The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-10-25

MIN Sic Sdlu W utISCll llo
have no more Kisses" But his ardent en-
brace had disturbed her; never in her life
had she been more passionately kissed, and
she could not help thinking that Shad Ryley
was proper man. If it had been sug-
gested to her that it was possible woman
could love two men at one time, she would
have Indignantly repealed the inslnuallon.
1t is really an open question. Love has
never yet been properly analysed, nor have
its limits been accurately ascertalned and
defined
From the date If this conversation the as
pect of affairs underwent a change. Pat be-
came less coy, though he still held off; but
he appeared to be warming, and Rachel Ca
ry absolutely forced kiss from him-that
is to say she shamed one from him. She
had to thank Shad for it. He twitted his
brother in her presence OF his over-modesty,
and said that women loved men either to treat
them badly or to be little too bold. Either
course set them on fire, if they loved a fell
low; and Shad declared to behave as Pat
was behaving, neither one thing nor the
other, was absolut, y shameful.
'Give her kiss, Pat" he cried, ''for my
part. don't care a fgn' Here he snapped
his fingers. 81 love her better than you do,
though she'll not believe it. But what care
| how fair she be, if she be not fair for
me?' That's what the old saying is, isn't
it? Look, here, now, join your hands
Pat has pretty hand, hasn't he?-and give
you both brothers consent and blessing.
Will that satisfy you, Rachel Cary? Giving
my heart away 50 freely? But l wouldn't
give you to anybody but m brother Pat.
Mind lhat I'd fight anybody else for you,
that / would, if he were the best man Ill The
world! But can't fight my own brother
Pat, even though you've set your heart on
him, and given him the place l ought to
hold. know by my own feelings, that love
can't be controlled. You do like me little
don't you, Rachel?'
Yes, l do, Shad,'' she said, somew hat
confused. more than little Bit" And
she cast eep's eyes at Pat, who was look
ing earnestly at the pair OF them.
Il must be content with that said Shad.
81 believe if Pat were out of the way you
would say, 'Shad, my man, here's my
hand.' For you are bound 10 become Mrs.
Ryiey-youve pledged your word 10 it,.
Come, confess-if you were not so much in
love with Pat L should stand a chance.
Honest, now, or I'll never believe there's
faith in woman!'
Indeed Shad Ryley," said Rachel over
come by his vehemence, ''you are Lot en-
tirely wrong"
(Which means that am entirely right.
Kiss her, Pat, and seal the bargain. I'll
turn my head
Rachel looked so bewitchingly at Pat that
he mustered courage and kissed her on the
cheek. Now, Shad had kissed her on the
lips, and was altogether holder and more
manly. 'Well," reflected Rachel, "Shad
is bigger, and stronger, and older-more
used to it than Pat" The young one would
i'm rove in time; she would help him to-.
And she tried to make herself believe that
she did not care much for man who had
such spice of the devil in him as Shad Ry-
ley had. Then why did she keep thinking
of him SO much? Woman's riddle.
But, notwithstanding that all was settled,
there was no regular love-making between
Pat and Rachel. The brothers never
missed an evening at the Rose, Shamrock
and Thistle, and Shad would sing his songs
there and make the walls ring with his
fresh, clear voice. Nothing could induce
Pat to sing His speaking voice was so
musical that it was next door to a certainty
he could sing beautiful song, but he could
not be prevailed upon. Rachel pestered
and coaxed and worried him, until he was
at last compelled to give her promise.
''Pll sing you a song" said Pat, "when
the Bradys come out"
Everybody on Jackass Flat knew about the
Bradys, and score of young fellows, fired
by Shad's description of his friends, had
made up their minds to lay siege to the sew
en- Brady lasses the moment they set foot
on the gold diggings. 1t got to be the say
ing, "When the Brays come out" When
the event occurred, so much was to be done
this, hat and the other. Shad and Pat
were already putting up tent for them,
and preparing to make them comfortable.
''There will be seven wives for the seven
best men on Jackass Flat,' said Shad
There will be regular happy family of
u.s.
81 suppose" suggested Rachel Cary, with
a slight pang, ''you will be marrying one of
them yourself, Shad Ryey.''
Some women are remarkably like the dog
in the Manager They won't have a man
themselves, and they don't want any other
woman to have him.
81 might do worse" said Shad; "they
are comely lasses. There's Norah-I defy
you to match her. A complexion like milk
and roses"
"Bless my hearth cried Rachel, in a tone
so tart that it must have deprived her bless
ing of much of its sweetness. "Then it's
Norah you'll marry?"
II will If she'll have me and you don't
see any objection"
''Oh, never fear me, Shad Ryley," ex-
claimed Rachel loftily, II shan't object"
Il shall ask you, anyhow" said Shad,
''before ask Norah."
that the overland mail was signalled from
the Heads, and Jackass Flat went wild with
excitement. That was always the way when
the mail arrived from home. This present
mail had met with mishaps. The steamer
had broken her screw and been delayed for
nearly four weeks. Here it was, however,
safe al last, and ii brought letter from
Matthew Brady saying that he and his seven
sisters and parents were in the good ship
Joe and Willie; and the very day after this
letter was delivered came the news that the
Joe and Willie was in port.
"Pat," said Shad Ryley, putting his arms
around his brother, "God bless your
''God bless you, Shad," said Pat.
If you think there is anything unmanly in
two brothers kissing each other, you are, of
course, welcome to your opinion, In GER
tain established forms of manliness there is
a dash of snobbism, which, ON occasion,
could be advantageously dispensed with.
Anyhow, very tender feeling existed be-
tween these two brothers, and there was
nothing unmanly in their kissing each other
at this moment.
Two days afterward Shad prese, ted him
self at the Rose, Shamrock and Thistle at
an unusually early hour.
Rachel" he said, ''the Bradys have ar
rived, and are no. in their tent setting
things to rights. Pat can't leave his friends
and he wants you to come to the Bradys this
evening to shake hands with them. If you
like I'll be here at nine o'clock to show YOU
the way"
THANK you kindly, Shad," said Rachel,
''Fll be ready for you.'
you'll be happy woman tonight" said
Shad, in a tone of tender regret, "for, says
Pat to ne, 'Shad, if Rachel Cary, in the
presence of the Bradys, asks me to marry
her, I'll not hold out moment longer. I've
treated her cruelty What do you think of
that Rachel?''
pats an angel" replied Rachel "Was
right or wrong in saying I'd bear no other
name than Mrs. Ryley?"
Right, hope" said Shad softly, as he
took his leave.
He presented himself at o'clock to the
minute, and arm in arm he and Rachel
walked from the township to Jackass Flat.
1t was a beautiful night; the air was sweet.
and before them in the clear sky shone the
Southern Cross.
Which is my starr" unused Shad aloud,
looking up SIS it that one The pointed to
the brightest in the heavens) or that?" His
outstretched finger traced the swift descent
of star falling into the black chasm of
space.
1T is the bright one," said Rachel.
fsT hOpa so''