, 1884-01-27
MRS. RooNEYs TWINS.


now 40 you Iulnk ne VIII Dear III I'M y
what worrits me. He's little used TO bein'
refused his will, an Pm fearin' he'll take it
to heart don't like to have trouble como
to the lad no more nor you do, and Two al
ways stood 'twixt him and harm whenever
l could. Don't forget that, mother, what
ever happens; and plaise God I'll
do it now though, bedad," he
muttered, scratching his head with a per-
picked frown, Il wish TO me soul there was
two of me"
''Oh, well,' says his mother, ''girls is a
crooked, contrary lot, anyhow-though l
haven't a word to say as yet agin' Katy Sui
livan, and l wouldn't forgit the whole bottle
o. medicine she fetched me when l was sick o.
the favor It's a warm heart she has, and
sinse enough in her head, III warrant Au'
If she has the two, she can't turn away n nice,
gintlemanly by like our Jamesey. But she
added, firing up with sudden Jealous wrath,
''may the divil fly away with the other one
as stands atween en-, whoever he isl'
"A dFoii look came into Patsey's face-a
mixture Of pain and amusement
"Ah, now, mother dear " he said, coaxingly,
putting his arm around her and looking up
into her face, ''you wouldn't be that hard on
any poor lad for fallin' in love with a girl
like Katy Sullivan, would we, nowr'
His voice trembled In spite of his efforts to
speak lightly.
well, thin, an l would,n she persisted,
IAN more too, when it goes agin' my Jamesey.
My curses on him, whoiver he be, 1 sayi But
lave me alone, now; | must go to my work"
and she put him away u little roughly, and
went out Of the room.
"My own mother would curse me-, he NUT
tered. "No, il must not bef'
He looked up to the colored print OF the
Virgin hanging over the mantel, and made n
silent ron Of remuneration. Whatever hap
pened, he would never stand between Jamesey
and happiness.
Poor, laundering, supplemented Patseyi
1t nev r occurred to him that his brothers
welfare might not be as dear 10 another as to
himself: and so, with the spirit Of martyrdom
strong within him, he went to see Katy for
the express purpose OF resigning all his own
claims upon her and speaking u good word
FOR Jamesey.
Ho could not stide a throb Of happiness as
they met at the door, and he held her hand
for one moment in his; but, fearing lest his
courage might fail, he sat right down before
her and plunged ut once into the middle OF
the subject.
katy, says he, clearing his throat loudly,
81 have come to spake a good word or two
for me brother Jamesey. Ye see-he has
taken a fancy toto marry you; an | was
fearin' that might be In the way like; an
bein' as he is 80 much more Suitable for u
girl like yourself-so much more of n gintls-
man than me, We know-I ave come
to tell ye that l am willin'-I mean
said poor Patsey, looking up sud.
denly, and seeing by Raty's face
that he was going wrong-'1 mean"
he repeated desperately, that l can't niver,
niver marry We myself, since Jane
sey has set his heart on vel God's curse and
me own mothers would be foriver upon
mel'
"An' do you think because you have always
given up everything to Jamesey Rooney that
you win find me willin' TO do the sameF' ex-
claimed Katy bitterly, "Let me tell you,
then, that all the curses of hell should not
brighten me into marryin' himr'
'.Ah, now, that is no way to speakln said
Patsey with some show Of dignity; Tn sure
We might do worse than marry a nice lad like
Jamesey.n
mice lad, indeedln retorted Katy with "a
grimace of disgust ''Hark now'-shaking
her finger saucily in his face-"I wouldn't
marry him-no, not IL he had a mine o. dia-
monds in both of his Habby cheeksl An
more, toon she continued boldly: IL should
hate him II he wasn't the twin of the dearest
boy in the worldr'
She beamed on Patsey in one of her bright
est. tenderest smiles.
Poo Patsey trembled and covered his face
with his hands to shut it out.
katy, Katyi' he murmurcd helplessly,
"your smile warns me heart like a cup o. tay,
in spite o. me. How can you love the likes o.
meri
How can IF' Knocked Katy. because,
don't ! know that it's the kindest, most giner-
Gus heart in the world that makes a fool of
,..r D.e" G-.1a.. -. ImI - 49, -
give me away in a hurry she said
laughing. ~ am like the lottery ticket you
had, Patsey-'not transferable mind nowT'
Poor Patsey host his heart entirely, and,
frantic with the love and pain her sweetness
stirred, he fell on his knees before her.
katy, che sobbed, 81 have made u solemn
vow TO the Virgin that I'll never stand 'twixt
you and JRmesey; 40 l cannot, must not
marry you'll But | will love and worship 70
all me life; an IL ever / can die for yc, just
let me know
MAKE your mind aisy now; I'll call on ye,
niver fear" she answered with a twinkle in
her eye. but you'd better live for me a
while longer; Jamesey may change his mind,
ye know"
A little later. whenJ amesey went a-wooing
Katy in all the ponp OF his billed shirt and
bosom pin, his white hands and 'iligant'
manners-in spite of all, he was rejected,
laughed Mt and sent Off about his business
Jamesey felt mortified and astonished
beyond degree, and almost doubted his own
identity MS he slowly wendell his way home,
so new and strange was the experience OF
being unAppreciated.
After his anger had somewhat cooled, he
began 10 think of Katy herself; to remember
her laughing eyes and ssucy, bewitching
ways.
And knowing now that he could not win
her, he straightway began to fancy that he
was madly in love with her and TO look upon
himself in the interesting light of u broken
hearted lover.
In this romantic character he introduced
himself on his arrival at home, where the
cornmotion he caused must nave somewhat
soothed his wounded vanity.
His mothers surprise and vexation were
equal to Jameseys own, and Patsey, though
he said but little, went on to bed with a bur
den Of trouble on his heart compared to which
theirs was as nothing.
''Sure, Mother Rooney said Jamesey, a
few days afterward, as the little family sat at
supper ''its into u decline I'm goin' fast;
your Jamesey'n die young"
ooh, now. don't say thhtr' she remoD-
strated, passing him the last muffin
ON the plate, which he took and
ate with evident relsihL 'JHmesey Rooney
wouldn't 10y down an die because a slip OF a
girl turns a cold shoulder on himl'
But mother, ye don't snow what Is
blighted love, Pm %thinkin',' said Janesey,
heaving II prodigious sigh.
mo more | don't then,r she answered,
laughing. II niyer cared two stiaws for your
father at his best, though he swore he wor.
shipped me very shadder, and when he took To
drink and hate tho life out o. me, It was tired
OF love l was then intirely. II all the men n
the world was offered in II row 10 me his
night, l wouldn't take the gift No, nor me
pick O. the bssti They're a bad lot and a
dirty LOT nlWaya a-cDnini In with that's