The Irish standard., 1906-10-20

J. p. Lippncott Coz
dreary wilderness, as say; barren,
rock-ribbed gulch affording an indif-
ferent right-of-way for two railroads, /"
For one" she corrected, in a quick
uptlash of loyalty for her kin.
The secretary shifted his gaze from
the mountains to the maiden and
smiled. She was exceedingly good to
look upon-high-bred. queenly and
Just now with the fine fire of enthu-
siasm to quicken her pulses and to
send the rare flush to neck and cheek.
Jastrow, the cold-eyed, the business
automaton set to go off with click at
Mr.. Somerville Darrah's touch. had
ambitions not automatic. Some day
he meant to put the world of business
under foot rs conqueror, standing
triumphant on the apex of that pyra-
mid Of success which the Mr.. Somer-
Vile Darrahs were so successfully un-
rearing. When that day should come.
there would need to be an establish
ment, menage, a queen for the king
dom OF success. Summing her up for
the hundredth time since the begin
ming Of the westward flight, he thought
Miss Carteret would I'LL the REQUIRE
ments passing we'll.
But this was n divagation, and he
pulled himself back to the askings of
the moment, agreeing with her again
without reference to his private con-
victions.
For one. should have said" he
amended. 1--WE mean to have 1t that
way. though an unprecedented onlooker
might be foolish enough to say that
there Is a pretty good present pros
pect of two"
But Miss Carteret was In a CONTRA
dictory mood. Moreover. she was a
woman. and the way to a woman's
confidence does not lie through the
neutral country Of easy compliance.
| III you won't take the other side. I
will" she said. There will be two"
Jastrow acquiesced second time.
Il shouldn't wonder. Our Compel
TORS road seems to be only a ques-
ton OF time-a very short time. judg-
ing from the number OF men turning
out in the track gang down yonder."
| Virginia leaned over the railing to
look past the car and the dovecote sta
ton. shading her eyes to shut out the
snow-blink from the sun-fired peaks.
why, they are soldiers!" she ex-
claimed. "At least, some of them have
guns on their shoulders. And SEQ
they are forming in line!"
Tho secretary adjusted his eye
glasses.
BY Jove! you are right: they have
armed the track force. The new chief
of construction doesn't mean to take
any chances of being shaken loose by
force. Here they come"
The end of track of the new line
was diagonally across the creek from
the Rosemary's berth and short
pistol shot farther down stream. But
to advance it to a point opposite the
private car, and to gain the altitude of
the high embankment directly across
from the station, the new line turned
short out of the main canyon at the
mouth Of the intersecting gorge, de-
scribing long, U-shaped curve around
the head OF the lateral ravine and
doubling back upon itself to reenter
the canyon proper at the higher Gle
walton.
The curve which was the beginning
Of this U-shaped loop was the morn
ing's scene OF action. and tho Utah
track layers, 200 strong. moved to the
front in orderly array. with armed
guards as fankers for the hand-car
load Of rails which the men were push
ing up the grade.
Jastrow darted into the car. and a
moment later his place on the observa-
ton platform was taken by wrath
full industry colonel fresh from his
dressing -room-so fresh. indeed, that
he was cOatless, hatless, and collarless.
and with the dripping bath sponge
clutched like missile to hurl at the
impudent invaders on the opposite side
of the canyon.
"Hah! wouldn't wait until man
could get into his clothes!" he rasped,
apostraphizing the Utahs new chief
of construction. "Jastrow! Faveh me
instantly, sch! Hustle up to the camp
there and turn out the constable, town
marshal. or whatever he Is. Tell him
/ have q writ for him to serve. Run.
sehl"
The secretary appeared and disap-
peared like a marionette when the
string has been jerked by vigorous
hand, and Virginia smiled-this with
out prejudice to very acute appre-
citation Of the grave possibilities which
were preparing Themselves. But hav-
ing ner share of the militant quality
which made her uncle what he is, she
stood her ground.
Aren't you afraid you will take cold,
Uncle Somerville?" she asked, archly;
and the Rajah came suddenly to a
sense Of his incompleteness and went
In to finish his additions against the
opening Of the battle actual.
At first Virginia thought she would
follow him. When Mercury Jastrow
should return with the officer of the
| taw fhoro would ho <ro,,hlo of SOMA