Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-24

the impression they had taken. He was a
ham who habitually masked himself, though
with so little art that close observer saw
MS small soul bare under the disguise
The much-debated meal was hardly So
cial success. To begin with Power had no
great appetite nor did he pour forth the
CONGRATULATIONS which Mrs. Coyle had con-
hdently expected. He ate slowly and
thoughtfully, speaking little and the other
three had to restrain their longing hunger
cut OF respect for the extreme gentility of
the Belfast draper. He made no references
to the old times which are so dear to the
irish heart; he said nothing about the little
old house at killeen, where he and his sis
ter had been brought up: he appeared to
nave forgotten the episode of the brown
COW.
Maggie, poor girl, was as quiet as a sit
ting bird. She was oppressed both by Pow
er's presence and the thought that. for the
nrst time, she had secret from her par
ents. Yet under the oppression there was
a singing current of joy that made music
TO her heart, music hardly to be listened
to without bringing the hot blood to her
cheeks.
After the meal was over and the two men
had their pipes lit, Maggie and her mother
pulled one of the benches to the hearth and
the four sat round the fire with folded
hands, each waiting for some one else to
begin 1t was then that Uncle Frank Power
made start.
IT'S long since I've seen We. Ellen, an
We might think I'd forgotten We, but
twasn't so, faith
"Av coorse not. Frank" She shot a tri-
umphant glance at Conn.
I've been busy man, Ellen an 1 knew
We were well placed with Conn here
Minds change well as times said
| Conn. Eye We're black agin me vance.
Frank"
Power waved his pipe deprecatingly.
"Ay," he said, I'D a fancy for Ellen to
marry Tom Blake"
who's In gaol this two years for as
biagyard a thrick as liver a man played"
| said Conn.
.Thrue for We, thrue for we. Ellen did
well, an a fine family, too. Yell be proud
Nv thin, Conn"
II am, an not wan of thin more throubie
| than bird in cage"
Il sometimes wish" said Power, that
I'd some av me own, for it's well to lave
what We have to yer own blood"
Mrs. Coyles face epitomized all the joy
\ full emotions, but Conn was staring hard
| into the peats and did not see.
I've bin takin' partner" Power went
| on. IAN it's our intention to increase the
business. He's shmart man, wild money,
an he'll take some av the work aft me
| ovid shoulders" He laughed drily. glanced
| round the circle and replaced the pipe in
| his mouth.
! Its time, sure" said Mrs Coyie
| I've bin thinkin' ye might shpare me
| wan av these childer av yours; not" he
added hastily, "a young wan, but, say,
Maggie here
| Me" Maggie called the word out of a
| dream. The dream was broken.
i Hush, dearie." said Mrs. Coyle. leaning
4 forward eagerly and trying to catch
! Shes fine grown girl, an d do well in
| the shop. IT'S pity to lave her here. In
| time she'd be a grand help to We. In six
months. or say nine, afther she'd learnt the
! business, I'd pay her some wages, an in
/ the meantime I'd kape her free intireiy.
The thought just kern to me- he added.
What d we do without Maggie at ALP
, said Conn. Come here, aston"
| She went him and sat his knee with
her arms round his neck and her head sunk
| against his shoulder.
| IT'S a fine Offer" said Mrs. Coyle
| vaguely.
What do We say. Maggie?" Conn whis.
| pered In the girls ear.
No. no. she pleaded, and again. mo
| no." with a shiver that shook her throat.
She chung closer Let me shtay wild ye
| let me shtay."
Conn held her to him and allowed his pipe
to go out He was a poor man with many
clamoring mouths to feed; he was also a
man of strong affections; a bitter struggle
began in him. Frank Power watched eau
tiousiy.
I'm thinhin' the north mightn't sbute
the child" said Conn. AN thin there 4
the young vans. Who'll see after thim?"
Sure, Biddys fourteen, and well able
for it. Would ye shtand in the girls way
Conn.,
God save US. what talk, woman. Shtand
in her way! Is it me harm the child? Ach
Maggie. ye know well yer me own hearts
| biood"'
YES" whispered the girl.
Il say thank We kindly, Frank Power
and God bless We for the thought av us
Wen settle what We'll do tomorrer. Aft tc
bed wild We. Maggie, aston. and lave us t,
think a bit"
She slipped from Conus knee after ar
embrace piteous with entreaty. kissed heI
| mother and the uncle whom she already re.
| garded with a kind of terror and went ut
quietly to bed. 1t was the first night M
! the girls life in which she had experienced