The Irish standard., 1894-09-15

and he attended to his personal appear
ance with more than ordinary care.
Old Hiram Bartlett accepted the sit
uation with the patient and grim sto-
idity of a man who takes blow dealt
him by Providence which he knows is
inscrutable. What he had done to de-
serve it was beyond his comprehension.
He silently hitched up his horses, and
for the first time in his life drove in to
Fort Erie without any reasonable ex-
cuse for going there. He tied his team
at the usual corner, after which he sat
at one of the taverns and drank strong
waters that had no apparent effect on
him. He even went SO far as to smoke
two native cigars; and a man who can
do that can do anything. To bring up
. daughter who would deliberately ac-
cept man from ''the states,'' and to
have wife who would aid and abet
such an action, giving comfort and sup
port to the enemy, seemed to him
traitorous to all the traditions Of 1912
or any other date in the history Of the
two countries At times, wild ideas Of
getting blind full and going home to
break every breakable thing in the
house rose in his mind, but prudence
whispered that he had to live all the
rest of his life with his wife, and he
realized that his scheme of vengeance
had Its drawbacks. Finally he united
his patient team, after paying his bill,
and drove silently home, not having re
turned, even by nod, any Of the salu-
tations rendered to him that day He
was somewhat relieved to find no ques-
tions were asked, and that his wife
recognized the fact that he was passing
through crisis. Nevertheless there
was steely glitter in the eye he un-
easily quailed under which told him
line had been reached which it would
not be well for him to cross. She for
gave, but it mustn't go any further.
When Yates kissed Kitty good night
at the gate he asked her, with some
trepidation, whether she had told any
one Of their engagement.
"No one but Margaret, !" said Kitty.
"And what did she say?" asked Yates,
as if, after all, her opinion was Of no
Importance
''She said she was sure should be
happy, and she knew yor would be
good husband"
"She's rather nice girl, is Margaret, !"
remarked Yates, with the air Of a man
willing to concede good qualities to
girl other than his own, but indicating
after all, that there was but one on
earth for him.
She's lovely girl" said Kitty, en-
Enthusiastically. II wonder, Dick, when
you knew her, why you ever fell in love
with me-"
'sThe idea! I haven't word to say
against Margaret; but, compared with
my girl
And be finished his sentence with
practical illustration OF his frame Of
mind.
AS he walked alone down the road
he reflected that Margaret had acted
very handsomely, and he resolved to
drop in and wish her good-by. But as
he approached the house his courage
began to fail him, and he thought il
better to sit on the fence near the
place where he had sat the night be-
fore and think over it. tt took good
deal OF thinking. But a. he sat there
1t was destined that Yates should re-
ceive some information which would
simplify matters, Two persons came
slowly out Of the gate III the gather
Ing darkness. They strolled together
up the road past him, absorbed il
themselves. When directly opposite, /
Remark put bis arm around Mar
garet's waist, and Yates nearly fell
<fT fs,o fonoo Hn hn1d AfS hv.aof Y,
until they were safely out Of hearing,
then slid down and craWled along III i
the shadow until be came to the side
road, up which he walked, thought
fully .pausinq every 4fezv moments to