The Savannah morning news., 1901-03-03

What can I do to keep him? And al
ways through the weary days that fol-
lowed, her one thought was that: How
can l keep him? What can l do to keep
him? And SO time went.
"rChree days ago-that was Thursday
in this very week-was fair day in Clog
heen, and after breakfast time Mary
puts on her hat, takes the child and
sets out with James for the fair. Twas
nearly the last day, says she. Better,
sure, to spend it together in diversion.
Why, to be sure, answers James, nothing
10th, and in they trudged to Clogheen.
saw them there myself, going up and
down the sidewalks, and to all appearance
the world was well with them. James
had his head in the air and looked a
trife flushed. as well he IN ght. seeing
all the friends that were wishful to bid
him goodbye. and Mary, a little wild in
her eyes and unsteady about the lips.
But sure, all that was nothing at all.
Not every day a man went to the wars;
not every day a woman parted with the
man. So most of us pitied Mary, and
clapped James on the shoulder and wish
ed them both well God be with them
said We as the fashion is, and might He
bring them safe together glin. Cheer
up Mary said we cheer up, girl. Sure
it's not every woman in the town has
married a hero And James laughed in
his noisy way. but never a smile came
near the lips of Mary Her face was the
color of ashes. She had a wild, haunted
look All the time you were speaking
she was just locking through you with
her big black eyes. and her lips were
quivering. Can l keep him? must have
been the thought with her ways and
ever. Can keep him from going?
THE day wore on, and about 2 o'clock
Mary takes James into Graham, the
watchmaker's on High street, to buy him
some trife of a keepsake to carry away
with him. TIN be something to look at
says she. and takes her place by the
COUNTER something to mind We of home
So Graham opens a glass case and brings
out his tray of nick-nack, lockets and
chains and scarf pins and all the rest.
laws it in front of the two, and waits
for them to make their choice. Here's
something 1 can recommend, says he, ana
here's a wee thing might take your fancy
But though James liked this and thar,
Mary couldn't be satisfied She wanted
something better or something handler,
or something more useful and Graham,
being a good-hearted man and knowing
Mary well and the trouble she had hum
ored her all he could-brought out watches
and rings and knives and spoons, till the
this do?' says Graham; or would this?
No. says Mary; 1T won't Al last set
ties on a silver locket Chat being her
womans way hands it to James, puts
down five shillings to pay for it, then
Just as Graham stoops to open the till,
slips watch from the counter beneath
her shawl, turns and walks out. In
second the thing was done; and there
the two were out again on the pavement.
"Well sir, half an hour afterward, be
the time more or less, Mary and James
were sitting with a few friends in Man
gan's parlor over a farewell drink; when
the sergeant of police comes to the door.
crooks his finger at James, and asks the
favor of a word with him. II was just
this, says the sergeant, when the two
were face to face on the pavement; a rob
berry had been committed in Grahams
shop. Well says James stiffening his
back. Half an hour ago the sergeant
goes on, watch was taken from Gra-
hams counter. 'Well,' says James again
with snort. Vie made no accusations,
and he was wishful to avoid a scene; but,
says the sergeant suspicion was heavy
upon Mary and
on Mary! says James. 'Ye say that?
Ye dare to stand and say
" 4 say nothing answers the Sergeant;
7 tell ye only what's told to myself. Now,
like a good man says he, laying a hand
on James shoulder, have wit and do as
tell you. Go and bring her to the bar
racks till I have a word with her. If
she's innocent
"'Not one DANCED foot shouts James;
not one foot I'll bring her.
Then l must do my duty says the
Sergeant.
DO it, shouts James, in a fury; and
by God, when your dutys DONE I'll do
mine for I'll have your black blood!
"By this crowd had gathered on the
sidewalk and when, in a minute, the Ser
yeant came leading Mary by the arm half
the town was there to see. ] was there
myself. ! saw Mary and / saw James,
and | followed them down to the bar
racks door Mary went meek as a lamb,
the child I'm her arm, and her eyes fixed
before her and her face white as a sheet.
Behind her went James, cursing like a
trooper and vowlng murder upon the Ser
gearlt. and behind the three, and I'm front,
was all the world, foolish with excite
ment To the very barrack / followed
them, with pity soft In my heart. and saw
he door close behind them: and for TWEEN
ty long minutes ] waited on the side
walks til the door opened again and Mary
came out, her face streaming with tears.
a blg bruise on her check. the child SIN
In her arms. and no James with her"
Dan paused just there ana SAT looking
at his empty glass. But / leant toward
him no Jnmeay' said l.
mo" answered Dan. There was no
Jameg. when Mary was searched moth
iu' wa found on hers 10 she turns 10
the Sergeant an says. Sow, maybe
ycu'n hn accusin' James next
~ shoutg james, by 0od maybe
yOu WILL search me-, be shouts, search