The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-04-15
"Don't ask" he said sadly.
"Is it true"" she insisted.

You heard what Roly SAID" he re>
piled, with chastened expression.
''Then you admit it?"
II admit nothing"
"Oh-h" The girl drew away from
him as from defIement. IL hate
you" she cried in voice Of loathing.
That's all right" he told her Sc.
renely. give despised myself all even,
Ing"
The girl showed him a scornful
back. Papa she began.
Don't thank me, Josie. Roland
done 1t all. He got on to him." Lock.
wood continued to watch Duncan with
the air Of cat eying a mouse.
Impulsively Josie moved to Roland's
side, and caught his arm. He drew
himself up proudly.
II do thank you. Roland. can new
er be grateful enough. I've been so
foolish"
THAT'S all right" Roland tucked
the girls hand beneath his arm and
patted it down. You wasn't to blame.
I never seen any one from Moo York
yet that wasn't crook"
won't you please take me away
from this-plnce. Roland?" she ap-
pealed.
"I'u be mighty glad to see you
home. JOSIE" he assured her generous.
~, turning.
| In the act of leaving Josie caught
Mats eye. She hung back for an In
slant, whitening him with glare.
| "Oh-h!' she cried. How did you dare
pretend to care for me?"
He bowed politely. ut was one of
the rules. JOSIE
'There's no neehto tell you, guess,
that the engagement is broken
"None whatever, Miss Lockwood.
Good evening"
"Come, Roland!
Arm in arm they left, with the
naughty tread of the elect, while Pete
Willing lurched to Duncan's side and
! caught his arm.
"Come long to Jail, Mish'r Duncan"
he said, with sympathy. "Mush bes-
sher"
"You look after him, Pete" Lock-
! wood turned to leave with final shot
for Duncan. "I'll tend to your case in
the mornin', young man, and I'll make
you wish you never came to this
town."
"You needn't trouble. I fccl that way
about 1t already. Good night"
Lockwood left them, snarling Nat
caught Kellogg's eye and began to gig
gle. But Pete was still holding him
fast, partially. beyond doubt, for sup
port
you've been saved Just in time
Mish'r Duncan" he commented. "Y' are
mighty lucky man. Now, lissen; you
better make tracks. ! amt got no war
rant to hold you, md l wouldn't II 1
had"
you're a good fellow, Pete. but you
needn't worry. I'm not the man they
think me, and It'll be ensy to prove"
"Waal," said Pete, 'jus' the same,
You better git out r you may have to
marry her aft ALL"
mo, won't"
"Thank Gnwd fr TINT" Pete ex-
claimed In maudlln gratitude. He
swung widely toward the door and by
a miracle found 1t. "G' night, Misll'r
Duncan. I fccl s. good bout thish I'm
goin' Try gon' home nd face IN wife.
G. night"
GOOD night, Pete"
SWELL" said Kellogg after a pause,
"thnt was bit nf lnck!"
| HI url:v' Nat coiyo1 Lio hot on1 I,o
gan TO turn off the lights Its more
luck Ian Thought there was in the
whole world. Come along"
"Whcre ore you going?"
"First to see Lockwood and have 1t
ont with him.
mo. you aren't" Kellogg laughed as
Nat locked the door you're going
to leave Lockwood to me. ri manage
to ease his mind. You've got infinite
ly more important matters to attend
to, and the sooner you find Dor the
better, Natv
AS Duncan buried homewnrd the
rolling Of the thunder grew sharp,
more instant upon the flashes. When
there was no wind the air seemed to
CULVER with terror, as n dog cringcs to
the whip.
But of this Duncan was ba rely con.
scious.
He gained the gate in the fence OF
wood Dnling. opened It and entered.
Tho lawn and house were lit with the
unearthly radiance Of moonlight threat.
) encd by eclipse. He could see the
light in Grnham's study and through
the open doors the faint glow Of the
hall lamp. Put there was no one
visible.
He hurried up the path, tortured by
Impotence. fear, longing, despair.
Then he saw what seemed Mt first q
pale shadow detach itself from darker
shades in the shi,lbbery and move to.
ward him.
MAT, is 1t your
"Betty!'
His whole heart was In that cry