Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-03-09

The ride out on the open car was very
pleasant. Alma enjoyed every bit OF it,
though she asked herself frequently
what was she about.
Brannican was not introspective be-
sides, he knew what he was about per-
fectly. He paid Alma's fares with an
authority she dared not gainsay, and
sat with his arm on the back of The
seat behind her.
His heart swelled; he almost wished
some man would DO something for
which he could knock him down. He.
had the primitive instincts of the tribal
lover; he wanted to show his strength.
TO the woman he desired, and to have
her know that strength would alwSys
stand between her and danger.
This feeling increased as time went
on, and he saw more and more clearly
that Alma was unhappy at home. Her
eyes were often red. She complained of
headache, and on being pressed con-
fessed that the boys were tiresome."
One afternoon a strange man came
with the ice.
Tim Brannigan's hurt" he ex-
planned It appeared that Brannigan
had been at fire, and rushing out OF
the burning tenement with a forgotten
baby, had broken his leg. He was in the
city hospital.
The next day Alma dressed herself
with care in the blue gown Brannigan
liked, and the Sunday hat with its soar
ing plumes and outspreading ribbons,
and started for the hospital.
When Brannigan saw Alma enter the
ward his face was irradiated 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 1t you?" he asked, family,
feigning a languid awakening. "'T1s
/ good of We to come, but I'm that wake
l can scarcely take it in!"
80, but you'll soon be better, Mr.
Brannigan!" she said. struggling not
to cry.
"Ah, an do ye think so?" 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 n 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!
i tel far a
the tremor which shook him.
"Are you cold?" she inquired, anN-
iousiy. She knew that it was a bad
sign to feel cold in serious Illness.
''Froze QUIT" said Brannigan, In q
choked voice, another and more violent
trcmor convulsing him.
Don't they give you anything for n
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 broken
leg; and with Brannigan's young
strength and health IL 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.
80, my! Mr.. Brannigan, aren't you
ashamed? And me thinking you that
| III" gasped Alma.
"I niyer told ye there was anything
wrong wild me armsl" he cried. AN
I was lust sufrerin' for n kiss, dearl
4 IeNUr.4,r4 90 Iue nave one ~ nov lLS
repaid himself for the deprivation). 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 niyer soul
dependin' on me, an I'd make ye so
happy ye'd not know yerself-"
| lie became aware Of the severely-dis-
approving regard Of n middle-aged
nurse on the other side of the bed, and
let Alma 20. Then he winlsed with glad
efrrontery at the intruder.
"'Tis all right" he assured her;
"kissin' amt agin the rules whin it's a
mans own gyurl he's goin' to marry
is It, now? An yere goin' to marry me
the minute I'm out, aren'ty Alma, me
dear?"
Alma was torn with a variety OF emo
tlons; but she loved Brannigan.
"Yes," she said.-Boston Globe.