The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1908-01-11

sad little smile: 1T is good Of you to |
come so soon" she said. simply.
She had begged so earnestly to sit |
up that Mrs. White had implovised an |!
invalid's chair out Of huge old rocker |
and cracker box. 1t did very we'll. !
Then she had partially clothed the
girl in skinny wrapper of the sort
Langford abominated, throwing
mans silk handkerchief where the
wrapper failed to meet, and around
the injured arm. Mrs. White had
then recalled her husband from the
stables where he was on the point of
mounting to join the relief party that
was to set of in search of Williston
at 10 o'clock. The starting point unan-
mously agreed upon was to be the
pitiful remnants Of Williston's home.
Men shook their heads obviously
whenever the question Of a possible
leading trail was preached. The soil
was hard and dry from an almost
rainless July and August. The fugi-
tives might strike across country any.
where with meager chances of their
trail being traced by any.
Mrs. White and her husband, kindly
souls both, lifted the girl as gently as
might be from the bed to the rudely
constructed invalid's chair by the sit
ting-room window. Then they left
her-the woman to putter around her
kitchen, the man to make good his
appointment. But the exertion had
been to much for Mary. She had
counted on strength that she did not
posses. Where had she lost it? she
wondered, lacking comprehension Of
her exceeding weakness. To be sure,
her arm alternately ached and smart
ed, but ones arm was really such a
small part of one, and she had been
SO strong-always. She tried to shake
of the faintness creeping over her. It
was effort thrown away. She lay back
on her pollow. very white and worn,
her pretty hair tangled and loosened
from its coils.
Paul came. He was dusty and trav.
el-stained. He had been almost con-
tinuously in his saddle since near mid
night Of the night before. He was
here, big, strong and worthy. Mary
did not cry, but she remembered how
she had wanted to few hours ago
and she wondered that she could not
now. Strangely enough, 1t was Paul
who wanted to cry now-but he didn't.
He only swallowed hard and held her
poor hand with all gentleness, afraid
to let 60 lest he also let go his mas
terry over the almost insurmountable
lump in his throat.
Il tried to come sooner" he said,
huskily, at last, releasing her hand
and standing before her. But I've
been riding all over-for men, you
know-and had talk with Gordon.
too. 1t took time. He is coming out
to see you this afternoon. He is com.
ing with doc. Don't you think you had
better go back to bed now? You are
$3.50 white. Let me carry you back
to bed before CO."
"Are you going, too?" asked Mary,
looking at him with wide eyes of graf.
itude.
Surely" he responded, quickly.
'OlQ you Luluk WOulUu e.
T-I-didnt know. thought
there were lot going-there would
be enough without you. Butt am
glad. If you go, 1t will be all right.
You will find him If any one can"
won't you let me carry you back
to bed till doc comes?" said Langford,
brokenly.
Il could not bear it in bed" she caid,
clearly. Her brown eyes were begin.
ming to shine with fever, and red spots
had broken out in her pale cheeks.
IF you make Inc go, shall die.
hear it all the time when am lying
down-galloping, galloping, galloping.
They never stop. They always begin
all over again"
What galloping, little girl?" asked
Langford, soothingly. He saw she
was becoming delirous. II doc and
Dick would only come before he had
to go. But they were not COM
ing until after dinner. He gazed
down the dusty road. They would wait
for him, the others. He was their
push and energy, as we'll as by his
having been the sole participant with
his own cowboys, in the last nights
tragedy. But would he do we'll to
keep them waiting? They had already
delayed too long. And yet how could
he leave Williston's little girl like this
even to find Williston?
"They are carrying my father
away" she said, with startling dis
tinctness. Don't you hear them? II
you would listen, you could hear them.
Do listen! They are getting faint
now-you can hardly hear them. They
are fainter-fainter-fa
She had raised her head. There
was an alert look on her face. She
leaned slightly toward the window.
Good God! A man can't stand
everything!" cried Langford, hoarsely
He tore the knotted handkerchief
from his throat. 1t was as II he was
choking. Then he put his cool, strong