Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-05-05

valuable than the opinions of New
England hired man. 1t took us to Lead
vile, anyway, and that was all we could
reasonably desire:
But for the rest of the story:
1t was about two years after the road
agent affair, in which we lost almost
everything but our good names and the
clothing we wore, when one day l was
thunderstruck to receive Hallegan's
wedding cards. 1t was the first time |
had heard from him for year, and had
any one else told me Terence Hallegan
was a marrying man l should have de-
rided him, but when Terence himself. in
his own peculiar chirography, directed
to. me an envelope containing such star
ting news, all set for@ in the highest
style of the engravers art-well, it was
too much, and | went down into the
camp, where surcease of sorrow was OBJ
tainable in quantities to suit the pur-
chaser, and where there was a full score
OF Terence's friends and acquaintances
to toast his memory and console with
each other. And grief was our lot until
the day Jewett "struck it" in that hole
he had been pegging away at over on
the other side of the gulch, and excite
ment reigned supreme.
In the midst of the confusion, tele-
grams came and went, fying-brought
and sent by special courier to and from
the Office at Sunrise, nine miles away;
and one day came one for him who sits
here burning the nocturnal kerosene. 1t
was from Hallegan, who was now liv-
ing in Chicago, and summoned me to
hasten to that city, where | was needed
to assist in transaction involving the
sale of some mining property in which
Terence and | were interested
Terence met me at the station. He
looked remarkably well, even for per-
son whose health and spirits had always
been of the very best, and told him so,
adding that in deponent's opinion he
must have drawn capital prize in the
lottery.
He smiled happily, and took my arm
to walk outside the train inclosure as
he said:
"That l did-that l did, me boy; Just
wait till you see her, and you'll be sure
of it."
He called cab, gave the driver some
brief instructions, and leaped in after
me. We rode several minutes in silence;
then Hallegan turned to me in a rather
way, and said, in strained
tone:
'Billy, me boy-it's very near dinner
time at our house-and there's no time
for-explanations. Only-if you think
you've seen--my wife-if her face is fa-
miliar-please don't mention it, or act
as though you noticed it. I'll explain
after dinner"
| acquiesced wonderingly, and won
iered yet more after / had met Mrs.
Hallegan, for I was quite positive that |
had never seen her before, and there |
was ample opportunity during the course
Of the excellent dinner we presently sat |
down to, to study her. She was slightly |
above the medium height, and of a per
feet, though rather slight figure. Her
nair and eyes were dark, setting off ex-
cellently her clear olive complexion, and |
her features were all that an artist could |
lesire. She was hardly what one would |
,all beautiful woman, however.
Handsome" would be the better word |
or, perhaps, striking" There was
something about the firm set of her |
mouth when not speaking, and the
strong, rather masculine chin-in which,
oddly enough, there was charmingly
'eminine dimple-that caused this effect,
think. One would never have taken
Mrs. Hallegan for the daughter of the
little, white haired, sweet faced old lady
who sat opposite me, and whom she ad-
lressed as mother"
No, had never seen her up to half an
lour ago, so gave up studying her and
ell to wondering what Hallegan was
going to explain"
Dinner over, the ladies rose to leave us,
imiling over the broad hint Terence had
ust thrown out concerning desire to
moke. AS they reached the door Mrs.
1allegan turned and bowed mockingly
% her husband, whose hand was Just
'eachin9 for the bell. 81 hope, Sir Ter
,nce, that the cigars may prove dry
company" Then, with bright smile,
,he vanished.
l Hoped into my chair breathlessly. |
Where had l seen that mocking bow?
Then suddenly there came before me
hat little scene in the mountains two
,ears since-the dust, the heat, the
leepy cowboy inside the coach, the dap
DER little chap who so politely took our
money and watches. He bowed Just |
hat way when he finished his work and |
departed. "Her brother" thought
black sheep, blot on family escutcheon.
low much they resemble"-
"Well, me boy?"
Hallegan was looking at me quizzi-
ally through the smoke, we having
lighted our cigars meanwhile. I sup
,ose looked embarrassed. Of course it |
vas all rot. The idea of there being
my connection, however remote, be-
ween the stately creature who had lust
eft us and the little rascal who en-
,ineered that holdup!
Hallegan spoke:
"Billy, me boy, won't make short
tory any longer than is necessary. You
the little fellow who held us
Up two years agoY'
''Of course do"