Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1899-06-27

brunulkuu WIS uufu W shuo'
lively, he reconstructed his too horid
vocabulary. and altered some OF his
ways.
"she's worth takin' trouble for" he
said TO himself.
Ills gentle persistence had its reward.
and after awhile they had become 40
far friends that Brannigan hazarded
new departure.
"Do you liver 60 out Sunday avenins9"
he inquired one fine Saturday.
SUNDAY afternoons | do" Alma
amended.
"'Tis great out in the park"
"I've heard IL was nice"
I'D be proud II yed ride out there
with me tomorry?"
Alma's delicate color deepened. She
gazed fxedly at the handle OF the door.
Lets say three o'clock"
-rm not through my work till four"
II was the same thing rs an assent
"Ill call for ye at four!" lie went OF
beaming, but her voice made him turn
back In sudden panic.
Don't call for me-" she said. In low.
hesi,n,ing tone; you'd rather you
wouldn't Maybe I'll be at the corner
at four"
The ride out on the open car was very
pleasant Alma enjoyed every bit OF II.
though she asked herself frequently
what was she about
Brannigan was not interpretive; be
sides. he knew what he was about per
fectly. He paid Alma's fares with IN
authority she dared not gainsay, and
eat with his arm on the back OF The
seat behind her.
His heart sweiled; he almost wished
some man would do something for
which he could knock him down. lie
had the primitive instincts OF the tribal
lover; he wanted 10 show his strength
20 the woman he desired, and Il have
her know that strength would alw<ysl
| stand between her and danger.
This feeling increased rs time went
on, and he saw more and more clearly
that Alma was unhappy at home. Her
eyes were often red. She complainVl Of
headache, and on being pressed con-
fessed that "ihe boys were tiresome."
One afternoon strange man came
with the ice.
Tim Brannigan's hurt" he ex-
plnined. IL appeared that Brannigan
had been at a fire, and rushing out of
the burning tenement with forgotten
baby, had broken bis leg. lie was in the
city hospital.
The next day Alma dressed herself
with care In the blue gown Brannigan
liked. and the Sunday ha. with its soar
ing plumes and outspreading ribbons,
and started for the hospital.
When Brannigan saw Alma enter the
ward his face was irradlated with Joy.
And yet. when she reached the bedside.
he was lying very still. with closed eyes
or, with eyes that seemed TO be closed.
"Ah, an Is II you?" he asked. family,
feigning q languid awakening. "'Tis
good of ye TO come. but I'm that wake
l can scarcely take II int"
20, but you'll soon be better, Mr..
Brannigan!" she said. struggling not
TO cry.
"Ah. an do ye think SOP" he asked.
feebly.
Alma looked down at his splendid
proportions In perfect seriousness.
do you feel pain anywhere?" she
asked. fearfully.
"Ahful. Just here." said Brannigan,
laying a muscular hand upon the car
diac region.
Not a muscle OF her face changed, as
he saw through his half'shut eyes. A
ripple of laughter passed over him. and
he bit his lips under the long. tawny
mustache. And while he laughed, he
could have fallen at her feet-she was
so adorably innocent!
Alma saw and wholly mlsinterpreted
the tremor which shook him.
"Are you cold?" she inquired. anx-
iously. She knew that IL was a bad
sign TO feel cold in serious illness.
"Froze QUIT" said Brannigan. in n
choked voice, another and more violent
trcmor convulsing him.
"Don't they give you anything for a
chill?" she asked.
"They can't give me nothin'," he
whispered, 'twouldn't do no good!"
Poor Alma began TO cry. She did not
know people never died OF a broken
leg; and with Brannigan's young
strength and health II was inexplicable.
But, certainly. he was near his end.
Reckless of observation, she bent her
face TO his and kissed him.
And then a strange thing happened,
for the helpless sufferer revived, re-
turned her farewell salute with inter-
est, and held the girl close in a clasp Of
astonishing vigor.
20, my! Mr. Brannigan, aren't you
ashamed? And me thinking you that
III" gasped Alma.
81 niver told ye there was anything
wrong wild me arms!" he cried. "An'
/ was Just sufferin' for a kiss. dear!
Ye've niver let me have one till nowl (he
repaid himself for the deprlyation). All.
Alma, darlin', say yen go TO the priest
wild me when I'm out o. herel I've a
tidy bit in the bank, an nlver a soul
dependin' on me, an I'd make ye 30
happy ye'd not know yerself-"
He became aware of the seyerely-dis-
approving regard of n middle-aged
, nurse on the other side OF the bed, and