The Irish standard., 1917-04-07

4 40 - . ~ = ~ 80
Il shan't be caught off my guard
again. 1 know how to defend myself
from a drunken man."
He could not restrain all the bitter.
ness he felt. "That man." he said de.
liberately, "is more dangerous sober
than drunk
"When I can't defend myself, my
uncle will defend me.'
ASK him to let me help"
Gle doesn't need any help. And he
would never ask you, if he did. 1 can't
live at home and know you; that is
why ask you not to come again.
He was silent. Don't you think,
all things considered"-she hesitated,
as if not knowing how easiest to put
it-"yoq ought to be willing to shake
hands and say goodbye"
"Why. if you wish it," he answered,
taken aback. And he added more qui.
city, Eyes, if you say So"
Il mean for good"
Il" he returned, pausing, "don't."
"You are not willing to be fair"
II want to be fair-I don't want to
promise more than human nature will
stand for-and then break my word"
Il am not asking whole LOTT
mot whole lot to you, 1 know.
But do you really mean that you don't
want me ever to speak to you again 2"
IF you must put it that way-yes."
"Well'-he took long breath
there is one way to make sure of that.
I'll tell you honestly I don't want to
stand in the way Of such wish, If
it's really yours. AS you have said, it
isn't fair, perhaps, for me to go against
it. Got your pistol with you, Nan?"
"No."
'"That is the way you take care Of
yourself, is it,"
"I'm not afraid of YOU"
"You ought to be ashamed of YOUR.
self not to be. And you don't even
know whom you'll meet before YOU can
lock the front door again. You prom.
ised me never to go out without it.
Promise me that once more, will you?"
She did as he asked her. "Now, give
me your hand, please" he went on.
'"Take hold of this"
'What is it?'
'The butt of my revolver. Don't be
afraid" She heard the slight click OF
the hammer with a thrill of strange ap.
prehension. "What are you doing?"
she demanded hurriedly.
put your finger on the trigger-so,
1t is cooked. Now pull
She caught her breath. 'What do
you mean?"
He was holding the gun in his two
hands, his fingers overlapping hers, che
muzzle at the breast of his iacket
"Pull," he repeated, "that's all YOU
awe to do; I'm steadying it,"
She snatched back her hand. 'What
DO you mean?" she cried. "For me to
kill you? Shame!"
"You are too excited-all I asked
you was to take the trouble to crook
your fnger-and I'll never speak tc
you again-you'll have your wish for
ever.'
'Shame!"
"Why shame?" he retorted. II mean
what I say. If you meant what Won
said, why don't you put it out of nv
power ever to speak to you? Do you
want me to pull the trigge1R'
II told you once I'm not an assaa,
s!n-how dare you ask me to do such
thing?" she criel furiously.
Call y~ur uncle" he suggested
coolly. You may hold this meantime
so you'll know he's in no danger. Take
my gun and cali your uncle"
"Shame on you"
: "Call Gale-call any man in the gap
they'll jump at the chance"
"You are a cold-blooded, brutal
wretch-I'm sorry I ever helped YOU
I'm sorry I ever let you help me-Tm
sorry ever saw you'll"
/; She sprang away before he could
interpose a word. He stood stunned
by the suddenness of her outburst, try
ing to listen and to breathe at the
same time. He heard the front door
close, and stood waiting. But no fur
Their sound from the house greeted his
ears.
"And I thought" he muttered to
himself, "that might calm her down a
little. I'm certainly in wrong, now"