The Irish standard., 1911-12-02

cealment and advanced toward mo
with cordially extended hands. Il was
Celia Minor.
| "Well Of all menu sho cried gay.
~, her dark eyes smiling most kind
" welcome. "And Edith and I wore
speaking about you only yesterday.
That Is, I was. for really I do not re-
call now that Edith made any remark
apropos Of the subject You have no
idea, Captain Wayne, what hero I
have made you out to be. It would
make you positively vain II I should
confess; why, Arthur has actually be.
come so Jealous that no has almost
forbidden me even to mention your
name In his presence. So when
want to talk about you am compelled
TO 60 to Edith. She hasn't power to
stop me, you know, but I'm sure
must bore her awfully. And then to
think that when you stood there just
now, and l saw your gray uniform,
actually thought the guerillas had
come. My heart beats SO now can
hardly talk. But how pale and bag
gard you looks 1t that horrible
wound which troubles you still?"
Il have been discharged from the
hospital only short time," I an
swered, as she paused to take breath.
Indeed, this is+my first military serv.
ice for several months, yet am feel
Ing quite strong again. Mrs. Brennan,
then, is still with you?"
"Oh, yes; we have been here all
winter long. 1t has been so dull, for
really nothing has happened, and the
valley Is quite devoid of Inhabitants
even the negroes have gone hunting
freedom. But Major Brennan and Ar
thur are to be here this afternoon,
and sometime tonight we are all of
US going away together"
Eager as l was to meet Brennan,
had no desire that we should meet in
the presence of his wife. Better, far
better, would 1t be for me to leave at
once and without even seeing her.
you say you are about to depart?"
I asked, determined to learn all pos.
sible regarding their plans. do you
go North?"
Eyes, to Baltimore and Washington.
The guerillas are becoming so desper-
ate in this neighborhood that we are
actually afraid to remain here longer.
They attacked the Cuyler plantation,
only ten miles from here, two weeks
ago, killed old Mr.. Cuyler. turned his
wife out partially dressed in the mid
die OF the night, looted the house of
everything it contained of value, and
then set it on fire. You see we have
no men folks here, except two ne
groes, who have chung to US because
they were so aged they were afraid
to leave-just mamma, Edith, my old
nurse, and myself. 1t seems SO lonely,
and Major Brennan and Arthur both
insist 1t is no longer safe. So they
are coming with a cavalry escort to
take us all North. am sure we shall
have splendid time.'
"You have experienced no trouble,
then; thus far?" 49,, 4.
"Oh, none at alive have not even
been bothered by scouting parties. Oh,
do not mean you; you are no bother.
But yesterday there was a horrible
man here:' he came to the kitchen
door, and asked all sorts of impudent
questions. Mrs. Bungay actually had
to threaten him with q gun before he
would leave"
rs Maria Bungay here, then?"
why certainly; do you know herr
Isn't she delightful old dear-just
as good as man."
"Her husband IS with my party"
"Jed-really? Why. do you know,
Maria has got it into her head that
he had run away from her. should
SO love to witness their meeting; 1t
would be most interesting. But you
must come into the house, Captain
Wayne; Edith will be overjoyed to see
you again, although you know she is
never demonstrative, as am. 1t must
be awfully nice to be always cool and
calm, don't you Think"
Determined that would not be
tempted, I yet hesitated, and my vi.
vacious companion too everything
for granted at once
"Oh, before we go In, won't you do
me a favor?" she asked. "But of
course you will. I was trying to tie
this grapevine into place when you
surprised me, but could not hold on
with one hand and tie with the other.
See what l mean?" And placing one
slender foot upon stat of the trellis
she lifted herself up until she could
barely reach the refractory branch.
"Now," she said. smiling down upon
me, please just hold me here for a
moment until secure this end"
My hand was scarcely upon her in
support when the slender slat snapped
beneath her weight, As she fell
caught her with both arms For q
moment she lay, painting and startled
pm my breasti then, as with a little
laugh she disengaged herself from my
embrace, we stood there hand in hand
and face to fa0e with Ndifh Brennan