New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1882-02-08
KATHLEEN AOUsHLA,

It was a pleasant night in early
spring. The air was balmy, the earth
was green, a host of stars laughed in
the twill ght skies, the scent of sprin cling
grass and blowing flowers was sweet
and he heavy w.: But genial atmosphere sphere
could, none of them. bring joy to the
eyes and heart of Kathleen Donovan,
waiting to bid goodbye to her lover
before he would journey to the New
World.
Kathleen was the only child of a
farmer-a man growing old, and but
just able to maintain lis own now
against the increasil g hardness Of tho
''times," and me greed of landowners;
but one who had always hell himself
above the commoner peasantry, and his
daughter above all ordinary mortals.
Despite her fathers idolatry, however,
and the pride which he had fostered in
her, Kathleen had been so unwise as to
fall in love with idle Philip Bracy, who
had nothing to recommend him to any
girl but his handsome face and ardent
eyes.
Great was the surprise among the
villagers when the young man dared to
show openly his admiration of proud
Kathleen Donovan; and still greater
was it when it became evident that the
girl encouraged his address. But as
the good folk had foreseen and prophe-
sled, there came day Of reckoning
for Phil Bracy as soon as farmer Dono-
van discovered what every one of his
neighbors had learned before him-that
the young people were in love with
each other, Phil was assailed with the
most abusive language, and forbidden
to ever pass a g ood-day'' with Kath-
leen in future, and even Kathleen her.
self was frightened at her fathers
anger.
In vain she pleaded for her lover, and
asked mercy for herself. She was
hidden to choose between the idle lad
who was the scorn of all decent folk,
and the father who had toiled early and
late for her for years. If she chose
Phil Bracy she should go out from her
home weighted with her fathers curses.
If she chose 70 stay by her parent in his
lonely old age, she must never speak
to Phil; nor see him, nor think of him
again.
THAT is not for me to promise, faith
err" she said sullenly, at last. us it
not enough that give him upP'
And so she wrote her lover letter,
and sent it. by trusty servant. and
months passed, and the two never met.
But Kathleen was not ignorant of her
lovers plans. She knew he had become
as industrious as he had been idle; and
that for her sake lie was going to leave
old Ireland and seek home across the
seas. And, so, when he sent to her to
meet him and say good-bye-right or
wrong-Kathleen obeyed the summons.
1t was the first time she had disregard
ed her fathers commands; but she
might never see Phil in this life again
never again!
She stole through the summer dusk
to the trysting place, with blue eyes
dimmed, and all the gay vermilion
washed from her cheeks by her many
tears. Her jetty hair, and the vivid
shawl wrapped about her head and
shoulders, Only made her face more des-
olate and ghastly by contrast.
Kathleen! Is it you, cushla?' call
ed low voice as she neared the mead
ow stile where Phil Bracy awaited
her.
For answer, Kathleen sprang forward
and flung herself sobbing upon her
lovers breast. wreathing her arms
about his neck and hiding her quivering
face against his shoulder.
''Mavourneen! Mavourncen - he
whispered, passionately, and held her
Of IN IF h IL,