The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-25
Copyright 1899, by

herself as small as possible, held the
shawl which covered her head close I'M
der her throat and in the lulls of the
wind increased her pace to a run. There
was really no particular hurry, but the
unusualness of her errand seemed to
the girl to give no loophole for delay.
Crumpled up in her left hand was slip
of paper on which was scrawled a list of
the articles she was to buy and carry
back to Ballyclogher.
The uXuries enumerated on the slip
OF paper were for the entertainment of
one guest. Maggie's uncle, her mothers
brother, whom she had never seen. She
understood him to be rich; indeed, he
was always held up by Mrs. Coyle as a
model for her husbands imitation. Hes
worth hundreds she used TO say, ''hull-
dreds, and it's my belief they're all in
gowld: ye can see money in is face. It's
you might be as warm, Conn, if ye'd
think av the poor childer."
As the girl struggled on against the
wind her head was busy with thoughts
of the uncle who was rich The word
coming close home, as it were, set her
imagination dancing. for rich men did
not often come near Ballyclogher, and
when they did certainly not as guests
of Conn Coyle. She knew what poverty
was though that not of the acutest-she
generally had enough to eat. but the idea
OF riches swept her up into new world.
She made her purchases all at one
shop and then found, as was inevitable,
that Mrs. Coyle had miscalculated the
prices, and she was two Shillings short.
Mrs. MacDonaugh, who kept the store
ifn will ~ rvix- tlHez
balance, but it seemed to Maggie that
this course would be a kind of reflection
on her uncle. While she CROPPED hope
lesSly in her pocket for money which she
knew was not there, she saw James
Phelan pass the door. An inspiration
shot her TO his side.
lin; I'm that short. You'll have it back
tomorrer."
Faith, is it you? Well, well! Two
all that about me?'
mo jokin' It's blessin' l saw ye,
sure"
That's true" said jim; "the polls
might have had We else, Maggie" He
produced the money she settled the ac
count and took a receipt with an air OF
grave dignity When she came out OF
the shop Jim was waiting.
rs it you still?" asked Maggie.
AN why not? I'm goin' your way,
sure, and we might as we'll walk in
shtep."
PPM in mad hurry, jim"
Did l ask We to go slow for me-"
-'Ye did not" said Maggie, candidly
That's a great ugly parcel" said Jim;
IAN too heavy for the likes av you.
just hand it here Maggie"
"Ye'll not dhrop it? There's things
there'd break if We did"
al how'd an to it right enough.
What's inside at all? It's morshul
heavyw
IAN sorts. We've a visitor comm to-
Frank Power"
An who's hep
Sure ye're heard tell av hiln times an
times. He's mothers brother"
I'D forgot, Maggie"
1--WE never set eyes on i'm yet-but
he's a grand rich man I'm towld."
us he that? Thin what'n he want in
80 see his own people, sure"
That's kind av i'm" said Jim.
''Well, anyway, he's comm, kind or
not. Don't ketch the parcel by the |
"Aisy, Maggie, 1 was only changin'
Twill l take a turn at it,
Lave it be, child"
The wind had dropped somewhat, and |
a smart shower of rain came on. After |
a time Jim said
0Ne'd host shelter n bit"
Maggie hesitated, II could wrap the
parcel up in me shawl - she said.
'An' ketch yer death! That's likely
There's no hurry, sure, If he's not
comm fill night"
He found a dry spot under a wayside
elm. Maggie took the parcel from Jim
and carefully placed it close to the trunk;
then the pair stood side by side before
it. and listened to the hiss of the rain
in the leaves and watched the streaming
white road.
eyed made boots in this weather"
said Jim, glancing at the girls bare
feet
Not at all! What mischief'd little
wet do?" She pressed her toes into the
soft earth.
'T'm dom we'll now, Maggie"
That's good hearin," she said.
"Ay, I'm dom WE'LL" he repeated. !
'Ye'll be Almost q woman now, l
s'pose!"
Seventeen last birthday" she said.
"Bedad that's a great age! Almost
marryin' time, Maggie. l s'pose ye !
haven't q notion av it yerself?'
How would /, wild all thin childer to
ook afther?"
Jim slipped an arm round her waist
and kissed her.
81 thought We might have" he said.
Maggie flushed and closed her eyes for
/ moment; then they opened again to see
he blurred sky and rainy road.
II couldn't" she said softly.
Jim released her suddenly ind cried, !
'Whisht! There's Mary Cregan com
n'w
She was opposite the pair almost as
DON as Jim spoke "a tall handsome girl.
clad, though less neat than Mag /
ne. She had strong shoes on her feet.
90, which should have 5eeen sufficient
herald of her approach if Jim had not
,een deaf at the moment. She paused
Ind looked them up and down with a
mile that had something of gcorn in it,
md at the back of that again spark