have told you now I am
quite sure you will not"
"Ah, then you do trust me?" she
almost whispered.
He forced back the words trembling
for utterance. He even strove weak!
to assume an air of good-humoreC
badinage.
See how you have tempted me from
work, Miss Deane," he cried. 1--WE
have gossiped here until the fire grew
tired of our company. To bed, please
at once"
Iris caught him by the arm.
81 will pray tonight and every
night" she said solemnly, that YOU
good name may be cleared in the eye.
of all men as if is in mine And T an