The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-06-01
pusned forward into the rooms o

pressed by their original magniflcence.
Now, however, they were all confusion.
furniture broken and flung aside, walls
hacked, dishes smashed into frag.
ments. The scene was sickening in
its evidence Of wanton hate. Yet
found no more bodies, or proof of
further resistance. In what must have
been Mistress Claire's private apart.
ment stood with beating heart star.
Ing about at the ruin disclosed. The
large closet had been swept clean, gar.
ments slashed with knives, and left
in rags; drawers turned upside down
in search after Jewels; the very cur.
tains torn from the windows. It was
q scene Of vandalism of which vaga.
bonds alone would be guilty.
I stepped across the pile Of things
to the window, glancing out at the
still smouldering ruins Of the stable.
Whatever had occurred, neither the
lady nor Peter remained about the
house. OF this was satisned. yet
with the realization there came sud-
den comprehension Of my own help
lessness to be Of any aid.
From the window where stood not
. house was visible. Just beyond the
orchard the roads forked, a well.trav-
eled branch circling to the LEFT, and
disappearing over the edge Of q hill.
AS traced it with my eyes q con-
siderable body Of mounted men sud-
denly appeared on the summit. With-
out fear that they could see me at that
distance I watched eagerly as they
trotted down the long slope. They
were plainly q squadron of British
Dragons, their arms and cross-belts
shining in the sun, in spite Of the dust
kicked up by their horses hoofs.
I waited until convinced they were
coming to the house, before drawing
back out of sight. It was difficult to
decide what was best for me to do.
Should wait, trusting to my rough
clothing, and pass myself o: as coun,
tryman, or take advantage of the brief
time left in which to escaped II
essayed the first choice. could ex.
plain the situation, and start these
troopers on the trail; If not they might
fail to understand and ride on thought
lessly. What such body Of mounted
men were doing in the neighborhood
could merely guess at-either they
were riding through to New York on
some matter Of Importance, or else had
been sent out hurrledly to discover
what had become, of Delavan's fora.
gers. This supposition was the more
likely, and they had taken the wrong
road. thus missing Grant and his men
In the darkness.
The must have cut through the or.
chard, leaping the low fence. for I
heard the thud Of hoofs even as I
drew back into the upper hall. Then
. voice gave sharp command.
:"Circle the men about the house,
Simmons. There is something wrong
here. and saw q fellow at that upper
window as we came down the hill.
Move quick. now!" ,l5.e,r,.
must face them, and went forward
to the head of the stairs, anticipating
an easy explanation Of my presence
within. Already quite squad was in.
side the front door bending over the
bodies and staring about curiously.
':Pine Robbers, oh; colonel?" said
one contemptuously. "That fellow has
1 cutthroat written all over him. Don't
see any signs of our men here"
Queen Ranger lying back Of the
stairs, SIR" reported 2 soldier briefly;
'Irish 1ookin' mug"
The man addressed as colonel. a
Ranger himself FROM his green uni.
form, looked UP quickly and saw me.
He called out an order, and three or
four men sprang up the stairs. grasp.
ing and leading me down. I made no
resistance, not realizing was in any
danger. The colonel. a tall man with
gray mustache and goatee, and dark,
searching eyes, faced me sternly.
'What are you doing here. sirl
Come. speak up! What does all this
F, meanr' and he swept his hand about
in gesture.
II came along about thirty minutes
ago." explained. beginning to appre-
| ciate my situation, from. the. suspicious
/ &A0ANOo NdbI az LlCs OAu ASShAlA6 INV
disreputable my appearance must be.
II found things just as they are now.
sir. There's been q fight and rob.
berry"
That's plain to be seen; are these
all the bodies?"
Eyes, sir, but the house is upside
down from end to end"
"You saw no one2 No British SOL
diers7"
shook my head, conscious Of the
fierce grip with which was being
held. A couple Of the men dragged
out the body from behind the stairs,
and as the face came into the light.
the colonel's eyes saw 1t. I,heard the
sharp breath expelled through his lips,
as he stared down into those ghastly
features.
Good Lord! Mike! What in the
name Of heaven does this mean? He
was supposed to be with Claire!"