Iron County register., 1893-12-14

CHAPTER XI.-CONrINUED
She spoke gravely; and the earnest
CLEAN of her eyes into his own told the
man that she more than suspected his
excuse for the disguise. $50 you think
1t Is not ball, Mary?" he asked her, alb
ruptly.
''Shure it's not to be thinkin' I'm
paid, sor," the woman answered. s'Me
aunt use to say thot tn shet mouth
caught no flies. But, whittier it do be
fight, frolic or a foot race, ye'd best
kape the figger up to tn face. Wait
bit, Misther Will"
She left Mckee to polish his COM
plexion with a hare's-foot, standing in
a most composite attire. A heavy, low
neclsed hunting shirt terminated In
three pairs of dark tights, drawn on for
warmth; and over these depended an
ample skeleton skirt of the day drapcd
with a dark balmoral and a massive pam
ier OF stiff crinoline. Selecting heavy
gray wig of woman's hair, he quickly
adjusted it, combing the bands low
over his forehead and twisting the ends
in tight knot.
AS he stepped back for final view, the
woman reentered with her ample Sun
day gown, and a poke bonnet of un-
usual depth and fragrant in decoration
of green and yellow flowers Besides,
she carried ponderous pair of corsets,
with ample waist.
''AIither of love! but We do be fine
copy!" she cried, admiringly. Eyer
hids a darlin' knot an all; but thin
ligs an that waist shpoils the sim
mithry. There" she added, adjusting
the corset, '.shlip under a few towels
to fill out tn waisth, sor! Look at him,
now.'
Mckee. selecting massive pair o;
pads, was deftly fixing them in place
with safety pins.
'Now ship tn driss over yer hid"
''Wait 4 bit. ] must secure my figure
first" he answered, struggling into a
tight net shirt, and pulling it down
snugly So as to round his artificial
amplitude into natural curves. Then
the Grs IS slippe.i on, the hooks fastened
and the poke bonnet in place-the
rlasqueradcr strodc heavily into the
sitting room.
AN I'm afthcr thinl1in' it do be
tiIne for bid. Masther Carroll" he said,
with deep but laborious courtesy.
Great" cried Meredith, glaneing
fro.n counterfeit to reality. ':Marys
very self. Willie, that would be 4 tri-
u:nph Tor burlcsqu-."
''Bedad, Mary sil:nells a rat; aid I'm
thiniSin' it do be safe to thr.'st tn shpat
av her.-Mary, turned gravely to
hcr-''if I'm going to 4 bail or funeral
it makes 10 differences; but / want you
to keep closely in the house until l re-
turn your clothes. / know l can trust
you, and am truly grateful Tor your
trouble ard willing help"
He extended his hand, and Mrs.
Clonan shook it warmly. but with dep
rccating shake Of her head. When her
own was withdrawn Il new gold piece
Glittcred in it, 1T which she stared Gu
riously.
'.ls 1t 10 lzape this fur ye am, sor?'
she asked, innocently.
NO: for yourself" Mckee answered,
quickly changing the subject. BE sure
and keep well out of sight till come"
''But do be thinkin' yc're Il bit erin,
sor." the woman answered, quietly.
Thin clothes bent fur rint; an shure
I'm not lxapin' bhank." She laid the
eagle on the table quietly, as she added:
''i'm always riddy to hilp tn masther
an his frinds; most ways whin they're
shpilin' some dirty jhob o. thin blue
coats. But it doesn't made payin' Mary
Clonan, sor, to kapc her face hid an her
mouth shet. May tn Holy Mither bliss
an shpeed yer thrick, Misther Will; but
1 kin nivver tech-thot!"
Certainly you can't! Forgive my
awkwardness, Mary" Mckee cried,
with deep blush, invisible under his
pigment But it was not intended for
pay; only little present. Anyway, l
shall remember your help and trust
your loyalty always"
He shook hands again with the0wom-
an, who paused in the doorway to say:
Thin pociSits be dape, Masther Car
roll; an tn nights cowld. Yc'd bether
be putin flask o summat in 'eIn. 1t
won't be the first, perhaps; an it'll be
nadcd, beyant."
Damned if she hasn't longer head
and truer heart than most men," Mer-
edith exclaimed, as the door closed.