Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-12-31
LITTLE MISS MOONSHEE.
From tho Chambers Journal.


gown, point lace cap and collar, and
black mittens; a small, elderly lady,
with wild, wandering blue eyes and n
tremulous mouth. whose uncertain
glance and shrinking manner told OF
some terrible shock sustained by the
nervous system in days gone by. Such
was Miss Moonshee when first made
her acquaintance.
/ was the daughter of Melbourne
merchant and born and brought up
in that city, but at the date of
my story 1S72) we had removed to
Richmond, n suburb OF the Victorian
capital. A strong active girl of Il,
vas daily in the habit of walking up
to town to attend classes in-street.
During my walk TO and from Mel
bourne i was more than once struck
by the appearance OF one of the cot
tages which passed. IL was a neat
little place, painted white, with green
varanda posts. The windows which
laced the road were full of rare gerani-
ums and ferns, and the trinity kept
garden plot was planted with all man
ner OF fragrant old-fashioned flowers
and herbs. Ii was the lady OF the
cottage, however, VINO, even more
than her pleasant surroundings, in
Inr tA1 " 4. L..
she was always 10 be seen, dressed
in the fashion have already
described, seated under the veranda
in low chair busily engaged in net
ting. Like Penelope's web, her task
seemed endless. and she seldom raised
her eyes from her work, which engross-
I'd all her attention. An old Irish
woman, who was continually lowering
about, either wedding or watering the
garden, appeared to be her only do
nestle. But | was soon to become
better acquainted with both lady and
servant.
One hot January afternoon | was
Flooding slowly homeward, my mind
tuil OF certain stiff German exercise
required by Herr II. on the morrow.
In my pre-occupation was in the act
OF passing the white cottage with the
green veranda posts wit hout looking,
rs usually did, to see If the old lady
was III her accustomed place, when
q cry OF unmistakable anguish
rom the interior arrested my steps.
To unlatch the garden gate and hurry
up to the front door was the work OF
moment. There, however, | paused
undecided whether to knock and offer
my services or retrace my steps.
While ! hesitated the door was opened
from within, and the old Irishwoman
presented herself reckoning me to
enter. Silently | followed her into
prettily furnished sitting room. bright
with pictures, books and flowers.
This much ltook in at the first glance:
my second rested on the evident cause
Of the old lrishwoman's distress-the
pale, inanimate form o: her mistress,
which lay stretched on n couch near
the window. The poor lady was in
dead faint, phase OF indisposition
sufficiently alarming to her faithful
domestic, who, IN agony OF tears, ask
ed II 1t was any use to send for the
doctor.
Now, had had considerable expert
snce in the treating OF fainting fits,
my mother being unhappily subject to
frequent lapses into unconsciousness,
rom which, acting under the doctors
orders. had generally been successful
IN recovering her. I, therefore, spoke
to old Mally. she had
told me her name-and at once set
about applying the restoratives to
she invalid that had found so use
.ul on former occasions. In a short
sime we had the satisfaction of seeing
the poor lady open her eyes and fix a
0ewlldeied look on her maid. who was
on her knees by the couch. Her glance
Then rested on me with puzzled ex-
preston.
"You have been ill.," I explained
gently, land Mally and / have been
trying to make you better"
1T is very good OF you to take so
much trouble with foolish old wom-
an, my dear" she replied in n weak
voice, and the ghost OF II smile fitted
over her paid face.
LOUD and FOOLISH" Indignantly re.
peated Mally, furtively drying her
eyes on her apron, and turning n
oeaming face toward her mistress.
Sure ats Joking you are, Miss Kath-
cen. And what would Masther Shane
,ay did he hear you miscaIing his
sweet Kerry rose?"
The old Irish woman's words had a
effect on the invalid. A
aint pink lush sufiused her cheeks.
Ter eyes shone, so that for the mo.
nent she looked almost pretty. The |
,hange, however, was but fleeting.
The color quickly faded, her eyes
resumed their usual expression; and
nurmuring something to the eff
ect that one is always fair to those
Who love one. she closedher eyes, as if |
20 shut out some disagreeable recol-
ection. Presently she said, in low,
ntreating voice: Oh, Shane, darling
Why do you linger? Old age is creep.
ng on, and | am weary of waiting
IN, so weary" And as she spoke the
ears trickled slowly down her thin
babe