The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-04-09

~
misery, and this new official. Whitaker
by name, sternly shouted: "Stop your
Internal noise, you clapper- jawed
heather. What tho DEVILS tho mat.
ter?"
"Melliuml Mellium!" was all poor
Hop could pant.
"Mr. Merriam isn't here" said Whit
taker, majestically.
"Oh-wha he gone7-Misse Melllum
gonel She gone-Minion-alle gonel"
"Whewl" said Whitaker. Sergeant,
take charge of the guard. Two got to go
up to Capt. Grafton's and report this.
Come on with me. you heathen," and,
f0rgetful of the officer Of the day, and
only too ready to visit Grafton's and
bask under that window, the lieutenant
fastened away. Hop obediently and
hopefully following. Matters weren't
30 bad perhaps, then, after all. thought
he. Odd though the freak might be,
his master and mistress might possibly
have trotted away together for very
early morning ride and would soon DO
back demanding breakfast.
But Grafton was out in an instant,
and together did the three hasten to the
pretty nest which Randy had so proud
ly furnished for his bride. Hop ushered
them to the dark, empty parlor, then to
the empty rooms above.
There on the unrumpled bed, lust
where she had thrown them, were the
garments Flo had hastily discarded.
There on the dressing table were toilet
articles in wild dsarray. "She's heard
In some way of his orders to chase those
id greasers," said Whitaker, sul-
lenly. He, who hated the name of
Fanny Hayward year gone by for hav-
ing Tilted his fondest friend, now WELL
nigh hated him because the woman
sought him again, and Whitaker knew
1--WE can soon tell" said Grafton,
briefly, "by following her trail"
Down to the little stable they went,
but first Grafton stepped back into
Randy's bath and dressing-room. Yes,
just as he thought, there was note
stuck in Randy's mirror, but no woman
ly little scrawl, no young wife's cooling
confidence to her devoted mate. 1t was
In stout envelope, and the superscrip-
ton, in hand that spread itself over
the entire face, was formal, indeed
mcnacing:
LIEUT.. MERRIAM,
Private
and personal. -th Cavalry.
The captains face grew quickly grave
as he came forth and closed the door
behind him.
(Which way did Merriam head2"
asked he of Whitaker q moment later,
as the three regathered back of the
line.
straight off to the southwest" said
Whitaker, land here go her tracks-by
Jove! Straight away, for the end of the
row-and--from thcre?-"
The two officers looked in each others
eyes moment, then strobe hurriedly to
the west end of the line. Before them
there-broad and far spreading, brave
in the slanting sunshine, the rolling
reach of the mesa toward the Santa
Clara. Beyond that valley the Slow
rising stretch of desert toward the old,
old mission miles and miles away. Be-
You'd all, the far foothills and glistening
range of the Mescalero.
But not toward these did .Mignon's
dainty foot-tracks lead. Straight as tho
crow flies they clipped the sandy bar
rem when once we'll out beyond the line
and hearing Of the westward sentry.
Straight, swift and sure, like homing
pigeon, Floy had evidently shaken loose
her rein and babe her pet and precious
bear her, swerving never, far at least
as strength would last, to where there
was ever waiting her the changeless
love and pity and protection of the shell
tering arms at the cid cantonment,
now her only hope of home.