The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-11-14
.@ I'LL. /.

tears dim my eyes. lean forward,
stretching my arms toward him.
Stay, Cecil, for my sake" 4:
How did 1t happen? could never
quite tell. I missed my footing. For
a second my brain reeled; and then I
find myself firmly clasped in his right
arm, while with his left and with feet
and knees he clings desperately.
''Madge, Madge!" he says, hoarsely,
''for God sake nerve yourself! Cling to
something! I cannot hold you like this
long. Try all you know"
"I will" And suit the action to the
word by grasping the lower part of the
door sill with both hands. Promise
me you will not attempt the descent"
EMO, will not, swear!" 80.
He is still holding me, for my feet are
below the steps. We are in hideous
peril, but one dare not realize it.
I have cause now to be thankful that
an annual mount aineering in Switzer-
land has strengthened my nerve and
muscle.
Somehow I regain the cal. in safety.
Cecil is quickly beside me, and then, oh!
crowning ignominy-I fling myself,
sobbing, into his arms 1t does not seem
to strike him as strange, for am folded
close to his heart and soothed and
fondled as used to be in the old days.
before he left me.
"Madge, dear little girl, you have not
forgotten me after all ~
"Neyer, never, though tried so hard.
And you?"
II tried to, when heard you were
fondof some one else"
II never was"
why did you write as you did? ?"
81 thought. you did not care any
more"
: "By the same mail got letter from
my cousin saying you were engaged
to that lanky Irishman, Malone"
(Which cousin?" :.
"Gertrude Gray
'Why, Cecil, she must have wan ted to
part us. Yes, / always thought she
cared for you"
He Pushes and says: "Was there no
truth in the report about Malone,
Madge?" ut.
''Not word, indeed; and indeed !.
: He bends and Kisses my Tips. @ -
"Madge-little sweetheart that used
to love mel was going to see Gertrude
this evening to ask her to take pity on
lonely man Id the far east. Shall I
go?"
He has to hend low for the answer.
But it is 'No,'' emphatic, though whis-
pered, and he is satisfied.
~.
Everyone has heard Of the night out
In the Great Wheel.
Sixteen hours! A weariso1ne time to
many, but we had the story Of five years
to tell each other and plans to make for
the future. It was none too long. Cod
frey's band below, brought close to the
wheel to relieve the tedium Of the term
Of Imprisonment, playing wild, sweet
waltz music, formed fitting accom-
paniment to the talk in which "Do you
remember p was ever on our lips.
The brave tar who did climb the grid
oners, seemed to take in the situation
and offered us his congratulations in
the heartiest manner imaginable. Cecil
was half inclined to be angry, but hap
piness won the day, and he ended by
giving the sailor most wildly extrov-
agant "baksheesh."
We sent q telegram to Aunt Mary,
which she never got, for she did not 60
home, as had hoped she would, but she
spent. the night in the gardens close at
the foot Of the inert monster.
s When at last the word was passed up
that all was right and we should soon
move it was to us q subject of regret;
and the descent was all too rapid.
Aunt Mary was on the spot to receive
me, full Of regrets and commiseration.
II shall never forgive myself for not
coming. Fancy your spending all those
hours alone on that most terrible
wheel!''
81 was not alone. Imet friend. You
have heard of Mr.. Farquhar, nunbie p
She had, as having behaved very bad
" to me! She gave him look which
was quite healthily vicious.
II have not the pleasure OF his ac-
quaintance."
eve must remedy that, Mrs. Earle, = !.
he says, pleasantly because it, IS my
good fortune to be your prospective
nephew" III.
4 She looks at me, fairly puzzled.
''It'e all right, Aunt Mary. Up there
people understand one another better.
Perhaps the rarifed afr shsrpens the
perceptions. !" III 3 s.:;3
IS Cecil laughs and we all go of to
breakfast at the expense Of the Earl's
Court exhibition proprietors. ne
sswers. ~
$ts.Is Ponnsy1sania SConvicts.
So More than fve-sixths Of the convicts
Y ii the penitentiaries Of Tennsyl vnnia