The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1891-04-11


chooses to cut up most unfeminine ca
pers what are yon going to do about it9
think that to degree Butler was justi-
fed in"
600 not say it, Major!'' Charlie Full
ton interrupted, in a white heat OF IN
dignation. ssDo not try to make us be-
ieve you would godfather such an or
der under any circumstances. say
to you. and would say to Butler
himself, that his barbarity disgraced
his uniform"
ssWhy, Charlie!'' Frank calculated,
aghast at his friends passionate reply,
whose tones more than the words rang
defiance of the Majors opinion"
81 mean just what I say" Fulton
continued. ssWe all suffer. What do
you think Southern ladies will think OF
Northern chivalry after this3 l tell
you they will class us all-the Major,
you, I and every one-with the man
who babe his soldiers treat them like
outcasts."
Frank looked anxiously in the Majors
face, fearing that Charles hot out
burst, which at that time seemed close
akin to treason, would bring him into
trouble, but the superior officer only
smiled as he said, with a meaning
glance at his subaltern: 81 know, my
lad, that your heart is stronger than
your head, and I fear the "reminiscences
OF some bright-eyed Southern belle you
have known in happier days may have
made you untitled to criticise General
Buffers conduct i1npartially."
'And what if it has?"
The question was asked Extensively,
with flushed face and defiant gesture.
"Only that love is a god who blinds
his deyotees, and that il you have lost
your heart on the wrong side Of the
line, you are very much to be compass
sionated, Captain Fulton" and the
Major as though tired of the converse
tion, turned on his heel and left the two
young men to themselves.
ssTbe idea of Hopkins promulgating
such rank heresy against the purest,
noblest women the earth can show! 1t
makes me riled all over, to think that
he could be so mean. Why, you look as
If you ha]f-agreed with him, Frank, or
why those elevated eyebrows and that
expressive snigger?"
II Think was the terse reply, that
you have made fool Of yourself You
had no business to check the Major the
way you did, for there is no more con-
siderate man in the army than he is. -
s'Ihen, what did he stick up for But
Ter for?"
':Oh, hang But}er!'
"With all my heart, my boy! That's
just what they ought to have done last
May. But about my checking Hopkins,
that is another question; so rest assured,
I'll seek an early chance to beg his par
DON"
'sDo!' Frank said, earnestly. II think
the world OF Hopkins"
Next day they met with better sue
cess in their undertaking. On reaching
the crown OF q hill, which gave them a
fine view of a broad stretch of lowland,
they observed a solitary horseman COM
ing towards them in the far distance.
The naen were flung upon the ground
enjoying their noon halt under the
shadow Of the trees, when the Majors
attention was called to the approaching
figure.
s'Let lis stroll down this path, Besant,
and intercept him at the gap yonder.
We may get something out of him any
how"
sNVith pleasure, Major,'' and the two
officers started for the point suggested,
Evidently there was something ON the
Majors mind, Frank thought, as they
walked slowly down the path, for he
was generally chatty and agreeable
enough, but now seemed moody and dis
inclined to talk.
esYou seem out Of sorts, Major"
Frank said at last, really anxious shout
his superior's manner.
'tAnd we'll L may be, Frank. I am
very much concerned about Charlie Full
ton----not SO much for his sake as for his
fathers, who is ssta old and tried friend
Of many years..
s'Oh, Charles all right, sir" frank
said, confidently.
''You think So, Well, I ann sorry 10
say do not agree with you. Now, do
not like to ask you boys to tell tales of
one another out of school, and want
YOU to quite understand that am actu~
ated by 10 motives hostile to young
Fulton's interests So"
II quite understand that Major.''
ssWel, do you know any thing about
a young lady named Lascelles?"
Frank was too amazed to speak. He
was certain that not one living soul but
himself and young Fulton knew their
secret. Fulton. for his own sake, would
not have been likely to mention her to
any one, and he was positive her name
had never dropped from his lips.
''Ah, see you have heard of her~for
Gods sake, Frank, / hope you are not
mixed up in this scrape7" His tone was
so earnest and sympathetic that franks
conscience smote him.
81 am in no scrape, Major"
''No, I was wrong to doubt you, my
boy; but T was afraid Fulton had drawn
you into some connivance with his guilty
correspondence with this woman"
'Guilty correspondence! Yo1 amaze
me, Major Hopkins;
''Yet: / am afraid there is no other
expression that will describe it. With
- oc,, mi