The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1893-09-09

But the influence OF the dream was
over him, and in that half sleeping,
half waking state, he felt like boy in
love. He found himself calculating
the age of his own friend. Let him
see! 1t was fifteen years since, in her
own igurative expression, she come
ashore and the question remained:
Cow old was she on that interesting
occasion? AS far as he could make out
from her appearance she could not be
more than sixteen. For a damsel of
that age her kiss was decidedly pre-
cocious.
At last he tumbled off again and
dreamed that Matt was a young lady of
beautiful attire and captivating man
ners, to whom he was "engaged,' and
ner speech, strange to say, was quite
poetica1 and refined; and they walked
together, hand in hand, to country
church on green hillside, and were
Just going to enter when who should
appear upon the threshold but Mr..
Monk, of Monkshurst? But they passed
aim by and stood before the altar,
where the parson stood in his white
robes, and when the parson asked aloud
whether anyone saw any just reason
Or impeachment that the pair should not
be joined in holy matrimony the same
Monk stepped forward, with Mephis-
tophelian smile, and cried: Eyes, [
do!" On which the young man awoke
again in agitation, to find that it was
broad daylight and a fine, fresh sum-
mer morning.
Whom should he find waiting for him
when he had dressed himself and
stepped from the house on wheels but
Matt herself? Yes, there she was, as
wild and quantity attired as ever, quite
unlike the ethereal individual of his
dreams; but for all that her smile was
like sunshine and her eyes as roguish
and friendly as ever
Conscious of his dream he blushed,
while greeting her with a friendly nod.
"Well, Matt? Here again, eh?'' he
said; adding to himself: ''This won't
do at all. my gentleman; if the young
person continues to appear daily. the
caravan will have to move on"
Matt had evidently something on her
mind After looking at Brinkley
thoughtfully for some minutes, she ex-
claimed, abruptly:
civilian Jones don't like you, neith-
or. No more does William Jones'
father.v
'Dear me-" said the young man,
'I'm very sorry for that
"He says-William Jones says
you're come here prying and spying.
Do you?'
'My dear Matt" replied the young
man, lightly, 81 come here as a humble
artist, seeking subjects for my surpass-
ing genius to work upon. If it is pry-
ing and spying to attempt to penetrate
into the beauties of nature-both
scenic, animal and human-I fear l
must plead guilty; but otherwise"
She interrupted him with an inn
patient exclamation, accompanied by
hitch of her pretty shoulders.
Don't talk like that; for then know
you're chafing Talk serious, and then
I'll tell you something
"AL right. I'll be serious as par
son. Go ahead!"
.Mr. Monk. of Monks4lurst: wants
to marry me. He said so to William
jones'
The information was delivered with
assumed carelessness: but after it was
given Matt watched the effect of it
upon the nearer with precocious inter-
est. Brinkley opened his eyes in very
natural amazement.
"Come, come. Matt; you're Joking"
mo, amt. It's true
"But you're only a child-a very
nice child. admit-but to talk of holy
matrimony in such connection is
excuse my frankness-preposte
People don't marry little girls"
But Matt did not consent to this
proposition at all.
II amt little girl she affirmed,
with decisive nod of the head. I'm
sixteen, and I'm growed up"
The young man was amused, and
could not refrain from laughing hearth
~. But the girls brow darkened as she
watched him, and her under lip fell as
if she would like to cry.
IF you go on laughing" she said,
'I'li run straight back home, and never
come here no more"
"Wel. I'll try to keep my counte-
nance but the idea is very funny. Real
ly now? Don't you see it in that light,
yourself?''
Certainly Matt did not, to judge from
the expression of her face. She turned
her head away, and Brinkley saw to
his surprise that tear was rolling
down her cheek.
'Come, Matt" he said, kindly, ''you
mustn't take this SO seriously. Tell
me ell about it-there's good girl"
II wi]l-if you won't laugh"
II won't. then, there
sWell, when was lying in my bed
this morning heard William Jones
a-talking to some one. He thought
was asleep, but got up and listened
and heard Mr.. Monks voice; and he
said, says he: She's over sixteen years
old, and I'll marry herr and William
Jones said: Lord, Mr.. Monk; what
can you be a-thinking about? Matt
amt old enough, and what's more she
amt fit to be the wife of fine gentle
man. Then Mr.. Monk he stamped his
foot, like he does when he's in pas
lyr