Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-12-31

mere Is Ilenu, VINO mas PROMISED
to Join us some day soon. it may be
today" and her eyes frightened. IL
cannot tell for certain, however. But
when he does come we shall all 90
home tcgetherto the cool, green Kerry
meadows and its beautiful lakes. You
have heard. dare say, of the lakes oil
Killarney"
admitted had read of them, but
begged her to describe them, which
she did in n rather rambling fashion,
stopping frequently to inquire ii she
were wearying me. At last the clock
warned me that it was getting late,
and rose to 90.
cam to have the pleasure ofseeing
you AGAIN." asked Miss Moonshee, as
she took my proifered hand. "Mally
and | are not very entertaining, but
we should be delighted to see you ii
you care to come"
81 shall be very pleased to come" /
replied, and shaking her hand heartily,
took my leave, being followed to the
gate by the old Irish woman, calling
down blessings on my head.
When told the story of my adven-
ture at home, at the same time de-
claring my intention OF paying
Miss Moonshee an early visit, my
father patted me on my cheek. please
yourself, Polly" he said, "but am
inclined to think your new friend is
neither more nor less than harmless
lunatic."
My fathers opinion OF Miss Moon
shee did not greatly astonish me.
There was decidedly something pecul-
lar about her; but, argued ]. that is
no reason why | should not fulfill my
promise. SO 1t came about that two
days later / again found myself in the
little iady's parlor This visit proved
the torerunner OF many more, until,
from an occasional caller at the white
cottage with the green veranda posts,
| became the daily visitor and init
mate friend OF It's mistress. had
learned to love poor little Miss Moon
shee with a protecting fondness such
rs the young and strong sometimes
entertain for the old and weak. More
over, to me she seemed the embodi-
ment OF that old world refinement
that, assertive young colonial as
was, l could thoroughly appreciate.
Irish lady, looking eagerly for my COM
ing, and following me with wistful
glances when ! took my leave. She
spoke but seldom OF her past, and al
though advertlng at times to her long
expected friend, seemed, on the whole.
to prefer drawing me on TO talk OF my
school friends and studies. Then, on
a Saturday afternoon, she would war
BILE plaintive Irish ballads to her harp
in a wonderfully clear, true voice, the
sound OF which always drew old NAL
~ from the kitchen. | was accustom-
ed on these occasions to sing THE
Nearin o the Green to a piano ac-
and when Mally's ma
tIonal enthusiasm was sufficiently
stirred 10y its irresistible passion and
pathos to dash into n JIG, thereby set
ting the old lady TO capering like a
true daughter OF Erin.
Mally invariably apologized to her
mistress for shaking her foot, as she
termed the antics she INDUCED in; then
bestowing an admiring glance on me,
usually added insinuatingly Sure,
Miss, nobody as hadn't drop of the
real ould blood could lift the tune rs
you do"
you think she has Kerry blood in
her veins, Mally?" Miss Moonshee
would say, with II smile.
'Sorra a doubt OF it; and ifMasther
Shane heard her play The Rocky
Roads to Dublin, he'd say the same"
The little lady's face always redden-
ed at the mention of the foregoing
name. and noticed that Immediately
she became restless, max.
ing frequent excursions to the window,
from viii, h she returned signing heavi-
ly. / had long ago identified
"Masther Shane" with the dear
friend whose advent she anticipated.
"Some old lover" ! said to myself.
knocking about the world, but still
expected by the faithful
heart, that believed IN vows long since
forgotten by the wanderer" Was
this how matters stood, or was the
much talked. OF friend a phantom of
poor little Miss Moonshee's weak
brain?
/ put the question rather abruptly
to old Mally one day when engaged in
her parrot in the kitchen:
"Who rs Mr.. Shane? and do you real.
~ expect him?"
The old lrishwoman' face went as
white as the table napkin she was
ironing. What put it into your pref
ty head to ask" she inquired, COAX
ingly, but with a suspicious glance.
"Well, Mally, ! have thought more
than once that, as the Scotch say, he
Is lang In comm"
You may well say long Miss" re-
turned old Mally, tearfully. "Tisnt
in this world Miss Kathleen will ever
set eyes Oh him"
You dom ueanto say hei deady"
exclaimed.
The old woman nodded mournfully,
then asked in u whisper il was quite
sure her mistress was asleep. Yes.
was quite sure; she had dozed off while
was playing one of my simple lula
bies, and when | stole from the room
had fallen into ~ profound slumber
"The saints send her dreamsof Mas
her Shane" piously calculated Mally, /
who, like her mistress, belonged 10 the /
'ould religion" "for tbs the only com
Ar. al 4