The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-12-15
} G6 d
Copyright. lsS. b. ]. r. Lippineott Col

HIS laugh at this was less acrid.
adams again? My grandfather had
no middle name. But I mustn't keep
you out here in the cold talking
genealogies."
His hand was on the door to open
1t for her Like flash she came be-
tween. and her fingers closed over his
on the doorknob.
Wait" she said. Have I done all
this-humbled myself into the very
dust-to no purpose"
mot If you will give me the one
priceless word am thirsting for"
"Oh, how shameless you are!" she
cried. will nothing serve to arouse
the better part of you?"
There is no better part of any man
than his love for a woman. You have
aroused that"
Then prove It by going and build
ing your railroad, Mr.. Winton. When
you have done that"
He caught at the word az q drown
ing man catches at a straw.
when I have won the fght-vir.
ginia, let me see your eyes-when
have won, may come back to you?"
II like men who do things. Good
night" And before he could reply
she had made him open the door for
her, and he was left alone on the
square rallied platform.
In the gatheringroom Of the private
car Virginia found an atmosphere sur
charged with electrical possibilities,
felt 1t and inhaled it, though there
was nothing visible to indicate It..
The Rajah was buried in the depths
OF his particular easy-chair, putting
his cigar: Bessie had the Reverend
Billy in the tete-atete contrivance;
and Mrs. Carteret was reading under
the Pintsch droplight at the table.
It was the chaperon who applied the
firing spark to the electrical possibili
ties.
Didn't hear you talking to some
one out on the platform. Virginia."
she asked.
eyes, 1t was Mr.. Winton. He came
to make his excuses"
Mr.. Somerville Darrah awoke out
of his tobacco reverie with start.
Hail" he said, fiercely. Then, in
his most courteous phrase: Did
understand you to say that Misteh
Winton would not faveh US tonight,
my deah Virginia."
He could not. He has come upon
upon some other difficulty. I be-
lieve," she stammered, steering a peril
GUS course among the rocks Of equivo-
cation.
''Mmph!" said the Rajah. rising.
"Ah-where is Jastrow?"
The obsequious one appeared, imp
like, at the mention of his name, and
received a curt order.
Go and find Engineer McGrath and
his fireman. Tell him l want the en-
CINE instantly. Move, seh!"
Virginia retreated to her stateroom.
In few minutes she heard her uncle
go out; and shortly afterwards the
Rosemary's engine shook itself free
of the car and rumbled away west
ward. At that. Virginia went back
to the others and found book. But
II waiting inactive were difficult, read
ing was blankly impossible.
Goodness! she exclaimed. How
hot you people keep 1t in here!
Cousin Billy. won't you take turn
with me on the station platform? I
can't breathe!"
Calvert acquiesced eagerly, seeming
possibilities. But when they were out
under the frosty stars he had the
good sense to walk her up and down
IN the healing silence and darkness
for five full minutes before he ven.
tured to say what was in his mind.
When he spoke 1t was earnestly and
to the purpose, not without eloquence.
He loved her: had always loved her,
he thought. Could she not, with time
and the will to try, learn to love him?
not as cousin?
She turned quickly and put BOTH
hands on his shoulders.
"Oh Cousin Billy-don't!" she fal.
tered brokenly: and he, seeing at once
that he had played the housebreaker
where he would fain have been the
welcome guest. took his punishment
manfully, drawing her arm in his and
walking her yet other turns up and
down the long platform until his pa
thence and the silence had wrought
their perfect work.
Docs it hurt much?' she asked.
softly, after long time.
you would have to change places
with me to know just how much it
hurts" he answered. "And yet you
haven't left me quite desolate. Vir-
ginia. still have something left
all I've ever had. fancy"
"And that is"
my love for you. you know. It
isn't at all contingent upon your yes
or no; or upon possession-it never
has been, think. 1t has never asked
much except the right to be-
She was silent for a moment. Then
she said: cousin Billy. do believe
that you are the best matn that ever
lived. And am ashamed-ashamed!"
What for?"
III 1 have spoiled you. ever 80 lit