The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-04-16

fence for the convenience of riding
parties; and it was through this gap
that poor Randy was presently trundled
and then down along the line to his own
doorway. BY this time THE pain n his
strained and stiffened leg was intense,
while the arm, hurriedly but skillfully
dressed when far afield. was troubling
him but little. His one thought all the
way had been for Florence. He had in
sisted on scribbling her little note be-
fore they reached the Santa Clara, just.
to tell he was all right; that there
was nothing to worry about, and all he
needed was few days of her nursing.
The decor gave it to ono Of the men and,
gravely babe him ride ahead and give it
to Mrs. Merriam. and the trooper had
duly handed it in at the door, where
Hop Ling received it With his custom
airy grin, and slowed it away on the
mantel in tho now deserted parlor
where notes and cards had generally
been displayed for the eyes of the young
mistress.
And now rs they ncarcd the familiar
spot. poor Randy would sit up. 1t
would never do to come before her eyes
Frustrated as though sorely hurt Any.
thing to spare her needless shock or
worry. He even essayed semi jocular
show are you, old man?" as he caught
sight Of Grafton. and tried a smile and
wave of his hand to the ladies who APP
peared on the southern,nost porch Of
the infantry lines.
"Why. you look us though you'd had
a worse tussle than i, captain" he
laughed painfully, as he held out his
hand. "How is Florence? It hasn't
frightened her much, has 1t? hope
Mrs. Haynes been with her."
"She's been good deal troubled, of
course" answered Grafton, gravely,
"but-but Mrs. Hayne is-bringing her
round all right, think. How are you,
old man? You did have ride!"
But now Randy was peering outalong
the row-their own row. Women were
to be seen here and there along the
verandas, gazing alphabetically
toward the slowly moving party, but
no feminine form was visible on the
piazza of his little home.
''Better lie back. Mr.. Merriam," urged
the doctor. "Try to make him do So"
he murmured to Grafton. "Wc've got
to get him quiet in his room before we
let him know anything" Already the
anxious young physician had been told
that Mrs. Merriam was probably so
miles away, and his soul was wrung ut
the thought of what that would mean
to his patient.
"Yes. lie down, Randy, till we get you
Indoors" urged Grafton. "Wc'vc had
to put up game on Mrs. Randy-(God
forgive me the lie. he prayed). "Know-
Ing how anxious you were aud we were
lest she should be shocked. we-kept
her away. Mrs. Hayne and DR.. Gould
are looking out for her. She's not to be
allowed to conc near you till we get
you safe and sound and bathed and all
fixed up in bed. OF course we know
now, Randy-we didn't before, but Mrs.
Hayne had to tell my wife how careful
we have to be Of her-now, and really,
old boy. she oughtn't to see you till
you're washed and dressed. You look
tough, Randy"
And though the face he longed to see
as they bore him up the steps was miles
and miles away, Merriam stiAed his OWN
disappointment and bravely thanked
them. God bless you and Mrs. Graf
ton! That was indeed thoughtful of
you. old boy" he gasped, for pain was
wrenching him. and he gave q long, long
sigh Of relief when at last he was lifted
from the stretcher to a bed in the spare
room.
But that sigh was faint whisper as
compared with the long, long breath
that Grafton drew. as he sat him down
in the adjoining room and moppcd his
streaming forehead.
Col. Buxton and othcrs-all the Off
GERS, almost-felt bound to come to the
house between stables and retreat, Just
to see how Randy was getting on, but
the answer was the same to one and all.
No one was to be admitted. for the doc
tor was trying to get him to Sleep"
And surely enough, bnthed, re-
frcshed, his arm set and dressed, Randy
soon found himself slowed away III a
soft, white bed, but oh. so weak and
drowsy after all the labor of the chase
and the long, long day of racking pain.
They were to bring Florence to him
now. his wife. his darling, 1mpatiently
waiting for the summons, as he thought
her, Mt Mrs. Haynes, and he was
stretching out his arms to her-his one
available arm. rather, and fondly mur-
muring her name, when the weary eye
lids closed and, numb and impotent, he
driftcd away into deep, deep slumbcr.
'There," said the doctor, at last,
"he'll do now"
"Aye," mnrmurcd Grafton, but what
ence here tomorrow"
That was an anxious night ut Sedg-
wick. Merriam slept like the dead, and
twice the young doctor feared it might
be necessary to rouse him, thinking
that perhaps he had sent that tiny shot
of his hypodermic syringe with too
heavy charge. But so long MS Randy
was ignorant of his wifc's mad esca-
pade he would have slept through sheer
exhaustion and WEAKNESS, and his ply
stefan need not have troubled himself.
Twice Grafton tiptoed in, and the hos
pital attendant arose at his coming and
reported that the patient had not
stirred.
Over at Grafton's quarters, however,
they had to deal with less tractable
creature. Fanny McLane had reused
from her swoon and was ncrvously. ex-
citably, irritably wide awake, de-
manding actually to be allowed to see