The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-04-16
found that 1T WAS after eight and guard

found that 1t WAS after eight and guard
mounting was in full blast Summon
ing servant, her first question was for
news Of Mrs. Merriam, for servants al
ways know the garrison news before
their masters. Not u word had been re-
cciscd. Presently she tiptocd to Fam
ny's room, softly turned the knob, and
nniselessly entered. There luy her guest
still plunged in deep slumbcr, but An
nette had disappeared, gone. probably,
to the kitchen for coffee. Far over ut
the east. where the railway crossed tho
barren mesa, q locomotive whistle broke
the silence OF the desert with long. ex-
ultunt blast. The blockade then was
broken. The first train was coming in
from Cimnrmn. Dressing with greater
haste than usual, she ordered breakfast
served, and then went out on the piazza
and looked up the row toward the Mer-
rinsns'. Tho doctor was just coming
out OF the gate, md Whitaker. who hatlS
spent the night there on watch-nu
thought OF rivalry forgottcn-was
standing on the top step. apparently
OBTAINING the physician with some t,,,cs-
ton. Eager for news of Randy, Mrs.
Grafton threw her husbands cavalry
cape over her shoulders md trippcd
briskly up the gravel walk. "Still sleep
ing" sud tho doctor, "antl how is your
pnticnt?"
"Also sleeping" sa;d Mrs. Grafton.
II don't see how people can sleep so
soundly at such times" whcrcut tho
doctor looked conscious but said moth
ing.
All that morning people strained their
eyes and rubbed their binoculars and
searched the distant foothills to the
northwest, hoping for the coming of
co,iricrs with news; but not unit after
noon were they rewarded. Then, COW
cred with sweat and dust, corporal of
Grafton's troop rode in. DR.. Gould and
Mrs. Hayne were still at Josc's, though
they feared they could be of no uso
there. for NOT sign of Florence had been
found. Grafton had sent co,riers on TO
the Cntnmount with the tidings of her
peril. and HIS men, In wide dispersed
order, were securing the foothills long
days marches away. Full half an hour
the ladies' grouped at Buxton's. listrn-
ing TO the soldiers description of their
search. and then were strolling home
ward when, over toward the west end of
the cavalry line, arose the sound of com
motion md distress.
An instant later, ns the doctor.
CHANGING. turned TO hasten thither, q
woman dressed in deepest black came
Keeling forth from the Mcrrialns' door
way and plnnging wildly down tho
steps Everyone knew her at glance
1t was Fanny McLune, who stood there
now swaying ut the gate MS though
gaming for breath. while calling mar
ticnlntely for aid. 1t WINS but few Sec
onds before the doctor reached her.
They saw him "ccost her briefly, then go
sprlnging pnst her up tho steps and
Into the house. A moment more and
Mrs. Grafton. with other women,
reached her.
what is the matter? What has hnp-
pcned. Fanny? Why nrc you herc?"
And covering. sobbing, slivering, sho
made answer:
"Oh, stop himl save hiIml He'll kill
himself. told linn his wife was
gone"
Too Int. Out to the stable the doc
tor chased, for bed and room were de-
serted. There. wildly sesticulating and
pointing to the open mesn was Hop
Ling. Tile 1nnkee my snddlc-hc naleeo
lde-he alice go,scl" he walled, point
Ing to where. far TO the west, n puff of
dust cloud was swiftly vanishing down
Into the valley of the Santa Clnra