The Saint Paul globe., 1899-02-12

his dark eyes Iull Ol otu-
miration as he looked up from his task of
settling the blistered old boat, to the radiant
figure on the bank above the tender May
sunshine lighting up the Ied-gold hair and the
rose-and-white coloring Of the happy young
face.
What did it matter to him that the blue
gingham gown faded and old, and that
the blue hat which shaded those wonderful
Irish blue eyes was of the fashion OF the year
before last?
Was she not Shela Irwin. whom he had
worshipped ever since they were children to-
gether?
Il won't tell you until we are out on the
lake." she said, with a joyous little laugh.
DO you know, I excited that l was
nearly forgetting about coming; and that
would be pity, when L may not be able to
go again for ever So-oh, but l mustn't say
that yet!''
He looked at her. hardly needing the exact
meaning Of her words in the delight OF hear
ing her voice.
well, never mind, so long as you have
come, Sheila. We always have come out on
Lough Morne my birthday, haven't we?'
he said, as he stretched out his hand to steady
her into the boat
"Oh, we did lots of things when we were
children that we can't keep doing all our
lves!" she said, jumping lightly in.
The boat was pushed off, and Roddy bent
to the oars, with the ease of strong muscles
and much practice.
Indeed much of his life was spent on the
bosom of wide and treacherous Lough Morne
where there were unknown depths of black
water, and where fierce squalls rushed down
the mountain passes, fatal to any who were
not expert sailors; but, perhaps, he loved it
all the better that account.
Once, in years gone by, the boat had been
capsiZed, but he, then mere lad, had saved
both himself and Sheila, who, usual, was
with him, and since then he had felt as if she
more closely belonged to him.
He was looking at her now with air of
almost jealous proprietorship, as he bent to
his work. but Sheila was too much absorbed
in her thoughts to notice that.
"Well. 1 must begin at the very beginning -
she said in tone of great enjoyment. Il
dare say you have heard my father talk some
times of his brother-in- law, Colonel Harding ?
Oh, you haven't? Well, he does not often
speak of him, because he my mother s
brother, and, you know, he cannot bear to say
anything that recalls which time,' and lit
tie shadow came over the radiant face for it
was a matter of common knowledge that
Feargus Irwin had so idolized the fair haired
English bride whom he had brought back
to his Irish home, that. when she died, he
had almost lost his reason, and, for time,
had seemed to nourish an unreasoning re-
sentiment against the innocent baby who had
cost that precious life; and Sheila had grown
up with the idea that she must hide herself
from her father much as possible.
He had indifferently consented to her shar-
ing the services of the Rectory governess, IN
der the rectors urgins, and always treated
her with a distant courtesy that had cost her
manv a bitter tear in days gone by, but she
had grown so used to It that it was but sell
dom it hurt her, and now the shadow soon
passed and she went on, gaily-
well, anyhow, he is my uncle although we
hardly ever heard of him; and now he has
retired, and come back from India, and his
wife-fancy! I have never seen her either, and
vet 1 suppose, she is my aunt-has written a
letter. asking me to GO and stay with them in
London.
Now. did you ever hear of anything so
delightful? have talked to Maggie about it
till She is so muddled she does not know what
she is doing; and then 1 thought of you.
Poddy, why do not you say something's"
He was gazing at her in anything but
delight.
But you will not go, Sheila-away from
US ALL" he cried imperatively, a sudden pal
lor coming over his bronzed skin.
Not go, when it is the thing 1 have been
longing for all my life, and thought it coult