The Irish standard., 1907-08-17

C1On, playing havoc With the SuSceptl-
BILE heart of each, and all unconscious.
ly laying the foundations for future
trouble
why how truly remarkable" she |
exclaimed, her cheeks glowing. Its
all SO different from the east; heroism |
seems to be in the very air OF this |
country, and your adventure was SO
very unusual Don't you think so, Mr..
McNeil?'
The silent foreman hitched himself
suddenly upright, his face unusually
solemn. "Why-eh-yes, miss-you
that. He" with flip
of his hand toward the other, "eh-re-
minds me-of-eh-an old friend"
Indeed? How extremely interest
ing!" eagerly seeming a new story.
please tell me who it was, Mr.. Nc
Neil"
"Oh-eh-knew him when was a
boy-eh-MuEchause
Mr.. Moffat drew in his head violent
ly, with an exclamation nearly pro-
fame, yet before he could speak Miss
Spencer interviewed.
"Munchausen! Why, Mr.. Mcneil,
the truth of Mr.. Moffat's narrative?'
The foreman's eyes twinkled humor-
ously, but the lines of his face re-
manned calmly impassive. "My-eh-
reference" he explained, gravely, was
-eh-entirely to the-eh-local color,
fonchoS -
"Oh!"
Eyes, miss. It's-eh-bad taste out
here to-eh-doubt anybody's word
eh-publicly."
Moffat stirred uneasily. his hand
flung behind him, but Mcneil was gaz.
ing into the lady's fair face, appar.
emily unconscious of any other pres.
ence.
"Rut all this time you have not IA
vored mo with any of your own ad.
ventures. Mr.. Mcneil. am very sure
you must have had hundreds out on
these wide plains"
The somewhat embarrassed foreman
shook bis head discouragingly.
"Oh. but just know you have, only
you are so modest. about recounting
them. Now, that scar just under your
hair--really it is not at all unbecom'
ing-surely that reveals story. Was
it caused by an Indian arrow"
Mcneil crossed his legs, and wiped
his damp forehead with the back Of
his hand. "Hoof of a damn pack.
mule" he explained, forgetting him.
self. "The-eh-cuss lifted me ten
feet"
Moffat laughed hoarsely, but as the
foreman Strengthened up quickly. the
amazed girl joined happily in, and his
own face instantly exhibited the con.
tagion.
Amt much-eh-ever happens out
on a ranch" he said, doubtfully, "eS.
cept dodgin' steers, and-eh-bustin'
broncoes."
Moffat had his head craned out OF
the window once more, in an apparent
determination to ignore all further
frivolous remarks. Suddenly he point
ed directly ahead.
"There's Glencaid now, Miss Spen'
GER" he said, cheerfully. That's the
spire of the new Presbyterian church
sticking up above the ridge"
''Oh. indeed! How glad am to be
hero safe at last!"
"How-eh-did you happen to-eh
recognize the church," asked Mr..
Mcneil with evident admiration.
"You-eh-cant see it from the sa.
.loon."
Moffat disdained reply, and the
lurching stage rolled rapidly down the
valley, the mules now dashed into a
wild gallop to the noisy accompani-
ment of the drivers whip.
The hoof's clattered across the mar.
row bridge, and, with a sudden swing.
all came to a sharp stand. amid a
cloud of dust before a naked yellow
house.
Here's where you get out, miss, -
announced the Jehu, leaning down
from his seat to peer within. "This
yere is the Herndon shebang."
The gentlemen inside assisted Miss
Spencer to descend in safety to the
weed-bordered walk, where she stood
shaking her ruff1cd plumage into
shape, aud giving directions regarding
her luggage. Then the two gentle
men emerged, Moffat bearing a grip
case. handbook, and basket, while
Mcneil supported shawl-strap and a
small trunk Thus decorated they
meekly followed her lead up the mar
row path toward the front door. The
latter opened suddenly, and Mrs.
Herndon bounced forth with vocifer-
GUS welcome.
why, Phoebe Spencer, and have
you really come! didn't expect you'd
get along before next week. Oh, this
seems too nice to see you again; al
most as good as going home to Yer
mont. You must DO completely tifeo
out"
Dear Aunt Lydia; Of course I'm
glad to be here. But I'm not in the
least tired. I've had such delightful
trip" She glanced around smilingly
upon her perspiring cavaliers. ooh
put those things down, gentlemen