The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-12-21

splendor usual to such waning lines of an
impoverished gentry. l had begged
Archie to take me to his uncle's old coun-
try place, and he, after much assistance
on my part, gave half-reluctant consent
Some day Archie would be Sir Archibald
Vallancy, since he and his uncle We're the
only male representatives of the Vallancy
line, and l should then be Lady Mary
how my American heart swelled at the
thought, and how wise and generous a
chateiaine Imeant to make of myself!
Meanwhile Archie, my stalwart hand
some, bonny bridegroom, was an unro-
mantle commercial traveller in the employ
of the thriving firm of Quit & Slash, of
New York, and at present on so small a
salary that we had proed and conned for
five mortal days over the expediency of
his taking me, his bride, along with him
on this trip, or waiting until summer. He
was due in Belfast in December, he had
told me, and |, being the more charmed
with and dependent upon his loving care
OF me that was so alone in the world,
cried to go with him, and hung upon his
neck, refusing to hear an argument that
pointed towards the feasibility of his leav-
ing me in America alone.
So the PRONG and conning-for all, it
seemed the sensible thing to do-made me
waver not one whit in my grim determine
ton to accompany my beloved husband to
ireland: and here we were on Christmas
Eve. in the thick of Londonderry mist
and drixzle with the harness broken and
Bann Castle vet many miles away.
MARY, Mary. is it true that you are not
wishing yourself back in the snug home
in New York, with the bright crate fire.
the rose-shaded lamp and the canary In its
golden cage singing in the make believe
sunshinei' asked Archie, as he tucked
one of my gloved hands under his arm and
went marching of with me somewhere
down the wet, uncertain road.
lit is as true as true as that love YOU,
Archie" / answered, giving his arm lit
tie squeeze, and forgetting the darkness.
the damp discomfort and the irate driver
left behind us. 'But whittier goest thou.
gentle sirs" asked, peering forward into
the intense gloom
ITO little cottage know of, my Mary.
Just beyond this bend in-'sh! Listen,
dear-what Is it.'
Wheels" vouchsafed L
Don't be afraid, Mary, if I go on ahead
Stand fast here, GRILL not leave you
long Alone" and he was gone
1 stood beside the big bowlder in the
darkness and listened intently to the sound
of approaching wheels. A twinkle OF light
from wagons lantern sent, at last. a lit
eyellow CLEAN along the rocky roadway,
and saw that the approaching cart had
stopped close beside our belated vehicle
'.Arrah be aisy, an is it yerself thin, Mr.
O'Flahertya An is it an axceedint that
we've had the night2"
''Faix, an it is that same-bad 'cess till
itr'
Nigh. ye be dhrivin' quality folks, Mr..
O'Flaherty?''
s'Oi might-an' thin, again, moight not
o. praysoom they be quality folks, beloike;
the commonality praifair shank's mare,
Dim thinkin'r'
sGt's a dale az mother wit yen he
wastin' on the loikes o. me, MIR. O'Flaher-
ty; but if ye've seen Phelim OFlinn, o.
Kilrea, yell know that the polls are up in
ar-ums along av the warnin' they've re-
sssyed from Carrickfergus he day.