The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-01-14

justified in the position he had as
sumed, still holding that those emo
lions which had prompted his words
were but natural, impersonal and SIN
cere. It was his right to protect the
girl he loved from the wiles Of name
less adventurer. Of whose integrity he
had the gravest doubts. 1t was his
right to protect her from herself, for,
deny 1t as she might, it was all too
bitterly apparent that this debonair
inpostor had succeeded where others
had failed and that Adele had discard
ed all sorrow with her mourning and
was yielding to fascination that he
firmly believed would prove her ruin.
While he still hesitated, afraid to
make an enemy Of the girl he loved.
yet stubborn in his resolution to
thwart Kirby. Aaron Randall, suspect
ing some such controversy as had TAX
en- place, Joined them on the balcony,
and Anatole, with evident relief, turn
ed again to Adele.
"Mademoiselle, here is your cousin.
He will not be thought to be Jealous"
he said gravely. II ask him to tell
you what he will not tell me. 1 ask
him to tell you what he thinks about
this gentleman"
"Cousin Aaron replied the girl,
turning and confronting the two from
whom she had most to fear, 'in my
brothers absence you respect my au-
thority here. do you not? Very we'll,
then. My introduction of this gentle
man as Colonel Moreau is enough for
you"
1T must be, Cousin Adele" replied
Aaron, evidently greatly perplexed and
troubled.
"And I am responsible for my ac-
tons only to my BROTHER" added the
girl, looking directly at nj. Veaudry.
He flushed under the scrutiny of her
eyes and the significant infection of
her voice.
"1n his absence 1 would protect you.
would act for him." he protested des-
perately.
"You may when you have his au-
thority. Until then bid you adieu."
And. with an elaborate courtesy and
pleasant smile, she vanished through
the window, while the gentlemen re-
NAMED on the balcony. prey to the
most disquieting thoughts.
"You see how she have change-in
this one day-with him." bitterly ex-
claimed AnatQle, pointing through the
open window to where in a distant
corner of the room Kirby sat at the
card table. Mr.. Randall merely nod
ded and gloomily chewed his cheroot.
He was facing difficult problem and
praying for the arrival Of young Ran
DALI.
Presently from the music room there
came the subdued harmony of a guitar
and harp. and when the soft prelude
had finished Adele's fine contralto took
up the theme, singing. 81 sent thee late
a rose wreath, not so much honoring
thee" 1t was Kirby's favorite song.
snatches Of which Anatole had heard
the other humming at intervals since
his arrival. Clearer, sweeter, purer
sounded the words until the music as
cended like an anthem and came steal
ing out Of the window to mingle with
the soft murmur of the night. to blend
with the unheard. far distant harmony
of the stars. Anatole stood transfixed,
prey to the bitterest emotions to
which man was ever hostage.
"You hear?" he cried passionately,
turning to Aaron. For the first time
since how long? Now she wear no
more black. Now she is no more ST.
lent. Now she sing, not for her broth
er, not for those who love her, not for
me-
"No; it's for Colonel Moreau," fin
ished the older man. throwing away
his cigar.
The creole laughed harshly, contemp-
tuously, his black eyes swapping with
passion. "For Colonel Moreau?' 1
dare you-look me in the face and
say that man is Colonel Moreau," wav
ing trembling hand to the window.
II shall tell you nothing" replied
Aaron sternly. mo matter what sus-
pect, don't know. And won't let
4 man be killed until do know"
"When you met this man you did not
know him." said Anatole. with slow
II think to myself-who
can he be? l make guess and an-
other guess and another guess, but l
am not sure.'
Exactly" commented Mr.. Randall.
with some sharpness. "There you are.
You are not sure. Neither am l.
There is nothing to do but to await
Tom RandalPs arrival or. failing that.
some authority from him. instructing
us how to act; otherwise our honor
binds us, and we must meet this diff
fcult matter with such patience and
fortitude as we may possess. At the
same time thoroughly understand
your feelings. and you have my entire