The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-07-06

mighty business ne salo coarsely,
and eying Ter aercely. THAT amt the
sort O. thing that goes with me, an
yer amt the first one I've taken down
q peg or two. However. I don't mean
you no harm. only you'd better behave
yourself. Yer know that man over
there. don't yer?"
He indicated with a nod Of the head,
and Claire glanced in that direction,
but without speaking.
well, can't you answer?'
Il recognize Captain Grant, If that
is what you mean"
II was speaking English, wasn't L!
Yer ought to know him-yer engaged
ter him, amt yer?"
Certainly not" Indignantly.
Grant turned about, his face twitch.
ing.
"This is not my fault, Claire" he
exclaimed swiftly. Don't blame me
for 1t. I am also a prisoner. and help.
less"
She never looked at him. never an.
swered, her entire attention concen.
trated on Fagin. who was grinning
with enjoyment.
That's sure right, young LADY," he
said grimly. "The Captain is only
obeyin' orders ter save his own neck.
There's no love lost atween US, let
me tell yer. But we're not so blame
merciless after all, an I reckon. we've
got about all thar is in the house
worth cartin' away. Now we're goin'
to have some fun, an leave two happy
hearts behind. Amt that it, Jones
Clinton's licked; Washington has his
hands full up north; an this hull
blame country is ours. Somewhere,
Mistress. I've heard tell that you an
this Captain was pretty thick-how is
it,"
Her eyes exhibited indignant sur
prise, but, after an tnstant's hesita-
ton, her lips answered.
II hardly know what you mean, sir.
We were children together"
can engaged ter be married-eh?' p
There was an arrangement Of that
nature between our parents. But why
should this interest you?"
He ignored the question, but his
eyes hardened.
Il heard 1t this way. You were en-
gagged until few weeks ago. Then
you met damned Continental, spy,
an imagined yer fell in love with him.
Now de yer know what interest I've
got? I'm with the Red-coats, an If l
can turn trick fer that side I'm
a-goin' ter do 1t. You'll be blessin' me
fer 1t some day. Now, see here, girl.
I'm a-goin' ter marry yer of before
leavin' this house. reckon yer amt
lntendin' to make no fuss about it,
are yer?"
She did not appear to comprehend,
to realize the man was in earnest; she
even smiled slightly.
us this some joke. sir, that I fail
to grasp?" she asked. ''WiN you not
explainf"
'Explain. hell!" and Fagin clapped
his hat on his head, uttering rough
oath. II spoke plain enough. Yer
a-goin' ter marry Grant, here an now
an there's the parson, waitin' ter do
the job"
She partly turned. and as she
recognized jerks, the color deserted
her cheeks. and her hands grasped the
side Of the door for support.
Marry Captain Grant! II" she e1.
claimed, Mortified. mo, never!"
"Oh. I guess yer will. my beauty.
Good Lord. why not? He's not SO
bad; there's many girl would jump
at the chance. Your plantations join,
an he's Kings officer"
Listen to me, SIR, she broke in,
now coal and determined. It'll give
you my answer. have already given
It to Captain Grant. will not marry
him-not even to save this house from
destruction; not even to release my
brother from your hands. We can
suffer. If necessary, for we are of a
fighting race, but I shall never Yield
to threats"
She swept past him. around the end
pf the table, and confronted Grant,
who drew back a step, scowling.
$50 this Is your way, is it, to win a
woman you cannot gain by fair
means? No, there is no need Of your
answering; I understand the whole
despicable scheme. You masquerade
Ing as a prisoner Of this creature!
You are his puppet. I've known it for
months. I learned the truth from
Eric, and from that moment despised
you. While believed you an honor
able soldier was able to treat you
with outward respect, but no longer
You threatened me with a forced mar
riage once before. and failed. Now
you endeavor to succeed with the help
Of this outlaw. But you never shall
No, do not speak! do not hold out your
hands to me! You are not a prisoner
These men are here at your instiga
ton; you are concerned In their in
fanny. ] would rather die than have