The Irish standard., 1896-04-04
copyaIcHr. .ssa4. BY BRIT HAnr..

some previous more exciting discussion,
In which one of the contestants, 3 red
bearded miner. had subsidized intoan oc-
casional growl of rurIy dissent.
1t struck Clarence that She Aiissourian
had been an aznuSAd suditor, ard even,
judging from twinkle in his eye, q
mischievous instigator of the contro-
versy. He was not surprised, therefore.
when the man turned to him with
certain courtesy and said:
And what, sir, is the political feeling
in your district"
But Clarence was in no mood to be
drawn. and replied, almost CURLY, that
as he had come only from San Francis
co, they were probably as we'll informed
on that subject as himself
A quick and searching glance from
the strangers eyes made him regret it,
but in the silence that ersued the red
bearded passenger. evidently still rank
ling at heart. saw his opportunity.
Shaping his huge hands on his knees,
and leaned far forward, until he
seemed to plunge his flaming beard
like a frebrand-into the controversy,
he said grimly:
w ell. kin tell you genl'men this!
It amt goin' to be no matter wot's the
political feeling here or thar--it amt
goin' to be no matter wot's states
rights and wot's fed'ral rights-it amt
goin' to be no question whether the
gov'ments got the right to relieve it's
own soldiers that those secesh is be-
sieging in Fort Sumter. or whether
they haven't--hut the first gun that's
fired at the flag blows the chains off
every blamed niger south of Mason
and Dixon's line. You hear me! I'm
shoutin'! And whether you call your
selves 'secesh,' or union or copper
head. or peace men, you got to face it,"
There was an angry start in one or
two of the seats; one man caught at
the swinging side strap and half rose, a
husky voice began: Its confound-
ed" and then all as suddenly SUBJ
sided.
Every eve was turned to an insignifi-
cant figure in the back scat. 1t was
woman holding child on her lap and
gazing out of the window with her
sex's profound unconcern in politics.
Clarence understood the rude. chiv-
airy of the road we'll enough to compre-
bend that this unconscious but omnipo-
tent figure had, more than once that
day, controlled the passions OF the dis
putants. They dropped back weakly
to their seats. and their mutterings
rolled off in the rattle Of the wheels.
Clarence glanced at the Missourian.
He was regarding the red-bearded miner
with singular curiosity.
The rain had ceased, but the after
noon shadows were deepening when
they at last reached Fair Plains, when
Clarence expected to take horse to the
rancho. He was astonished, however,
to learn that all the horses in the stable
were engaged, but remembering that
some of his own stock were in pastur-
age with tenant at Fair Plains, and
that he should probably have better
selection. he turned his steps thither.
Passing out Of the stable yard he rec
pered conversation with the proprietor,
but the two men withdrew into the
shadow as he approached.
An ill-defned uneasiness came over
him; he knew the proprietor-who also
seemed to know the Missourian, and
this evident avoidance of him was sig
niicant. Perhaps his reputation as
doubtful unionist had preceded him,
but this would not account for their
conduct in district SO strongly south
ern in sympathy as Fair Plains.
More impressed by the occurrence
than he cared to admit. when at lost,
after some delay. he had secured his
horse. and was once more in the saddle,
he kept sharp lookout for his 4uon-
dam companion. e.
But here another circumstance add
ed to his suspicious; there was a main
road leading to Santa Inez, the next
town, and the rancho. and this Clarence
had purposely taken in order to watch
the Missourian-but there was cutoff
directly to the rancho. known only to
habitues of the rancho.
After few moments rapid riding
on q mustang much superior to any
in the hotel stables. he was satisfied
that the stranger must have taken the
cutoff. Putting spurs to his horse, he
trusted still to precede him to the
rancho-if that was his destination.
AS he dashed along the familiar
road. by strange perversity OF, fancy.
instead of thinking OF. his purpose, he
found himself recalling the first time
he had ridden that way in the flush of
his youth and hopefulness.
The girl-sweetheart he was then GO
ing to rejoin-was now the wife of an
other: the woman who had been. her
guardian was now his own wife. He
had accepted without a.pang the young
girls dereliction. but it was through
her revelation that he was now about
to confront the dereliction Of his own
wife. .s;-s.
And this was the reward of his youth
full trust and loyalty! A bitter laugh
broke from his lips. TWAS part of his
still youthful self-delusion that he be-
lieved himself wiser and stronger for
it. -.
IL was quite Oark WneH he Iedcneu t1S
upper field or first terrace Of the rancho.
He could see the white walls of the
casa rising dimly out Of the green sea
of early wild grasses. like phantom
island.
it was here that the 'cht-of'' Joined
the main road-now the onlyone that
led to the casa He was satisfied that
no one could have preceded him from