The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-08-07

of her guest, who had recovered him.
self in an instant and exclaimed:
Il am afraid you are incorrigible,
Miss Carney, but did not think
you would be so cruel to me of all
persons"
Miss Carney returned his good ma
tured smile and said, alphabetically:
Il expected you would refer me
to Mr.. Ware for my answer or
shouldn't have dared to be 70 rude,
but l thought 1t only courteous to
put the question to you first OF
ALL"
As soon as dinner was over she
excused herself for a moment to
visit Miss Weston and then Joined the
other ladies in the drawinE.room.
leaving Mr.. sedgewick and me to
our cigars and benedictine fear
made a poor companion, for my
thoughts were far away and realized
that, like myself. but with greater
success. Miss Carney had been wear
Ing an air of forced gaity and good
spirits all the evening.
was heartily glad when the guests
were ready to leave, and, although I
was tired from my practically sleep
less night, l wandered disconsolately
about the place until nearly ten, when
seated myself In a quiet corner of
the veranda to smoke small cigar
before retiring to my room. My
brain was so overwhelmed with tho
realization that my hearts desire lay
within my reach that sat in a stupid
~ dazed sort of way revolving tho
matter slowly in my mind and try.
Ing to determine the proper course
to pursue.
My cigar was nearly burned out
and l was on the point of going to
my room when a shadow fell across
the railing in front Of me and Miss
Carney stood by my side
j; 81 wondered If you would be here"
she said, nervously. Il wanted to sec
you, for there is something l forgot
to say to you last night"
II She had slipped long coat Of
. dainty brocaded stuff over her dinner
dress and, as she stood in the
light of the drawing,room window,
she made picture worthy the brush
of the greatest genius that ever
lived.
Il won't sit down, thank you," she
, continued, interlocking her fingers
and playing with her rings as II
! greatly agitated. You know, Annie
Is growing steadily worse, and tho
. doctor from the village says she
must have q nurse, so ! have tele.
, graphed for two to come at once.
/ Oh! l thought that dinner would never
end"
!, She seemed to feel the chilliness of
the night air, but, declining my offer
: to get her an additional wrap, she
, drew the fur trimmed collar of her
, cloak more closely about her neck,
. and went on hurriedy:
= You remember l once told you
) that Annie and Jack, my brother, had
. tome sort of a disagreement just be-
fore ne went sway ana that he left
4 this country because H!of 1t. Well,
). Annie told me some time ago that
!. was entirely wrong In my under
, standing of, the matter, and have
( wanted to tell you all about 1t so
many times, only ! could never bring
' myself to speak Of It,"
She paused, and I, could see that
. she was. weeping softly, but had
. myself wall in hand, and even be-
t fore I could speak, she resumed
} slowly:
You saw Jack when he returned.
Mr. Ware, and you must know how
feel about it all, but since Annie has
. told me that he went away only be-
| :ause, when she knew Of the nature Of
/ her disease and that her condition
? was hopeless she broke the en-
yagement between them and insisted
Upon his leaving her in the hope
that his love would finally die out,
Z | cannot but look upon the matter
n a different light. That is why
have tried to do everything in my
power for Annie, for, while at first
[ merely valued her az a friend, l
now love her as sister, but have
never been able to bring myself
% a point where could condone
lacks behavior. He has my sym.
pathy, of course, but he has no
reason to follow the course he has
Ind few or no excuses can be made
, Tor him."
Her feelings overcame her at last
Ind, wiping away her tears, she sank
INTO the chair that l had left and
, continued, plaintively:
Annie speaks Of him now almost
! I'll the time, and the doctor asked me
lbout It, and when told him he said
hat IL Jack could come to her at
,nce 1t might do her world Of good.
know. 1t is a dreadful risk to take
, in many ways, for Annie did not
. zee him when he was here before,
Ind has no idea Of the depths to
which he has sunk, but perhaps he
would realize his position and do
better with her What do you think
about it,"
II hardly know what to say" re-