Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-04-15
Gales ann Sketfbts.
En- HAsqrE.
CONTINUED from Yesterday.

became less coy, although he still held
off; but he appeared to be warming, and
Rachel Cary absolutely forced a 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 for his
over-modesty, and said that women loved
men either to treat them badly or TO be a
little too bold. Either course set them on
fire. if they loved a fellow; and Shad de-
clared that to behave as Pat was behaving
neither one thing nor the other, was alb
solutely shameful.
"Give her kiss Pat" he cried; ''for
my part | don't care fgr' Here he
snapped his fingers. Il love her better
than You do, though she'll not believe me.
But what care how fair she be, If she be
not made for me? That's what the old
song says. isn't its Look here. now,
Join your hands-Pat has pretty hand,
too, hasn't he ?-and | give you with a
brothers consent and blessing. Will that
satisfy you, Rachel Cary? Giving my
heart awav so freely? But | wouldn't
Mind that. I'd fight anv one else for
in the world! But can't fight my broth
err Pat even though you've set your heart
on him and given him the place | ought
to hold. know by my own feelings that
love can't be controlled. You do like me
a little bit. don't you. Rachel ~
ayes, do, Shad." she said. somewhat
confused, more than little Bit" And
she cast sleeps eyes at Pat, who was
looking earnestly at the pair of them.
Il must be contented with that" said
Shad. Il believe il Pat were out of the
way you would say: .Shad. my man,
here's my hand. For you are bound to
become Mrs. Ryley, you've pledged your
word to it. Come. confess-if You are not
so much in love with Pat, | should stand
chance. Honest, now, or III never be-
licve there's faith in woman"
..Indced. Shad Ryley." said Rachel,
overcome by his vehemence, ''you are not
entirely wrong"
(which means that I'm entirely right.
Kiss her, Pat aud seal the bargain. III
turn my head"
Rachel looked So bcwtching at Pat that
he mustered courage and kissed her on
the check Now Shad had kissed her on
the lips, and was altogether holder and
more manly Well reflected Rachel .Shad
is bgger-and strongcr-and older-morc
used to it than Pat The young one would
improve in time she would help him to.
And she tried to make herself believe that
she did not care for a man who had such
spice of the devil in him as Shad Ryley
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
again with his fresh, clear voice. Nothing
could induce Pat to sing. His speaking
voice was so musical that it was next door
to certainty he could sing a beautiful
song. but he could not be prevailed upon.
Rachel pestered and coaxcd, and worried
him. until he at last was compelled to give
her promise
"I'll sing you song, said Pat, "when
the Bradys come out
Everybody on .Iackass Flat knew about
the Bradvs. and Il score of young fellows,
fired by Shad's description of his friends,
had made up their minds to lay siege to
the seven Brady lasses the moment they
set foot in the gold diggings. 1t got TO be
the saving when the Bradvs come out. y
When the event occurred so much was Ia
be done-this. that and the other. Shad
and Pat were already putting up a tent for
them and preparing to make them com
Portable.
"There will he seven wives Tor the
seven best men on .Iackass Flat SAID
Shad. There will he a regular happy
family of us"
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.
II might do worse" said Shad '.they
are comely lasses. There's Norah--I de
fy you to match hcf. \ complexion like
milk and roses"
BLESS nv heart''' cried Rachel. in Il
tone so tart that it must have deprived hel
blessing of much Gifts sweetness. Then
it's Norah you'll marry?'
IL will if she will have mo-and it you
don't see any objection"
80, never fear me. Shad Ryley' cN-
claimed Rachel loitily Il shan't object
IL shall ask YOU anyhow" said Shad
..beforc ask Norah."
Suddenly one morning it was announced
that the overland mail was signalled from
the Heads. and Jackass Flat went wilC
with excitement. This was always the
way when the mail arrived with new:
from home. The present mail had met
with mishaps. The steamer had broker
her screw. and there mad been Il delay o
nearly four weeks. Here it was. however
safe at last. and it brought letter from
Matthew Brady. saying that he and his
seven sisters aud parents were in the goot
ship Joe and Willie and the very day at
ter this letter was delivered came the news
that the Joe and Willie was in port.
Pat" said Shad Ryley. putting hi
arm around his brother. God bless you.'
God bless you Shad.i said Pat.
II you think there is anything unmanly
in two brothers kissing each other You are
of course welcome to your opinion. In
certain established forms of manliness
there is a dash of snobbism which, or
occasions. could be advantageously dis
pensed with. Anyhow. a very tender
feeling existed between these two brothers,
and there was nothing unmanly in their
kissing each other at this moment.
Two days alterward Shad presented
himself at the Rose. Shamrock and This
tie at an unusually early hour.
Rachel" he said. 1.-THE Bradys have
arrived. and are now in their tent. setting
,hings in order. Pat an'tleave his friends
and nm x,-apfs x-.,t, 10 conn, ~ fha R,.,Iys