The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1888-06-30
THE IRISH STANDARD: SATL I2DAY, JUNE 30

=: SATL RDAY, JUNE
{ you never under any clr0umsI1noos 70 en-
ter these grounds, under penalty OF death:
! why do you insist in disobeying mea''
Allen was for several moments unable to
answer, because he had no reasonable ex-
:use to make. At last he said:
"Do not reprove me, Miss Collins, for I as
sure you that it was no morbid curiosity
| that brought me-"
| s'Could you understand the danger in
which you place yourself by coming here"
said the pretty girl, taking few steps
nearer to him, tsyou would not do so. 1t is
dangerous to you and to me-. It would be
death to US both to be discovered here"
| Allen Gray was only deeper plunged into
this dark mystery. He was speeches., his
Drain seemed srupefied, and be was incapa-
ole of thinking Ho stood dumb, amazed
and almost as pallid as the girl before him.
! She came quite close to Allen, and speak
ing in a cautious undertone that could not
be heard a dozen PAGES away, said:
! ''Go away, Mr.. Gray; go at once, and
never come near me again if you value your
ife.:'
"Will you go with me to the gate?' he
asked.
| W w LII YOU leave Eilcu;
II give you my sacred promise that
WILL" said Allen, earnestly.
! He took the arm Of the trembling girl
within his own, and in silence they walked
to the gate. Here they halted, both casting
anxious glances at the great old house
which rose up SO gloonily before them. To
the relief Of both all was quiet: and there
Has no one in the yard.
= 60, go,'' said Bertha, eagerly. Though
speaking in q whisper, her voice trembled
with passion and fear. 'It would be fatal
for you to be discovered here; it would be
YOUR ruin-death--'' She became. choked
with sobs, and for a moment was silent.
| Bertha" said Allen, his voice strangely
calm, you are in great dlstress--yhat is
! t!n
"Oh, DO not ask,'' she answered, continu-
ing to sob. Leave me to my misery and
eternal doom. l am The most wretched of
| humans, my fate is sealed, and it is useless
fer others to attempt to aid me. Go away
go away
t'But will not leave you alone in this
distress. What is it? Tell me that / may
help you"
81 CAN not, dare not tell"
"Bertha, you are miserable here!"
| a sob was the only answer.
''Lct ME take you away from this terrible
place.
"No, no, no; not FOR the world. DO not
think Of that L can not leave--I am held
here by bands stronger than icon.'
elbow long nave you lived heres"
! Not more than eight nontlls-though it
seens SO many ages"
| Another moments awful silence followed,
and tEen Allen, becoming desperate said:
Bertha, would aid you il / could--l-I
would give my life If necessary
Hush-hushn she quickly Interrupted,
selling his arm. 6; You know not what you
say, Oh, why don't you goy Co. i'll Heav-
EMS name, and let us forget that we ever
met. Ill am doomed, and why should
you wish 10 drag both yourself and myself
| down to ruin?'' and, completely overcome,
she buried her beautiful face in her hands.
Dazed, bewildered and confused, Allen
Gray staggered and caught at the wall for
Support What was he to do, how could he
remove the burden from this OBJECT of his
affections! He seemed 10 realize that she
was lost, lost to him forever.
a voice at this moment i'll the direction OF
the great old house caused both to start.
and the beautiful girl again Selling his arm
LII IL grasp that trenbled, in & terrified whis-
per, said:
go, go at oncc, before it is too late. Go,
go, OF we will both be undoae."
Ninbly as an acrobat, Alien leaped the
wall, and with his brain il d whirl, and a
thousand conflicting thoughts swaying his
heart, returned to the village.
The mystery surrounding the old stone
house and it's inmates seemed every mo-
ment growing more complicated Alien
Gray had always prided himself On having
= great deal Of insight into human charac
ter, and fancied chat he could read
people as open pages, and here was one
who bafde;d all his skill. Who was this
! Bertnas Her face and her name were
Anglo Saxon, but her education aid NAH
ners French That she spoke the language
auently, anu m ght be mistaken for a native
Frencbwonan he did not doubt, YET when
;onversing in English there was not even
the slightest foreign accent on her tongue.
She was an enigma, and the more he strove
to solve the problem, the more difficult it bs-
came of solution.
Another sleepless night, another light
breakfast, and again at his Office with
heavy heart and aching head. He was
struggling manfull,- to fix his mind upon
the business before him, when the door soft
" opened and farmer entered.
eyer the editor, amt YETI he asked,
"Yes, sir"
"Well, I fetched va little piece about
our neignborhood fur ye to print in your
paper IF We use it I think kin git We some
signers out OUR way"
"Where do you lives"
"Down on Blly's Crick," answered the
farmer.
He was an unpretentious author, wearing
his pants in bis thick cowhide boots, was in
his shirt sleeves, and wore soft broad
br1mmed hat on his head. His "galuses y
were home made and he had all the peculiar
characteristics of a denizen Of Billy Creek.
Allen took the roll OF MS. aud after much
:: : : & H.!;;I r.
- vs. a. GE7AssLA