The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1888-04-28

of the muddle. 1t you want to stand well
with Chil9ers you won't put in your oar I'M
asked, and guess you know all you've got
to do if yoll want; 10 stand well with me-"
The last was spoken with q chuclzle as If
Mr.. lngo1 was enjoying some inward joke,
Norris could not fail to understand him.
To stand we'll with Mr.. Ingot, he must tot
rival the latter in his attentions to Carol.
aAs if she could ever turn to him."
thought Bergman, with g thrill OF his Ole
repu]sion coming back. ~ owe him one
good turn though Tor setting me straight
1t looks reasonable enougll--his story; I
don't see why should doubt it. -
He could not help q little soreness, how:
ever that lyman had not found it possible
to trust him. His thoughts Were taken
quite away from the object of his present
journey, and it was not Until he stood at
Mr.. Everleigll's dool that he recalled the
substance Of Altheas note.
Gall well. Jacob?' he asked Of the ser
want who opened the door.
s'Au we'll, sir, except that Miss Althy is
powerful nervous this last day or two.
Yai1't a good sign for q Young pusson to
get so nervous If it don't mean one thing
it's apt to mean another. w ak right in,
she's expecting Of you, sir; and misdoubt
ii you haven't something to dc with her
fidgets,o communed Jacob to himself, with
q doubtful shake Of his gray poll. The
Young fellow was well enough in his opinion,
but not half the match his young LADY de-
served.
Althea was alone. She started UP with q
little gasp, and gave both her hands in a,
warm pressure.
"Oh, Norris Nothing has happened,
then? You are here safe? I have been SO
uneasy-I am SO glad to see you again.
The proud voice was broken by a. CULVER,
tears chung to she dark eyelashes, though
a tremuous smile YVES on the red mouth.
Norris heart was warmed by her evident
solicitudc
"My dear Althea, what should have hap
pened? A fellow Of lny Drawn should be
pretty well able to take care Of himself if
there had been any thing more formidable
to face than ray good uncle's fancics. You
did not suppose three days at the cottage
would have fatal effect, did you?''
You have really not been in any dan
ger tlAen:'' persisted Althea: wistfally.
Read that Think, if you can: what have
suffered"
She took a note from her belt and passed
it to him. Written OH coarse paper. in an
evidently disguised hand, Norris read:
"DEAR Miss EvERLE1GH-Tbis is to warn
you against harboring a snake. Don't puS
any faith i'll Norris Bergman. There are
some on his heels who will make short work
of him if he goes much further. A word to
the wise ought to be enough He has got
off twice. let him look out for the third
time If he goes into the bank it will be
worse for you and yours. AS surely as ne
does, he is doomed man. This is net the
warnings Of q friend, but of one who knows
Heed it,
The signature was the rude drawing of a.
hand reaching up through an open square
Norris fixed his eyes upon it, and his broWs
knit. The rambling; foolish attempt to
brighten him was given its only point in his
mind by that strange signature.
s:What does it mean, Norris What
enemy have you to make such threats 81
XII am as completely at q loss about that
as YOU can be, Althea. This note looks like
the disiointed rawlings Of a crazy man to
me DON'T let it annoy you. 1t is not
worthy Of attention. -
'tIiave YOU no idea who wrote it," fixing
her glance, searching and intent, upon bis
face.
mot the slightest in the world.i
"YOu will not let 1T prevent your gong
into-my fathers service!" with a percep-
tible pause before the last three words.
"Certainly not. It would take much
more than this to make NE change my mind
on that point; if any thing, 1t has the effect
to strengthen my determination"
''I am glad of that but oh: Norris! be
careful-be careful Of yourself. shall hvs
in misery if.any harm comes to YOU
There was deep, excited glow in those
great, dilated eyes, which Norris could not
esite fathom. He led the conversation
away from the exciting subject: by making
light of it. he tried 10 relieve her Of further
fears. He was glad that she did not know
the thought which had been suggested to
his mind.
at looks as if the villains had spotted
the bank, and were afraid Of my interfer-
ing with their operations. Strange if I
should come in the way, for the second
time. of that gang. Only one of them would
have used that signature, get it seems a
most foolhardy thing to do to warn me in
that way can't understand it atau; Unjust
be sharp and watchfuL''