Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-08-05

gngs. 1t got to be the saying, "Whe
the Bradys come out" When the eve,
occurred, SO much was to be done-thi
that and the other. Shad and Pat wei
already putting up tent for them, an
preparing to make them comfortable.
"There will be seven wives for Il
seven best men on Jackass Flat" sal
Shad. s'There will be regular happ
family Of u.s.
81 suppose" suggested Rae ,el Car,
with a slight pang, "you will be marry
ing one OF them yourself, Shad Ryley.
Some women are remarkably like til
dog IN the mapger. They won't have
man themselves, and they don't wan
any other woman to have him.
81 might do worse" said Shad; "the
are comely lasses. There's Norah-
defy you to match her. A complexio
like milk and roses!"
"Bless my heart !" cried Rachel. in
tone SO tart that it must have deprive
her blessing of much of it's sweetness
"then it's Nora you'll marry?"
" will if she'll have me-and if yo,
don't see any objection"
ooh, never fear, me, Shad Ryley!
exclaimed Rachel, lofhly; "I shan't oh
ject."
II shall ask you, anyhow, said shad
"before 1 ask Norah."
Suddenly one morning, it was an
nounced that the overland mail was sig
nailed from the Heads, and Jackass Fla
went wild with excitement. That wa.
always the way when the mail arrived
from home. This present mail haf
met with mishaps. The steamer hai
broken her screw, and there had been {
delay OF nearly fourweeks. Here it was
however, safe at last, and brought let
ter from Matthew Brady, saying that he
and his seven sisters and parents were ir
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
you"
"God bless you, Shad," said Pat.
If you think there is anything unman.
~ in two brothers kissing each other.
you are, of course, welcome to youi
opinion. In certain established forms
OF manhness there is a dash of snobbisn]
which, on occasions, could be advan.
tageously dispensed with. ANYHOW. q
very tender feeling existed between these
two brothers, and there was nothing un-
manly in their kissing each other ut this
moment.
Two days afterward Shad presented
himself at the Rose, Shamrock and This
tie at an unusually early hour.
Rachel" he said, "the Bradys have
arrived, and are now in their tent setting
things to order. 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
o'clock to show you the way"
'Thank you kindly, Shad," said Ra-
thel, "Il be ready for you.
" You'll be happy woman tonight, -
said Shad, in a tone of tender regret;
" for, says Pat to me, 'Shad, if Rachel
Cary, in the presence of the Bradys,
asks me to marry her, I'll not hold out
moment longer. I've behaved cruelty
to her What do you think of that.
Rachel?"
"Pat's an angel" replied Rachel.
" Was right or wrong in saying I'd
bear no other name than Mrs. Ryley ?"
Fright, I hope" said Shad, softly, as
he took his leave.
He presented himself at 8 o'clock to
the minute, and, arm in arm. he and
Rachel walked from the township to
Jackass Flat. It was beautiful night:
the air was sweet, and before them in
the clear sky shone the Southern Cross.
:" Which is my star?' unused Shad,
aloud, looking up. els it that one? "-
he pointed to the brightest in the heav-
ems" or that? ?" His outstretched fin
ger traced the swift descent of star
falling into the black chasm of space.
1T is the bright one," said Rachel.
II hope so.''
You are full of hopes to-day, Shad. "
You never spoke truer words,
Rachel. There's Brady's tent
It had been set up on an elevation,
and through the canvas walls came the
soft glare of lights.
"Any one in % cried Shad.
He was answered by chorus of ioy-
full voices, and he and Rachel were cheer
lily welcomed. She was at home in a
moment. She kissed the girls and the
mother, and shook hands with the old
gentleman, who was trimming over with
pleasant fun, and with Matt, who was
almost as fine man as Shad Ryley.
"This is Norah,' said Shad, pulling
forward lovely lass of eighteen, whose
saucy eyes had already made many a
heart ache.
Somehow or other little cloud came
into Racheps face, for she felt that by
the side of Norah she was number two.
"But where's Pat?" she asked, anx-
iously.
The center of the tent was divided by
a green baize.
"Here," cried Pat, and at the sound
of his voice Matthew Brady stepped to
the partition, held it aside and led forth
pretty demure girl, so like Pat that
Rachel gazed at her in bewilderment.
"Pat p she exclaimed, putting her
hand to her heart. "Patsy, if you
please" said Pat Ryley, with a wistful
look at Rachel. evil you forgive me?
It isn't my fault that I'm a woman"
'Thank God, you are one p cried
my wife if you were not?''
There was silencefor few moments
Rachael Carys eyes were fixed on the
ground; her face and neck were covered
with bushes. Patsy stole to her side
and put his arms about her, and when
Rachel had the courage to look up only
she and the Ryley's were present. The
Brady's had retired behind the baize.
"You might have told me, Patsy o.
whispered Rachel.
"Ah! but forgive mel" pleaded the
girl. eff it was known that I was a
girl, how could I have continued work
ing with Shad? And then my sweet
heart was in Ireland, and T didn't want
to be pestered with other men. Say you
forgive me!'
= "And me!'' said Shad.
She turned to him. If he looked
wickedly or triumphantly at her, his
chances would have been gone. But his
love was too sincere and strong, and she
saw that his eyes were moistened with
tears.
"In keep my word, she said, with q
sigh Of mingled pain and joy. "I'n be
Mrs. Riley"
He caught her in his arms, and almost
u. u