The record-union., 1892-06-04

w ell, goOu night, IOn, ana III nOl
forget the siXpence," and she turned and
walked rapidly away, while Con looked
after her. remarking:
We'll, you're got your news now and
much good may it do you."
Mary found both Alice and her brother
at home. She gave her information, and
they formed their plans of defense fo1
Saturday night. Edward, taking up q
huge blackthorn stick covered with
formidable knobs, exulted in the thought
of laying it about vigorously among the
intending murderers. This was WedneS-
day, and Mary went home with a light
heart, and slept more soundly than she
mad done for weeks. Edward had as
sured her, if the fellows were caught and
/ prosecuted, it would frighten them from
making any such attempt again-for a
long time to come, at all events; and in
the meantime something might happen.
Mary felt hope for the future once more
| reviving in her bosom, and Con received
a shilling instead of sixpence next day,
| so grateful did she feel to him for the in
formation which she believed would save
| Thady's life.
Thursday passed away and Friday set
IN, day OF gloom and darkness and
storm. Mary met Thady coming home
about o'clock-earlier than she ex-
! pected.
Deed I was thinkin' long to see ye,
/ LlitNl she SdlU. III 5 SGlUOIn we gel q
word together now'
The day was so bad we quit work
alrly," he told her, so they had time for a
/ lew stolen words, unheedful of the fast
falling rain.
The Fitzgeralds had advised Mary to
say nothing to Thady of the expected
! fight on Saturday. They feared he might
in some way betray their knowledge.
The fewer who know anything about it
the better" they SAID. eff anything
should leak out it would spoil ALL" So
! Mary kept her own counsel like a brave
girl as she was, and after her chat with
| 1hady hurried home, feeling unusually
| cheerful.
All were there except her mother, who
was IN attendance upon sick neighbor.
! Mary. heard talking as she lifted the latch,
! but directly she entered dead silence fell
on the group round the fire.
| The old woman looked much excited,
and was grasping her stick III her hand;
the, father looked pale and Terry fierce
| ana determined. They started when
Mary came in, her hair blown by the
wind, her cheeks flushed, here bright,
and happy smile on her lips. She
| paused for q moment with the latch in her
hand, and then, as wild blast swept in
| and blew the turf ashes about, she shut
! the door and advanced.
! wv hat are yez all talkin' about?" she
! said, taking off her wet shawl and hang
ing it on nail. Did give yez fret
comm in so suddent?"
"Ay, ye fretened us greatly" said
! Terry, dryly; land now ye'd better get
US bit of supper, for me father and l has
TO go out about little business"
! Mary was used to this now, so she only
sighed, and proceeded to make some tea
ana fetched a loaf to set the table.
| AS she looked at her father feeling of
compunction came over her. He was
| getting to be an old man now, it struck
her for the first time, and he was looking
| pale and i'll tonight. When she had laid
the table she placed a chair for him, and
putting her hand on his shoulder, said
! kindly:
''l e Oughtn't to go out tonight, father,
its pourin' wet and ye don't look too
we'll"
He looked doubtfully at her as though
he waVered in his determination and she
whispered:
II wish ye'd quit goin' out at night,
father, altogether: It's not tit for ye, and
you gettin' ould.''
Her grandmother, who had not heard
what she said. but had watched her
speaking to him, here called out:
NV hat are ye slutherin' yer father for
Mary? Lave him alone and keep yer
slutherin' ways for Thady Connor"
y roar of laughter greeted this witty
their supper, and Mary retreated abashed
murmuring, Il wish ye'd lave me
alone"
About S o'clock the old gran grumbled
herself off to bed, and then the men rose,
and, putting on their coats and taking
their sticks, wished Mary gruff good
| night.
You and yer mother will be in bed
when we come back,'' said her father.
''for Wen be late tonight
AS they opened the door Mary went to
look out. a wild, black night it was. the
rain falling in torrents and the storm
raging fiercely. With sigh she saw
them disappear into the darkness. and
returned to the tireside to keep her lonely
watch for her mother.
Thady had been infected by Mary,s
cheerfulnesS, and had merriIy turned to-
ward home in good spirits, whistlinp
merrily. But the little cottage looked
gloomier than usual, he thought as he ap-
preached it, and when he opened the door
he was surprised and frightened to find
it all in darkness. He struck a match at
once, and then saw that his mother was
lying on the bed. He lit candle and APP
preached her anxiously. She opened her
eyes as he bent over her, and held out her
hand to him.
"Och, Thady, is that you aviclz? and
you all wet,' feeling his sleeve, land |
haven't bit of fire or supper ready for
you. / TUX a wakeneSS there q while
ago and threw meself on the bed, but
Pm rightly now, and pll get up and light
the fire."
''sthay where ye are. Not stir yen
stir, an I'll light the fire and make We a
cup of tay this minute. Shure, isn't it
my turn to do it for you?' And with
rough affection he forced her to lie down
and spread the quilt over her, then lit
the fire and put the kettle on to boil,
while she watched him with loving
smile.
a cup, which she pronounced the best she
had ever tasted; and then, feeling much
revived, came and sat beside him at the
fire, while he smoked his evening pipe.
''Aw, indeed, Thady, it's time We
brought home the wife. I'm gettin' ter
rible ould and stupid, and soon I'Il be no
good at all. at all
''Ye mustn't be sayin' the likes O. that.
mother" said Thady, huskily, and then
words failed him; he knew not how to
express his affection and loyalty to his
old mother; but he got up and put pill
ow at her back, spread shawl over her
knees and frightened up the fire.
"'Deed it's too good ye are TO me. Tha-
dy," she said, fondly, with tears in her
eyes. The saints be about you here and
ever. God11 reward ye for your good
ness to your ould mother.''
'Ah, whist, will ye, mother" was
Thady's response, as he resumed his pipe
and his stool, and silence fell upon them.
The fire burned cozily, the candle was
put out, and the old woman dozed in her
warm corner, while Thady thought over
his last conversation with Mary and pom
dered over the possibility of ever bring
ing her home as his wife. How good she
would be to the old woman. How clean
and comfortable she would keep the
house. And Thady smiled and sighed
as he built ''castles in the air."
Eight o'clock struck, and what blast