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


was handler with the tongue than with
the pen. She heard from her parents
at rare intervals, but in their letters
there was naturally no reference to Jim,
as she had told them nothing of that
incident in her life. SO the weeks
passed until six months were over.
The expected payment did not begin
from that date, she must wait, Power
said until trade was better-six months
or nine had been his words. She should
think herself lucky for having clothes
and free keep and a friend like his part
ner to show her the world. AT the end
of the nine months she asked again and
was put off, But Maggie's idea of con
tract was very simple, and she had much
too strong a spirit to give in tamely to
arsuperior power. She pressed-insisted;
Power shufhed, wheedled and ragged by
turns. When she found that no adj
vantage was gained she determined to
appeal to Riordan.
One evening she had been to his moth
ers house to eat; afterwards he took
her for a sail on the Tough. 1t was as
they walked back together that she
spoke.
Mister Riordan, she said, may asst
we a question"
ITO be sure, Maggie"
Its nine months now since I KEN
here an at the end of six or nine was
promised some money"
Quite right-an' haven't We got it?'
Not pinny," she said.
"Ye say that?" He stopped short for
a moment; then walked on slowly with
bent brows.
Il spoke to uncle, an he put me aft
agin. thought maybe ye'd see me
through wild it. Mister RiordanL Av
coorse, if I'm worth no pay, I'll lave an
welcome"
1.-THE ovid blagyard," Riordan NUT
tered under his breath.
Eye see," she went on, II want to take
a look at me own people, an till I've
money I'm tied here like dog to a
gate"
Maggie, ven have livery penny ye
were promised for the last three months
tomorrer. On me soul, thought ye'd
had it,"
Maggie did not grasp the full meaning
Of this; she only though there had been
some mistake. "Ah! thank We, Mister
Riordan," she said, flushing with pleas
ure.
"Ay an if I've my way We shall have
more-all I've got, bedad, and We can
live away from the ovid man."
"Am l worth more?' she asked.
"Yere worth all a man can give We,
Maggie. Sure, if yen have me yen new
er go near the shop agin. I'm yours tor
the takin' child, and that's Gods TRUTH
% t1Sbo cd 10
like black mist. Her heart sickened,
a boy at home who's waitin' av me, an
it's him I'm wearyin' to see"'
Riordan took the blow like man.
After a moments silence he lifted his
head and laid a hand on her shoulder.
"If that's so,' he said, " I'm done
and not another word I'll say"
Maggie smiled at him through tears.
''Ye're a good man." she said, AN
God bless ye.'
That night Riordan returned with her
TO the shop, where Power was at his
usual work with the books. Maggie
went to bed and slept more happily
than she had done since the world
had changed to her But all night in the
Little counting house Frank Power stood
Mt bay, until at last, stripped bare of "
ing and subterfuge, his partner saw him
for what he was-a swindler and thief.
but Riordan, in his anger, let slip a
word of his love for Maggie.
After breakfast, just before the days
business commenced, Riordan called her
aside and Slipped packet into her
hand.
That's the money" he said; we
may go within We like"
Today"
''Whin We like he repeated.
"And whin must l be back, Mister
RiordanY