The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-02-10
CHAT R xxxy1.
A NEW LIFE.

again, were about equally divided be!
tween dread and anticipation. He had
solved the mystery of Amzi's disap.
pearance-a bit OF news sure to aston
ish Greenvale. but OF doubtful effect
on Angles peace Of mind. He was
now in a position to secure justice for
her, ii she would permit such action,
and yet he dreaded to draw the veil
aside and tell her what he must. OF
his own hopes, and the chance to pose
as benefactor. he gave no thought.
His one and only real anticipation was
the power he now held with certified
facts to compel the contemplate David
Curtis to an act of reparation. 1t was
short-lived. for as Martin, the better
to enjoy the scenery and learn the lat
est news from Greenvale, rode away
with the driver. on his seat, that wor-
thy waited not to be asked what it was.
Il spose." he said, Eye hain't heerd
how old Dave Curtis was found dead
Up in NIizzy swamp, hev ye?"
Good Lord. is that so?" gasped the
astonished Martin.
wal, It's fer a fact" came the an
swer. in Il tone that showed how Da-
vid stood in the drivers estimation.
"He wis took with another fit the
night o. Halloween. and lit out with
nothin' but his shirt on. We found
the c,,ss up in Mizzy swamp three days
arter. stone dead. N stark naked. He
was middlin' we'll done up. too. by
briers N fallin over rocks. We callated,
but thar want no tears shed on that
account n no mournin' when we
planted him. as fur as l kin larn. The
mills is both shut down now, n An
gle gifts all the property. l s'pose."
But what drove him out that night"
responded Martin, having Meier in
mind; did he see another ghost?"
"Wal. we callate he did. n that's
what must hev skeered him. Thar's
been Gurus things goin' on bout his
premises the last three months, m Il
good many b'lievc they're hanted b.
Amzi's ghost. It's my private 'pinion
though. that old Dawes conscience had
been worrying him lately since you
come back. I've heerd." he continued,
slancing at Martin. and anxious for
information. that you've bought the
Mizzy property and was like to begin
legal percedinss fer Angie; leastwisc
that's the story"
Martin smiled at this truly Yankee
method OF obtaining news.
II did obtain an option on the prop
erty." he responded. But as for bring
ing any legal action. I've never said
should. was willing to buy the Mizzy
power and land, however. and pay
David's price"
wal. mebbe that won't he necessary
now" with another inquisitive glance:
they're all comm to Angle now, n
m, we all callate it'll be plain sailin'
now fur yom." .
For half the slow journey to Green
vale, Martin listened to the drivers
repetition OF all the grewsome facts OF
David's fate, including the gossip that
followed IL. with interest. and then.
more absorbed in his own vexations.
paid scant heed until the doctors
nome was reached.
A cordial welcome here and a good
supper restored him somewhat, and
after an hour OF patient listening to
the Doctors version OF the all-impor-
tant news. and still retaining his own.
he rose and declared his intention Of
calling upon Angie
"Oh. by all mcans.' laughed the doc
tor land | wish you success. IL yO,,
didn't pop the question before you
left. you ought to tonight. and mat
tiers between you must be settled soon,
ms need your advice regarding her
estate. ] am appointed administrator
and have awaited your return before
doing anything"
II was Il pleasant send-off. but q pro-
posal Of marriage was farthest from
Martins thoughts just now.
II was late when he reached Aunt
Comforts. and she and Angie. always
awaiting each others wish to retire.
were alone in the sitting room. The
evening. II typical November one, was
chilly, the stars obscured. and cold
wind rustlcu the brown leaves about
the ancient dwelling. Angie. too, was
in much the same mood as the night,
and for many reasons that need not be
specified, and the slow-ticking clock
and l0wburning fire, merely accented
her feelings. Lite Rad for many years
been without much color for her, and
lately. less SO than ever.
And then came knock. and he who
lad been absent for two long months.
bat oft present in her thoughts. met
her when she opened the door.
His greeting. also, seemed unduly
constrained and formal. and after
shaking hands with Aunt Comfort, and
inquiring after her health. he drew his
chair 10 the fire and pause came.
1T is always q problem how either
good or bad news can best be con-
veyed to its recipient. and poor Mar
tin, after many days OF worriment ami
dread, was now facing such. And the
one person in all the world now dearest
to his heart was the one most inter-
ested. For few moments he watched
the smouldering fire. tho two ladies'
growing more curious each instant,
and then he turned To them.
You must pardon my abstraction
he said. "but I've only just arrived
and have brought you some strange
news that will seem incredible, and
hardly know how TO tell 1t. The
stage driver has told me all that has
happened here. but You two are first
to be told what have learned
He paused a moment, looking first
at Aunt Comfort. now wide eyed with