Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-07
He FOrgave Them.


Sand do you discard me forever, Gertrude
Gilhooley?''
81 do" was the answer in low. sweet voice.
while pair of soft brown eyes sufftlsed with
tears looked tendery up at Sebastian Mccarthy.
You know that my heart is yours and that l
would gladly give thee my hand, but papa says
nay, and when he twitters the procession is apt
to move'-and, saying this. the girl buried her
face in her hands and sobbed convulsivey
"But think again, Gertrude" said the young
man in eager, anxious tones ''See if thv
woman wit may not discover aught that will
avail to make our future pathway bright. l
have loved you too long too earnestly to resign
the prize SO eagerly sought without struggle -
''Let me think" said the Lady Gertrude.
brushing back from her fair forehead the bang
which so gracefully o'erhung its pearIy surface,
and placing carefully On the toe Of statue of
Mercury. which stood in the conservatory. a
generous hunk of chewing gum for which she
had no immediate use. standing silently bv a
marble Psyche for moment, she turned sud-
denly to Sebastian.
You know the Mulcaheys % she said
"They whose mOated castle frets the sky on
Archer avenue 2"
AYE, the same"
"Get thee thither with all speed. and when
you have crossed the drawbridge and tethered
your palfrey in the terraced court knock boldly
on the front door, but relax not your vigilance
an you love me, for the MuIcaheys come of
Norman blood and keep dog. When the portal
shall De opened and you are admitted to the
presence OF my aunt, the Lady Constance Null
cahey, say to her that her favorite niece. Ger
trude, seeks her aid; that cruel father would
wed her to one she loves not. Tell her
that about four o'clock tomorrow afternoon
when the sun is gliding the shot-tower a cas-
socked Justice of the Peace will appear at Castle
Mulcahey. and that shall soon follow with my
bOnny bridegroom. Do you understand"
81 am on" replied Sebastian, land by NV
halidom the plan is good one" and kissing
Gertrude trustfully under the left ear he went
down the front steps and was soon lost to
view.
"And so my pretty niece would fain marry
you'll!
1t was the Lady Constance Mulcahey who
spoke these words, and the one to whom she
addressed them was Sebastian Mccarthy.
1.-The plan is good one, she continued. tap
ping gently with brOOm-handle the dainty foot
that peeped from beneath her robe. 1.-THE Earl
is working on the North Side this week, and
shall not hear the clank of his dinner pail until
nearly seven m, that all will be over ere he
comes. You may tell Cert that will be fixed
for her."
A cold, clear afternoon in the festal Christmas
tide. Up Archer avenue came with merry tin
kle of bell and proud prancing of blOOded steeds
drawing room horse car No. 176 In one corner
of the vehicle sat Gertrude and Sebastian
nestled close to each other like little birds in
the merry, agueish springtime. Presently the
car stopped. Sebastian was on his feet at once,
his face expressing plainly the indignation that
sw ept over his soul.
81 prithee, do not leave me-" said Ger
trude, grasping his ulster with a convulsive
clutch.
Fear not, sweetest. / go but to see what
bastard has dared to stop my faithful steeds."
He soon came back, and saying with merry
sigh, sit is freight train on the Darlington
crossing" again clasped Gertrude to his vest.
The car moved on anon, and soon the happy
couple were safe in the Castle Mulcahey.
The words that bound Gertrude and Sebas-
tian together with the silken tether of matri-
mony had been said, and the happy groom had
planted on the lips of his bride large three
story and basement nuptial kiss when suddenly
the door of the room was opened, and PythagO-
ras Gilhooley, Duke Of Galway, stood before the
happy couple.
s.Forgive me, father" said Gertrude placing
her soft white arms about his neck and looking
wistfully into his eyes.
Removing from his mouth a two-inch pipe.
and setting his dinner-pail on the aeqere. the
Duke of Galway said, in clear, calm tones:
''Yez are all forgiven. Divfl o much care II
We were jned o year ago"-and with these words
he silently took q chew of hard tobacco and was
gone. From 1.-THE Siren and the Sucker" by
Aasr1 Hdlstead