The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-01-09
HE CAME AT LAST.
How Brave 'Masther Shane" Re.
turned to Patient, Watt
ing Kathleen.

Picture to yourself neat little figure
habited in rustling brown silk gown, point
lace cap and collar, and black mittens; o
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 | first made hel
acquaintance.
was the daughter of Melbourne mer
chant, and born and brought up in that city
but at the date of my story QS72) we had
removed to Richmond, a suburb of the Vic
torian capital. strong, active girl of sew.
enteen, l 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 tho fsseia,, h.EEs al,,ss5y
described, seated under the veranda in q
low chair busily 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.
hAA IraA Id
ding slowly hOmeward, my mind full of q
certain stiff German exercise required by
Herr H on the morrow. In my pre-oc
cupation I was in the act of passing the
white cottage with the green veranda
posts without looking, as | usually did tc
see if the old lady was in her accustomed
place, when a cry of unmistakable anguish
from the interior arrested my steps. TC
unlatch the garden gate and hurry up tc
the front door was the work of a moment
There, however, | paused, undecided
whether to knock and offer my services, OF
retrace my steps. While ] hesitated the
door was opened from within, and the ole
Irishwoman presented herself, beckonine
me to enter. Silently ! followed her into
prettily furnished sittingroom, bright will
pictures, books and flowers. This much
took in at the first glance; my second resteC
on the evident cause of the old Irish
woman's distress-the pale, inanimate form
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 il
the treatment of fainting fits, my mother
being unhappily subject to frequent lapse
into Inconsistencies, from which, acting
under the doctors orders, | had generally
been successful in recovering her. l there
fore spoke reassuringly to old Malaysia
had told me her name-and at once Sc
about applying the reStOrativeS to the in
valid that l had found so useful on forme
occasions. In a short time we had the salts
faction of seeing the poor lady open he
eyes and fix a bewildered look on her maid
who was on her knees by the couch. He
glance then rested on me with puzzlet
expression.
"You have been ill., explained, gently
Sand Mally and have been trying to max
ut is very good of you to take so muc
trouble with a foolish old woman, m
dear" she replied, in weak voice and ii
ghost of smile fitted over her pallid fac
Gould and foolish l'' Indignantly repeatt
Mally, furtively drying her eyes on h
apron, and turning beaming face towar,
her mistress Sure, it's joking you az
Miss Kathleen And what would Masth
Shane say, did he hear you miscalling b
The old Irishwoman's words had
wonderful effect on the invalid. A fail
pink flush suffused her cheeks, her ey
sbone, so that for the moment she lookC
almost pretty The change, however, WI
but feeting The color quickly faded h
eyes resumed their usual expression, al
murmuring something to the effect that OIL
is always fair to those who love one, 81
closed her eyes, as if to shut out some d
agreeable recollection. Presently she sa
in a low, entreating voice: so, Shane, dal
ing, why do you linger! Old age is creepn
on, and 1 am weary of waiting-oh,
wearyp' And as she spoke, the tea
trjckled slowly down her thin cheeks.
/ was glad when the entrance of the ma
with the tea things reused her. Desirir
Mally to place the tray on a small tab
beside her, the little lady sat up, and i
sisted on pouring out a cup of tea for m
apologizing, while handing me the bret
and butter, for what she called her rud
ness. II was overcome with old memorie
my dear, so hope you will excuse me
The tea was strong, and under its slim
lating influence my hostess became qui
tallative. She told me her name WI
Kathleen Moonshee; that she was by Dirt
native of County Kerry, Ireland, but hs
been for more than thirty years resident
Victoria. But | have never quite like
the colony, my dear" she said in her gent