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

CaS1On demanded. She maze nerSelI DIS
small as possible. held the shawl which
covered her head close under her throat
and in the lulls of the wind increased her
pace to a run. There was really no partic-
uiar hurry but the unusuaIness of her
rand seemed to the girl to give no loophole
for delay. CrumpIed 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 iuxuries enumerated on the slip of
paper were for the entertainment of one
guest Maggie's uncle. her mothers broth
er, whom she had never seen She under
stood him to be rich; indeed, be was al
ways held up by Mrs. COyle as a model for
her husbands imitation Hes hundreds
she used to say, hundreds, and it's my be-
lief they're all in gowld; ye can see money
in is face. It's you might be warm,
Conn. if yed think the poor chlder.
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 Bsllyclogher, and when they did GER
tainly 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.
an she was two shillings short Mrs.
MacDunaugh. who kept the store was
quite willing to give credit for the balance,
but it seemed to Maggie that this course
would be a kind of reflection on her uncle.
While she CROPPED hopefessly 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.
jim she cried lind me two shilling:
I'm that short. You'll have it back tornor-
rer.''
Faith is it you? Well, well, Two shil-
lin is it? How do ye think I'd have all
that about me?''
No jokin'- It's blessin' I saw we,
sure
That's thrue.'' said Jim; 1.-THE polls
might have We else. Maggie" He pro-
duced the money; she settled the account
and took q receipt with an air of grave
dignity. When she came out of the shop
Jim 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.'
I m in a mad hurry, Jim
Did ask We to go slow for me?"
You did not said Maggie, candidIy
That's a great ugly parcel" said Jim;
IAN too heavy for the likes av you Just
hand it here. Maggie
Yen not dhrop it? There's things there'd
break if ye did.
IN howld an to it right enough. What's
inside at alI2 It's morshul heavyr'
An sorts We've visitor comm tonight
Uncle Frank Power
An who's he?'
sure we've heard tell av him times an
times Hes mothers brother
I'D forgot. Maggie"
I've never set eyes on i'm yet-but he's
a grand rich man, I'm towld.''
rs he that? Thin whatll he want in Bal
lyclogher?''
To see his own people. sure
That's kind av i'm said Jim.
We'll. anyway, he's comm, kind or not
Don't ketch the parcel by the shtring.''
"Aisy, Maggie, I was only changin'
arms
''yEnI 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
WED best sheIther a Bit
Maggie hesitated. u could wrap the par
eel up in me shawl she said.
An ketch yer death, That's likely,
There's no hurry, sure, if he's not comm
till night"
He found a dry spot under a wayside elm.
Maggie took the parcel from Jim and care
fully placed il close to the trunk; then the
pair stood side by side before it. and lis
tened to the hiss of the rain in the leaves
and watched the streaming white road.
''Yed made boots in this weather. said
Jim. glancinG at the girls bare feet.
Not al all. What mischiefd little wet
d02 She pressed her toes into the soft
earth.
That's good hearin'." she said.
''Ay. I'm dom WELL" he repeated. yen
be a most woman now, l s'pCse."
seventeen last birthday she said
"Bedad, that's a great age! Almost mar
ryin' time. Maggie. l s'pose ye haven't
notion av it yerSelf2''
How would I, wild all thin childer to
look 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 the
blurred sky and rainy road.
II couldn't" she said, softly.
Jim released her suddenly and cried,
''Whishti There's Mary CTegan COMM
She was opposite the pair almost as soon
as Jim spoke, tall. handsome girl, warmly
clad. though less neat than Maggie. She
had strong shoes on her feet. too, which
should have been sufficient herald Of her
al proach if Jim had not been deaf at the
moment. She paused. and looked them up
and down with smile that had something
of scorn in it, and at the back of that again
IT'S a grand day for the like av that
James Phelan,' she said. I'VE might put
the comether on grown girls, and not chill
der
"'Tfs a grand day. indeed, Mary" said
James. avoiding her eyes.
I'm for Carmore.'' she said; ARE ye
Not now; I've an errand to Bally-
clogher'
'Ah. well! good day to ye." She passed
Maggie had stood quite still, watching
Mary closely all The time
Shes a hard nail" said Jim, laughing
awkwardiy.
she saw
What of that. sure?"
She'll tell an u.s.
let heri"
did We liver kiss her Jim?'
II did. many time-and others have. too.
What's there IN that to throuble wild? I'd
rather kiss you. Maggie"
It's stopped rainin','' she said.
Give me one kiss, astor,' he said; 1.-The
other l TUX widoIt lave
Maggie trembed she lifted her face to
his. and there We're tears in her eyes which
James Phelan did not see
At the door Of the Ceyle cottage which
adJoined the forge. Jim left his companion
with Good day, Maggie" and wave of
hand. He had previously appointed to see
her on the following day.
When the children came In from school
riotous mob. they were taken by Maggie
to be put straight" process which IN
VOWED much bowling and many tears She
was so fun of the mornings episode that
she would have preferred not to change the
dress she Wore: II seemed now to be part
OF the altered life. In the same way she
hesitated to wash the mud from her feet
But of course she did both and In the act
Ds1a rar to-