The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1910-04-02

tH0I IACy We COuAC OVoA ASAO OONOuo0
the landscape is naturally adapted to
their purposes.
IT'S awfully nice Of them to like
my scenery. You'd better send your
best man out to meet Col. Gillingwa-
ter Of the North Carolina militia. and
tell him to march all his troops into
the estate by the north gates, and to
be- in a hurry. Tell him-tell him
Gov. Dangerdeld 10 anxious to have
the staff present in full uniform at
grand ball at Ardsley tonight"
Ardmore rode of alone toward Rae.
coon creek to catch q view of the
enemy. How far would Griswold 60!
himself. His late friend was a law
yer and serious one whom he had
not believed capable Of selling the
militia of one state and using 1t to
make military demonstration against
another. ,Ardmore' could 60 as far as
Griswold; yet he was puzzled to know
why Griswold was ia the field at all.
These reflections carried him far to-
ward Raccoon creek, and when he had
reached that tortuous stream he dis
mounted and tied his horse, the more
freely to examine the frontier. BY
jumping from boulder to boulder he
| crossed the turbulent tide and gained
the other side with a sense of enter
ing the enemy's country.
Now" he muttered. II am in South
Carolina"
He drew out his map and held It
against tree the better to study it,
reassuring himself that his own prop
| erty line embraced several sections of
| the forest on the south side of the
state boundary.
IF Grissy shoots me, it will be on
my own land" he said aloud
He cautiously followed the stream
until, several hundred yards farther
on, and overhanging the creek, he
came upon the log cabin in which Big
Paul had reported the presence of
ghost. Paul's story had not inter-
ested him particularly. but now that
he was in the neighborhood he re.
, solved to visit the cabin and learn il
possible how ghosts amuse themselves
by day. He had thrust revolver into
his pocket before leaving the house
and while he had no idea that ghosts
may be shot, he now made sure that
the weapon was in good order AS he
sat on log slipping the cylinder
f, through his fingers he heard whis-
thing farther along the creek. followed
quickly by the swapping of twigs un.
der heavy tread, and moment later
tall, slender man broke into view.
! The stranger was dressed like
countryman, but he was unmistakably
not Of the Ardsley force Of workmen,
for these wore rough sort Of uni
form. His hands were thrust careless.
ly into the side pockets of gray
jeans coat. They were thrust in deep,
so that the coat sagged at the pockets.
His trousers were turned up from a
pair of rough shoes and he wore
gray flannel shirt, the collar of which
was guiltless Of tie. He was smooth
shaven, and carried In his mouth q
short pipe, which he paused to relight
when about a dozen yards from Ard
more. Then, as he held the lighted
match above the pipe bowl for an in
slant to make sure his tobacco was
burning, Ardmore jumped up and COW
cred him with the pistol.
Il beg your pardon" said the mas
ter of Ardley, but you're my pris-
oner!"
The stranger shook the fame out
of the match-stick carefully and threw
it away before turning toward his
captor.
Young man." he said with perfect
self-possession, don't fool with that
gun. it might go off,"
His drawl was characteristic Of the
region; his tone was one Of amused
tolerance. Ardmore was short Of
stature. and his knickerbockers.
leggings and Norfolk jacket were
not wholly consonant With the re-
volver, which, however. he leveled
very steadily Mt the strangers head.
You are an intruder ON MY proper
ty." said the master of Ardsley, land
unless I'm much mistaken you have
been playing ghost in that cabin. I've
heard about you. Your gang has been
cutting of my timber about long
enough, and this game of playing
ghost to scare my men won't do"
Stealing your timber?" And the
stranger was clearly surprised. He
held his pipe in his hand with his
thumb over the bowl and seemed to
take more serious interest in his
captor.
"And now" continued Ardmore.
I'm tired Of having this end of the
country run by the Appleweights, and
their disreputable gang, so I'm going
to lock you up"
The stranger turned toward the
cabin, one corner Of which was plain
ly visible. and shrugged his shoulders.
Il have nothing to do with the APP
pleweights, and assure you am not
timber thief
"Then you must be the one who has
lifted a few steers out Of my herd It
makes no difference just what branch
| Of the h,Isiness vOu are engaged fn