The record-union., 1894-03-17

Nora and Maureen," led her, her cheeks
suffused and her eyes downcast, out OF
sight OF the harridans of the market
place, behind the great arch opening
from the square upon the Spanish pa
ra6e.
When the two were alone at the waters s
edge, Father Hobson at once thrust his
hand within the huge basket beneath her
black braideen. Drawing forth a jug he
shook it and found it empty. Then hand
ing the girl two pence, he tossed the jug
into the bay. Another empty jug and
another two pence followed. The third
and last jug was partly filed with poth-
cen. He shook this one and asked the
girl the value of the spirits in it.
"Tin pence, rightly sold, your river
ence," she faltered.
He pulled the cork, emptied the poth-
delft upon the quay edge, handed the girl
shilling and then said sternly:
"Elie Dreen, you're far too likely lass
for the like OF this; far too likely"
"Yes, yer riverence."
You're all, all of you, mind, under The
eye of the law of Toom beola."
Il feared it, ye riverence."
'The gaugers IL sure be upon you,
then, Ellie Dreen."
OifH uOuDLII, yer TlV6r6nce.
And then you'll all-you, Ellie, girl,
and Nora and Maureen and your mother
be rotting safely in Galway jail"
All o. that, yer riverence.'
And your mother'li die in jail, and the
heart OF Dan Madigan-the finest lad in
Connaught!-will be broken then, en-
tirely."
Her great blue eyes filed quickly with
tears, but Father Hobson was not sure
whether they were most for Dan Madi-
gan's broken heart, or the old mothers
bitter end.
And then Dan Madigan'n do violence
to himself, no doubt, and you'll be after
having the taking of of two loved ones
upon your guilty soulv
"Och, murtheri-God help me, thin,''
gasped the wretched girl, half falling
uponth blackened masonry of the arch
Tor support in her utter distraction.
Poor Dan!-poor Danl Dear, dear
ould mother! Oh, howly prayst that ye
are!-can't ye know th' wringin's am
achin's av me heart? Can't ye see that
me poor ould mothers stubborn an soft
like, an won't lave off, an me hearts
breakln' wild th' unhowly work, but that
I'll drop in me thracks atore LAWN her in
tn lone mountains beyant?"
This with wild, hurt sweep of her
hand toward the rock-peaked ridges to
the north and west of the blue Galway
Bay.
God knows-an' yer riverence's for
givenessi-but the heart av me is burstin'
day an nightp' Here she fell upon her
knees, clntching desperately, impetu-
what wud ye have me do? Oh, yer riv-
erence, don't lave me! Don't! Oh, what
Wud. you have me do?"
AS IN countless like instances where
outlaWry IS pronounced glibly, sins
counted swift and certain, and thunder
ing warnings are given to those who
differ from US, or who are enmeshed in
WretchednesS, naming terrors and point
ing out generalities of better doing, are
far easier than making the way clear and
straight for those below.
Father Hobson found himself in pre-
cisely this predicament, but he helped
the girl gently TO her feet-more power to
him for it, wiped the mist from his own
eyes and the tears from Ellie Dreen's,
with the same communal handkerchief,
SoOthed her into the semblance of a sun
shiny face with hopeful words, told her
he would think it all over at once, as he
really began doing with the most active
wits, and finally parted from her with the
promise that before Saint Patrick's Day
had passed, the Tcombeola folk should
hear direct from him in way he trusted,
that might make their future brighter
and more sure.
Then he walked slowly back to where
the impatient Dan Madigan lay in watt
ing, with his own face more perplexed
than his companions had been when
they left the inn. Suddenly he threw his
hands together. and then tossed them
into the air as though great load was
flung away. with beaming face ran like
lad to where Dan stood, clapped his
hands smartly on Dams shoulder, whis-
pered to him a bit something which had
the wondrous effect of sending Dan Mad
igan feet high into the air with a west of
Ireland whoop of joy that startled the
passers beside them, when the two. arm
in arm, clapping their legs roundly and
sending forth peals OF laughter that
woke echoes again and again from the
century-old silence in the dingy cross
alleys and wynds, as if boys once more
and wild in expectant glee over the dis
covery of some rich unguarded Corrib
salmon pocket they went their merry
way together.