The Irish standard., 1908-08-29

lArM III
"The Loss Of 4 Cool HaIf-MilIion,
While It's Drop In the Bucket to
You, Would Cripple Him."
he had irritated the news dealer, he
meandered of, jingling his copper for
tune in one hand, Juggling his news
papers in the other, and made q de-
termined onslaught upon slot ma
chine. The latter having reluctantly
disgorged "a assorted samples of
chewing gum and stale sweetmeats,
Maitland returned to the washerwom-
an, and sowed dissepsion in her brood
by presenting the treasure horde to
the eldest girl with instructions to
share 1t with her brothers and sisters.
1t is difficult to imagine what folly
might next have been recorded against
him had not, at that moment, q fe-
rocious and inarticulate howl from the
train starter announced the fact that
the 1859 was in waiting.
Boarding the train in a thankful
spirit, Maitland settled himself as COM
fortably as he might in the smoker
and endeavored to find surcease of
ennui in his collection of extras. In
vain; even two-column portrait of
Mr.. Dan Anisty, craftsman, accom-
panied by vivacious catalogue Of that
notoriety's achievements in the field of
polite burglary, hardly stirred his in
terest. An elusive resemblance which
he traced in the features of Mr.. Anisty,
as presented by the sketch-artist-on-
tne.spot. to some one whom he. Matt
land, had known in the dark back
wards and abysm of time, merely drew
from him the comment: "Homely
brute!" And he laid the papers aside,
grading his chin in the palm Of one
hand and staring for a weary while
out of the car window at a Keeling and
moonsmitten landscape. He yawned
extensively, his thoughts astray be-
tween girl CARRIED all in gray, Ban
nerman's earnest and thoughtful face,
and the pernicious activities of Mr..
Daniel Anisty, at whose door Maitland
laid the responsibility for this most
fatiguing errand.
The Trademarks wolf.like yelp-
Observation-Disclosures ringing in his
ears when he awoke and stumbled
down aisle and car steps just in the
| nick Of time. The train, whisking
round curve cloaked by a belt of
somber pines, left him quite alone in
the world. cast ruthlessly upon his
own resources.
An hour had elapsed; It was now
midnight; the moon rode high, cold
white disk against a background of
sapphire velvet, its pellucid rays re-
vealing with disheartening distinct
ness the inanimate and lightless road
side hamlet called Greenfields; its gen
eral store and postoffice, its soi-disant
hotel its struggling line of dilapidated
habitations, all wrapped in silence pro-
found and impenetrable. Not even
dog howled; not belated villager was
in sight; and 1t was q moral certainty
that the local livery service had closed
down for the night.
Nevertheless. Maitland, with
desperation bred of the prospective
five-mile tramp, spent some ten val.
liable minutes hammering upon tho
door of the house infested by the pro-
prietor of the livery stable. He sue
ceeded only in waking the dog, and
inasmuch as he was not on friendly
terms with that animal, presently
withdrew at discretion and set his face
northwards upon the open road.
It stretched before him invitingly
enough, a ribbon winding silver-white
between dark patches of pine and
scrub-oak or fields lush with rustling
corn and wheat. And, having overs
come his primary disgust, as the blood
began to circulate more briskly in his
veins. Maitland became aware that he
was actually enjoying the enforced ex-
ercise. 1t could have been hardly
otherwise, with night so sweet. with
airs 80 bland and fragrant Of the woods
and fresh-turned earth, with 80 clear
light to show him his way.
He stepped out briskly at first,
swinging his stick apd watching his
shadow, squat, incredibly agitated
silhouette in the golden dust But
gradually and insensibly the peaceful
influence Of that still and lovely hour
tempered his hearts impotence; and
he found himself walking at q pace
more leisurely. After all, there was
no hurry; he was unwearied, and Matt
land Manor lay less than five miles
distant.
Thirty minutes passed; he had not
covered third of the way, yet re.
NAMED content. BY well-remembered
landmarks, he knew he must be near
ing the little stream called, by courtesy,
Mayannis river; and, in due course, he
stepped out upon the long wooden struc.
ture that spans that water. He was
close upon the farther end when
upon hapchance impulse--he glanced
over the nearest guard rail, down al
the bed of the creek. And stopped in
continently, gaping.
Stationary. in the middle of the de-