The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1891-04-04

to the party personally or by hearsay
were mentioned and their actions dis
cussed Frank Besant, of course, com
ing in for more than his share Of the
general interest, when Miss Ruth pro-
pounded a question which seemed to
cause a little flutter among the par
sonage party.
:'Did you, when you were with Frank
Besant, hear any thing Of a young man
named James Lawson?" she asked her
military neighbor. There was a lull in
the conversation, so the question was
painfully distinct.
Before he could reply Mr. Lubin Fer
ry stretched his long neck forward, and
speaking across the table began:
Ma says she has heard that James
Lawson is
Il was not asking what your ma said,
brother Ferry" Miss Ruth snapped,
severely. "Now, perhaps, you'll allow
Captain Henderson to answer my ques-
tion.''
Greatly, marm,' Mark replied, with
smile at the lady's petulance, 81 don't
think have the pleasure of the gentle
mans acquaintance. Is he one of Lieu
tenant Besant's brother officers?';
Il suppose he is-i1e enlisted at the
same time and in the same regiment.
have only heard once from him since he
left''-how defiantly she, looked at her
BROTHER and then he said he was Il
full private, which suppose is a step
on the ladder Of rank
"You surely dom mean tall, ungain-
ly fellow with light hair and eyes that
look two ways at once-ah, yes, think
Besant did say he came from the same
place he did-well, if that is the man
you allude to, Miss Brentwood, did
see him the very night before l left the
camp. He was full private still, Miss
Ruth-so full, that corporals' guard
was hustling him off to the caboose."
A general laugh greeted this unhappy
"Reminiscences, and from that moment
Captain Henderson sank many degrees
below zero in Miss Brentwood's estina-
ton.
Notwithstanding this little contre-
temp, they spent a most delightful even
ing, to which Mark Henderson's mind
often wandered in the lone hours by
the campfire, with Kate Testers sweet
face as the GROWING center-piece of the
whole delightful reflection.
After supper he enjoyed charming
talk with the two young ladies, which
was only interrupted at nine o'clock,
when Rev. Lubin came to bid them
goodnight, as ma didn't approve of his
keeping late hours.
When he was gone Harry Burrows
brought forth some excellent cigars and
Mr. Brentwood and the younger men
by the gracious consent Of the ladies
were soon in the full enjoyment Of the
fragrant weed.
II don't suppose brother Ferry
SMOKES" Harry Burrows explained.
I'm sure he doesn't, Miss Ruth
snapped. ':His ma wouldn't let him.
BY and by they drifted into more Sc
rious conversation, and Mrs. Besant
explained plan she had nlatured Of cs-
tablishing a wonan's working club for
the preparation of necessaries and COM
forts for the soldiers, appealing to
Mark Henderson for suggestions, which
she accepted witt, an air of Difference
that was very gratifying to the young
man, who had d f1attering opinion Of
his own Judgment, and liked, as we all
do, to be considered all authority.
Then all too soon they went home,
and Flossie forthwith began to cate
elise her brother, who seemed in no
wise reluctant to crafty her curiosity.
"Weli, Mark, what do you think of
my pretty widow?''
She is clla1rning.''
"And Grace Hrentwood?'
:'i'retty as d peach. But Miss Lester
is the sweetest, loveliest girl ever met
in all my life
''Oh!''
Ii was all his sister said, but the little
11rE III roI