The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-12-01

I ~~%--N
. Tis sure, said Terence. Give me
how'd av ye're hand, Andy. There,
now, shaking the blacksmith fist heart
ily. II won't break me word to ye about
the money
Il believe ye, said the blacksmith.
lounging out of the door
"Well, there, now, the match is made, :
said Mrs Lyneham, smoothing back her
gray hairs under her snow-white mutch,
AN divila steadier boy there is in Gurteen
than Andy Tis the lucky gurl ye' re
darter is this day, Mrs. Flannigan
Fax, ma am, answered Mrs Flanni-
gan, bridhng, Il knows thin as would
give golden guineas to be matched with
Katie; though, andeed, ma am. she
added, softening. have no word to say
agin Andy
q Deed, he minds his business well, an
niyer touches sup o dhrink, said the
fond mother proudly. ..0nly if he
wouldn' spind so much time foosthering
about with thin little hins, bad luck to
thin, that lays an igg no bigger than
marble. she added, refectively as the
trio started down the village street
The little hins' alluded to were the
one extravaganza, the sole form Of dissipa
ton that the burly smith allowed himself,
and were thriving family of bantans that
he loved as his life With his own hands
he had made wire enclosure for them be-
hind the forge, that none but himself might
feed them. His thrifty mother had huge
contempt for his little ovid chickens,
as she called them, for by their fruits she
valued them, and Julia Brannigan at the
corner shop gave only fourpence a dozen
for the dainty eggs.
But while the plotters plotted in the
grimy forge, the victim of their maehina
tions was out on the green demurely foot
ing it opposite Patsey O. ROurke, her part
ner in that pattern.
She was a tall. slim maid, with the jet
black hair and exquisite gray eyes seen so
often in the south; he was an immense
young fellow, red-haired, and freckled like
a wren egg, with eyes that looked as in
nocent and as simple as child's $. He was
perfectly happy how, going through the in
tricate figures of the dance clumsily enough
while he feasted his silly blue eyes on his
pretty vis-a-vis who seemed strangely alb
sorbed in her own thoughts just at present.
When at length the trippings to and fro,
the linking partners and mad whirls in
the middle of the floor, and the stately
courtseys came to an end, Katie whispered
to her big partner as he handed her cloak
to her
Come here, beyant, minnit
Patsey's eyes danced with joy at the
prospect, and seeing an air of mystery in
the girl S manner, he assumed such a know
ing expression on his guileless eountenance
that made him look more like a very wicked
baby than anything else Soon the pair
had wandered away up the hill behind the
gray old chapel, and stood by the wishing
well, where thousand little rags Of all
colors and texture futtered from the boughs
Of the hawthorn bush. each the record of
some wish accomplished by the good st.
Bridget for one who drank of her holy well
in perfect faith. Then they halted, the
girl sitting on the low wall that went half
way round the edge of the water, while
her companion stood awkwardly.by, with
dumb alteration written in every line Of his
simple, manly face.
Tuesday is Shroye, said Katie, sud
denly, intently watching the fall of peb
BILE into the clear water
'Eh?' said Patsey, mystifed. and he
bent over to watch the rings that formed
where the stone had fallen, looking from
them to Katie face in vain endeavor to
see how her speech applied.
Katie gave a short sigh and tried again
Dye see the chapel below 2 looking
down herself to where it leaned against the
hill.
Il do that, answered Patsy, with re-
lief. feeling that he had failed miserably
before
Then there was pause.
..Well?' said Katie a little GROSSLY,
Ainging whole handful of pebbles into the
water.
Patsey's face fell again. He thought
it easy to look down at the chapel, but he
evidently had not done all that was ex-
pected of him.
Its mortal nate roof, he hazarded.
looking inquiringly at his companion 5
face; twas Paddy Collough's $ father-in-
law put the states on it.
Katie blushed to the tips of her pretty
ears, and her lips trembled, while Patsey,
who. dense as he was, saw her distress,
looked piteously around him for inspiration,
finally hurting out
II m almost sure he was his father-in-
law.
Another silence, and then Katie, bend
ing her head very low, said, hardly above
whisper
'Til be therein the Chapel Tues
day mornin y
's.Will ye now p cried the unfortunate
Patsey, his honest face lighting up. Coin
to see the weddins Sure, IN be there.
too
q 'eTis to be married mesilf III be
goin . cried the girl, looking up with
burning cheeks.
1e-ye TO De marrleof Saspeu the
man, so white that the freckles seemed to
increase and multiply to an alarming ex-
tent.
eyes, me, cried Katie, beginning to
grow cold as soon as he lost his head.
BE the holy burst out Patsy.
''Whisht Ye mustn't curse cried
she, quickly.
..An who to he asked in choking
voice.
Andy, the smith.
II have no word against Andy, said
he slowly; 'only-oh Katie, ashore :
stretching out great, brown hand.
why didn' ye say that long ago.
said Katie, stealing glance with eyes
full Of tears as she laid her hands in his
Katie, dear, why would ye marry
him 2 said Patsey, looking the picture Of
abject misery.