The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-12-10
Copyright. 1891, by Daily Story Pub. Coy


Copyright, 1874, by Daily Story Pub. Coy
TT Ellen WHITE, most beccmingly
gowned, came into the music room
after dinner, shaded the lights, turned
on the gas logs and arranged the music
on the piano.
Nell, see you are making elaborate
preparations to receive callers" said her
brother Fred, banlerirsiy. Il am sorry
to convey to you the disappointing intel
ligence that there is 10 prospect OF YOUR
receiving a call to-night-that is, from
aman. All the men you know are other
wise engaged"
2, Helen's face fell perceptibly.
"Oh Fred, what is going on?'
Cant tell you"
"Stag?"
Nell" be laughed, putting on his
outer coat and taking a cap from his
pocket you always ask too many ques-
tons. Would it give you ray Of COM
fort if told you it was purely stas?'
But Helen swept from the room with
out condescanding to speak further on
provoking of brothers. He was so mean
about introducing her to the new man.
Wendell Lane, who was friend Of
Fred's. He .'as not society man, so
she had no prospect of meeting him at
dances. He WAS extremely good looking
and so desirable in every way. but Fred
had stubbornly refused all her entreat-
les tn hrino him tn tha bnuca
Gle doesn't care fer eirs-sensibe
felow-and besides you've turned down
hard two or tire of my friends whom
have introduced to YOU"
II wonder vi ats on to-nieht." she
thought, going &c the library window and
flattening her fee against the pane.
Through the dusly gloom she discerned
Freds vanishing figure family outlined.
He wasn't going coward the street, but
across the lawn
ITO the stable Hhe thought. And the
cap. He only wea:s that when he drives
or goes on 'expe,ilions' Perhaps he is
only going for a drive with some other
man and said that a bout no ones calling
to tease me-
She hoped dcyouLly that some one
would call. The time was so propitious
Her father and mother were away on Il
Journey and now Fred out for the eve
ming. She did everything she could think
of to pass away the lime of that awful
interval from seven to eiGht-the hour
of suspense. She read the evening paper,
played the piano abstrscteGly with her
foot on the soft pedal that she might
hear the doorbell. Finally she went up
stairs to see what her lits'e brother Tom
was doing. She found aim putting on
his coat and hat
"Why, Tom, where The you goine?"
"Out with some fellows. Mother said
] nteht awe Gle l..ssl.t out you know"
eyes. Everyone is having q hight
out but me-" said his sister. with
mirthless laugh.
"Well, | guess Fred'll be back SOON"
said Tom, consoiirely.
What makes you think SOP" she
asked curiously.
You just look in the den and youll
See" ne replied, with chuckle.
Helen quickly sought i'red's den and
gazed in CONSERVATION Mt the prepara-
lions and supplies for spread that she
encountered.
"The plot thickens!" she thought, fol-
lowing Tom down stairs. He went out
the front door and from the window she
saw him, too, cross the lawn and 30 in
the direction of the barn.
"Well," she exclaimed to herself, "the
whole White family seem to be drawn
barnward. l think | had best follow
suit"
She sat down for few minutes to plot
and ponder. Fred had evidently planned
a sub rosa feast else he'd have asked her
to help in the preparations. He prob
ably counted on returning after her re-
firing hour. which was early when there
were no callers. 1t occurred to her that
be was going to drive first Well. she
could prove or disprove that suspicion
right away.
She stole out across the lawn down the
graveled walk. around the curve and out
to the stable which was at considerable
distance from the house. 1t was entirely
deserted She had hey with her and
easily found lantern in the carriage
room. Investigation showed her that
the team of 6apDle 2rays were quietly
resting. as was Freds own horse.
She locked The door and extineushed
the lantern. When shecame out she was
startled to see three or four men come
out of the old root cellar. Shed back
into the shadows with FACILITATING heart