The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1910-03-19
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fed
they are"
The path stretched away through
the heavy forest, and they climbed to
ridge that commanded a wide region
that lay bathed in silver moonlight
20 softly luminous that It seemed Of
the stuff Of shadows made light. West
ward, a mile distant, lay Ardsley, only
little below the level of the bridge
and touched with faint purple as of
spring twilight.
Ardmore sat his saddle. quietly con-
templating the great house that
struck him almost for the first time as
imposing. He felt, too, a little heart
ache that he did not quite understand
Wed better be moving" suggested
Cooke Look below there!"
Looking off from the ridge they saw
man and a woman riding along a
strip Of road from which the timber
had been cut. The night was SO still,
the gray light so subdued, that the
two figures moved as steadily and
softly as shadow pictures on a screen.
The slow even motion of the riders
was interrupted suddenly. The man,
who was nearer the remote observers.
had stopped and bent toward the
woman as though to snatch her rein.
when her horse threw up its head
and fell back on its launches. Then
the woman struck the man a blow
with her riding-crop, and galloped
swiftly hn y,h{ viz
like road. In the perfect night-silence
1t was like scene Of pantomime.
That's all right" cried Cooke
Come along! Well cut into that
road at the bungalow"
They swung their horses away from
the ridge and back into the bridle-
path. which once more dipped sharply
down into heavy timber Cooke lead
ing the way, and three Of the best
hunters known to the Ardsley stables
few down the clear but winding path.
The Incident which the trio had wit
messed required no Interpretation: the
girls blow and flight had translated
it into language explicit enough.
Ardmore thanked his German for
ester thousand times for the admir-
able bridle-path over which they gal
loped. with its certain footing beneath
and clean sweep from the boughs
above. The blood surged holly through
his heart, and he was angry for the
first time In his life: but his head was
cool, and the damp air of the forest
flowing by tranQuillized him into a
new citation of spirit. Jerry Danger
field was the dearest and noblest and
bravest girl in the world-he knew
that; and she was clever and resource
full enough to devise means for pre-
serving her fathers official and priv
ate honor; and not less quick to de-
fend herself from insult from q titled
scoundrel
The three men rode out into the
broad highway at the red bungalow and
paused to listen.
HE hasn't got here yet. Only one
person has passed and these must be
the tracks Of the girls horse" said
Cooke. who had dismounted and struck
matches, the better to observe the
faint footprints in the hard shell
road.
He'll be along IN minute. Let us
got into the shadow Of the bungalow,
and when no comes we'll ride out and
nail him. The bungalows sort Of
way house. often stop here when
I'm out on the estate and want to
rest. have the key in my pocket"
Az Ardmore's keys jingled in the
lock Cooke cried out softly. Their
quarry was riding swiftly toward
them. and he drew rein before the
bungalow az Cooke and Collins rode
out to meet him.
II say" painted the dHke.
"You are our prisoner. Dismount
and come into this house"
Prisoner, you fool! I'm a guest ut
Ardsley and I'm looking for lady"
"That's very unlikely story. Col
Inns, help the gentleman down." and
the reporter obeyed instructions with
80 much zeal that the noble gentle
man fell prone, and was assisted to
his feet with fine mockery Of help
fulness
II tell you I'm looking for lady
whose horse ran away with her! I'm
the duke of Ballywinkle and brother
in-law to Mr.. Ardmore I'll have you
sent to Jail II you stop me here"
"Come along. duke, and we'll SEQ
what you look like" said Cooke, lead
ing the way to the bungalow veranda
Within Ardmore was lighting lamps.
There was long room finished in
black oak, with fireplace at one
end, and table in the center. The
floors were covered with handsome
rugs and the walls were hung with
photographs and etchings. Ardmore
SIT on the back Of a leather settee in
pose assumed at the moment OF tho
dukes entrance. 1t was a pose Of en-
tire nonchalance, and Ardmore's cap,
perched on the back OF his head, and
his brown hair rumpled boyishly,
added to the general effect of comfort
and ease
The duke blinked for a moment in
the lamplight, then he roared out Joy
ously:
"Ardv old mani" and advanced To-