The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-21
CHAPTER XVI.
HOME AGAIN.

It was a wnite-cheekel, weary-looking
Molly who stood on the deck of TIE Nun
ster, as it slowly steamed into K ngs-
town harbor. In obedience to many a
hasty by your leave or Peg Your pa :
don," from the bustling sailors and eX-
cited travellers, she had retired to ona
side, and, leaning against the paddle box
looked on absently at the general hustle
and confusion. Why on earth was every
one in such hurry? she wondered; sure
ly they would all land soon enough; what
was there to make such a fuss about!
AT last the boat was still, and the
people began to pour across the gangway
Molly waited until the last stra geley
had pushed past her, and then, havi G
secured the services of the ships COOK
to carry her small packages, proceeded
leisurely ashore. She almost fell against
Mrs. Mackenzie, who was about t. rush
on board in search of her.
Here she is!' she cried. ec-ta.ica ly.
Gracious, child, what a fright you gave
us! We thought you hadn't come. Mr..
Burke Mr.. Burke, here she is, here s
Molly. Now, have you got your luggage?
Where's your ticket? Mind you do not
leave your small packages behind"
Dear auntie, you are the same as
ever" said Molly, kissing her with a sud
Gen remorseful warmth. She felt herself
so different from what she had been on
leaving, that she almost expected to find
a change in everybody else. 1t was re-
freshing to find Mrs. Mackenzie so ex-
actly ."herself."
well, would you tell me what else did
you suppose I should be?" cried the lat
ter, pausing, needless of the hustle about
her, to interrogate Molly, her eyes open
to the fullest extent, her mouth screwed
UP into a little round button of aston
ishment.
oh there, never mind. never mind"
calculated Mr.. Burke, with masculn ne ex-
ASPIRATION. Get into the train and do
your talking there"
Molly and her aunt obeyed, Mrs. Mack
enzie subsequently hanging out of the
window, needless of Mr. Burkes assur-
ances that such a proceeding was quite
unnecessary, to make ''sure" that the
heavy luggage was not left behind.
Now" said Mrs. Mackenzie, slowly
withdrawing her head, 'let me have a
good look at you, Molly. Dear me! I
can't say you are looking WE'LL
Neither can l." observed Mr.. Burke,
in the severely disappearing tone usually
adopted under such circumstances; "she
looks anything but we'll What have you
been doing to yourself, child?"
I'm so tired pleaded poor Molly.
How can You expect me to be other
wise? 1 shall be all right when I have
rested" -,
She lay back in her corner and closed
her eyes, hoping to avoid further ques-
tioning, but she felt the while that her
friends were exchanging anxious glances,
and making Geographic signs to each
other, expressive of amaZement and dis
tress. After a few minutes, therefore,
she opened her eyes again and sat UP,
resolving if possible to divert their atten-
ton from herself.
"How is Hugh she asked languidlv.
''Eh? OH your cousin? wonderfully well,
new man in fact since he made this dis.
covery. He has acted very well, hasn't
hep" Thus Mr. Burke in tones Of patron
izing approval.
Very" agreed Molly cordially.
.''He intends to call this evening to see
how you are after your Journey" said
Mrs Mackenzie, transfxing her niece
with that loving, eager, too eager, glance
of hers. Poor fellow, he will be shocked
to find you such a wreck. daresay,
though, you will be too tired to see him"
"Oh, no, I shan't," returned the girl,
with a sudden access of animation ''I
wish you would ask him to stay for din
ner. should like to see him-he has be-
haved so we'll. I want to tell him SO,
and to say how-grateful I am
She felt that the presence Of the good,
babblng little man would be an un,
speakable relief. Before him no embar-
RAISING questions could be asked, and
politeness would forbid the expressions Of
rapture over her altered circumstances
which she found so hard to listen to, and
so impossible to share.
When Hugh arrived, therefore he was
quite fattered at the pressing invitation
which he received from Mrs. Mackenzie,
and the warmth with which her niece
seconded it. But in spite of all Mollys
efforts, and of Hugh's unfailing flow Of
conversation, the evening was melan-
choly enough, and her cousin withdrew
at an early hour.
Molly also fastened to bid good night to
the other two, and retired, telling her
aunt that she meant to go to bed at
once; the truth being that she was sorely
afraid the latter might follow her to her
room, to resume her astOnished enquiries.
Il know 1 am very ungrateful and I'M
kind, she thought remorsefully, but I
couldn't bear it tonight
Two days afterwards Molly and her
aunt set out for Castle O'Neill. The girl
felt an odd mixture of pain and pleasure
as she alighted at the railway station, be.
ing rapJurously greeted by the few old
officials. Her own carriage was waiting
for item, the fat coachman turning round
with a beamirg face to bid her welcome.
AS she drove through the familiar coun,
try, lovely even on this dull, wintry day,
she felt almost in dream. How sad she
! al DSSll Il lew snort months before, say
ing goodbye to these beautiful scenes
these kindly people; and now she was
coming back, never, in all probability, 20
leave them for any length of time again;
and oh. how little the prospect elated her,
how heavy was the weight dragging at
her heart!
When Molly's equipage was seen ap-
preaching the enthusiasm knew no
bounds. The temperance band from the
neighboring market town struck up
Come Back to Erin" which had been
unanimously voted appropriate TO the oc-
casion, the flies occasionally faitering,
but the vigor of the drums leaving moth
ing to be desired. The schooImistress led
forward her little troop of rosy-faced,
whitehead children, one of whom carried
a large bouquet in her chubby hands.
The oldest tenant on the estate placed
himself in commanding POSITION near
the gate and pompously unfolded a rcll
OF parchment, on which a congratuatory
address was blaZoned. He could not
read, but that was of no conseI uence;
he had learned his speech by heart, and
the steward was at his elbow to prompt
him. The hubbub was so great however
when the carriage drew up before the en-
trance that not word could be distin-
guiShed; even the flies were drowned
though the faces of the PLAYERS grew
purple with their efforts; only the thump
thump, thump of the big drum dominates
the general din.
Hip. hip, hurrahr' shouted the PEG.
pie; scores of hands we're thrust out t.
clasp Molly's; caubeens were tossed wild.
ly in the air, many of them falling into
the carriage, and being gingerly iishet
out and dropped over the side by Mrs
Mackenzie, whose face wore an express
sion Of intense establishment Mean.
while, Molly had been smiling ard nod