The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-05-01

q lame attempt:to appear mistress OF
the situation. II suppose it would be
snperfuous to remark upon your mod
esty, Mr.. Neil," she said, lightly. "And
II must go. Papa will be waiting for
me-" -, -. ::>-
:. Neil's face was pale and strange
light shone in his eyes as he stepped in
front of her, barring the. way. ":You
could love me +if'so y would let yourself
II know it!-snda sfeu are false to your
self when you tNr4 from me like this,
he declared, in fts1tense tone. '.You.are
making a mouhdttAir outsof this trouble
of the mines, wben: between you and me
it is as nothing-To me, indeed, there is
nothing on EARTH that counts-nothing
that value Id TIE least in comparison
with your love- I'll Icould have that, the
rest would settde itself. Il would con-
cede anything 81 1faaa c4Riifice anything"
= =. He stopped, docking about with q
iatartled glanceo4Kis;Syes coming back to
her face, IwhickHptea strangely fright
,.ened expressiQiaI There was. a strong
smell of .burn9ss #ood about: them,
y while dark Cloud was streaamzniizlg
{: against the bluaRessss Of the sky behind
the rocks which cut Of ell below from
their view. - >. :..::. ,lz =
:. @~''What is it?s: she exclaimed. But
even as shesp ke; therewas adeafening
explosion, while. the sky seemed black
>. cned by rushing mass riddled with
myriads of darker blotches, Of which
hundreds seemed to be falling all about
them, fragments Of still burning wood.
Wild with fright, Dorothy had thrown
herself into the arms that were in-
stinctively reaohed out to seize her.
''What is it? oh, what has happened?"
she gasped, hiding her eyes shuddering-
ly against his shoulder.
ut is nothing, sweetheart; you are
safe," he murmured, his cheek laid
caressingly against her soft hair. For
the moment It appeared to=him indeed
that. nothing counted against the fact
that he waz holding her there in his
arms ;unharmed-against the ! sweet
truth that she had como to that shelter
Of her own impulse; but the man Of
affairs was quick to awake in him even
III all: the tremuloux joy Of feeling that
in this unconsidered action she had vir-
tually concededhs: hearts desire. "But
must leave you, dearest. You will not
mind if go for a moment to see whatit
isl he urged, tenderly holding her the
closer to him for the thought Of pres
emily letting her 60. !"You will wait
until come back?">
"No; Twill go with YOU" she rejoiRed,
her cheeks still pale with fright. "Oh,
I must" as his look seemed to dissuade
her.
His thoughts had flown at once to the
Mascot shafthouse, from his memory OF
a time when a similar explosion had
rent the air. to leave him almost PENN.
less. Could it be that such devilish
work had been repeated? She must not
come. "No, dear one. Do you noises
that, whatever has happened, we should
not be seen coming back together" he
breathlessly argued, moving that here
was something she would surely heed:
'Please, sweetheart" he pleadingly
added, as she st4l hesitated.
.'But must I atay here until you come
back" she hsfPl ~ questioned, IRENE
bling still as ske dtEw away from him.
evil you surel ctfp{pe back?" 80
:. s'Surely, If Iocan.s # I do not eome-
walt ten minu29sseaAd then come yeurr
SELF: So het prefthlessly planned,
moved TO tah@ hsNiagain in his arms,
impetuously sA4tt9et fling kisses upon her,
in-spite of ell ihoswful possibilities Of
the moment, 4qd with JOY that she did
not repulse hin. ,aWhatever happens,
sweetheart" pAshonately whispered
rs he left her, 4emember that now you
are mine-minaIi sn :.z
Dorothy waTedst nervously pacing
back and forthe Ron q few minutes, Try
ing to think HhaH he he'd done, what
It meant, and telMhat end it all portend-
Jed. Did she love hfm7 Had she loved
him all the whfle3 And what would
her father saw? But. unnerved a abe