The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1896-11-02

little; natural cunning was struggling
with wounded pride, and that short
sighted longing for swift revenge
which impels mary Il rejected wooer
to fling himself away upon the first
girl he meets, in order to enjoy the
triumph of what is usually but n
Phynic v~ictory-pride won.
IN go" he c:ied suddenly, wheel
ing round, me father, God rest his
soul. often said we were a dacent man,
an sure the whole parish knows there
isn't the dirty dhrop in any of ye"
Right you are, me bouchal." re-
sponded Mr.. Lanigan promptly, that's
the talk, an before long you'll have a
chance of judgin' whether Thady
O'Ratferty has al the nice girls In the
country. So, just jump up here along
side O. me, an Well be over there like
winkin'."
Phelim obeyed and a quick trot
along the winding road presently
brought them to the group of white
washed outhouses surrounding LAM
gan's cottage, whose lighted windows
shone Hospitality through a mountain
mist.
Here the proprietor begged his pros
pectiye SOp-in-law to wait While he
went in and explained matters to the
girls.
They're bashful, poor things, since
they lost the mother" he remarked
confidentially, "an' maybe they'd be a
bit put out if they saw you comm IN
on them all of a Suddint.'
To this arrangement Phelim made no
objection. and Mr.. Lanigan, hastily
passing through the kitchen, went to
t1> ,,np1a, yrhnra &c ho nynnnfpI no
found the three Miss LaniganS plac-
idly engaged on knitting or sewing.
At the entrance of the parent the
three young ladies rose to greet him,
the eldest. Kitty, a girl with dovelike
V limping slightly as she crossed
the room.
Girls alive. don't be fiustered," said
Lanigan breathlessly. "Cissy, stir up
the fire; be quiet, Peg. there's a young
man outside lookin' for a wife; he
must get married this Shrove, an he's
waitin' at the door,.
who is he; eroo?" asked Peggy, the
youngest.
"Spake aisy, Phelim McCaul,' re
piled her father, with a nod, at once
threatening and explanatory. I'm
goin' to give him the pick O ye, an
it's q long time till We get as good q
chance again."
"Shure, he's running after Mollie
O'Rafferty,' interjected Cissy. pauslns
in her operation of sweeping the ashes
under the CRATE,
Yes, but that's all broke off now
answered Lanigan; hes tearin' mad
an 'ud marry the divil's daughter fol
satisfaction. Here, don't waste an,
more time 'ramashin' there, but 81
down, all of We, about the table, Kitty
here, an Cissy at the side, an you
Peg. at this, an don't We get up whel
he comes in, or lave on to be surprised
but be nice an pleasant to him, for
said We were all gone after him, be
jabers."
And s~ilencing the litter with whicl
the young ladies O their places, h
hurried out to Phelim, who, when h
was introduced a few minutes later
found the maidens demurely seated i
positions indicated by their fond pan
. emf.
There was a decent interval filled b
improving the conversation. Will
Bridge, the handmade of the establish
ment. brought in materials for puncl
| ! and 1t was only when the tumble1
were half emptied that Mr.. Laniga
/, preached the subject which occupie
the thoughts of all.
"Now, Phelim McCaul," he sail
: rising, and unconsciously initiating tn
t manner of a gentleman he had ono
seen auctioneering cattle in Killarne.
these are my three girls, the same
l. was tellin' We about. That's the eldes
4 Kitty: I'll give her $500, dry none,
Y and there's the second eldest, CisS,
and she has 200 to her name; an hel
n is Peggy the youngest, an the ma
who takes her now will have f20O. 5
there you are, me bouchal, an whic
l. of 'em will you chooSe?'
l. Mr.. McCaul rapidly worked a lit
c sum in mental arithmetic; naturally ]