The Irish standard., 1908-06-13

well, that need trouble you no
more. I'm to have other work to do.
l did have one escape there; it might
have been my end. One night a ruff
fan caught me from behind on a dark
street; and some one else Immediately
wrenched him away and whispered in
my ear, RUM l haven't the slightest
idea who either of them was, though
I've tried hard to discover the man
who saved me-"
Esther listening, breathless, knew it
must have been Gideon; but she was
mute.
A chill hand on her cheek startled
her. "Out Of the blanket against Or
ders!" she exclaimed. When did you
eat last? And please keep the blanket
snug," she coaxed.
"This-no, yesterday morning. re-
ceived message to come on to the
Front at once, just after arriving at
Elko from another trip. took the first
train out, which happened to be the
iron train; did telegraphing at Toano
that used up my dinner time, and
you know the rest"
Esther detected growing weakness
in his voice. II must get you some
supper-breakfast, guess it will be-"
she said decisively.
He laughed. From were?"
From our larder," she answered
jauntily. Fortunately, it is full, and
raw cabbage is digestible."
She pulled open a head, and
shredded some of the crisp center into
the hollow of large Leaf Nov, you
are to be full of faith-'faith is the
substance of things hoped for'-you
must believe this an elegant repast.
Also be sentimental, fancy the touch
of my-supply your own adjectives-
the touch of my fingers adds a most
piquant flavor. No; 1 shall feed YOU"
'I'll behave if you'll tuck me in
again." he said with mock humility,
taking the white bits from her fingers.
"Why, it's good!"
Certainly. intended you to say
that. Don't be in haste. You were
very hungry. I've dessert, also; this
is to be a course dinner" She sur
prised him with box of candy from
one of her bags. Uncle Billy's gift,
and right from Sacramento" she ex-
planned.
She laid the several kinds on differ
ent cabbage leaves, and teased him
tantalizingly as she wisely dallied with
her serving.
This is the third time you've pre-.
sided at my early morning table; the
first as my desert rose, next as Juliet,
now"
"As Railroad Bridget"
He was taking lovers way Of
making her retract the lowly name
when a distant CLEAN warned him of
the journeys end. There's Toano!
Well be there in 20 minutes! l haven't
said half wish. Oh, my darling, I'm
just the same nameless man! I've
nothing to offer you. Will you wait
still a little longer? Stella, I've no
right to taste of heaven; I've been
cheating you," he finished ruefully.
81 think-I think I'd rather be so
cheated than have any other mans
honesty" she said, with her first
touch Of shyness.
"Yet you must now know the truth
about me. I ought to have told you
before. My father thought me a thief,
turned me adrift, forbade me to use
his name. Until can prove him in
the wrong I cannot offer you the only
name I'm willing yoR should have"
"But how could he call you thief?
He ought to know you simply couldn't
steal. You steal!" Her eyes blazed,
and she lifted her head proudly.
Her dear faith warmed him, yet his
voice was sad.
"No, didn't steal, but I caused
some one else to do it. And my ia.
ther had every right to believe me
guilty" His voice dropped; his eyes
were shadowy.
"But you never meant to! He should
have known that" she persisted W
temently.
God knows l didn't mean it; but
fire burns, whether one falls in or
jumps in" He gazed past her into the
dim desert.
She caressed his cheek, but was 81.
lent.
tits long story-Ill tell it all some
day. You'll like to hear about Max,
Max Ober, my lifelong friend, as his
father and mine were always friends.
They were poor boys together; but my
father grew rich rapidly; Mr.. Ober has
always been poor. Yet Max was hia
only son and idol; and both fathers
tried to prevent Max and me from
! recognizing the part that money
played in our lives"
How foolish!"
Worse! 1t was criminal. was the
older, the leader, Max's model. He
came to college when l entered my
junior year, and 1 took him at once
into my own rollicking clique. We
weren't vicious, only silly, indulging in
various costly pranks that seem to
spring from young cubs desire to