The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1908-08-15
It last, "you would not have come

at last, "you would not have come
If"
NO" he broke in, II came as soon
as l thought it was safe. l wanted to
see you, but didn't dare take the
risk. I am risking good deal now,
but it was safer than writing. Be-
sides, have changed so." She looked
at him. Had he changed? For the
first time she saw that he was no
longer erect, his hair was grayed, and
he wore beard. Where is Mary?"
he asked. HAS she grown much?"
"She went home from school with
another girl; she will be in presently"
Ellen was speaking in dazed voice
and with her old timidity. But,
father" she said, what have you been
doing, and why didn't you send some
word when you left?"
Because l didn't dare to-" said Cal
lahan. II stayed there safe enough
until the man was dead"
"Dead!" cried Ellen, awestruck.
Eyes. Didn't you know? He died in
the hospital. Then l knew the place
wasn't safe for me, and had this
chance to get out quietly"
"Dead!" said Ellen again. ooh,
father!"
Il coud not help it, he said dog
gedly. II didn't mean to shoot him.
The other fellow aimed at me and
struck up the pistol, and it went off
and shot him. 1t was his own fault;
they had no call to shoot; l was un.
armed. 1 hid up there until he died,
and then l went to Chicago. l didnt
dare send you word; they might have
hung me or jailed me for life. stayed
in the house for month. But they
haven't found me yet, and now they
probably never will. I have been
quiet, and have changed SO. Now we
can all live in peace for the rest of
our lives"
A thought suddenly logged Ellens
mind and turned her white. "The let
teri" she gasped.
What letter." asked her father.
"Oh, father!" she cried, father,
have been so anxious about you. and
so lonely all these years. couldn't
stand it any longer. didn't mean any
harm. I thought could help you If
you were in Jail. have been saving
up for you. didn't know the man
was dead. So l wrote to ask about
you at Washington"
"At Washington" he repeated me-
chanically. 'When?"
"A month ago, and to-day an answer
came" She took out the letter. ooh,
father, suppose they have got track Of
you!"
He tore open the letter and read
hastily:
Miss Ellen Callahan, Freehold, COL
Dear Madam: I have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt Of your letter,
dated May &c, asking for information Of
your father, William l.. Callahan, and to
inform you that on the gath of April.
1890. he received two weeks furlough
to visit his family; that having over
stayed his time, guard was sent for
him: that he resisted arrest, and in the
struggle pistol was accidentally dis
charged, wounding mortally one of the
men: that he escaped, and has since re-
manned in desertion. Acting on informa-
ton in your letter, the department has
been in correspondence with the postmas-
ter Of Findley, Col, and through him 1t
has been learned that Callahan went to
Chicago, where he now resides. He will
be apprehended and taken to the nearest
military post, there to be tried by court
martial for desertion. The war depart
ment has no power to remove the charge
of desertion. This can only be done by
act Of congress. Very respectfully,
ROBERT, ]. HOLMES,
Asst Adjutant General.
Washington. D. c., June a. 1880.
Callahan looked blankly at his
daughter; he was trying to take the
letter in. His face was gradually hard
ening. Ellen caught the look in his
eyes. "Father!" she called spasmoM-
cally, as if to ward off blow. ooh,
father, don't! meant it for the best!"
Her voice was lost in sobs.
There, Ellen" he said, don't take
on so. 1 can't blame you for wanting
to see me, can II" He smoothed her
hair to comfort her, but his head
dropped dejectedly. "Now I can't go
back there" he went on, forming each
word with difficulty, as If his mind
were working hard to manage the new
idea. II must go somewhere else
and begin all over again."
Father" said Ellen, "stay and fight
1t out. You see the letter says 'acci.
dentally.' They wouldn't hang you for
that. And know they'll let you of
for deserving If the court-martial
knows about mother and Mary. Think,
father! 1 will work for you. And I
have money. I will go to our congress-
man, and he will help you If the court
martial convicts you. can pay law
yer to get you Off have a hundred
and fifty dollars"
mo-" he said. II can't stay here.
Give me the money, and I'll go some.
where else and try it again. If have
any luck, will send for you"
Ellen went to the cupboard and took
from it's hiding place her little hoard,
the sum of seven years savings.
There, father" she said, it's for