The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-09-24
III CIR Z II
]: Ids s &
By BELLE MANDATES
Copyright, 1901, by Daily stcr, Pub. COY

Copyright, 1901, by Daily Story Pub. Coz
IT is truism that the trend of life
! hangs on the turn of step. but in this
case the fate of Elsie Clarke waited OF
the turn of an automobile, which was
whirling around the curves of country
road at breaknecl speed.
On the front seat were the owner of
the automobile, Walter Earle, and his
wife-a comfortably and contentedly
married couple who were doing all in
their power to bring about match be-
tween Elsie Clarke and Arthur Wynne,
the couple on the back seat. In fact,
all the friends Of these two young peo-
pie had decided it was perfect match"
and were using all their endeavors to
further it.
was concerned. He was in love with the
fair young woman to the full extent of
his placid, well-regulated nature, while
she was trying hard to reason herself
into reciprocity. She told herself over
and over that he possessed every quality
of eligibility. He was of good form
and feature, we'll endowed with worldly
possessions; habits, moral manners and
disposition, excellent. After one of
these mental enumerations of his re-
quisites, she would decide to accept him,
but the moment she was in his presence,
she felt antagonistic to the fate await
ing her. He clearly bored her, and she
skillfully warded off his proposal. The
simple solution of the situation was that
she was not in love with him, and that
love never would respond to reasoning.
She knew better than to advance this
argument to his supporters. for she in
tuitive}y felt they would consider love
an obsolete emotion. Finally she had
come to believe that. since she had net
so many men, and none had awakened
the grand passion, the fault must lie in
her, and that she was not capable of fall
ing in love-
She felt that this day and ride was to
be the consummation of the affair and
that it was purposely planned by the
Earles and Wynnes. They were now, at
the close of an early summer afternoon,
en- route to country inn several miles
distant where they we're to dine, after
which she knew the Earles would dis
creetly vanish for stroll on the lake
shore, leaving her alone with Wynne and
her fate. The coming ordeal oppressed
her. She felt her opposition oozing, and
feared she would yield to his quiet, we'll
modluated entreaties.
ooh, if something-anything would
only happen!" she thought
Was the wish father to the thought?
Something did happen. A whirlpool of
sand, the deadly foe of automobiles, at
tackled the wheels. The road was narrow
"a steep embankment on either side a
brook below. Earle was an expert as
Chauffeur, but no human power under
the conditions could have prevented the
quick; swerve and the headlong pitch
over the, embankment.
Elsie dimly felt that strong arms were
carrying, her over road and green fields.
She vaguely wondered If it was Arthur
who was carrying her thus. She opened
her eyes and looked into strange face
that was bending anxiously and tender
iy over.
"John." she murmured with faint
smile, as she contentedly sank back into
Inconsistencies.
The accident had occurred near the
well-kept farm of William Mofford. His
son, John Mofford, was walking down
the road toward the automobile when it
took the awful plunge. He rushed down
the bank expecting they were all killed.
The automobile had upset. providential-
ly on the very edge Of the brook. Earle
was already helping his wife to arise,
and they had only sustained a few
bruises. WYnne appeared to be all right.
unless his wrist was sprained. The doc
tors quick glance wandered from these
stunned, frightened people and fell upon
the motionless form Of the most beauti-
full girl he had ever seen. She had been
thrown some little distance In a. mo-
ment he had her in his arms and calling
to the others to follow, he started for the
/ house.
AS he came up the old-fashioned gar
den in front of the farm house, and her
beautiful, long-lashed eyes looked
vaguely into his, he had a new, strange
sensation, and fierce jealousy was born
within him towards "John," whoever he
might be. Was it that pale faced fellow
who was following, hanging on to his
wrist?
The Moffords and the farm hands had
all come to meet them, and his mother
instantly returned to the house to make
ready the west bedroom.
Fright in here, john" she said, lead
ing the way to the big, cool room. He laid
his patient down on the white, billowy
bed, and proceeded to learn the extent
of her injuries.
"Is she badly hurt John?" asked Mrs,
Mofford, anxiously.
'Her arm is broken, but she will come
out all right" he said, hopefully, as he
cut away her sleeve.
Don't let the others come in here
he said, hearing excited voices in the ad-
joining room.
| His mother locked the door and re-
turned to the bedside. He deity set the
broken arm and left his patient to his
| mothers administrations.
When he came out, he was besieged
with questions concerning Elsie, which
HUMILITY.