The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1888-06-23


came quickly to his side and said:
"They are mine. The glove lost this
morning; the locket was lost two weeks
ago. Where did you find them?"
He told her all about finding them, and
then, both having regained their equanimi-
ty, they became absorbed in pleasant con-
yersation. It seemed as if they had known
each other for years. Little heed was taken
Of the fight OF time. Twilight shades were
long held in the background by the broad
face Of full moon shining from cloudless
summer sky. There was such strange
fascination about each of the other that
they did not notice that the stars were
Winking at them from the heavens above.
j. When Allen asked what her name was
another monentary confusion seemed to
come over her, as she answered Bertha Col
ls,as; butb his admirable tact the confusion
was but inomentary, and she was discours-
ing as pleasantly as before. Those mo-
ments seemed to possess world of pleasure
to Allen and will never be blotted from his
memory. This lonely creature, whose beauti-
full face and golden hair bathed in moon
light seemed angelic purity itself, pro-
duced such an effect upon him as to cleo
trify and change his whole nature. The
dark mystery, which hung like pail above
her, seemed to only heighten the charm
which made her so attractive.
Almost unconsciously they walked down
the path to the garden gate. Allen knew
not of what they talked, he only seemed to
realize that he was in the presence Of one
on whose beauty he could feast his eyes
forever, and to the music Of whose voice
he would never grow weary Of listening.
Her disposition, when not freighted with
strange, mysterious dread was happy,
and her laughter fell like ripping music upon
his enraptured ear. But all things must
have an end, and this charm, delightful as
1t was, must be broken.
They reached tho point where their paths
lay in different directions, one to the gate Of
that great, gloomy old house, the other
around the enclosure to the village.
T" must go in now" she said, her face
becoming just q little clouded. 1T is
growing quite late, and can not longer re-
main out"
81 ask your pardon if seem bold. said
Allen, hoping to detain her but moment
longer, ~ am very lonesome in the village;
there is so little congenial to my nature,
and Ii hope we may see each other occa-
sionally.''
Alternating flashes of crimson and pallor
Of death swept over her face, and in a voice
almost choked with dread or confusion, she
stalnulered;
" Perhaps-we shall!''
do you hope so9n he asked, his face full
Of earnest eagerness.
"I--I-I don't l5now-I fear I do" she
stammered, a look of wild terror coming
over her face, Which sorely puzzled him
She left without another word. He
Fob c.fo +r.i,, Jsrht
the path, and saw her occasionally press
her snow-white handkerchief to her eyes.
She reached the grim old garden gate,
which she unlocked, and turned her white
face to him for a moment, waved an adieu
with her small jeweled hand, and passed in
from his sight.
Allen heaved a sigh as she disappeared.
Dull, indeed, seemed the world when that
bright, sunny creature had shut herself
within those gloomy old walls. He went
slowly homeward, hardly able to tear him
self from that mysterious old castle-like
house. which had become so wonderfully at
tractive to him.
';If she is one Of the ghosts that haunt
chat building would never he frightened
from it, he said, as he walked down the
hill TO the village.
It was late, and the church bell was ring
ing for evening services when he reached
home. He had been trained to regularity
in his attendance ct church, so he fastened
away to the small house where the good
people of Turley's Point met to worship
Like most churches the members were not
all as good as they should have been, and
even pretended to be-
There he saw Tom Simmons and George
Strong, both belonging to the same denomi-
nation, who broke the bread Of life and
slipped the emblem of the blood of the atone
ment on the holy Sabbath, and next day be-
gan anew their hostilities and opposition to
each others plans.
Like one in the midst of a delightful
dream and wholly dblivious to surround
ings, Allen sat throughout the entire SER
mon. The preacher, lost In the fog OF his
own argument, was striving to wade
through some mystical proposition, which
he did not clearly understand himself, and
Allen might be excused from attempting to
follow him.
That night angels, with the sweetest
songs mortal ears had ever heard, lowered
over Allen Gray's bed. Masses Of golden
hair and eyes of heavens own blue were
about him. One dearly beloved vision was
nearer than any of the others. Her angelic
lace naQ upon IL all expression VI 1A1uR1eU
pain and dread. In his great fear Of losing
herhe stretched forth his hand imploring her
to remain. Reason, even in sleep, seemed
to say that it was only a creation Of his
irnagination-the result Of dreaming
fancy-quickened by his recent interview
with the pretty girl from the mysterious
house 1t was the sad face of Bertha, but
oh, how lovely! Ali night long she seemed
ever with him, and when he awoke her
image was still in his mind.
At his Office, wherever he went, he saw
that sad, pale, sweet face.
ssI'm armin' for the fight" said George
Strong, on entering the Office that evening.
Chow what do you mean, Mr. Strong:"
asked Allen.
GIVE got my fghtin' rig on; Pm in the
field in yearnest, an I'm a.gwine to make
the race, hit or miss; I'm bound to DO
sheriff.
':Win you have any oppositiona''
"Course WILL" he answered, while his
face grew dark. epll have opposition as
long as he an both live"
1910 whom do you refera"
"Tom Simmons He's my evil genius.
Whatever I undertake he tries to head me
of. Eff I'm about maxim q trade an he