Free press., 1901-09-07
MAY-MoRNING MAGIC.
BY ALICE FURLONG.

It was on the very last day of thc
month that Dan Hefernan, Of Windy
Gap, came to his father where he was
Ploughing in the steep field, and walked
by his side on the unbroken sod, and
told him that he was going to seek q
wifee. The father began to count the
comfortable young women in the parish.
There's Kate O'Connor, a likely
girl; or Grace Rohan, that has a roll o.
guineas tied up in a stockin','' he said.
He drove tn, bright ploughshare in tha
earth and III / on the meek cattle up
the slope. IT, sun was dipping behind
Sieve Ruadl&c evening birds began to
pipe and Tilt from the green copses; anu
a host Of crows were in the track OF the
plough, watching for worms and gar
rulous among themselves "Or mebbe
you'd be haivn' an eye on the widow
woman-G fine armful?'' said the faith
er.
The cheek of the young man redden-
ed. He had no fancy for MolIie Do
heny, the widow-Woman A yea" makes
great difference in the feelings of a
young man.
81 went courtin' her last summer, .
said Dan to his father. But It was
before the uncle in Tipperary town left
me that bit o. money, and she said NO
to me-"
The round gold sun rolled out os
sight over the edge of the mountain,
The young man looked up as The last
gleam went, and he saw in heaven
little clouds hovering.
"Mollfe WIS senible woman, father y
said Dan. AN that's no bad compli-
DGnt to put upon her-but I'm going
elsewhere for wife"
It was then that the old man followed
the way Of his sons looks, and saw
how they went to the cabin in the green
dusk of the distant mountain-c!eft.
The cabin was well-nigh dark. what
with haze of the turf-smoke aod the
hour that was in it; but Dan saw the
mother of Noreen knitting beside the
hearth, and who should happen to be
her companion but Mollie Doheny the
widoW-woman. The young man was no
whit sorry to see her there; his black
eye flashed as he bade her the time Of
eve ng, and sat himself u the
creepie stool by Mrs. O'Driscoll.
what good luck druv ye this wa.1
tonight, Dan agra?" asked the moth er
of Noreen. "An' did ye catch e'er a
glimpse O. me little girl as ye come VI
the hi1l?"
'"Tis lookin' for Noreen come here
ma'am," said Dan, and he fl Ied hi:
eyes upon the mother in such a manner
that she partly guessed what ne was
after. AS for the young widow woman
she grew as red in tie face as a poppy
With his five sleek COWS to grave hel
two little fields, dan Heffernan had
been husband to Mollie's fancy
"It's u1lucky &C, take wife n thC
D,-onth O. May" she said viciously.
"I'n wait till Mays over,' answered
Dan Heffernan. can mebbe We will pu
in an appearance at our weddl1'. Mol
Ge."
"Who's talkin' of a weddin'?' cried {
| voice from the door, and in walked lit
tie Noreen herself, and her eyes like
yiolets all shining with the e7eninG
dew.
'"Tis meself is talkin' of it, NGreen,
said young Dan Heffernan, and, stand
ing up, he put his two hands on he
shoulders, and looked down into he
face, ''an' it's you that has tn sayin' O
yea or nay to me in the matther."
you've a rag on every bush, DaI
Heffernan!'' cried the widow, rising
and fiouncing out of the place.
1t fell out that as Mollie Dohenv wal
on the road she met with the wise wo
man from Drumderg.
The wise woman lifted her eyebrows
and peered out at Mollie Dohe1y, an
began to smile darkly.
What harm is in it to talk with th
Shee, t fine an fair people Q
tn raths?" she said mumbling.
She dropped her dark, cleaning eyes
and moved forward on her way
wait a minute, ma am, just min
ute," cried Mollie of a sudden. she ha
forgotten her fright, and remembere
the insult put upon her by that youn
Dan Heffernan. I've a grudge -agen
neighbor that did me a bad turn-teI
= !
repent of it, Granny asthore,''
Would ye fancy strip O. skin peel
ed without break from head to foot c
q corpse. to put into their bosom al
make them love ye to distraction, Will
r you'd make them into a by-wnid wi
tn neighbors be your scorn"" sh
|, croaked. her restless gaze never ceasin
to wander, that dusky fire always way
;. | ering in her ewes. s'Or would We have