The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-06-08

what beyond noon, when the door
opened suddenly, and Peter appeared
bearing trap. He was as mysteri.
ously silent and professional as upon
his first visit, not even favoring me
with glance. his mind apparently
intent upon his duties, moving about
noiselssly, wiping the table, and plac.
ing his load of dishes thereon with
great care that all should be arranged
in perfect order. The door remained
ajar during these preparations, q
Queens Ranger standing there mo-
tionless, leaning on his gun, and eye.
ing US steadily. At last Peter drew
up chair, busted 1t, and with wave
of the hand invited me to be seated.
l ate as slowly as possible, while he
stood over me. anticipating my every
want. He might have been a wax fig.
ure, so mechanically did he operate,
and the sentinel never for an instant
relaxed his scrutiny.
had picked up almost the last
crumb, toying with 1t is desperation,
when voice spoke apparently from
the head of the stair. The Ranger
turned his head to answer, and at the
instant paper pellet was crushed into
my hand. Instinctively my fingers
closed over it, and as the guard turned
back again, grufly ordering US to
hurry up, Peter was at the opposite
side Of the table gathering up the
dishes, his bald head shining brilliant
ly, his eyes as dull as those of fish.
I leaned back watching him, clutching
the paper pellet in the palm Of one
hand, until he passed out with his
tray, and the door clicked behind him.
Not once did he glance toward me, or
acknowledge my presence. Fearful
lest l might be spied upon, my heart
beating wildly in anticipation, lay
down in the bunk with face to the
wall. and unrolled the pellet. It con.
tanned but few words, hastily serb.
bled, in lady's delicate handwriting.
Don't despair; IL they are away un1
til after dark will arrange. Can do
nothing before" There was no sigma.
ture, but needed none to know whose
fingers had held the pencil. My lips
pressed the paper ere l tore 1t into
fragments, and scattered them outside
the bars.
The hours Of that afternoon dragged
themselves along with exasperating
slowness, as listened for hoofbeats.
imagining every sound the approach
Of returning horsemen. With no
longer any doubt Of her intention, my
apprehension riveted itself on the pos.
sibility Of the British getting back
before darkness gave opportunity for
putting her plans into execution. As
to what they might be cared moth.
ing, being ready to assume any risk
which would lead to escape. AS the
gray of twilight approached, my ears.
strained to the slightest sound, distin.
guished the changing Of sentinels. But
I waited vainly for any visitor; dark.
ness closed me in. but no one came
with food.
pressed my face against the bars
striving to look into the night, my
only reward the glimpse Of few dis.
tant stars. Suddenly. as stood there,
voices sounded at distance, the
words indistinguishable and then foot
steps crushed along the graveled foot
path, as though a number of men were
running toward the back of the house.
They were below my range Of vision.
but a moment later heard the sounds
OF scattered shots, and saw the sharp
flash of firing. I was still clinging to
the bars, trying to determine what it
all meant, when the door was opened.
The light of lantern in his hand
revealed green and white uniform,
and the deeply scanned face of a man
Of fifty.
Quick now, yer damned REBEL" no
said hoarsely. "Be up an lam me one,
and here's the rope"
"What!"
Didn't yer hear? or wasn't yer told
the game? Sufferin' Moses, it's got
to be played swift or yell lie here
an rot. That's what that bald-headed
skate is out thar leadin' 'em off for.
I'm ter come in wild yer supper; ye
slug me first sight, bind me up wild
the rope, and skip. IT'S dirty Job.
but the friends Of ye pay well for It.
60 come on now"
l comprehended the plan in a flash.
She had discovered a sentry money
would buy; to lead the others away
long enough to effect my escape, Peter
had taken to the woods with gun.
Whether he escaped or was captured,
the delay would be short. With the
knowledge came action. I bore the
unresisting Ranger to the floor, hurl-
Ing down the tray Of food he bore in
mass Of broken crockery, and bound
him hand and foot. leaving the fellow
lying across the open doorway. He
was without arms, except his heavy
gun, which left beside him. An in
slant l paused to ask a question, hold
Ing aloft the lantern 80 as to see his
face.
Nov. man, speak quick; you were
given some word for me7 Some in.
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