The Irish standard., 1891-04-18
A Ste. Of the Late War.
BY BERNARD B1osBY.
Author OF Loyal at Last" " MY Lady Fastas~
tic" "Ellen's Great Secret" "Fsu
Among Thieves. Etc
Copyright 1891, by A. N. Kellogg Newspaper G

GAS Saul did the warriors of Midian,' -
was the sJaunch reply; 'and now, as
can give you no more information, per
nit me to wend my way in peace"
sAdieu, sir! and God speed you ON
your Journey"
They watched him ascend the hillside
till he disappeared at turn in the road,
and then started back to camp.
''He sat in his saddle like a trooper" !"
the Major critically observed; ''ana
what splendid physique the old fellow
has! Say, Frank. do honestly think
those itinerant preachers are after all
the true soldiers of Christ suffering as
they do toll, privation and discomfort
in His name. They may be illiterate,
but, hang me, if they're not in earnest" z"
But Franks thoughts were on another
subject
''May 1 speak to Charlie about this
unpleasant matter we were talking of,
sir? Perhaps word of warning might
bring him to his senses
"Certainly not was the stern re-
ply My hands are SO tied now by
promises have given to you and others.
that am not in d position to confront
him with proofs of his folly. Remem-
Der, rely upon your silence and
watchfuhess-ther must be no lack Of
confidence between us two now Or ever
again. And your asking me this, re-
minds me to inquire what sort OF a fel~
low is James Lawson, who claims to be
a companion of your early days.
"Wel," Frank hesitated, for he hated
to set the Major against his old play
mate by speaking the open truth, ''he's
not an intensely moral young man,
believe---in fact"
ga bit of a scamp. Ah, l judged as
much, and Major Hopkins hurried away
to his duties
So, Frank thought. the mystery
thickens, and James lawson is some
how or other mixed up III it: yet, how
the deuce could he know any thing
about it. Surely Charlie Fulton, with
all his folly could never have been SO
rash ;ss to use this worthless fellow as
a go-between; but such a misfortune
was quite possible, for Lawson was in
Charles company. and had all the
shrew,lness to worm himself into the
Young DIIlCcf IL OASS CiAS
chance were offered him.
Meanwhile Rev. Abel Green~-or
Parson Abe, as his rural admirers so
lovingly called hi1nwas hustllng his
old mule along at a very unclerical pace
and using some very unsanctlmonlous
expression every time the poor beast
attempted to slacken it's speed, so that
. in three-quarters of all hour he was
nearly six miles from the spot where
his dear compatriots from the North
were making ready for their descent on
the hospitable Inhabitants OF Winstan-
ley, Turning from the road into the
woods at gap in a fence which seemed
familiar to him, he cantered along
under the trees till he reached a clear
ing, where a sight presented itself that
would have charmed an artist in its
picturesque aspect-three hundred dis
mounted Confederate cavalrymen, re-
clining here and there in little groups,
while their horses were busily cropping
the sweet grass, which grew On the
bank of a stream. Hardly pausing to
give the sentry the countersign, he
rode straight to a knot of officers, who
hailed him gleefully.
''Hullo, Lascelles, what news from
the Yanks?"
ssSold them into bondage like his
brethren did Joseph!'' ne laughed, as
he sprang from the saddle with the
elasticity of youth Say, boys, mother
atricals, but L allow she'd clap her
hands if she'd only seen me play this
pious role to-day"
A roar of laughter greeted this brill
liant sally, which was somewhat
checked, however, by the approach Of a
man older than the rest, whose stern
features showed that he did not share
the general merriment.
"'Such madcap tricks as these, Las
celles,'' he said, ia grave tone Of ex-
postulation, ''do not meet my approval,
and will not have repetition of them.
Besides, the game is not worth the
candle, for if those Yanks had found
you out, they would have, very proper
ly, strung you up to a bough of the first
tree they came to, and can not afford
to have my best officers run such risks.
I allow, if you'd played the role in
tragedy, instead of comedy, your
mother would hardly have appreciated
your histrionic ability as keenly as you
imagine"
The young man was abashed.
.sBesides," the senior continued, "do
you think your action quite in accord
ance with the high repute for chivalry
this corps has ever enjoyed? However,
as the folly has been perpetrated let me
hear the result of your escapade."
The young man told his story, but
somehow or other all the fun seemed to
be frozen out of the adventure by his
superior's austere criticism.
ssWell, you have done one good thing
for us at any rate. You have drawn
the enemy from the woods into the open,
and we can bag them by a night attack
on Winstanley as easily as catching
rabbits in a net.
FIJI AS he strobe away, one Of the officers
slapped Lascelles on the shoulder as
v he eaylV cried;