The Irish standard., 1905-04-29
~1
D'ri and I
By IRVING BACHELLER
Author of "Eben Holden" Darrell Of
the Blessed Isles" Etc.
CHAPTER xII.-CoNr1SuEp.
Copyright, 1901. BY Lo.hrop Publishing Company

glory for anybody than that of brave
death. Somehow the feeling got to be
part of me. While had little fear of
felon. But should be dying for my
country, and that feeling seemed to
light the shadows. When fell asleep,
after much worry, it was to dream of
my three countrymen who had fallen
to their faces there by the corn. L
awoke to find the guard in our cell,
and D'ri and he whispering together.
He had come with our breakfast.
Gall want" D'ri was saying, "is
piece of iron, with a sharp end, half
es long es yer arm
He made no answer, that big, sullen.
bulldog man who brought our food to
US. When he had gone, D'ri lay over
and began laughing under his breath
"His thinker s goin' LUX sawmill,"
he whispered. "Would MT wonder eff
1t KEEP i'm awake nights. He was ask
in bout thet air tew thousand dol
lars. Ef they II let lis alone fer three
days, we II be out O here. Now, you
mark my word"
"How?' I inquired
"Jest leetle job O. slidin' downhill,"
he said. 'There's big drainpipe goes
under this cell-t' the river, prob'ly.
He says 1t IS bigger n barrel"
We saved our candle that day, and
walked up and down, from wall to
wall, for exercise. Our hopes were high
when we heard footsteps, but they fell
suddenly, for, as we listened, we could
hear the tramp of squad of men. They
came to our cell, and took us upstairs,
blind-folded as before, to bathroom,
where the uniforms discarded the day
of our capture, were waiting for us,
| newly pressed. Our bath over, they di
rected lis to put them on. They gave
us new hats, for our own had been lost
the night of the wreck, covered our
eyes, and led us through many doors
and alleys into the open air. 1t was
dark, knew, for as we entered car
riage could dimly see the glow of a
lantern hanging over the wheel. The
carriage went away swiftly on a level
road. We sat knee to knee, with two
spoken. We could hear hoofs falling,
the rattle of bit and rein, the creak
of saddle-leather on each side of us.
We must have gone long journey
when the carriage halted. They pulled
us out roughly and let us up three
steps and across a deep veranda. A
bell rang, door swung open, a flood Of
light fell on us, filtering to our eyes.
Entering, We could feel carpet un-
der us, and took dozen PAGES or more
before they bade us halt. We heard
only the low-spoken order and the
soft tread Of our feet. There was q
dead silence when they removed our
fetters and unbound our eyes. We were
standing in big and sumptuous draw
ing-room. A company of gentlemen
sat near us in arm-chairs; there
were at least a score of them.
Round tables of old mahogany
stood near, on which were glasses
and packs of cards and wine-bottles.
The young man who sat with the
general and answered to "your Lord
ship" was approaching me, hand ex-
tended.
"Glad to see you: sit down." he said
in the same quiet, languid, forceful
tone l had heard before.
| 1t was all very odd. The guards
were gone; we were apparently as
| free as any Of them.
II shall try to make you comforta-
ble," he said. A servant began filing
a row Of glasses. 1--WE have here wine
and wit and all the accessories, includ-
ing women. should introduce you,
but have not the honor of your ac-
quaintance. Let it suffice to say these
are my friends" (he turned to those
who sat about, "and gentlemen: these
are my enemies" he added, turning to
us. LET us hope they may die happy"
"And with fighting chance"
added, lifting the glass without tast-
ing 1t.
D'ri sat, his brows lifted, his hands
In his pockets, his legs crossed. He
looked curiously from one to another.
Horton" said his lordship, as he
sat down, leaning lazily on the arm Of
his chair, twill you have them bring
down the prisoners?'
The servant left the room Some of
the men were talking together in low
tones; they were mostly good-look-
ing and we'll dressed.
+ Gentlemen" said his lordship, ris-
| ing suddenly, "I'm going to turn you
out Of here for momcnt-they're shy
lot. Won't you go into the library?"
| They all arose and went out of a
door save one, bald man of middle
age, half tipsy, who begged of his
"Ludship" the privilege OF remaining.
"Sir Charles" said the young man.
still loungng in his chair as he spoke.
in that cold calm tone of his, you
annoy me- Go at once!" and he went.
They covered our faces with nap
kins of white linen. Then we heard
heavy steps, the clnk of scabbards on
stairway, the feet of ladies, and the
| swish OF their gowns. With quick
movement our faces were uncover ed.
l rose to my feet, for there before me
| stood Louison and the Baroness do
| Ferre, between two guards, and, be-
behind them, Louise, her eyes
covered, her beautiful head bent
low. could see that she was
! crying. The truth came to me
| in a flash of thought. They had been
taken after we left; they were prison.