The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1910-07-23
CHAPTER III.
cARsoN's LANDING.

~ has always been a point of
genealogical dispute as to whether
or not Theodore Carson's father
was of kin to the founder of the
old Carson place up Fish river.
General Carson in his lean years
used to sell turpentine to his name
sake at the dingy ship chandlery on
the wharf near the Eslava street oys.
ter dock. On these commercial occa-
sions the general. when mellowed by
jpleps. with his foot on the brass rail
and his elbows on the bar, used to call
the ship chandler. cousin" At other
times. however. he made no bones of
his opinion that the Mobile Carsonses
were dashed common people and
branded as impudent any fool claim
of kinship between the humble trades.
man and the Carsonses of Marengo
county. Theodore was little bitter
sometimes as he recalled the phan-
toms. the pursuit of which had ruined
two successive owners Of the estate
the generals breeding maggot and his
fathers curious pride in mere name
whereupon he gave chase to phan-
tom of his own. with what success we
shall see. and followed what his
friends called a rainbow with such
true Carson enthusiasm that when he
left Virginia Suarez on the dock at
Strong's bayou. on that sandy, deli
ciously dreamy. southern shore of Mo.
bile bay. he steered through the night
for house very nearly dismantled. on
an estate growing up to persimmon
thickets. dewberry beds and palmetto
slashes. the very title to which was
about to pass to his creditors. His
ignis fatuus was in the cabin among
the gulf beach dunes. but neither that
nor the precarious state Of his for
tunes could account for his alternate
Joy and gloom as he Jared north in
the night. The Sky maiden was the
thing that really mattewd.
He wondered whether her people
knew of the chance by which he and
Captain Harrod had rescued the fair
castnway. Probably they believed her
lost. The helicopter had scarcely
paused when she struck the dune. but
had shot out over the gulf like flying
gull. They must mourn the girl as
lost. and he had the girls name to
discover.
The Roc came coasting back in the
same tardy dawn that lamped that
young somnambulist to his home. Mr.,
Silberberg lighted and smoked count
less cigarettes. Mr.. Shayne nervously
walked the deck and debated the Ques-
ton of letting Mrs Shayne know of
her niece's tragic death at once or Of
waiting for personal interview. For
the Roc had had no word of either the
helicopter or the girl. and they saw
no CLEAN Of hope for her. She was a
dependent and something of prob
lem for Mrs. Shayne. Any ordinary
circumstance that would have sep
arated the aunt and niece would not
. have. been mourned inconsolably by
either Of them. In fact. Mrs Shayne
had expressed to her husband some
wonder as to what Silberberg saw in
the girl. But to lose her like this. with
all the unpleasant publicity of the ter
rible affair!
Marie will never get over it," said
Shayne. what the devil ails that
fellow aft?"
The fellow aft was Wilmer, inventor
of the lost helicopter. discoursing to
the crew in pure assorted maledictions.
which he heaped ON all concerned in
the loss of his machine.
The light found them far down to-
ward the lagoon. flying high for safety