The Irish standard., 1897-09-11
CHAPTER III.


But Dick Wheeler did not so easily
resign the hope TINT Mary would ac-
cept him. In his slow, honest, dcliber.
ate way, he went all over the situution
in his own mind. Hr knew Dons worth,
and he had felt, rs had everybody who
had come in contact with him, tho at
traction of the young fshcrmun's
sweet, kind, careless nature. He knew
oil that with no jealousy or bitterness;
with only Il sober, kindly acceptance Of
the fact. He admitted tho loyalty OF
Mary's heart, land like her all tho
better" he said to himself stoutly. lie
even realized, in an exact, reasoning
way, the force of Mnry's ideal of Don;
'and the longer she waits, the more
she'll care for him, he thought, sober
ly. He must not lose any time, that
was clear. So he tried dozen loving
nrtifices; he called-not too often. IIo
carried fruit to Mrs. Hayes; he sent
books to Mary; and after awhile, to
put her at case, he talked to her about
Don, and showed the affection which
he had always felt for him.
1t all seemed so natural to Mary that
she began to feel, as he meant that she
should, TINT he wast friend
Ties forgotten all that nonscnscl"
she told herself, and grew to depend on
his friendship. She was quite unem-
barrassed when she CHANGED to be alone
with him; if he met her as she was
walking home from school, or if he
found her sitting alone on the beach,
her hands locked about her knees, her
eyes on the far line of the horizon, be-
hind which Don's sails had dimmed,
and dipped, and disappeared forever.
Another year passed in this way.
Dick never spoke, but he went on low
ing. When at last he tried to speak,
her perfect fricndlincss closed his lips
I'D better get shipwreclscd," he told
himself with n little bitterness which
was foreign to his patient nature; ''if
was dead, sho'd think more of me-" lio
did not give up hope, but he was dis
couraged. lie hardly knew himself
how deeply so, for he was surprised to
find himself half sick, and by and by,
altogether sick-"down with Il fever"
his man said, when he came to bring
pair of chickens to Mrs. Hayes door,
and explain that Mr.. Wheeler couldn't
come himself.
''Poor boy!" cried Mrs. Hayes, anx-
iously; land not a vito nor II mother to
take care of him. Well, there, Mary,
1t is too bad!" Mary looked sorry, and
the next day she went to inquire about
him.
well, he's worse" said the hired
man, laconicully. Mary took the news
back to Don's mother, and was very 81
lent.
Bout time to be concerned" old
Mrs. Hayes thought, severely, but that
was only for u moment. Poor child"
she said to herself, she's worried about
him" 'There, now, Mary, cheer up"
she said aloud. II guess it mint nothin'
very bad"
VI don't KNOW" Mary answered, 81
hope not. But I'm afraid il is" And
then, later in the nvcning, when they
had been talking of something else, sho
snid, suddenly: SHE hasn't Il soul to
look after him, except that stupid
Jacob" go.
Mrs. Hayes looked at her inqurngly.
II just wish, said Mary, TREMENDOUSLY,
that you and could"
why, bless your heart" cried the
old woman, eve Will! ! know what
you're going to shy well go right mp
there tomorrow 1'don't know why l
didn't think of it first"
Good nursing lis well enough in it's
way, nut when stdllrd to good nursing
the invalid h"arsIa vote" that he loves,
talking outside his door, to his little,
old. kind nurse. or is told that MARY