Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1899-11-03
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Appeal OF laughter so delicious and nm
expected greeted the conclusion of tn,
song as caused the singer to sit Dol
upright in the long, lush grass in com
ic bewilderment.
The delinquent, slim. bare.h-ade,
S'ri' with the humor still lurking abou
her scarlet lips, returned his stare will
interest.
brian Hennessy's mouth .auiyeret
INTO "A smile beneath the brown mus
tache.
what is the ioke?" he asked.
lhe girl struggled to regain her com
posure.
i really must beg your pardon" sh,
sad IN Clear, sweet voice, "but youl
lament was so exceedingly dolorous
and $685."
Remarkably uneful."
Thank you." gravely. 80 remark,
ably untuneful, that | could not refrain
from laughing at you. 1t was very
rude of me-"
And very natural" said Brian, quick.
~ struggling to his feet
The sun was beating down with fer
vent heat. Grea; lazy butterflies sailed
slowly by. Away at their feet the coun-
Try unrolled itself in panorama of bog
and moorland.
Behind them, long, low, half.
ruined house stretched its gray front
along the hill.
Hennessy looked at his companion
critically. lie saw girl, rather above
the average hsight, clad in cream
coiored frock, which somehow even to
him bore the impress of fashion. Out
OF pure oval face pair of wide, dark
eyes gazed fearlessly.
Il am afraid you are courting an at
tack of sunstroke," he observed, note
Of concern in his voice.
She laughed again-a low, ripping
laugh.
1T is your song which is to blame -
she said gayly. II left my sunbonnet
over there in my haste to see the-er-
singer" mischevous CLEAN in the
dark eyes.
lie hurried around the little clump of
bushes and found the bonnet lying be-
side a book, which had fallen open at
the fyleaf. He could not fail to see the
inscriptions: "Olye NJ. Dalrymple.''
He sighed dismally.
"A grande demoiseile a-rusticating."
he murmured below his breath. "Put
on your very best society manners, Hen
messy, my boy"
The girl stood where he had left her,
. soft smile curving her lips.
ut is he-I know it is he, she thought
quickly; "the man whom Mrs. Dolan
said could coax a bird off tree with his
blarney-poor Brian Hennessy."
81 have brought your book, too, Miss
Dalrymplc,' he said politely, pushing
his battered straw hat to more sober
angle on his fair head, "and perhaps |
ought to introduce myself-Brian Hen
messy, at your service"
She started and gazed at him in puz-
zled way.
"The book lay open," he said, half
apologetically, "and hence my"
"Ah, yes, thank YOU" she said, de-
murely, hiding her laughing eyes be-
lord aren't you?"
"Er-well, yes; l suppose | am"
agreed llennessy, a triie grimly, Eat
present.
"Oh!"-and she faced him quickly,
pain and pity in her eyes - "how
thoughtless of me! Mrs. Dolan has
spoken of you. am so very sorry"
The mans strong, virle face softened
into an indescrbable sweetness.
81 thank YOU" he said, simply.
"Do you know, Mr.. Hennessy," She
said presently, "that came here this
afternoon with purpose"
'Really!"-with quizzical smile.
"Yes"-grayely-"I came to see your
home"
lie bowed low.
81 have heard so much about it, and |
YOU, from Mrs. DoIan,' she continued,
that am consumed with curiosity"
''Is ii not that natural in woman?"
he veutured.
perhaps without relaxing her
But, believe me, it is not
curiosity. ] know the Mr..
Darlington who is foreclosing, and his
laughter, very well indeed. Possibly
might
The man sttfened perceptibly
my dear Miss Dalrymplc,' he said,
4 must beg of you to dismiss any such
dea at once. Mr.. Darlington is quite
Within his rights, and ] should be the
asst person in the world TO question
hem. My loss will also, | regret TO
av. be the tenants loss. \ man who
an deal so harshly With me will not
mare them. AS for Mrs. Dolan, fear
he allows her tongue TO wag much
90 freely"
ut is for love of you'll" she cried, I'm
lie turned his back TO her for a mo-
lent, and his voice trembled little
when next he spoke.
~ know" he said, softly "she is my
oster-mother and is prejudiced."
but all your tenants are alike she
aid.
He did not answer her, but led the
,av through hole in the stone fence,
nd across the old-fashioned garden TO
ybere the great oalken door stood wide
oen. revealing cool, dark hah be-
ond.
Three or four dogs rushed bosterous-
, out, leaping up at him in an ecstasy
{ canine joy.
Mrs. Lyons will give us some tea,
have no doubt" he said, quieting the
ogs with word.
The hour that followed was one of the
oppest he had ever known. And the
,all, back TO Mrs. Dolan's in the cool
IL