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


ly. "She hasn't bees like herself for
several days, and gets worse instead OF
better. / don't like to be away from
her, although Mrs. llayne is there
great deal. bless her!"
"I'm sorry--l'm dpnbiy sorry, Mcr-
riam," said Grafton, intentionally,
"for ! was on the rnin, OF asking you
80 come over and see Mrs. McIanc about
matter which is giving her deep
anxiety"
Merram's face began to darken at
once, bnt he said no word.
Randy" continued Grafton, after n
moments embarrassed pause. 81 know
it's asking great deal more than l
should care to do were In your place.
ard wouldn't ask it if I didn't think it
might do coed for al, ard do harm to
none. You heard of Lcr sudden pres
tra,ion the other nigl,?"
"frs--bu'--"
do you hHow-havc you nny idea Of
the cnusr?"
''Not the fair;cst-No can't say
that. She gu, IL telegram, ! heard"
SHE did. and an answer was dcmnnd-
cd and | had TO read it, ana. reply ,l,n:
she WAS FRUSTRATED and couldn't an
s"rr herself, perhaps for days. have
no right to tell you what was in the
message, but size seems 10 need TO see
You. she says tn-morrpw-I say to-
night"
For II moment no answer came. At
last, with evident effort, Merriam spoke.
~ had promised NJ, self never to see
her alone. 1t is due to my wife, if rot
to me. You know the relations that cx-
listed. Now Mrs. Merriam does not
like your guest"
"Nrilhcr do L." interrupted Grafton,
stont!y. land I've an idea she'll roaftcr
she's get what--infurula!iun YOU can
give her"
And now Mrrriam's face began to lose
its dark look aud to grow suddenly
pale. "Do you mean that tlistrlcEram
has ma,lc--has anything to do with her
wish TO see mc?"
"Evrrythiny, Merriam. according to
my belief. and if ! could tell you what
it said ! think you Mould not refuse
her"
Inscntly Merriam eyed the captains
lace as though hnrning with cagrrnrss
10 read his fun meaning
VERY we'll, | win come right after re-
treat. Surely five minutes ought to he
rnnngh," he said at length, and then
went ,hnuyhtfully l,omrwar,l.
But retreat parade came within so
short Il time after GTaftnn's return to
his quarters tina, his message to- Mrs.
Mcl.ane covered HAT lady with con-
sternation. What! Meet Randy Mer-
riam when she had l,Ss than 50 MIN
n!rs in which tn t,rcsS! II couldn't
be thought Of! When 'Mrrrian, called,
Mrs. Grafton tluttrrr,l down. with
flushing cheeks and Indignant eyes.
"l'm so sorry, Mr.. Merriam. but really
Mrs. McI.ane says shr isso far from well
again this evening that she cannot see
anyone, She has gore back to bed, but
brgs that you will c;I,nr in at noon to-
morrow. How is hear Florence? /
should have been to see her. but am
Tied hands and fret ",
And Randy went lingering back to
F'"y's mntrly inGuiring eyes. What
can ITO cheer you to night, my ,lnr-
'''S Nv NIIsNI'tItus MS JIG Uenb over
I" kiss her. us Mrs Naync coming
lmck?"
Florence was lying on the sofa in her
pretty room nlnft, AID Merriam knclt
NJ her side, taking her passive hand in
his and strokng gently the curls that
slimmcrr'l about her white temples
The smile with which she greeted him
w;':; very wan and tlittinE.
''Shc said she would, after a little.
told her you'd I've in right after pa
rMlc, but" and the "hut" had II mourn
fuI tone to it.
II had to stop Il moment on tho way,
dear. matter promised to attend
to-" and again he bent and laid his lips
upon her brow, then pressed them to
hers. Time was, and only Il few days
gone by, when she used to meet that
fond carcss with kiss as fond, as lin
gering as his own. Now she lay there
patient, ,nrcsponsivr. Something
prompted him to pass his arm under
meath her neck and to draw her head to
his breast, and she let herself 80, UNI
resisting, but her check did not nestle
happily, confidently, as was its way.
Her big, pathetic eyes were down
east even averted.
81 wish | knew some way to gladden.
yon bit, my brownie" he murmurrd,
using for almost the first time her fn-
TIERS own fond pct name for her, aud
he was startled beyond measure ut tile
result. One instant her face light
rN as with sudden radiant joy. then
quivcrrtl all over with prnt-up emo
ton. Then the pretty mouth began
to twitch and the lips 10 trcmblc, and
then, despite every effort, she turned
back to her pillow and burst into Il pas
sion of tears, great sohs shaking her
slender frame from head to foot
"Florcncc! Tlorcnrc!" he cried, in
utter disnny and trouble. what is it,
sweetheart? What is it. my pet, my
precious? All, don't turn from me like
chat. You are Orwell. my own. or you
would not break my heart by shrinking
from me. What can | have said to so
distress you?" And now he would take
no denial but had claspctl his arms
about her and drnwps lcr TO his breast
again. and began kissily away her tears
and striving to check l.rr sobbing. 1t
was useless.
ooh, let me cry--let. me cry!" she
pleadcd-"it's what'I Heed"
And SO in pain and l}cwildrrmcnt he
yielded to her wish md strovc TO con-