The Irish standard., 1886-05-01

"Well-about the brandy--where is
it? why don't you bring it in?''
1.-The key ahem! the key of the Gel
lar, sir,'' said Roger, without yenturing
to look at his master.
"What of it?''
:sAhen! It's not to be found, sir; you
Or Miss Mary must have it.
stMe! never touched the key in my
ife.''
''Dear me, then, what is to be done,
your honor? The brandy's in the cellar,
and there's no key to open it.
ST don't believe word of it: but did
YOU ask Miss Lee for the key?''
S'She's not to be found, either, sir.
''Ha, hail. thought so. Il knew all
the time it would come to that at last
elf you could put up for this time
with some of the best old Innishowen,
that ever was donbled,'' said Roger,
'tyou could have hogshead Of it III q
jifey.''
'Innishowen!'' cried the captain:
"and put mp with it, too! Nonsense!
nonsense! Roger, bring it in here in
stantly. Why, you old villain, it is
worth it's weight in gold. Compare
French brandy with Innisbowen poteen,
indeed! Why, the I,ishman who would
do that should be sent to the stocks, and
physicked with frogs and ssssafntida.
Begone, and fetch it instanter. Away!
my times up"
Roger soon returned with bottle Of
excellent whiskey, OF which we must not
omit to say, MI. Weeks declined to par
take~--nay. absolutely rejected in the
positive manner, as q thing entirely
against his principles aud habits of life.
But, the hght-keeper and his good neigh
bor, the lord of Castle Gregory, made
no pretensions to such principle or hab-
its: they filled their glasses and drank to
each other, and to the Stars and Stripes3
as a compliment to Mr.. Weeks, in full
bumpers of Irish grog, without fear or
shame, reproach Oh remorse.
Captain Petersham had scarcely fin
ished his draught, and flung the tumbler
on the table, loudly protesting against
all state temperance laws and teetotal
societies, as being the provocation of
half the drunkenness in the world, when
a sailor, cap in hand, presented himself
at the door.
"How now, Bradley---what's the mat
ter?''
"AIr. Ratlin says there's blow COM
ing up from the westward, sir, and in
half an hour we'll have ebb tide He
waits orders
"Well, get the boat ready. L'll be
with you in a second
He now approached the window, and
glancing for an instant at The west.
There it comes, I.ee,' he exclaimed,
'tumbling up in Jumps over Tory Is
land; you'll have it whistling about your
ears here in half an hour. I must get
aboard the Water Hen, and pack on
sail, or she'll not fetch Ballymastoc]zer
tonight. But look here, who's that
under the rock, there, speaking to Mis-
tress Mary? He's devi]ish fne-look
ing yonug fellow, ehi''
The light-keeper hastened to the Win
low. ssHah! by George,'' he exclaimed,
the words to himself, the in
slant his eye rested on the person allud-
I'd to, She is back again.
ssWho is he, Lee---eh? surely I've
seen that young man hefore---who is
le?"
MIR. Lee smiled and shook his head.
20. hoh, that's it, is it? Very well, if
here's anything particular about him,
Keep it to yourself"
And having requested Mr.. Lee to
make his apology to Mary for running
way so abruptly, and invited Weeks to
visit him as soon as possible, he hurried
IF without further delay to his yacht.
The moment his foot touched her dock,
he was seen crowding Oh every stitch
f canvas that would draw, and then
bending under the gentle
,ressure OF the evening breeze, the little
Water Hen glided up the Swilly, and
oon disappeared in the deepening
halows Of Rathmullen Bluffs
The light-keeper had accompanied his
riend to the head of the steps to bid
i'm good bye and fair voyage, and the
american, taking advantage of his alb
ence. instantly turned to the window,
nd there kept watching Mary Lee and
er companion so intently, and with so
bsorbing an interest, that old Roger :
ad picked up his silver card case which
ad fallen from his pocket, and laid 1t
n his knee, without his having noticed
; in the least The spot on which the
oung couple stood oonversing, was a
mall patch of greensward directly above
he narrow channel called the Devils
. Qo% |