The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-07-03

turned upon canon a look of astonish.
ment blent with inquiry.
CIV coorse," canon said, and nodded.
Dominic's lip curled with sheer as
he turned to Phil. Cali right" he said.
The sun was scarcely gone down
into the outer bay on the next even
ing when Dominic Boyle and canon
Ward arrived at the Battery of the
Tough. Dominic was whistling with
well-affected air of unconcern. He
now began to test his leaping- powers,
whilst canon sat upon the sluice-gate
and looked on.
The news of the challenge had to
some extent leaked out, for ere they
were many minutes there half a dozen
other young men arrived.
Phil soon arrived--strangely pale,
they all remarked, but very calm.
He gave them nod and said to
them generally: "A purity evenin' {.
boys"
Dominic Boyle Immediately proceed
ed to divest himself of his coat and
waistcoat, whistling as he did so, and
then tied his braces around his loins.
care We not ready, Phil Maguire?"
he then asked, for Phil, instead Of
casting of his coat, had buttoned it
upon him.
Yes, I'm ready"
phil! Phil, man! throw off yer
coat" several cried out hastily, and,
running to him, they almost dragged
1t off him.
When the coat was gone he put of
the vest himself, and bound his braces
around him similarly to Dominic.
"Who have We to show We fair
play?" Dominic inquired.
Phil looked around on the group.
Enough here to do that" he said.
From yer own friend, canon Ward,
to Padhrig Mckinley, if there's wan
would stan by an see foul play, 4 don t
know him.
They all murmured in assent and
nodded their heads.
THAT is" Phil went on. "if was
afeerd of foul play at your hands,
which am not"
At this expression of generous SEN
tfment a murmur of appreciation went
up from the circle.
Every WE'LL" said Dominic Boyle, 'if
ye're satisfied, am. Come on"
The circle around them hastily wi
dened. Dominic, without loss of a
second, sprang upon his opponent, and
both closed in fight. Both combatants
we're powerful fellows. Dominic
looked, and probably was, the stronger
of the two. But Phil was more 1.-the,
with cleaner muscles, and was much
more practiced boxer.
| "Eh? What's over Phil? don't be-
lieve he has got in single blow yet.
There! there's another crusher landed
on him by Dominic"
"Ay, ay! BY me soul, an he's losin'
the blood too! What is come over
i'm? l niver-God help us, that's a
stunner!-I niver seen Phil make such
f1ghtin'. There's sometnin. on the poor
fella' as sure as my names Charlie
Phew! blood alive, what blow"
Back! STAN back, Charlie! An.
other landed on him-his eye, tool"
Dear God! Ye can hardly see a
feature on his face for the blood"
AN there isn't out of Dominic as
much as would dip a pen"
Dominic went on, more grim and
fierce. He let out his left hand with
a terrible wind meant for Phils jaw,
and as Phil successfully saved himself,
Dominic's right, which followed light.
ning-like, struck him full in the
stomach; Phil wavered a moment,
came up again with guards up, and
then, spasm sweeping across his fea-
lures, fell helplessly to the ground.
And as he fell there was heard from
above them a scream, and Caitlin Dhu,
unbonneted, unshawled, and with her
long black hair streaming behind her,
came bounding down the knowe and
threw herself PROSTATE on the fallen
form Of Phil Mcguire!
"Caitlin! Caitlin!" they said, pulling
her from of him, "for Gods sake, give
1 i'm air! He's only winded, anil be all
right In Another minnit."
canon Ward, sitting down on the
ground behind him, had now raised
Phil's head, and Phil opened his eyes
calmly.
"Caitlin! Oh, Caitlin!" he said.
Phil Mcguire" she said, and in her
tones were mingled Joy and reproof,
j "why-why have ye done this?"
"Ah, Caitlin! We should not have
come here!"
"On yesterday evenin', Phil Ma
guire, We gave me yer solemn word
not to interfere with Dominic Boyle.
Yer word never before knew We to
i, break. All, Phil! is not this punish.
ment on ye from God?"
Phil cast down his eyes and replied
not.
Dominic Boyle stepped forward.
'Caitlin," he began.
But she stopped him with an i'm.
perious wave of her little hand. Dom.
inic Boyle" she said, with deep anger
in her tone, "laive my sight! laive my
sight! an I never want to see sight
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