Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-11-07
CHAPTER III.

1t is ten days later. The air Is grow
ing briSller, the flowers bear no new
buds. More leaves are falling on
the woodland paths, and the trees are
throwing ont their last bright autumn
tintS of red and brown and richest or
ange, that tell all too plainly of the death
that lies before them.
1t is midday, and Godfrey, gun i'll
hand, is idly stalking through the slop-
ing wood that rises behind Manglo
Farm. The shooting he has had since
his arrival in Ireland, though desultOry
perhaps because of it-haS proved de
lightful in his sight. Here cOveyS come
upon one unaWaTeS, rising out of fields
when least expected, and therefore
when discovered possess all the novelty
of a gigantic surprise. Now and then
he receives kindly warning of birds seen
"oVer-night' in some particular corner,
and an offer to escort him to the scene
Of action without beat of drum.
AS for instance, in the morning his
man aSsails him with the news that
Mickey Brian or Dinny Collins (he has
grown quite familiar with the gentry
rOund) lis without and would like to
Spake wild him. Need | remark that he
has wisely hired his own particular at
tendant from among the gay and festive
youths of Bantry?
Whereupon he goes without"
which means to his own hall-doOr that
always stands wide open, and there ac
kn0WledgeS the presence of Mickey or
Dinny, as the case may be, with a gra-
cious nod. Mickey instantly removes
his caubeen and tells his honor" ire
CARELESS of the fact that his honor can
tell this for himself) that sit is a gram
fine day" which as a rule is the first
thing an Irish person will always say
greeting you, as though full of thank
fulness to the powers above, in that
sweet weather has been given.
Ill-luck has attended his efforts to-
day. or else his thoughts have been
wandering in the land where love holds
sway, because he is empty handed. The
bonnie brown bird has escaped him, and
no gift is near to lay at Mona's shrine.
AS he reaches the broad stream that
divides him from the land he would
reach, he pauseS and tries to think Of
any decent excuse that may enable him
to walk with a bold front up to the cot
tage door. But no such excuse pre-
5ents itself. Memory proves false. 1t
refuses to assist him. He is almost in
despair.
He tries to persuade himself that
there is nothing strange or uncommon
in calling upon Wednesday to inquire
with anxious soEcitude about the health
of a young woman whom he had seen
happy and robust on Tuesday. But the
trial is not successful. and he is almost
on the point of finging up the argument
and going home again, when his eye
lights upon fem, small but rare, and
very beautiful. that, growing on a high
rock far above him, Oyerhangs the
stream.
1t is fern for which Mona has long
been wishing. Oh. happy thought!
She has expressed for it the keenest adj
miration. OH blissful remembrance
She has not one like it in all her collec-
ton. OH certainly full of rapturel
Now will he seize this blessed oppor-
NSAAASys anu lGstICsl WIN ALIC . pVllS VI
war, approach her dwelling already she
is 'she,'') and triumphantly, albeit
humbly, lay the fern at her feet, and so
perchance gain the right to bask for a
few minutes in the sunshine of her
presence.
A branch of a tree overspreading the
water catches his attention. 1t is not
strong. but it suggests itself as means
to the desired end 1t is indeed slim to
fault, and unsatisfactory to an alarm
ing degree, but it must do, and Godfrey
swings himself up to it, tries it first,
and then standing boldly upon it, leans
over towards the spot where the fern
can be seen.
It is rather beyond his reach. but he
Is determined not to be Outdone. OF
course, by stepping into the water. and
climbing the Shiny rock that holds the
desired treasure. it can be gained, but
with lazy desire to keep his boots dry,
he clings TO his present position. regard
less of the fact that bruised flesh (if
nothing Iorse) would probably be the
result of his daring.
He has stopped over very much in
deed His hand is on the fern; he has
safely carefully extracted il roots and
all lone would think I was speaking of
toothl but this is by the way, from
its native home. when erik goes some
thing; the branch on which he rests be-
trays him. and smashing hurls him head
doWnwards into the swift but shallow
stream below
A very charming vision clad in Ok
ford shirting. and with a great white
hat tied beneath her rounded chin with
blue Misunderstanding IN the style OF |
a Sir Joshua Reynolds-emerges from |
among the low-lying frs at this mo-
ment- Having watched the seemingly |
light catastrophe from afar, and being !