Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-02-25

Deiane, and tonight the nusplclous
event was to take place. Preparations
had been made on grand scale; John
Delane had determined TO make this,
the wedding of his only child, mem
orable event.
The match between Mary Delaae
and Shaun Brady had been brought
about and perfected by Pat Mulcahy,
renowned matchmaker. Mary was
an exceptionally pretty girl, and as
good rs she was pretty. Shaun Brady
was twice her age, possessing an I'M
cnviable name and many enemies
but, as John Delane remarked, "a
moneyed man has many jealous
friends" and money Shaun had in
plenty, that covered all deficiencies,
moral and physical, in John Delane's
eyes.
Mary Delane had no love for Sham
Brady, she we'll knew that her life
would be, in many ways, hard one
but she had been badgered by her
father until she had said yes with a
heavy heart. As she came into the
parlor that fateful evening, dressed
simply in white muslin, white rose
nesting in he1 raven hair, every eye
turned upon her; she bore the scrutiny
bravely, and welcomed the assembled
guests in her own hospitable way;
they we'll knew that her heart was not
included IN to-night's bargain.
The bridegroom and priest had not
yet arrived, but the dancing began
Tom Harry, the fiddler, playing "The
Wind That Shook tho Barley" in fin
ished style. Mary did not participate,
reserving her first dance for her future
husband. She received the guests as
they came, standing proudly beside
her father, her face white as marble.
Her thoughts were wandering far
and wide when voice aroused her
and sent the blood to her cheeks.
"God save all here.'
Good save you kindly. Dan," she
heard the company respond i'll unison.
and then Dan Reardon was shaking
the hand which she mechanically ont
stretched.
In moment he had gone, minglin 8
among the guests.
"Its about time the groom and his
reverence were here" said Mary $
uncle.
sob, they'll be here directly now, y
said John Delane. "Shure she'll be
taken from me soon enough"
Dan Reardon sat by the porch door,
gazing abstractedly into the darkness
outside; Mary watched him from her
place beside her father, and as that
good man arose in answer to SER
wants call, she slipped quietly over 10
where Dan was.
"a penny for your thoughts, Dan, u
said she.
They're priceless, MISS" said he,
''for was just thinking of the wan I
love best in this dreary, bitter world. -
'lndade!' said Mary. can shure
it's nice girl she must be, to win
your love-"
She said this lightly, though der
heart was heavy.
tCHC ~ thC SW tClCSU thdt
ever put foot on the ground"
can [ suppose she returns your
love, DAM" she asked, interrogatively.
ooh, no, no, miss. Shure it's lit
tie she knows Of the love I have for
her. and in wan way I'm glad. It's
jmpident she'd think me, without C
pinny to me name, to have serious
thoughts about her.
eff ] am not too bold, Dan, I'll be
after akin you who she is, an it's
anxious I nm to know"
But this question seemed to cause
Dan the greatest confusion, and,
strange to say, when Mary locked at
him, and their eyes met, she clso grew
confused.
"Och, shurc, Miss Mary" he STAN
mcred, you'd he the last ono I'd tell
Don't axe me 10 more, shure it's only
folly on my side
"Wc!l, thin, Dan, you con tell me
whether she Is dark or fair
"Well, I'll soy this much, miss, that
to me, she's the fairest girl in Kerry
Give me her initials thin" coaxed
Mary, nm maybe ] can oness."
''A"--al, now, don't say no morc
about it,
"Rut you must tell me-" she in
sisted. "I'l! not let you alone Ill
You do"
We'll thin, since you're so detar
mined, I'll tako tho consequences an
tel! YOU; her name is'-here ne waited
Tor q uoment-"Mary Delaua.'
Mary blushsl like wild rose, ant
stammcred--
ooh, Dan, shure you can't name
me?'
Dan looked he. tul! in the face .:
he said. quietly
Its you / name, Mary; but lon'i
DO angry; shuro thought I'll cut II,
tongue ort bofo,e Ia tell you, hut yo'
drove ne to Il. Oh dear. on dear, IN
on yony weGdi1' night iro, Don
iaind lac, miss; I'll not trouble you i,
any WY again, but call Gods bless
ings Gown on you this night, an IN.
Constant prayer vii he for YOU hap
piness.'
can do you think l could be lapp,
with Sham Brady?" asked Mary, will
m upward glance.
"Wc.l, / hope you'll be-" lie gu
swcrsh rvasisely.
- what's the good hoping an!
sac. tl;tJ, when You know. wall as 4
90. IA. happiness and ! will part for
eve; wher l marry Shaun? l have
been forced into it, an shall try to dc
ny duty: its t1o late now to turn
lack
DIN looked up, with letermNatio,
IL every line Of hi, fine lace.