The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-03-19

calife uncoEtrollaDle, ana in dread and
distress he sprang up to call the serv.
ant and bid him go for Mrs. Hayne
and the doctor. Florence protested,
even implored, but to no purpose. The
message WINS sent, and before many
minutes both were there.
The medico looked perturbcd when he
came downstairs, talked nbout low nery.
Gus condition; said that ulr, sunshine,
cheerful companionship were what she
really needed, etc, etc. She'd been
housing herself too much OF late. lie
would send over some sctlatives from
the hospitals; and then he hustled out,
and was glad to get away. Then came
an orderly with the cofoncl's compli.
ments, and would Mr.. Merriam step
over TO the Office a minute: and, gInnc-
ing across the parade, Randy was sur
Priscd to see that bright lights were
shining from the windows at heatlquar-
tiers. and there were signs OF unusual
life and stir about the infantry bar
rncks. Quickly he mounted the stairs
and again knclt by the side of his young
wife. She was qurtcr now, but evil
IDENTIFY weak from the violence Of her
emotion. IL from no other cause. Smil-
Ing synpnthctlrnlly, Mrs. IInyne
arose from her place near The head OF
the sofa. that he might come closer and
fold Florence in his arms, MS she felt
sure Florence wished to be foli,cd, and
Randy did come nearer, and took the
slender hand i'll his and spoke tcn1crly
and fon,lly. and bent again ard kissed
the pale forehead, lingcrngly, and all
this Florence seemed to accept without
other notice than silence md submits
sion. Mrs. lInync gazr1 with swiftly
changcfml expression. This was some
thing utterly new, utterly unlocked for.
What could have occurred to turn Flor
cnre Merriam. fondrst, happicst OF
wives, into this limp, unrcsponsve
creature? Surely, it could not be that
there fingered one remaining doubt OF
Randy now. He had ignored so utterly,
so successfully. the wilrs of the CO.
pucttc TO whom he owed allegiance n
year gone by. She heard him m,lrmnr:
III be back worry soon, dearest" saw
the sudden upward sweep of the white
cycli'ls, and the miserable, questioning
look in the dark brown eyes "rhe
colonel had sent for me To attend him ut
the office" he explained. unslth cyclids
dropped again. Then he pressed his
lips to hers and they answered not ut
all. Then he rose. and with deep con-
Germ in his manly face, turned To go.
"lt is so good of you to come to u.s."
he said to Mrs. lIaync. 81 should he
nta loss without you. I'll hurry back"
But Ills last look as he left the room
was for Florence, whose eyes followed
him only until his turned ngain to her.
Then they .lmopcd again.
'F!ny, dear" said Mrs. lInync, aftrra
moment Of Thought, "im going to ask
you something"
The girl held up her white hand, and,
MS though listening, said: whit"
They heard Randy in tho hall below.
as he threw his cape over his shoulders
and FASTENED out, heard him 20 bound
ing down the steps. ont through the
gateway. ami then across tho hard
gravel Of the road. Then rs his footballs
died away. Mrs. lInync knclt where lie
had knclt the moment before.
"Floy, dear, 1t isn't possible you think
he cherislcs any feeling except Of pity
or contempt for-thnt woman? Incvcr
saw anything more perfect than his de-
votion to you-his avoidance of her"
For answer, with Sudden force tho
Young wife seemed TO tear herself from
the touch OF the friendly hand, tho
sound of THE gentle voice. and, b,Iryng
her face in her arms. turning her back
upon her CONSIDER, moancI aloud. ooh,
Fluy, FIoy. my little friend! You must
not doubt him. Never ,istrllst him
again. Whyl he will not even go near
Ticr. lie will not see her-spcnk with
her, and never heard such love and
tenderness in his voice rs when he
speaks to you"
Then, as though stunE, Florence
whirlrd upon her, and, with dilat"d,
burning eyes, and hot flush over
spreading her face, with lips close set
MS though, to beat down the trcmors
that strovc for tI,c mastery, answered
with startling vehrmcncr:
''Bmt havc-it's when he calls To her
talks to her in his slccp!"
Then Mrs. ITnync sprnng mp nghnst.
One moment she stood gazing ncrcdll-
lousy down at Florence, a world of sor-
row and pity in her eyes. Then, with
her hand TO her ear. cried clark" md
FASTENED TO the window.
Far out across the still. stnllit level of
the parade "A tr,lmpcter WIS sounding
officers call.