The Irish standard., 1896-03-14

=. gratitied the sympathizing hostess.
"How: dreadful hungry you we're !"
che said, calling Aunt Nina to replen- /
ish the empty bread plate Haven't
you had any thing to eat oil these days."
"Not very mitch: I'll tell you> all
about it the first chance get
Are you going away to-nig ht ?"she
asked, when Ludlow went out to hitch
up the horse. .a,s.<, /
Eyes; we. are: going. up TO- The L s !!
rels,' and it may be late before we get i
back.n s.s:-:5.s..;;. - ;,+s'< ~
'r'm so glad! II you're going there, |
I'll be good and not ask q single ques-'|
tion-until tomorrow S.s's1$+*s.'
why are you glad99 * I
"Because Hester. is worried, and l
want her to know you. are alive and
well" -. !. .xS :. |
They heard Ludlow drive out to the.
gate, and Ringbrand pushed back his
clair. '.Have you anything else to tell
. me?" he asked. ~, ., ~
She shook her head with precise en-
ergy. !, "Not a s1ngle.t solitary word
except that you're to give my love; toll
Hester" :s ~
.'T'n certainly do that" he promised,
'Good night" And he ran down the
walk and sprang into the phaeton be !
side Ludlow, who drove off rapidly up
the mountain road. ..r~ & .s&a:t
-. The colonel and his son were sitting,
on the veranda when. the phaeton
turned into the avenue, and Hester,
grieving silently in the darkness Of her
room, heard Ringbrand's voice answer
ing the hearty welcome of her father.
She ran to:the stairway, stopped a mo-
ment to regain her self-control, and
then went down to meet him. They
had all gone into the parlor, and when
she followed them Hester felt for 2
swift instant that the whole world
: might read her secret in her face.
Ringbrand rose to meet her, and took
her extended hand in both Of his. II
told you good-by for some purpose aft
!. er all. didn't I. Miss Hester??" he said,
smiling. ~ !.. -
II should think you, did, she an
swered, reproachfu1ly.. Where in the
world have you beent?p And what makes
you look so thin and pale?'' --a-~ II
II tumbled, into q hole on: the noun
tain" he explained, ands leading herto
chair. he seated himself beside her
and recounted his adventures, careful
~ suppressing all mention of the
Bynums, and leaving her to suppose
that he had simply. met with an acct
dent. ..@~<- ~: 49,: -
II should think you would have been
81 T. y oil, ri
ingly.. How WIS IT that, some of the
men didn't find you ?" g - '~sa's ~
Ringbrand had heard nothing of the
search party, and she told him of the
efforts that had been made to find Out
what had become of him. When she
told how the men had secured the
plateau shouting, The remembered the
cry that had reached him justa he had
placed the first round of the ladder, and
! he held her attention witha graphic de-
scription of the sudden hope and it's
disappointment, while Ludlow took the
colonel aside and told him Of the in
tended attack. Kingbrand saw the look
of grim determination come into the
eyes of the elder Latimer. and a mo-
nent later Ludlow, came over and began
to talk to Hester, while the colonel and
his son left the room: When they came
back the conversation became. general,
and Ringbrand was glad of this, for he
felt that the one thing impossible under
the circumstances .wag y tete-a-tete
with Hester. $-'
80. After a little, the colonel. suggested
: to his daughter that she retire, adding
that they had a little matter of business
to talk about that would keep them
: up awhile longer. She went willingly
enough, being in, heatif1c frame Of
mind which would ShAve made her
obedient to a. much more unreasonable
request, and when they heard the door
of her room close behind her they drew
their chairs together, and Ringbrand
gave . rapid outline 81 his plan for the
capture of the marsuders.
Upon hearing 1t, Col. Latimer de-
INJURED at once because of the danger
attending Ringbrand's part in che nm
y dertaking; but he acquiesced finally
when Ludlow added the weight Of his
advice, and the young man glanced
gratefully. at his friend for the timely
assistance. When the details were ar
ranged, and Ringbrand had appealed to
Henry not TO fire unless it became plain
~ necessary, the colonel spoke again:
I'm that conve'sation in the cave, Mr..
Ringbrand. did You happen to heah any
thing that might th'ow any light on 4
this ?''-handing 9 soiied and greasy
note to the young man. 4. "
Kingbraud unfolded it and spelled !
out. the contents penciled in Grabbed
characters scrawled irregularly across
the sheet. go ;;yI -: ~ i
"dere Mis- sster,,'' 1t ran lit n1out be
heeP better ef you loud not to stay on
the mounting two mite spose you go
down 1~ludlos fer q spel yure friend" n
Where. did 1 thi 4. come from q he
asked. EssS; ~ 9e. ~.
That's what's a-puzzlin' US. Hester
found it.wrapped round = piece, Of flint
> rock i gin on the floor Of her room, this
afternoon and she koned some
body'd 3th'own it in Ut the window. : ', -