The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1892-05-27


have it always dhry; the flowers wouldn't
grow without any rain"
Must there be ramp inquired Kathleen
simply Papa says mustn't cry. Why
should the sky cry? The sky is good, Isn't
III"
Eyes, dear; 1t is Gods sky"
''But papa says it's naughty to cry"
The time came only too soon when very
READ tears, tears of passionate grief and
wild despair, were shed In that dlngy Bel
gian lodging; and when the two children
and their faithful servant found themselves
alone In the bleak strange world, face to
face with starvation.
The Captain caught cold one bitter Feb
ruary night, coming home, In the teeth Of
the east wind, from his fayorte cafe; and
although deVotedly nursed by Blddy and
Rose, who was sensible and womanly be-
You'd her years, the cold developed into
acute bronchitis, under which james 0'Hara
succumbed, few days after his thirty
seventh birthday leaving his children pen
niless and alone in the world. There were
only few francs In ths Captains purse at
the time Of his death; fof the short sharp
illness had been expensive, albeit the En-
glsh doctor, q retired navy surgeon, had
been most modest In his charges. The Cap
tan's watch and signetring were pledged
to pay for the funeral; and while the coffin
was being carried to the cemetery, letter,
ill-spet and ill-wrltten, but full OF tender
wOmanly feeling, was on its way to the
wealthy Miss Fitzpatrick Of Bath, pleading
for her orphaned great-niece Kathleen, and
Katheen's penniless step-siSter.
Miss Fitzpatrick of Bath was staunch
Roman Catholic, and conscientious wo
man; but she was not q warm-hearted wO
man. and she was not deeply moved by the
thought Of the Captains untlmely death, OF
Of his desoate children. She had been very
angry with him for running away with her
niece, who was also her companion and
slave; and she had never left of being an
CRY; yet she had given him money from
time to time, considering 1t her duty, as o
rich woman, to help her poor relations.
And now she was not inclined to ignore that
duty or deny the orphans claim.
She went over to BruEes, saw the children,
and in Kathleen beheld the image of her
own dead sisters little girl as she had first
seen her twenty years ago, when the orphan
was sent TO her rich aunt, as the legacy Of
dying sister, the sole issue of a foolish mar,
riage. And behold, here was another gold
en-halred child, sole issue Of another fool.
ish-marrlage, looking up at Theresa Fitz'
patrick with just the same heaven.blue eyes,
and the same scared shrinking look, as
doubling whether TO find friend or a foe
In the richly-clad stately dame.
II Miss Fitzpatrick had been Of the melt.
ing mood, she would assuredly have taken
the child to her heart and her home, and
the child's dark-eyed, trank-bFowed lOvable'
stepslster with her. There was ample room
for both girls, in the big handsome house at
Bath-empty rooms which no one ever visit
ed save the hOusemad with her brooms and
brushes; luxurlously-furnished rooms, swept
and garnshed, and kept in spotless order
for nobody.
Although there was ample room in Miss
Fitzpatrick's house, there was no room in
Miss FItzpatrick's heart for two orphans.
u shall do my duty to you, my dears,"
she said, land shall make no distinctions,
although you, Rose, are no relation of mine,
and have no claim upon me-"
"You won't take Rose awayP" cried Kath-
leen, pale with terror, the blue eyes filling
with tears
mo, my dear, shall not separate you
while you are so young" answered Miss
Fitzpatrick, complacently settling herself
In her sable-bOrdered mantle. "By and by,
when you are young women, you will have
TO make your way in the world, and then
you may be parted. But for the next few
years you shall be together. How have they
been educatedY she asked, appealing to
BIddy, who stood by, curtsying every time
the lady looked her way.
"Sure, ma'am, my lady, the Captain was
very careful with them; he'd never have
let the dear childer ont OF his sight, only he
wanted little gentlemen's society now and
then, blessed soul, and he liked to spend
half an hour or so at caffy. But many's
the day I've heard um reading poethry to
the two childer, beautiful-Hamlick and the
Ghost, and King Leerd, and Lilly O'ROurke.
There never was better father, II the Lord
had been pleased to spare him." concluded
Blddy, with her apron at her eyes.
"My good woman, you do not understand
my question" said Miss Fitzpatrick impa.
tiently. II want to know what these chill
dren have been taught. l baginto fear they
have been sOTely neglected by that foolish
man. Can they read and write and cipher%
Bldly, hard pushed, was fain TO confes;
that Kathleen did not even know her letters
and that Rose was very backward with hel
pen, though she could read beautifully.
81 thought as much" said Miss Fitzpat
rick. "And now, Bridget Ryan, I'll tell you
what mean to do; you seem to have beer
O faithful servant, so shall not allow you
to be a loser by Captain o'Hara's death.
shall pay you your wages in full, and sent
you home to Ireland"
"Wlth the young ladiesF asked Biddy
beamlng.
"What should the young ladies do In Ire
land9" exclaimed Miss Fitzpatrick; 'the,
haven't friend in that wretched country
No, you can 60 back to your home, for
suppose you have some kind Of home to g
to. But shall place the two young ladie
In q convent have been told about, tire
miles from this city, where they will be care
fully educated and kindly looked after b
the good nuns. shall pay for their school
ing and provide their wardrobes till they ar
grown up; but when they come to nineteen
, or twenty, they will have to earn their Ow
living. The better they are educated tn
, easier they will find 1t to earn their bread.
Blddy could but confess that Miss Fit
patrick, upon whom the elder sister had n
shadow of claim, was acting very generous
|, ly; yet she was in despair at the thought c
being separated from the children she ha
! nursed, and who were to her as her ow
! nesh and blood. II Miss Fitzpatrick ha
: | l.. II.