The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-25
So the weeI.s passel ma sIx months were

| over.
Tie expected payment did not begin from
that date: she must wait, Power said, un-
| til trade was better-siN months or nine
| had been his words. She should think her
| self lucky for having clothes and free
| keep and a friend Ike his partner to show
her the world. At the end Of the nine
| months she asked again and was again
put on. But Mnggie's idea of a contract
was very simple. and she had much too
! strong spirit to give In tamely to a SUI
! petior power. she pressed-inslsted;
Power shutiled wheedled and ragged by
turns. When she found that no advan-
| tage was gained she determined TO ap-
peal to Riordan.
One eveng she had been to his mothers
| house to tea; afterward he took her for
a sail on the Tough. Il was as they
walked bnrk together chat sac spoke
Mister Rio dan" she said may l asst
ITO be sure Maggie"
IT'S nine months now since ] KEN
here, an at the end of six or nine ! was
promised some money"
quite rlght-an' haven't ye got it?'
Not pinny." she said.
Eye say that?" He stopped short for
la moment; then walked on slowly with
bent brows.
Il spoke to uncle, an he put me afr
agin. l thought maybe ye'd see me
through wild. Mister Riordan. Az coorse.
il I'm worth no pay, IN lave, an well
| come"
1.-The ovid blagyard." Rlordau muttered
under his breath.
Eye see" she went on, II want to take
look at me own people, an till I've
money I'm tied here like dog to
gate"
Maggie. ven have livery penny We were
promised for the lost three months to-
morrer, on me soul. l thought yed had
it,"
Maggie did not grasp the full meaning
of this she only thought there had been
some mistake. "Ah thank We. Mister
Riordan," she said, flushing with pleas
ure.
LAY, an if I've my way We shall have
more-all I've got, beIad, ana ye can dive
away from the ovid man"
Am | worth more?' She asked.
we're worth all a man can give ye.
| Maggie. Sure. II ven have me ven never
go near the shop agin. IN yours for the
takin', chud. and that's Gods thruthH
TIE meaning of II rushed upon her like
a black mist Her heart sickened.
"Ach, not thatr she cried There's a
boy at home who's waitin' av me. an it's
him I'm wearyin' to seer'
| Riordan took the blow like a man. After
a moments silence ne lifted his head and
laid a hand on her shoulder,
If that's So" he said, I'm done, and
not another word II | 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
10 bed and slept more happily than she
had done since the world had changed
for her. But all night in the little count
ing house Frank Power stood at bay, I'M
I'll at least stripped bare Of lying and
subterfuge, his partner saw him for what
he was-a swindler and thief. But Rior-
dan, in his anger let slip word of his
love for Maggie.
After breakfast just before the days
business commenced. Rlordan called her
aside and slipped a packet into her hand
That's the money" he said; ''ye may
go whin We like"
''To-day?'
"Whin We like" he repeated.
and whin must be back, Mister Rior-
dam"
"Ah, well, wen think av that" lie UNI
tied parcel; 1t contained spun silk
shawls, an Improbable investment for
that neighborhood.
I'm thinkin',' he said, bushing to his
hair, that wan av these'd shute ye fine.
Just choose wan, Maggie"
"Ah, ye're too good, Mister Rordan.
What'd do wild the like aV that?"
Wear 1t, sure They're ovid stock he
added, difiidently IAN anyway somev
thin i'll be saved il ye take 1t. Wen not
be here much longer"
Are We goin to lave the shop?'
GAY, that's it. We've ended the partner
ship"
"Thin mustn't I come back?"
Il think it's goodby, Maggie, whin we
go. But wen see later"
He laid the shawl aside. ''Ill parcel it
up for ye," he said.
Before Maggie could answer her uncle's
voice called to her from the little parlor
behind the counting house. Power was
leaning with his elbows on the table
where the breakfast things still remain
ed.
"sit down. Maggie" he said. She obeyed
him He lifted cup as though to drink.
then put 1t down again, and moistoned his
lips with his tongue.
I'm hard driven he said, IAN it's you
can help me-"
How can I help?"
Hard driven" he repeated. "An' me
gettin' an ovid man. / meant no harm,
but the luck was dead agin me ] niver
had a chanst-a poor mans always KEEP
down"
Il thought ye were rich, uncle"
"Richl I'm not worth the price Of me
funeral, and PRISONS starin' me in the
face"
but we've done nolhln' wrong They
can't put ye away for bein poor"
But they can for stealth, child. an
that's what ] was drove to, God help me!
Ay, this mint might be tookr'
He shivered and drew a hand across his
moist face.
you a thief"
That's the word, an We may throw it
at me-" he walled. Maggie, there's only
wan can save me- am that's you"
"Pve only this" she said, and put the
packet Rordan had given her on the Ia
BILE
That's no good" he cried. IT'S you. an
not money. It's me partner, John Rior-
dan, I've robbed. an you can save me
name. If yed marry him he'd forgive
me, an not say word
II can't" said Maggie. HE asked me
last night, an I said No. for there's an
other belong to-"
Eye said No? God save us. where's
yer sinse? Let the other wan 60"
~ can't"