Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1899-10-21
SIS "a an u II "a Hz7
i THOSE OLD DAYS d


Gentlemen" sail Captain Hammond,
"thcrc's dog aboard this ship. reckon
he's = I IL master. Does he belong to any
of yoU?''
lie loots IKE dog of mine" said Gre
gan.
did you bring him on board, sir?"
Gle came with me.
You should have let me know, Mr..
CicEan."
Sorry, captain. l didn't know you
likcd dogs
y don't like 'cm on my ship. Some
pcopIcd throw him overheard, Mr.. Gre
gan
"Ah. would they? Thcrc'd he the devil
and all to pay if they DID. y lot depends
ON that d.. Captain Hammond. III
stand for his keep and lodging. That's
fair" Punch shook hands all around,
and Captain Hammond WAS app"ascd.
The dog naturally became the most
popular prlSanngc on the ship. Most of
his time he devoted to Crcgan. The rest
WAS punctilously divided between officers
AMI ..cn.
At lilo de .Iunriru John Crcgan discm-
balkcd with Punch and his few belong
ingS. 80 one on board had succeeded in
discovering HIS buSlll'SS' Ipt NN'lI NV
captain, who had done his best to d,aw
him.
When Crcgan landed, he put up at the
most moderate hotel he could find and
looked about him for family named
Doyle. He found families called Doyle
in every conceivable condition of life, but
from all Of them he turned away unsat-
iSiicd. Wherever Crcgan went Punch
a. f,,N
Come. Punch. Wen take Il turn" said
CrCgan one cool evening.
The main thoroughfares were crowded;
lighted saloons not too choice. ShOnc up
on the street; the people of Rio were
Crcgan turned into darker and narrower
ways, bordering deeply on the strange
fortune that brought him so far on to 50
poor Il chance Of success. suddenly Punch
started forward, nose to ground. Crcgan
saw a figure pass into Il squalid looking
house.
Back. dog" he called. Punch came
to heel all quivrrng with excitement.
is it true find, | wondcrE' he
thought. drawing back into the shadow
with his hand ON the dogs collar.
In half an hour the figure came out 1t
was woman in the dress of IL nurse.
Punch strained to free himself.
"Quict! Not now. This isn't the right
place - interview II lady. You should
knoN nat. Punch"
Cr,-an was more excited than the dog.
lie could have danced for JOY. When
the woman was out of sight, he went up
to the house which she had left and
Knocked \ dragglcd child came to the
door.
"N'ho was the lady who just left!'
"Surc, twas Sister MORA"
"Whcrc does she live
"How could | know, sorr|'
"Wil she he here tomorrow"
''Shc will, SOFT.
Crcgan scrubbed his address on piece
of paper and slipped it and coin into
the chid's hand.
Give her the paper tomorrow and tell
her to come at once. Spend the money
daccnt now. ayick."
He hurried back to the hotel and tric |
to sleep. but the morning found him with
heavy eyes and aching head. All day he
sat at his window with the dog, watch ng
for the woman i'll II nurses dress.
At last she came. 1t was toward even
ing. and the cool wind was blowing UP
again She was shown into an empty
room. according to his instructions, and
lie and the dog went down to meet her.
When the door was opened, Punch
sprang to her joyfully. With Il little star
tied cry she drew away; then she fell on
her knees and buried her face against his
shoulder.
"Punch, Punch!" she cried. is it
you?"
"I'vr brought him to you, Moira," said
Crcgan. Twas he who found YOU"
And you too. Oh, john
He took her hand and held it for a
long time in silence, gazing into her eyes.
Then he let it fall, with a sigh that show
cd what WEAKNESS had been lifted from
him.
81 didn't WRITE" he said. because my
name would be nothing but trouble to
YOU. Il reminder of bitter days"
Never that" she cried.
1T was through my father that you
were made poor" he went on firmly;
"othcrwiSc you would never have left
home. Let me speak. MDira. | have had
enough good fortune to be able to repay
Mr.. Doyle every penny. Here it is"
He tool; draft from his pockctbook
and laid it on the table.
'Dont"' she cried.
"You must take it to him."
"John. he died Il year ago"
'Thcn I'm too Late
''Not too late, for your goodness was in
the thought. ! never can forget that"
CrcGan sat staring at the draft, which
was drawn to the order of a dead man.
His head swan.
"Thcn it's yours now. You're alone
and need it, The things been hanging
around my neck like milestone. Take
it, Moira."
"For the sake of the old days." she
said. "don't ask me-
It's for their sake do ask. Dear
God. the old days
"Whrn are You going back"
"Ncv"r. shall stay here to redeem
my fathers name"
'JOhn. are you ill.,"
"OnIy little fcvcrsh."
She felt his pulse and passed a cool
hand across his forehead.
''Th" old days, MORA. if only we could
bring them back, if only dared
"Ycs?"
"lcll YOU
She kneIt beside him and gazcd up into
his face with eyes full of mingled joy and
fear.
'TCll me- she said
Il have loved You always"
Her head sank and rested against his
knee.
"John," she said, Il was always yours
| thought you'd forgotten me"
There WAS need for Sister MOira'S nurS-
ing. The yellow fever gets to work quick
ly. and in II hours Crcgan was in its
grip. He was not Il particularly good pa