The Irish standard., 1911-12-02
CHAPTER XVIII.

| eAGIutis
CHAPTER XVIII,
We Capture Courier.
The girls light burst of laughter
aroused me thoroughly to a sense OF
/ our situation.
You seem to derive much amuse-
ment from a condition of affairs al
most intolerable to me-" said bitter
ly. II have always valued most highly
the friendship of Mrs. Brennan, but
this unfortunate occurrence will doubt
less end It,"
She glanced up at me, her long
lashes wet, but her dark eyes spark
ling with mischief.
"Oh, she won't care so far as you
are concerned" she exclaimed indif-
ferently. But suppose she will
think am perfectly horrid. Well, I
don't care If she does; she might
have waited and learned the truth
first. Wasn't her face study? And
how shall ever explain to Arthur so
that he will understand? I'm sure l
have got the worst of It, Oh, Captain
Wayne, is my hair all rutfled up?
know I look like fright. You must
come in now, and we will explain to
Mrs. Brennan the whole matter. She
cannot help believing US both, while
know she would be so cold and
proud to me alone"
I shook my head decisively. Per.
haps it was better ended so; at least
l possessed no courage just them to
face her indignation. She might but
deem We had concocted our explana-
ton, and would very likely receive it
with all the scorn she felt 1t deserved.
Besides, it was clear there was moth
ing / could do to aid them. l should
be now merely an unweloome intru.
der. An escort was to be there short
ly to convoy them northward, and for
me to be found In their company by
Brennan would only infiame him and
add greatly to the embarrassment of
his wife's position Much as l might
long for immediate vindication in her
sight, the plain duty Of true love was
to depart at once, and permit time to
straighter. cut the tangle.
"You must pardon me-" fastened
to say, standing hat in hand before
her, "but 1t would not be best for
me to tntrude upon Mrs. Brennan aft
or her late reception. I merely halt.
ed here in order to. assure myself of
your presence and safety. My men
are even now waiting for me a few
hundred yards away"
But l wish you to meet Arthur"
"Oh, think not, Miss Minor. I feel
warm friendship for Lieutenant Cation.
but we wear different uniforms, serve
under different flags. and a meeting
here, both with armed forces behind
us. would naturally have to be hos
tile one. However the Lieutenant and
might consent to a temporary truce.
his superior officer, Major Brennan.
would not likely prove OF the same
mind"
Then you really must go?"
Unless you specially desire to Wit
ness a cavalry skirmish in your front
dooryard, certainly consider 1t best"
and l held out my hand. Surely we
part as friends. and may hope that
you will intercede In my behalf with
Mrs. Brennan"
She rose up impulsfvely.
"How ridiculous; how supremely ri.
diculous! Why, of course will,
though don't suppose Edith really
cares very much, but she believed 1t
would be highly proper to be shocked.
I don't think she likes you 80 very
we'll anyway, Captain Wayne, for she
never will talk about you"
With these cheering words ringing
In my ears, and feeling thoroughly de-
feated in every cherished hope, I
strobe savagely down the long hill and
mounted my horse. How roughly for
tune had suffeted me, to be sure, and
how extremely small the inspiration
left. Well, perhaps deserved it for
ever permitting myself to love one
whom knew to be the wife Of an
other. Doubtless she had>seized upon
this slight prete1t to be rid of me.
and was already rejoicing over its
easy accomplishment.
In my agitation forgot entirely the
presence Of Maria Bungay at the
house. and ordering my men into sad
die prepared for departure without
giving a thought to the little fellow
and his domestic troubles. l chose
the road leading toward the north
west, for although had not asked the
question conceived It highly probable
that Brennan and his party would ride
from the Federal calvary quarters at
Golfers Church, and had no desire
to meet them. They were upon an
errand Of mercy Of far greater impor.
lance than my revenge.
As We swung along through the
heavily timbered land fringing our
road, Bungay pressed his mule into
trot and finally succeeded, in ranging
up at my side. Even In my disturbed