The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1910-03-19

Collins had stood during this recital
in the middle of the track, with his
legs wide apart. calmly tanning HIM
self with his hat; but as Ardmore pro-
ceeded the reporters hand dropped to
his side, and a grin that had over,
spread his face slowly yielded to
Blank stare.
Would you mind repeating those
last words?"
Il am the governor Of North Caro-
lima, Mr.. Collins. The manner in
which I attained that high office is not
important. 1t must suffice that l am
in sole charge of the affairs of this
great state, without relief from valua-
ton or appraisement laws, and with
out benefit Of clergy. And we have
much to do here; mere social CONVEX
sation must await an ampler time.
now appoint you publicity agent to
the governor. Your business is to
keep the people fooled-all the people
all the time. You will begin by send
ing out word that Gov. Dangerfeld
has given up all other work at present
but the destruction of the Apple
| weight gang"
But by the ghost of John c. Cal
houn, don't you see that I'm losing the
chance of my life in my own profes.
sion? There's a story in this that
would put me to the top and carry me
right into New York." and Collins
glanced about for his suitcase, as
though meditating fight.
Your appointment has gone into
| effect" said Ardmore with finality.
land If you bolt you will be caught
and made to walk the plank And SO
far as your future is concerned, you
| shall have newspaper of your own
anywhere you please as soon as this
war is over"
The three men adjourned to the ca
boose, where Ardmore took Collins all
that 1t seemed necessary for the
| newspaper man to know; and within
half an hour the new recruit had en-
tered thoroughly into the spirit Of the
adventure, though his mirth occasion
ally got the better of him, and he
bowed his head in his hands and sur
rendered himself to laughter Thereaft-
| er, until the six o'clock supper was
ready. he kept the operator occupied.
He sent to the Palladium thoroughly
| plausible story giving prominence to
the Appleweight case and laying
stress on Gov. Dangerfeld's vigorous
personality and high sense Of official
responsibility. He sent queries to
leading journals everywhere, offering
exclusive news of the rumored disap-
pearance Of North Cardinals governor
Ardmore took Collins more fully into
his confidence during the lingering
| twilight, and the reporter made many
| suggestions that were of real value.
Meanwhile Cookies mon brought three
horses from the depths of the forest
| and saddled them. Cooke entered the
caboose for a final conference with
| Ardmore and last look at the maps.
Too bad" remarked the acting gov
ernor, that we must wait until to.
morrow night to pick up the Apple
weights, but our present business ia
more important. It's time to move,
| Cooke"
| iuey IOu0 Oll III bluSIc ul0 On Lne
faintest of trails through the woods.
Cooke leading and Ardmore and Col
Inns following Immediately behind him.
The great host of summer stars
thronged the sky, and the moon sent
It's soft effulgence across the night.
They presently forded noisy stream,
and while they were seeking the trail
again on the farther side an owl
hooted thousand yards up the creek
and while the line reformed Cooke
paused and listened. Then the owls
call was repeated farther Off and so
family that Cooke alone heard It, He
laid his hand on Ardmore's rein.
There's foot-trail that leads along
that creek. and it's very rough and
difficult to follow. Half a mile from
here there used to be a still, run by
one Of the Appleweights. We smash
ed 1t once, but no doubt they are op-
Grating again by this time That boot