The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-09-04

her the apOthe0Sls OF their romance,
the supreme reward Of their patience,
in their union forever. Sure as she
was Of herself in her love for him, her
mind never could have conceived the
idea that he would ever seriously har-
Dor the notion that the wealth Of an
other man might hold attraction for
her. Although he had intimated at
the time Of her last visit home that
the thought Of 1t worried him, she had
dismissed the subject with her playful
rejoinder and straightway forgotten it.
Now at the first real test he had bro.
ken his pact and credited her with
baseness of the most ignoble kind.
II suppose you thought when you
got through with him an he cast you
OF you'd fall back on me, the patient,
good natured fool down in the country
who wasn't wise to the sort you've
proved to be-"
The words whirled In her head. Had
Dan really delivered himself Of such
an infamous utterance to her, his
aft1anced wife. who had borne so much
for him? There was no evading the
hideous reality Of it. He had said it
and spurned her ruthlessly. This was
the trust Of man! This was the end
of her dream of bliss! 1t was all over,
over with everybody. She could not
explain to her mother, and the latter
would tell her father, and he, too,
would shut his heart to her. There
was nothing left for her in the. world.
She had lost all. Distracted by her
despair and misery, she ran rather than
walked-ran straight before her, and
people turned and gazed after her curl
ously. On she hurried until she
brought up exhausted at line Of cars
that blocked her way. Scarcely con-
scious of what she was doing, needless
of where it went, she boarded the car
that had stopped in front Of her. She
wanted only to sit down. There were
few people in the car, and she did not
look upon them with seeing eyes. Tie
courage, the knowledge of the world,
the qualities of pluck and clear judg-
ment that had enabled her to hold her
own In all circumstances had deserted
her utterly for the time being in her
wretchedness. Her nerve was gone,
The blow was too much even for such
brave little woman to bear up under.
South ferry! All out! shouted the
conductor.
Mechanically she descended from
the car and walked slowly over to Bat.
terry park. The solitude of the place
lat that hour appealed to her. She
wanted to get away from the noise, the
lights, the people. But from the lights
she could not escape. They were ev-
erywhere. They piled in mountains all
about her. They cast long golden
sheens from the passing ferryboats.
Their gayety seemed to mock her. She
walked toward the water front, and q
policeman. twirling his night stick, ad-
vanced upon her out of the shadow.
eli" he shouted gruffly. "Where are
you goin'? What d'you want?"
His rude tones startled her and re-
called her to herself.
"1'm going to the subway" she an.
swered at a venture.
swell, that amt the way to the sub
way you want, an you know it." he
replied. Get out of it, an If l find you
around here again tonight I'll run you
in, see?
Greatly frightened, she retraced her
steps, walking hurriedly.
AS she neared the car tracks man
who had followed her at distance
from the time she had left the car &C.
costed her.
Excuse me, Miss Patsy" he said,
raising his hat. "Are you ill: AS any
thing 'appened? Can 'elp you?"
Surprised. she looked at him, but
failed to recognize him.
How'd you know my name? l don't
know you," she answered.
Him William Perkins-you know.
the Duke they used to call me at
Myple Grove"
And the Duke he was, but it was
small wonder that Patsy failed to rec
ognize him. The generally dirty sweater
clad stable boy was miraculously trans
formed. He was as spick and span as
new pin. A smart tan overcoat
| opened upon suit of a loud check and
distinctly English cut. A hard felt hat
and gloves to match the topcoat gave
an added air of distinction to him, as
also did his black patent leather shoes.
straight collar and soft red tie set off
with real diamond horseshoe pin.
Il wus in a Broadway car just
naow," he went on. IAN recognized
you. but you seemed in such trouble
an so anxious to he let alone that I
didn't like to speak to you. but when
| see you go across Battery plyce at this
time O. night an lookin' so i'll was
afryd somethin' wus the matter an
took the liberty of followin' you. l
'ope you don't mind. II there's any
thing can do
This meeting. following the incident
with the policeman. had the effect of
restoring Patsy wholly to her senses.
In common with everybody at Maple
Grove. she had liked the Duke from
the little she had seen of him there,
because he always had been obliging
and CHEEKY.
eyes. I've been under the weather
an upset Bit" she told him. II feel
like I'd drop. I'd be real grateful If
you'd put me on an Eighth avenoo
car. They go from somewhere here
abouts, don't they?"
low now. not a tram. but keb, hif
you'll allaow me. Miss Patsy" he said
"But admit you better ave somethin'
fust? I'm sure you need it,