The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1888-07-07

solve which had supported her in this IN
timely, and seemingly unlady ike, call was
evidently about to fail her it her hour OF
need. Allen atilast realized that unless she
was encouraged she might not reveal the
purpose of this visit. aud with all his SYM
pathetic soul in his face, he said:
s:Have no fears, Bertha, for by all hold
sacred, I swear that L will prove brother
to you in distress" sf:
l Poor, tempest-tossed Bertha; long hah she
searched for loyal heart on whom she
could confide In this editor flashing eye
was manliness and truth; she would trust
once more. Scarce could she restrain her
natural inclination to fly to his arms for
refuge from the relentless enemies VINO
pursued She could not have found strong.
| er or more willing arms to defend her.
| Having partially regained her composure,
| she said:
! 81 believe you; had not unbounded
faith in your honor and courage should
never have run the great risk do in COM
| ing here.'' E
"Then tits q risk!"
ga greater risk than you can imagine.
| Should be discovered hers it would be
| fatal to my plans--plans which are more
than life to me-"
What were the plans to which she al
luded? Doubtless some request-some sim
pie service she wished him to perform for
her. Knowing that one so pure and noble
as she could not make an evil request, he
resolved to do her bidding.
s'Have no fears to speak boldly to me-
said Allen. 'Your wishes, if in my power,
shall be granted
"Can you leave the village?" she asked.
Startingin amazement, the astonished ed
itor gazed at her for a moment, repeating:
"Leave the villages"
"I mean only temporarily--for two or
three days at the longest"
"Y-y-yes, i can-and-and will if it is
necessary"
sit is necessary. Some one mast go, and
can trust no one but yourself"
Where do you wish me to goe"
DO you know where the French SETTLE
ment or French town lisa"
81 have heard Of it, and can find it very
easily. It is about fifty miles down the
river"
eyes, sir; it is fully that far" the girl
answered, gathering up the folds of her
apron in her embarrassment and with
nervous fingers folding them down into lit
tie plaits. .
"What am to do when l get therea''
Allen asked.
"You are to go to the house of Madem-
oisehe Camille. said the girl, still hesitat-
ing to make her request fully known.
"AmI to take message to hers" asked
Allen.
"You are to take child" said the girl,
slowly turning her great blue eyes upon
him.
Amusement, wonder and curiosity were
raging like SO many fires in Aliens breast.
GA child!' he gasped.
"Yes, sir; a little boy sixyears Old"
"When am to start?"
nThis very night"
Gould he believe his sensest Was all this
strange, wild dream from which he
would awake before he knew how it all
came out, or was it indeed areality?
In his helpless bewilderment he asked
himself what this child was to the people o.
tho French settlement. Gould he be accused
Of kidnapping for secretly undertaking this
tasks While all these conflicting thoughts
were surging like q tempest in his mind,
he vividly recalled the remark Toney
Barnes few weeks before Touey, shak-
AJAX Ills uCdu LII 1Aio YVCAAIl A4aIk01A, SO10'
"Never trust yourself in the power ci
those people. I tell ye the whole family is
blghted by curse. No good ever come to
any one who had any thing to do with 'em.
IT YOU ever befriend one O. 'em in any way
you'll repent it the longest day you live.
They're blighting curse to anybody who
has any thing whatever to Go with 'enn."
Somehow the young editor could not help
~. I, fail So1,+ 1;c
bhghting curse. Was he to be only one
more victim to the strange mystery of Tur'
ley's Point? Then his eyes fell upon the
pale. sweet face of the anxious girl 'and he
knew she was no siren, charming him to
destruction. With determination in his
voice he said:
eff YOU say for me to go tonight Will
go"
The girl who, during the moments silence
had been sitting, her face burning with
eagerness, now grew brighter as she re-
turned:
ut must be tonight, Mr.. Gray; to-mor-
row will be too late.''
SHOW am to go, by the Rivera"
+" No. on horseback"
ST do not know that can get a horse"
"Ono win be furnished you.''
Then another short silence ensued. She
seemed waiting to gather up her thoughts.
From her GREATNESS exhaustion it was evil
dent that she had come very rapidly from
the great house to the village.
Her agitation became less as she recov-
cred from her exertion, and, now she was
almost as much composed as she had ever
been. Gazing at hun with intense eager
ness, she began giving her instructions.
"As soon as am gone," she said, in q
clear, steady voice, go to the spring where
you found the locket. There you will find q
horse saddled and equipped, tied to trea
just back Of the old rustic seat. He is the
best roadster in the whole country, and will
carry you safely to the end Of your journey
without stopping. The poor child is dea6
and dumb, but he is very patient and will
give you little or no trouble. Allen was dis
appointed to learn of the child's affection,
for some how he thought the little prattler
would, on this long, lonely ride, unravel to
him some Of the mystery Of the stone house
on the hill. y,
tWhere will I find the child?'' he asked.
ssUntie the horse and bring him back to
the road which leads up to the stone house
,.r, = A.. N1>-> o117