The Irish standard., 1902-04-19

THE IRISH ST
and inform me whether you are ac-
quainted with the individual de-
scribed."
Guy glanced at the writing hur-
riedly.
''les, SIR" he replied, 81 know him" }"
"Will you go with Barney, here, ap-
prehend the fellow and see that he
stays at my house until Gomez"
Guy saw how Vladingham was try
ing to save him. He noted also the per-
picked faces of the citizens in front,
and of those on the platform; especially
was he aware of Barrey's blank amaze.
The latter's eyes were starting from
his head, and it was evident that his
brain was violently disturbed. Guy
gave Vlandingham Il square and manly
look.
'On my honor, Mr.. Vlandingham,'' .
said he, "the man will be at your house
when you get there"
why" gasped Barney, leveling his
finger, that there"
''Silence!" roared Vlandingham,
knocking the extended arm downward.
"You are to go with Mr.. Herbert and
apprehend this man, and take him to
my house. Not word from you. If
you had been a little later in get
ting here, your information would
have been valueless. Your horse threw
you, eh? A likely story! Itlooks very
much as though you were late pur-
posely. You will have something to
explain, Barney, when I meet you at
my house. For the present, show that
you know how to obey orders. Go
with Mr.. Herbert"
Barney faced about automatically
and started for the door. Guy followed
at his heels. Aside from their echoing
footsteps there was not q sound in the
room. The captain and Mr.. Boomer
parted and allowed them to pass. Mr..
Boomer fingered his revolver nervous
ly. The guard in the passageway eyed
them keenly, and the man with the
rifle, at the foot of the stairs, suf-
fered them to depart without a
word.
When they were well on their way
to Willowview, Barney found his
tongue.
'Nell, Pm dinged," he muttered.
you're the spy, ain't you?'
''I'm the man described in the note,''
answered Guy, who did not relish the
harsher term.
At that precise moment he was wish
ing Col. Keever at the antipodes. His
own folly in allowing the Colonel to
influence him came in for a large share
of his condemnation. Better hun
dred times that he lost every cent he
had in the world and preserved his self
respect. He was going to meet Miss
Betty now, and what would she think
of him?
'Why the dickens did the squire act
ney.
''He did that to save me from the
hands of the Harmony people," an.
swered Guy, with dash of irritation
''They're so wrought up over this coun-
ty seat matter that they would have
acted and thought about their actions
afterwards"
"You bet they would"
"Mr. Vlandinghamis is head and shoul.
ders above the rest of them. He's {:
gentleman"
"He's ole business, that's what. Don't
you feel pretty meachin'?"
"That's my affair.""
"S'pose you'll try to run away now
hey?"
Barney caught Guys arm, and Guy
wrenched away and gave his compan
ion push that almost upset him.
"I'm not going to run away. I've
given my word and I shall abide by it,
Barney whistled.
"If the people at the meetin' had
known who you was, guess you'd
have been carried back to Concord feet
foremost"
Guy made no answer to this, and they
shortly arrived at Mr.. Vladingham's
house. Their ring was answered by
Miss Betty herself.
"Mr. Herbert!" she exclaimed, smil.
ingly, 81 knew very we'll that father
wouldn't allow you to be hurt. But
you took frightful chances. Why are
you here, Barney?"
"The squire sent me along to see
that he didn't get away" responded
Barney, valiantly.
"Well, you needn't remain. I'll see
that he doesn't get away. Good night.
The door was closed in the aston
ished Barney's face.
"Come into the parlor, Mr.. HERBERT
said Miss Betty.
tion at all. Miss Betty did not seem tc
abate one jot or little of her friendli
ness. "a consummate actress" Guy
thought; "the storm will come before
long" Miss Betty motioned toward q
chair. After Guy had obediehtly seat.
ed himself she took a rocker vis-a-vis
She thought for II moment, and ther
laughed softly.
"To think" she remarked, "that
neither father nor l, on hearing your
name, ever thought of connecting yor
with MIR. Montfort Herbert, of the Con
cord Townsite company! And yor
boarded that freight train ut Concord
too!'
why don't you denounce ME for be
ing spy?" asked Guy, impatiently.
why should l denounce you? Con
cord is your town, Mr.. Herbert, and i
is right for you to do what you can tt
hold the county seat. Harmony is oul
town. and we shall do what we car