The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-30

jewel-like in their slinting gold on
green. In sheltering corner a large
olive notified frog started up out OF the
tangled grass, and went fiinging him
self on before her in a long series OF
expanding leaps: but at last she almost
trod on him as he stopped and sat sud
denly squatting. At the same moment
somebody called her name loudly, close
by: "RoSanne, Rosanne.
A nappy white sun bonnet was look
ing at her over a gate in hedge, a
little way tn the right: and In 1t sh2
recognized her cousin, Martfa~ Ssf11y.
who lived near them at hpfne. And
where might you he --0f to-" Martha
said. as Rosanne came up to the gate,
and wild fine Grandeur on you" she
added, referring to the rose -wreathed
hat.
sure I'm just steeln' about a bit"
Rosanne said, with rather confused un-
corcern She regretted the encounter,
and was not at all disposed to con-
iide in Martha, who had the name of
being "the greatest Ould gossip you'd
meet In a long days walk" Its a fine
warm evenin',' she continued to ac-
count for her stroll
Warm enough bedad" said Martha
you might say so II II was in the hay
you'd been. | come uD yesterday to
work above at Hiliirthy's. and / was
manin' to run over this evenin' and see
you. on'y somethin' delayed me. And
what's the best good news wild you
this long while"
II dunno is there any news in par
tic'lar bad or good" said Rosanne.
with a guilty: Il could an I would"
in her mind, as she thought of the pigs
supper.
"Then you haven't heard tell about
Dan McClean?" said Martha. suddenly
craning her neck over the topmost bar.
What about him at all?" said Ro-
same. with a great start.
You haven't heard?" Martha repeat
ed. in a half incredulous tone.
Cant you tell me?" said Rosanne
I'll come over to you-just waltz"
said Martha. She launched her pitch
fork across the gate, and began to scale
its many bars with remarkable agility
She had scarcely Topped to the ground.
on Rosanne's side of it. before she said:
Hes took up wild Maggie Walsh, that's
what 1t is
Took up wild her?" said Rosanne.
staring up stupidity at her cousin
Ay, bedad. and So he has" said
Martha, but II come to my knowledge
on'y last Sunday About gettin' mar
ried they are after the harvest-he and
your stepmOther's daughter. And he
he all accounts as good as promised to
you. Rosannew
who was telling you so? He never
set eyes on her till she came home af-
ter Easter Dams no affair of mine, I
don't believe any such thing" said Ro-
same rattling the rusty bolt of the
paddock gate
sure they was all talkin' about 1t
after mass said Martha. land that
eNenin' taxed the young fellers moth
er wild 1t. and she didn't deny it, Och,
Rosanne. but you was fine fool to let
your stepmother pack you off to service
that-a-way. wild AIaggia Just comm
home. Earnin' money for yourself. be-
dau. Deed now what notion she had
IN her minds as plain to see as the
seeds In ripe gOosebcrry. Putin yo,,
out of 1t was the way she'd have the
chance-and that's what she's after
doin' on YOU"
shes welcome" said Rosanne des-
perateiy.
Och. that's just talkin'. Rosanne."
said Martha. Il was spakin about ii To-
your father on Tuesday. I'd ha thought
hed he none too well pleased but he
said n0thin' aSin 1t. | supposed she
had him persuaded. Door man. And
Dan : mother was akin me had heard
Tel! ahythin' about young chap was
coortin you up here. Mark my words,
that's the story your stepmother's been
putin into their heads. But / touId
Mrs. MCLEAN there wasn't a iotum of
truth In II as far as ! knew And
there isn't in coorse?" Martha said. /!
glancing again rather suspiciously at
the grand hat.
Maybe there IS, and maybe there
isn't. said Rosannc defiantly. ITS no |
AFFAIR of anybody's. Let other peopla
mind their own business and IN mind |
mine. And let them plase themselves
the pack of them-and they'll please
me. ! dunno which Of them's the great
est liar: but it's little | trouble myself
about them. or else I'll he too late.
So good night to you l;indly-och don't
he delayin' me. you ould tormint," Ro-
same whisked the corner of her shawl
out Of Marthas OBTAINING grasp and
ran away down the field AS she went
she struck up Norah Creina, and sang
II Justify as long as she Thought her
self within hearing: but her mind was
not at all occupied with that gentle.
bashful heroine. The sun had disap-
peared behind the rounded tops of Dril-
maree Wood while she talked to
Martha. and the vivid lights had gone
out among the haycocks and hedges
had grown dimly green.
soft and cool. and when she left OF
singing. not u sound was to he heard.