The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-04-27

cltlzens OF the city would again an.
pear on the streets. This would great
ly intensity my danger, for. at any
moment. might encounter some one
who knew me, who might denounca
me to the authorities.
That this was the exact truth of the
situation could not be denied, yet
now, every reckless impulse of my
disposition urged me to remain; the
Invitation Of those laughing blue eyes.
the challenge read in the lady's fair
face. the unsolved mystery of her iden.
tity. all combined in a temptation ]
found it impossible to resist. For
dance with her. possible understand.
ing. was willing to venture life itself.
1t must have been nearly nine
o'clock when, in company with
young cornet. rode up to the house
given up to festivities, and. turning
over our horses to the care Of cavalry
grooms, climbed the wide steps to the
door leading into the hall.
All was a riot of color. rich, Devil.
dering, with smiling faces, and laugh.
Ing lips everywhere. In such a spot,
amid such surroundings, war seemed
a dream, q far-off delirium.
My companion disappeared, and,
to escape the pressure of those surg.
Ing back and forth through the wide
doorway. found passage close to the
wall. and half circled the room, finally
discovering hating place in the re.
cesses Of q window. where, partially
concealed myself by flowing curtains.
/ could gaze out over the brilliant as.
semblage. Half ashamed Of the plain
ness Of my own attire, and feeling q
stranger and an alien, was yet con-
sciously seeking the one face which
had lured me there.
Enough conversation reached me to
disclose promised display of fire.
works on the lawn, and almost imme.
dately magnificent bouquet of rock.
cts shot up into the black sky, illumi-
mating everything with glare Of fire.
This was followed by the lighting up
of the triumphal arch, and the burst
ing Of balloons high overhead. Attract
ed by the spectacle, was staring out
ut the dazzling scene, when voice
spoke at my shoulder.
"'Tis relief to see even one sol.
dier present ready for duty"
turned to look into n pair Of steady
blue eyes. with bit Of hooking laugh.
ter In their depths, the face revealed
clearly in the glare Of the rockets.
Necessity only" managed TO re-
1No
others. had brought a bag with me-"
mo doubt; every British regiment
tries to Guido the others in ribbons
and gold lace. Really they become
tiresome with such foppery in war
times. See how they play tonight.
like children. the city practically UNI
guarded from attack" she waved an
ungloved hand toward the dark with.
out. II venture there are men out
yonder. sir. who are not dancing and
laughing away these hours"
My checks burned.
"You mean Washingtons troops?"
AYE! ! saw them here in Philadel-
phia before Sir William came." her
voice lowered, yet earnest. land they
are not playing at war; grim. silent,
sober-faced mon, dressed in odds and
ends, not pretty to look at; some tat
tered and hungry. but they fight hard.
MIR. Conway was telling US yesterday
OF how they suffered all winter long,
while We danced and Toasted here,
Washington himself sleeping with the
snow drifting over him. You do not
know the Americans, for you are not
long across tho water, but they are
not the kind to be conquered by such
child's play as this"
"You are an American, them"
"By birth. yes," unhesitatingly. 1--WE
are Of those loyal to the king, butt
admire men,"
1t was with an effort restrained
my words, eager to proclaim my serv-
Ice. yet compromising instantly that
dare not even trust this plain-spoken
girl with the truth. She respected the
men. sympathized with the sacrifices
of Washington's little army, contract
ed all they endured with the profligacy
Of the English and Hcssian troops, and
yet remained loyal to the kings cause.
Even as ! hesitated she spoke again.
What is your regiment?"
"The Forty.second Foot"
"You have not yet been in action
In American"
mo. but have just crossed the Jer.
seys with dispatches"
She shook her head, her cheeks
glowing.
my home was there when the war
began" she explained simply. "Now
1t Is hate, pillage and plumber every
where. We fled to Philadelphia for
our lives. and have almost forgotten
we ever had home. We loyalists are
paying price almost equal to those
men with Washington. IT'S this men,
ory which makes me so bitter toward
those who play amid the ruins"
"Yet you have seemed to enter into
the gay spirit of the OCCASION" and
my eyes swept over her costume.