The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-03-20

lost their brightness, all reminded him of Mary. He looked closer. It was Mary, certainly and he must conquer his fear and speak 10 her tog the sake of their life long friendship. Must Mary be restless Wanderer because her old comrade failed her? No-a thousand times mol So, with tremendous effort, he conquered his dread.
 Mary, darlin', Is it you?" he faltered.
 %lt is, Teague, dear; it is"
 "An' what is 1t, Mary, that's keepin' you frae your rest2 Sure you had the priest, an he gave you the viaticum?" The voice he knew so we'll answered in accents that pierced his heart: liners nae rest for me. flew up to the gate of heaven, but wouldna be let in, am Pm fyin' about the world in the cold an the rain, or lyin' aback O thon thorn bush Think on me, Teague. in the night time when you ones is comfort able by the freside, an pity me an help me fr the sake of we'er old friendship"
 Help youl" cried the poor man ; sure Id give my hearts blood to help you; but how is 1t to be done2 An why wad you no be let into heaven, a good livin' woman like youS ["
 "rll tell you, Teague," replied the specter "that's what I'n here to tell you It's true that went about my duty regu- lar an knelt wi the congregation in the chapel Sunday after Sunday, an 1 was re- spectit tor good lvin' woman, but in all my lifetime never prayed. My lips would be movin' but my thoughts would be away. When l was young girl I'd be thinkin' of my sweetheart or my dress or the dance at the fair; when was a married woman I'd be frettin about the children, thinkin' ane O them would fall into the fire or another would be drowned in the we'll when was out, an when was old there was frets an apxieties still :; but, anyway, in all them years l nevery prayed, so canna be let in"
 Mary, Mary. poor soul What is 1t l can do for ye5"
 "L;sten, Teaeue. Go to his reverence, Father Dan, an pay him to offer up twa masses for my sinful soul but the money"
 "The money, Mary2 It's here, touch ing his pocket, "aye, if i. was twiste as much-irs here. But how will know that the masses is accepted, an that ye'l Il be let into heaven
 The figure began to fade away, and the voice was fainter.
 "li am forgiven, the night after the second mass is said for me Pl come to you in the form of a white bird, an Pll stand in the window, at the foot of your bed, an sing you beautiful hymn be- fore fly away in heaven"
 The voice died away softly, and just as they reached the fax mill the figure dis appeared. Weary though Teague was that night, he went straight to the priest after supper and told him the strange tale Father Dan took the money and promised to say the masses, encouraging Teague to hope that all would be well with Mary.
 "Come back an tell me if she appears to you again." said he.
 Some days later hs had second visit from Teague.
 "Well, my good man" be began, !" did you get any word from that poor soul?"
 "I did, your reverence-l did" "An' how is 1t VI her now2"
 "Thanhs be to your reverence and the Lord, she got to her rest nowl It was in the night time, an was lyin' on my bed with the blessed rosary in my hands pray. in constant, when 1 heard the fiu,terin' of wings at the window. an then beau. tiful hymn, like one O them hymns that is sung in the chapel on Easter day, was sung, an so l knowed Mary was going to heaven"
 "Did she speak, Teague?"
 Teen word. The hymn sounded fainter and fainter, till 1t was like a wee gentle sough O wind off the Lough, an was ooatent in my mind to think tha, Mary was at rest"
 the scene of another ghostly appearance. The reader must transport himself into imagination across the ferry opposite the mill to the farms lying beneath the hills. from where there was a good view of Teague and Mary's house, and the wild range of mountains behind it.
 Rose Dillon was the prettiest girl in the whole country, and she had many admirers among the rich farmers-any one of whom would have pleased her parents better than the suitor she chose. James Majilton was handsome young man, but he was not rich-he had only the flax mill and poor small farm and three COWS. How vexatious it was that Rose should set her affections upon him, when she could have been mistress of a slated house and fourteen COWS.
 Father Dan was entreated to use his in- fuence, and he did say word or two, representing the worldly advantages of Mike and Sam, Teddy and John. But it was ali to no purpose. Rose blushed and persisted in clinging to James.
 Put your commands on her, your reverence; she wilma go against the church" said her father.
 "No, no; that's not to be done" re. piled the priest. James is a good boy, he pays his dues regular, an is diligent at his duty, an obedient to his church. He deserves a good wife. Let Rose lave him"
 ARer that opposition ceased, of course, and day was fixed for The wedding m