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

ed a faint cloud of smoke rising be-
yond a lonely strip of wood: and
coming to a dilapidated piece of track
that led vaguely away into the heart
of the forest, he again noted the tiny
smoke cloud. On sach day the half
gods go and the gods arrive: aud
the world that afternoon knew no
cheerfuller spirit than the Palladium's
agile young commissioner. Mr.. Col
Inns was not only in capital health and
spirits, but he rejoiced in that de-
licious Utilization OF expectancy which
is the chief compensation of the jour
nalist's life. His mission was secret,
and this in itself gave flavor to his
errand; and, moreover, it promised
adventures Of kind that were great
ly to his liking.
As the woodland closed in about
him and the curving spur carried him
farther from the main right of way
he ceased whistling and his steps be-
came more guarded. Suddenly man
rose from the bushes and leveled a
long arm at him detainingly.
stop, young man, stop where you
are!"
"Hello!" called Collins, pausing
"Well, I'm fingered. if 1t amt old
Cookie. l say, old man, is the untaxed
Juice flowing in the forest primeval
or what brings you here?"
Cooke grinned as he recalled the
reporter, whom he remembered as q
particularly irrepressible specimen of
his genus whom he had met while
pursuing moonshiners in Georgia. The
two shook hands amiably midway of
the two streaks Of rust.
young man, think I told you
once before that your legs were alto
gether too active. want you to light
eight out of here-skip!"
mot for million dollars. Our
meeting is highly opportune, Cookie.
It's not for me to fly in the face of
Providence. I'm going to see what's
doing down here"
"All right" replied Cooke. "Take
It all in and enjoy yourself; but
you're my prisoner"
"Oh, that will be all right! So
long as I'm with you can't lose out"
march," called Cooke, dropping be-
hind; and thus the two came in few
minutes to the engine, the cars and
the caboose. From the locomotive q
slight smoke still trailed hazily up
ward
Thomas Ardmore, coatless and hat
less, sat on the caboose steps writing
messages on a board pad, while a
telegraph instrument clicked busily
within. One of his men had qualified
as operator and pile of messages at
his elbow testified to Ardmore's in
dustry. Ardmore clutched in his left
hand message recently caught from
the wire which he re,read from time
to time with increasing satisfaction
1t had been sent from Ardsley and
ran: r.
I shall ride tonight on tho road that
leads south beyond the red bungalow,
and on the bridle-path that climbs the
certain English gentleman will accom-
pany me. 1t will be perfectly agreeable
to me to come back alone. g. D.
Ardmore was still writing when
Cooke stood beneath him under the
caboose platform.
II beg your pardon, Mr.. Ardmore,
but this is our first prisoner"
Ardmore signed dispatch and then
looked up and took the pipe from his
mouth. Collins lifted his hat politely.
"Ah, Mr.. Ardmore, you see have
taken advantage Of your exceedingly
kind invitation to look you up in
North Carolina"
"He was looking for you very hard
when found him, Mr.. Ardmore," in
terposed Cooke.
your appearance delights me"
said Ardmore, extending his hand to
the reporter. 1T was nice of you to
walk out here to find me. Wouldn't
they put you up at the house?"
We'll, the fact is didn't stop there
My paper sent me in this general d.
rection on business, but I had every
honorable intention Of making you
that visit after finished my assign
ment. But Cookie here says I'm ar
rested"
Hes a dangerous character and
can't be allowed to run loose in these
parts. I'm going to tie him up" said
Cooke.
MAY I ask you, Mr.. Collins, Just
what you are doing here?" inquired
Ardmore.
"You may, and I'll bet boiled
goose that Cookie and l are on the
same job"
What are you looking for?" de-
manded Ardmores chief of staff. i.
TITS big story II get it, and I
have every intention Of getting it"
said Collins guardedly.
"Out with it, commanded Ard
more.
"The fact is, then, that I'm looking
for a person of Importance"
go right on, please"
"And that person is the governor of
North Carolina, who is mysteriously
absent from Raleigh. He attended
the Cotton Planters convention in
| New Orleans. He got as far az At