The Irish standard., 1908-12-19

6COlld demeanor.
"What does this mean?" demanded
the colonel.
"Ealey felt he would have to go
with you, colonel" replied Mrs. Haley.
who had timid, wide, blue eyes and
the voice of bird, but courage un-
der her panic, as birds have. too.
when their nests are in peril. "We've
rinted the house to good man with
grown-up children, and Haley can get
a job if you won't want him."
"Yis, sor," mumbled Haley. He was
standing at attention, as was his wife.
the toddling Nora being held in the
posture of respect on the plush seat.
"And I suppose you took the furni-
ture money to buy dckets?" II
"Yis, sor." }
"And you're bound to 60 with me?"
''Yis, sor," said Haley.
"You ought to be ashamed Of your
self, sergeant" said the colonel; but
he was glad at tho heart Of him for
this; ;mutinous loyalty.
Eyes, sor,' said Haley.
WC4Ab 6AANO yOu SsAO AOAOS = OA606O
you from to-day, you understand"
"Yis, sor," said Haley. Mrs. Haley
whimpered blessing; but the only
change in the soldier was that his mill
tary stolidity became natural and real
instead Of forced.
"Sit down on this seat over here with
me and I'll tell you what want.
You fraud, letting me say good-by to
you"
II didn't want TO take the liberty,
sor, but you made me shake hands.
was afraid you'd catch on, sor. IT'S
q weight of me moind, sor."
II dare say. You always have your
way with me, you old mule. Now lis
ten; want you to be on the watch
for two men''-thereupon the colonel
described his men, laying special
stress on the moles on the face of one.
and the others dimple.
Having set Haley his tasks, he went
back to his car in better spirits.
BY this time the train was moving.
He had seen his kinswoman and her
party enter: and he found the object
Of Mrs. Melville's darksome warnings
sitting with slender lad in the main
body Of the car. Aunt Rebecca was in
the drawing-room. her maid with her.
Mrs. Melville, who had already re-
vealed her presence. sat across the
aisle. She presented the colonel at
once.
Miss Smith did not look formidable;
she looked mice" thought the colonel.
She was Of medium height; she was
obviously plump, although well pro-
portioned; her presence had an effect
Of radiant cleanliness, her eyes were
80 luminous and her teeth so fine and
her white shirt waist SO immaculate.
There was about her a certain soft IL.
Elimination Of cheerfulness, and at the
same time restful repose; she moved
in q leisurely fashion and she sat per-
fectly still. Il never saw any one who
looked less of an adventures" Win
ter was thinking, as he bowed. Then
swiftly his glance went to the lad. q
pale young fellow with hazel eyes and
long, slim hand which felt cold.
The boy made q little inarticulate
sound in his throat and blushed when
Col. Winter addressed him. But he
looked the brighter for the blush. It
was not plain face; rather an in
teresting one in spite of its listlessness
and its sickly pallor; its oval was
purely cut, the delicate mouth was
closed firmly enough, and the hazel
eyes with their long lashes would be
beautiful were they not so yelled.
"He has the Winter mouth, at least, "
noted the colonel. He felt throb at
his heart. Had his own boy lived, the
baby that died when it was born, he
would be only year older than Archie
At least, this boy was Of his own blood
Without father or mother, but not
alone in the world; and, II any danger
menaced, not without defenders. The
depression which had enveloped him
lifted as mist before the sun, burned
away by the mere thought Of possible
dinlculties. I'VE will see If any one
swindles you out Of your SHARE" said
Rupert Winter, COMPRISING the Win
ter mouth more firmly, "or If those
gentlemanly kidnapers mean you"
His ebbing suspicion Of the boys
companion revived; he would be on hia
guard, all right.
Aunt Rebecca wants to see you,
Mrs. Melville suggested. "She is in
the drawing-room with her solitaire
"Still playing Penelope's WEBB"
"Oh. she always comes back to It
But she plays bridge, too; Rupert,
hear ur game is wonder. Archie's
been learning, so he could play with
you"
Good for Archie!"-he shot {
glance and a smile at the lads redden
ing face-"well have a game"
Lord, I wish he didn't look quite &
iadylike," he was grumbling within
rs he dutifully made his way to hil
aunt's presence.
The electric lights flooded thu
himsy railway table on which werl
spread rows of small-sized cards. Al