The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-12-28

couple of little box-like houses, then
they were out of the town proper and
driving directly northward. When they
crossed a small bridge, and turning to
the right passed between two looming
haystacks into a great shadowy farm
yard, it was already evening. A wind,
the sudden chill, sharp wind which fol-
lows sunset in Nebraska, had sprung
up. Fading into fathomless gray was
the one bar of dull rose which streaked
the Western sky. And overhead a
silver moon
Lay out there like a sickle for His hand
Who cometh down at last to reap the world
In the comfortable fire-lit, lamp-lit
kitchen Mrs. Rafferty, awaited them.
She was an American, little, thin,
white-faced old woman clad in the in
evitable print wrapper of the Western
housekeeper. A brisk, quick, weary,
good-hearted little soul, worn out as are
most American women by overwork,
burned out by overanXiety to do more
and do it better. And now here was aid,
here relief, here younger, stouter arms.
80 this is HANNAH She went up to
her and kissed her. Glow do you do,
my dear? I'm tickled to see you. You're
tired out, l expect. Is she like your
cousin, Pat?"
''Loike!' echoed old Rafferty,. 'She's
his dead Twin image. She's as loike
my cousin Moike as young cottonwood
is loike an old cottonwood"
"You remember William, don't you,
IIanna?" Mrs. Rafferty, said, as from an
adjoining room came spruce, trim,
dandified young man. He was dressed
for the dance to be held in town that
night. Speckless his clothes, black
mirrors his shoes: he wore white shirt,
white collar and sanguinary cravat.
A year ago he had been in Ireland see
ing after some property left his father
and there he had met his cousin, Hanna
Rafferty,.
Hanna nodded and extended plump
hand, which Will came forward and
shook awkwardly. Then he reiterated
to the fire and covertly surveyed her.
A round young figure clothed in a
dress, skirt rather, of bright blue cash
mere, which was surmounted by snug
ly-titting jacket of scarlet flannel; dark
hair, parted straigntly and brushed
back from full, fresh-colored girlish
face, face with thick black brows and
brilliant eyes, and a mouth which, if a
trifie too large, held firm white teeth
and was quite mirthful and risible.
"S'posin' you take Hanna to the dance,
William?" suggested Mrs. Rafferty,.
''Can'tp more CURLY than courteous
fine, erect, handsome young self coolly
away. His father followed him out.
The door remained sjar.
civilian, why cant We take her,
too?''
''Her!" in calm scorn, ''to dance
in Bubble! Why, she amt got
gloves-nor no style to her-a freckle-
faced little thing whose words curl up
at the end like shoat's tail-no, sir!'
The women within heard. Hanna Grim
soned.
Don't mind, dear. Set down and
drink this tea. And now, Pat, ask
Hanna if the boy obeyed you when he
was in Coolathogle."
Il want to know, Hanna, did William
see Sarah Sheehy's daughter much when
he was home?"
His father told him if he spoke to one
of them he'd leave this farm, which we
homesteaded before the Indians were
out of Nebraska, to some one else"
Should she tell? HOao he had spoken
of her! Why not?
'He wasn't ever away from young
Sarah Sheehy while he was in Cool
athogle!' she answered, deliberately.
"Ah, now!'
''The young desaver"
"He's engaged to her."
"WhdtF'
"He's a-going to go home next sum-
mer and marry her."
GGNEUEnpt