Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1899-04-27

4 a
mind me, miss; I'll not trouble you il
any way again, but call Gods bless
ings down on you this night, an m,
constant prayer will be for your hap
piness."
can do you think I could be happ,
with Shaun Brady?" asked Mary, witt
an upward glance.
"Well, I hope you'll be" he an
swered evasively.
can what's the good hoping any
such thing, when you know, wall as l
do, that happiness and I will part for
ever when 1 marry Shaun? have
been forced into it, an shall try to dc
my duty; it's too late now to turn
back"
Dan looked up, with determination
in every line of his fine face.
'No, Mary" he said, lit is not too
late. If you care for me, or think that
in time you could give me your pre-
cious love, say again that it is not too
late"
"Oh, Dan, shure you forget that
I'm to be married this night. His
reverence and Shaun are expected any
minute"
''I'm not forgettin' the fact, and it s
short time you have to decide. Well
run away, an go straight to Father
Duffy's an be married, an wild you at
my side to give me courage I'll work
my fingers off to give you comfort"
Then Mary, with love-lit eyes (oh,
/ 4 - nj
of an hour ago) and blushing cheeks
consented.
"I'll 20 wild you, Dan. My heart
you already possess, an you might as
we'll have me wild it. Go round to my
bedroom window; I'll drop my mantle
out, an you must wait by the old fort.
I'll follow as soon as L can without
raising suspicion"
Dan did as he was told, and Mary
went amongst her guests with bewil-
dered head and heart. At the first
chance she stole away, and in less
time than it takes to tell, they were
well on their way to Father Duffy's,
regardless of any consequences.
The bridegroom and priest arrived.
There was much handshaking for a
while, and when the guests Of honor
were seated, John Delane, with shy
glance at the groom, asked where
Mary was. Nobody seemed to know.
"Och, shure," said Mary's aunt,
"she saw ye comm an hid away;
she's like the violets, she's that shy"
The bridesmaid-to-be, pretty girl
in blue, went to find her, but in vain;
Mary was not in the house.
''That's strange" said her now
highly excited father. "Here, Johnny
Doolan, run as fast as you can down
to Dalton's-I'm shure she's there
an tell her the groom has arrived"
On his way Johnny met Peggy Dali
ton coming to the wedding.
isn't Miss Mary wild YEP" cried
Johnny.
miss Mary is it? Faith, I haven't
laid eyes on her since Yesterday, an
it's aown-huarted she was, be the same
token"
where can she be?" said Jo'
scratching his red head. "Shure I'll
be kilt intirely ii 1 go back widout
her"
"Oh, come back wild me, maybe
they're married by this time" said
Peggy.
But when they reached Delanes,
Mary was still missing, and confusion
reigned supreme. The groom was
wild, John Delane wandered, half
dazed, from room to room, calling
Mary. The music ceased and the
guests prepared for home, shaking
their heads wisely and whispering in
groups. A few who knew of Dan
Reardon's love for Mary, and missed
him also, shrewdly guessed where the
girl had gone, though they were care
full that John Delane did not hear
them discuss their well founded sus-
picions.
The groom left the house vowing
vengeance, and the good priest com
forted the lonely father as best he
could.
Two weeks from that memorable
night the runaways returned, and
were welcomed heartily to the village.
Mary resolved to ask her faith ers for
giveness; she loved him dearly, and
her conscience troubled her. She in
sisted on Dams accompanying her
The old man grew white with anger
when he saw the culprits before him.
away wild vel You beggar-yor
thief of the night-you come and stand
for-ninst me, wild brazen impotence
after stealth the apple of my eye, my
only child Away wild YEP
"All right, sir" said Dan, his head
thrown back, "we'll go. Come on.
achulsha! but I'll have you know, sir,
that I'm no beggar; I'm we'll able tc
make livin' for my wife, an I'll dc
it wild Cod, help"
Mary cried bitterly as she turned
away from her childhoods home
John Delane stood sorely perplexed
between fatherly love end stubborn
pride, but love conquered, 'and scarce
had the bride and groom gone yard
when they were recalled by him. The,
turned and walked back. Dan reluc
family, and were met half way by tn,
father, who seized Dams hand.
L. > r.. L L Il.