The morning times., 1896-06-21
ivan. to pick flowers an hear the corn

Want to pick flowers an hear the corn
crake"
So into the fragrant fields she went;
and the raptures thereof were more al
Turing than ever. So much SO indeed that
she stayed out OF the beaten track into
the Kilcesha woods, and even across the
boundaries of Castle Carney park.
THE ALARM.
The Widow O'Farel came back from
marketing about noon and a yexed woman
she was when she leaned that Kathy
had left the farm without seeing her.
AN me bringin' her sweets from Bal
| lycarDey fair, too,' she complained. ''Af-
| ter dinner I'll put on my cloak and 20
across the fields to Mrs. RyaD's."
1t happened that not long before Shae--
mus Veg had returned from his neadowing
| to hear OF Kathy's fruitless visit.
| "Afthcr dinner" he said, "Ill take my
| stick an walk down to Ryan's."
Thetwo osponsorsarrivejat at FarmerRyan's
| yard gate about the same time, aDd great
was their CONSERVATION when they dis
| covered that Katby had not returned from
| her journey.
"wirra, wirra,'' walled Mrs. O'Farrell.
a. 'Tis lost the child is-lost, or carried off
by gypsies."
IN go out an search for her."exclaimed
Shaemus Veg. starting off at a round pace
down the boreen.
Faith. an If he searches for her, III
search for her. too" cried the wido.7.
'Tis me she came to see, anyhow, not
that thief o. the world"
Down the narrow boreen after Shaemus
sped Mrs. O'F3rrell, and, being of sturdier
build than the little farmer. it was not long
before she overlook him. Shaemus gave her
baleful look out OF his eye-corner, but
said no word; and su. side by side. the
twain ciattcred in pursuit of tile missing
Kat.iy.
"Shc has gone into the woods,'' NUT
tered s haemus.
The widow stared. Were We speakin'
to me. sir?'' she dema nded, haughtily;
but Shaemus shook his head contemptu-
ously and made as if to vault the wood
en- stile. Shaemus. however, forgot that
he was no longer what is called in Bally-
carney. "soople.'' He caught one foot in
the st:lc-bar and rolled heavily over into
the wood beyond. When he tried to
walk he found that his ankle had been
painfully twisted.
At first the Widow O'Farreli smiled
grinly at this accident: but when she
had gone a little way into the wood and,
looking back, had seen Shaemus seated
on boulder, nursing his foot mournfully,
her better nature asserted itself.
"Misther Malone" she said, there's no
love lost between us: but We have a right |
to look for Kathy Ryan the same as 1 |
have. Without takin' any liberties, or
hatin' you an yours any less, l make 5ould |
TO offer you my arm" |
Shaemus Veg, after due consideration, |
took the proffered aid. Mrs. O'Farrell,"
was his reply, II don't want your friend
ship, an you don't want mine. Today,
howsomever, We have a common object.
ma'am. We're searchin' for our lost
child 1 take your arm with thanks"
THE RECONCIT TIATION
1t was in the Castle Carney woods, how
ever, that the sponsors received shock |
which all but completely unnerved them.
They had gone on for some distance with
out finding any sign of Kathy, when, on |
reaching the bank OF the river Fear, which
at this point ran through the park, they
stopped and looked at each other with
dread.
''The riverr' gasped Shaemus Veg.
Gould she have fallen in? 1t is deep
here"
'.Arrah, don't ye take on so," he cried.
''Shure she may not be drowned, at ALL"
'Shaemus vegr' said the widow. sitting
up. This is a warnin' to you an me-
Here we are keepin' up our sinful factions
-flyiu' in the very face of Providence.
What luck cnuld we expect from such work
as that?"
True for We. Maurya-true for you,"
muttered Shaemus.
For the first time in their lives these
two had called each other by their Chris
tian names.
Then somewhat shamefacedly, and with
downcast eyes, they made a solemn coven-
ant that If Providence should restore to
them unharmed, their mutual godchild,
the Malone O'Farrell faction should be at
an end. and they should shake hands upon
the spot.
Hardly had they completed the terms
OF this compact when there came waited
toward them on the breeze, a sound as
welcome as It was famiar-the sound of
a childish voice which both knew aud
loved. The voice was singing quaint
old Gaelic ballad, the song of the Fear
River. and the hearts of this old couple
leaped in unison with the lifting measure:
"Vi-Duacb Osraidhe an fioun te
Fionu -clat fairsing ma Feare."
"It's Kathy," cried the widow: and,
Shaemus by the arm, she half
dragged, half helped him along the bank
in the direction whence the voice pro-
ceeded.