The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-01-07
HE CAME AT LAST.
How Brave "Masther Shane" Ee-
turned to Patient, Wait
ing Kathleen.

ing Kathleen.
Picture to yourself a neat little figure,
habited in a rustling brown silk gown, point
lace cap and collar, and black mittens; a
small elderly lady with mild, wandering
blue eyes, and tremulOus mouth, whose
uncertain glance and shrinking manner
spoke of some terrible shock sustained by
the nervous system in days gone by. Such
was Miss Moonshee when l first made her
acquaintance.
was the daughter of a Melbourne NOR
chant, and born and brought up in that city ;
but at the date of my story (1S72) we had
removed to Richmond, a suburb of the Vic
torian capital. A strong, active girl of sew
enteen. was daily in the habit of walking
up to town to attend classes at a school in
- Street. During my walk to and fro
from Melbourne l was more than once
struck by the appearance of one of the cot
tages which passed. 1t was neat little
place, painted white, with green veranda
posts. The windows which faced the road
were full OF rare geraniumS and ferns; and
the trinity kept garden-plOt was planted
with all manner of fragrant Old-fashioned
flowers and herbs. 1t was the lady of the
cottage, however, who, even more than her
pleasant surroundings, interested me-
When the sun shone she was always to be
seen. dressed in the fashion l have already
described, seated under the veranda in a
low chair buslly engaged in netting. Like
Penelope's web, her task seemed endless,
and she seldom raised her eyes from her
work, which engrossed all her attention.
An old Irishwoman, who was continually
lowering about, either wedding or watering
the garden, appeared to be her only domes-
tic, but was soon to become better &C
quainted with both lady and servant
One hot January afternoon l was plod-
ding slowly homeward, my mind full OF q
certain stiff German exercise required by
Herr H on the morrow. In my pre-oc-
cupation was in the act of passing the
white cottage with the green veranda
posts without looking, as | usually did to
see if the old lady was in her accustomed
place when cry of unmistakable anguish
from the interior arrested my steps. To
unlatch the garden gate and hurry up to
the front door was the work of a moment.
There, however, / paused, undecided
whether to knock and offer my services, or
retrace my steps. While | hesitated the
door WINS opened from within, and the old
IrishwOman presented herself, reckoning
me to enter. Silently followed her into a
prettily furnished sitting groom, bright with
pictures books and flowers. This much
took in at the first glance; my second rested
on the evident cause of the old Irish
~oman's distresS-the pale, inanimate form
of her mistress, which lay stretched on a
couch near the window. The poor lady
was in dead faint, phase of indispo-
sition sufficiently alarming to her faithful
domestic, who, in an agony of tears, asked
if it was any use to send for the doctor.
Now had had considerable experience in
the treatment of fainting fits, my mother
being unhappily subject to frequent lapses
into Inconsistencies. from which, acting
under the doctors orders, l had generally
been successful in recovering her. | there
fore spoke reasSuringly to old Mally-she
had told me her name-and at once set
about applying the reStoratives to the in
valid that had found 50 useful on former
occasions. In a short time we had the salts
faction of seeing the poor lady open her
ewes and fix bewildered look on her maid,
who was on her knees by the couch. Her
glance then rested on me with puzzled
expression.
You have been ill., l explained, gently,
''and Mally and have been trying to make
you better"
lit is very good of you to take so much
trouble with a foolish old woman, nv
dear" she replied. in n weak voice; and the
ghost of a smile fitted over her pallid face.
Gould and foolish :" Indignantly repeated
Mally, furtively drying her eyes on her
apron, and turning beaming face towards
her mistress. Sure, it's Joking you are,
Miss Kathleen. And what would MastheT
Shane say, did he hear you miscalling his
sweet Kerry roses"
The old Irishwoman's words had a
wonderful effect on the invalid. A faint
pink flush suffused her cheeks her eyes
shone, so that for the moment she looked
almost pretty. The change, however, was
but fleeing. The color quickly faded, her
eyes resumed their usual expression, and
murmuring something TO the effect that one
is always fair to those who love one, she
closed her eyes, as if to shut out some dis
agreeable recollection. Presently she said
in a low, entreating voice: 20, Shane, darl-
ing, why do you ingerl Old age is creeping
on, and / am weary of waiting-oh, so
weary" And as she spoke, the tears
trickled slowly down her thin cheeks.
Iwes glad when the entrance of the maid
with the tea things reused her. Desiring
Mally to place the tray on a small table
beside her, the little lady sat up, and in
sisted on pouring out cup of tea for me,
apologizing, while handing me the bread
and butter, for what she called her rude
ness. Il was overcome with old memories,
my dear, so hope you will excuse me.'
The tea was strong, and under its stinu-
4ating influence my hostess became quite
talkative. She told me her name Was
Kathleen Moonshee; that she was by birth
a native of County Kerry, Ireland, but had
been for more than thirty years resident in
Victoria But have never quite liked
the colony, my dear" she said in her gentle
way; "end Mally and would have left il
long ago, but for reason of our own.
There is a friend, very dear friend, who
has promised to join us some day soon, il
may be to-day" and her eyes frightened.
81 can not tell for certain, however. But
when he does come we shall all 60 home
together to the cool, green Kerry meadows
and its beautiful lakes. You have heard, ]
dare say, of the lakes of Killarneys''
admitted / had read of them, but begged
her to describe them, which she did in q
rather rambling fashion, stopping fire.
quentiy TO inquire if she were wearying me.
AT last the clock warned me that it was
getting late, and rose TO go.
Am to have the pleasure of seeing you
again!n asked Miss Moonshee, as she took
my proffered hand. "Mally and are not
very entertaining, but. we should be de-
lighted to see you if you care to Gomez
Il shall be very pleased TO come" 70