The herald., 1897-01-08
; MARY QUIGLEY'S
CHANGE OF HEART
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"Now, moind ye, ye must be quick wild
yer letter." said the cook, opening the
area door to let Mary, the waitress, out
and to sniff the snow-laden air.
"Shure. it won't be tekin' me emmy
| tonne, darlint." answered Mary cheer
| ily dancing TO the pavement. "Oi'll be
back before you can say Billy Martin"
Across the street the little park
| sparked with the fresh fallen snow.
Beneath the electric lights, shining
| mistily through the early twilight. the
| .rees and the earth had a tinsel bright
ness. The children screamed with shrill
pleasure as they dragged their sleds
about. From the church at the corner
! came voices, practising with choir boy
quavers carol that rang:
Only one yet wakes and prays.
Looking down with heavenly gaze
ON her heavenly child.
Mary's heart sang like a bird in her
bosom as she sped along. She loved
the romping children and the singing
boys, the snow and the damp chill in
the air Even when she turned into
Third avenue she was conscious only
Of JOY in all the tangled lights and
trains. the c!ang of the cable. the
shouting Of men. all seemed TO rise and
fol with the rhythm of the Christmas
hynln.
As she hurried along. with stems keep
Ing time to the remembered melody. she
was suddenly aware of a figure that
detached itself from a corner group and
moved toward her with a staggering
ease. And Mary's heart bounded still
more ioyousiv as she recognized the
walk and the air.
"Slure. Mary Oi didn't look to be
seein' YOU" said Jim Nolan. dropping
into step at her side, with nonchalant
proprietary grace.
Dim just runnir' down 10 the posth
office" explained Mary. "Oi want to
get a money ordtrer off airly this even
in, an they're all out at the house an
the cook said she'd tind the door till Oi
came back. Oh, Jim. O'nn thet happy,
Phvat dye think? Ye know Dim sir
din home phUrat OF can every month,
an so Oi was thinkin' Ord have nore
extlira to sind Christmas. But. if ycu'll
behave me. Miss Eunice gave me tioive
dollars this bless'd mornin'. sayin' meb-
be Old be Vantin' to sind little ex-
thra. Or. Jim. Think how surprised
they'll be-"
Jim made no remark. ard she ratified
on in her swift. soft brogue:
Sure. nj can't kape from laughin' till
me sides fair ache thinkin' how sur
prised she'll be. Don't ye moird me
mother Jim? How she do be THROWN
her head back an 'iftir' up her hands
an sayin', Glory to God!' whirever she's
bit upset? Ofnl thinkin' thereM be
niver a wan in Balconnel hutil know NV
this whin airly mass is done Can't yc
just soc her. jim hoofln' it along to
church wid her short gray petticoat an
her ould red slall from Duniip' tel,in'
livery wan she meets? An O. can hear
thin all arswerin' her, can't ye. jim?
They'll all be sayin', Well, it's the COM
fort she is to We. Mrs. Quigley, God bless
fer,' An Father Curran! Can't we see
him listenin' to her wild eyes all sharp
t'll she's finished, an thin sayin': Well
she's the good girl, Mary is, God bless
her."
She stepped abruptly. half hystcriccl
from the picture she had conjlred up Of
the far-away Irish village. jim srorted
ooh. he VIII, will he?" he renlerfed
Hell be tellin her that shure she can't
give LEGS thin four shillin's fur the
church. an that it's to God she should be
givin' praise fur the money. not you"
"Oh, Jim" said Mary. reproachfully
Then, changing the subject quickly, lest