The record-union., 1899-10-01

VHcA SoAAiiie Hedru ner coming down
he got on his feet again and shivered;
the wet was beginning to tell. Statia
stepped into the room and beckoned to
him with a smile and a seductive fore
finger.
Tis all ready she said. YEN find
the things laid out an the bed
Upshtairs-the first dure on the lift.
The candies lightin'."
When he was half way up she called
after him:
4e might bring down the wet things
Wld We, Mister Ryan, an I'll shpread
tnlm afore the kitchen fire to dhry"
VIII, bedad," said Johnnie; ST will"
He went into Dalton's bedroom and
closed the door softly There the dry
clothes lay upon the bed, but it was a
long time before Johnnie could make
up his mind to invest himself in SO
much splendor. Eustatia evidently
meant to put no limit to her hospital
ity' Tor sne had selected her fathers
state garments for the convenience of
her unexpected guest. Both Mike Dali
tons and Eustatia's taste leant to the
parbaric, and this outfit of the old
mans was distinguished for unexpect-
ed color. The blue coat and trousers
johnnie could have accepted without a
pang, but the waistcoat. made by the
deft fingers of Eustatia from a piece of
old fashioned brocaded silk. reached a
decorative hight that left him gasping.
Fancy me in thin things!" he NUT
tered, holding the waistcoat at arms
length. "Whisha! 'Tis for all the world
IKE faylde of poppies, wild bits of sky
IN betWane. God be good to me. the
girls too ginerous intirely!''
But the chill of the steaming clothes
on his back furnished a conclusive ar
gument for change, and so. SLOWLY. and
with many qualms he shed his familiar
Wrappings and put on Mikes magnifi-
cence even to linen shirt with starch
ed Guns, and the amazing waistcoat.
And being thus newly feathered like a
bird in mating time, he surveyed him.
self In the glass and thought of Sta
tia After all, he considered. it would
give him familiar look in the girls
eyes, which might be desirable in the
courtship which was imminent. 1t
must be confessed too that he rather
admired the brilliant reflection on which
he gazed, and in a moment of inspira-
tion he picked up brush and made a
furtive effort at smoothing his shabby
hair.
Being thus equipped, he carried the
candle cautiously downstairs and
coughed loudly on the threshold of the
parlor
Come in, Mr.. Ryan! All. that's
betther, sure! Do you feel aisy now?,
st fQoIC crro r1
Il was just mixin' somethin' hot for
ye There's powerful danger in
chill, I'm towld, but it's aisy KEEP off
wild warm dhrink"
It's yerself's the kindest sowl alive,
Statia."
All, now, don't be talkin'.'
lis Gods thruth,'' said Johnnie.
slipping his hot toddy refectively. He
felt rather stiff and uncomfortable. but
the unusual dignity he experienced
made up for that.
Iis Gods thruth,'' he repeated. "an'
why wouldn't 1 spake it?''
Stat1a dropped her head and gazed
at the fireplace, decorated with what
are known as CRATE shavings and silver
paper.
'Ye've a wonderful taste, intirely."
said Johnnie.
Sure, 1 bought the shavins at Car
more
"Ay, but the silver paper!"
That, too"
Tfs the arrangement I mane.''
1 had that from picter on the bag
twas packed in
We'll. we'll, ye're a wonder" said
Johnnie
The rain lashed against the window
OF the little room, and made a dreary
drumming murmur about the house.
sudden gusts of wind sang through the
cnlmneyS, ratified the DOORS fingered at
creaklng latches. 1t was already quite
dark = a night of tumult and threat
ening
L wish father'd come back" said
Statia- Tis a bad road from Car
more"
He'll come = time enough. Indade,
wouldn't wish i'm back yet, Statia'
An, why not, sure? 1 thought ye
had soft heart, Mister Ryan"
sure, an [ have, girl. I'm as tin
der hearted as yerself.''
An you a mani" she said.
Faith, there's niver doubt av that.
1TWasn't Mike Dalton 1 KEN to see at
all, Statia"
Yen take just another glass, Mister
Ryan? I've the kittle bilin' behind"
No more, no morel" he cried. '"Tis
a clear head I'm needin', and the first
dose was morshul shtrong."
Statia, who had half risen. sat down
again. Leaning slightly forward with
her hands clasped about her right knee.
the outline of her cheek. soft and
rounded in the lamplight, she presented
a picture to which a less impression
able man than Johnnie Ryan might
have done homage. He gazed at her
IN Kind of fearful ecstasy, wondering
now ne dared to think of her as Mrs
Ryan He reflected however that the
name of Eustatia was Interchangeable, a
distinction of which even marriage
could not rob her. After long silence
Johnnie spoke again.
'"Twas you / KEN to see. Statia. Ye
see, I'm lonely man; and now an
agin it comes an me like a clap of
thunder to aft and pay me rispic's to
Mike Dalton's daughther, which," he
added, 'is YOU"
An that's thrue, Mister Ryan,"
laughed Statia
/ reminder when We were wee coll
leen wild the wickedest eyes in the
"Ah, think av that.''
An | wouldn't say but they're the
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