Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-05-28

IS eide ST )
@ Charles Kennett Burrow. 6,
4 Copyright, 1901, by
American Press Association.
sc..s;;ce,rrss-o.-3i.S
GYYlT was a gusty, squally day,
BG6 4 which made 1t difficult for
saSsssssss5a Maggie's bare legs TO carry
ee5zsssSsJ her toward Carmore rs rapid
| ly as the occasion. demanded She
made herself as small as possible,
held the shawl Which covered her head
close under her throat and in the lulls
Of the wind increased her pace to run.
Tightly clutched in her left hand
was a slip of paper on which was
| scrawled n list of the articles she was
to buy and carry back to Ballyclogher.
The luXuries enumerated on the slip
of paper were for the entertainment of
one guest, Maggie's uncle her moth
er's brother, whom she had never seen.
| She understood him to be rich. Indeed,
he was always held up by Mrs. Coyle
as model for her husbands imitation.
Hes hundreds" she used to say
Hundreds, an it's my belief they're
all in gowld; ye can see money in lis
face. Its ye might be as warm, Conn,
| If yo'd think av the poor childer."
She made her purchases all at one
shop, and then found, as was inevi-
i t0l,ln hot h01
lated the prices and she was shillings
short. Mrs. MacDonagh, who kept the
store was quite willing TO give credit
for the balance, but 1t seemed to Mag
| gle that this course would be q kind of
| reflection -on her uncle. While she
CROPPED hopelessly in her pocket for
money which she knew was not there
she saw James 'Phelan pass the door.
An inspiration shot her to his side.
"Jim," she cried, 'lind me . shillln';
| Pm that short Yell have it back to-
m6rrer."
Faith, is it We? Well, well! Two
shillin' is it? How do ye think I'd
have all that about meT
mo jokin'. It's blessin' saw We,
| sure"
''That's thrue," said Jim. "The polls
might have had ye else, Maggie" He
| produced the money. She settled the
account and took receipt with an air
of grave dignity. When she came out
of the shop, Jim was waiting,
SIS it ye still?" asked Maggie.
"An' why not? Pm goin' yer way,
sure, an we might as well walk in
shtep."
pm in mad hurry, jim"
did ask We to go slow for me?"
Eye did not" said Maggie candidly.
"That's great, ugly parcel" said
Jim, can too heavy for the likes av
ye. Just hand 1t here, Maggie"
"Ye'll not dhrop it? There's things
there'd break If We did,"
"I'll how'd an to 1t right enough.
What's inside at all? It's morshul
heavyw
"All sorts. We've visitor comm
tonight-Uncle Frank Power"
| can who's hef"
Sure we've heard tell av him times
an times. He's mothers brother"
''Pd forgot Maggie"
I've never set eyes on lin yet, but
he's grand, rich man, Pm towld"
'Is he that? Thin what'll he want
IN Ballyclogher?"
ITO see his own people, sure"
''That's kind av 'im," said Jim.
The wind had dropped somewhat,
and a smart shower of rain came on
After time Jim said:
WED best shelther BIT"
Maggie hcsitated. ~ could wrap the
parcel up In me shawl" she said.
can ketch yer death! That's likely!
There's no hurry, sure, If he's not COM
in till night"
He found dry spot under wayside
elm. Maggie took the parcel from Jim
and carefully placed 1t close to the
trunk. Then the pair stood side by-s,tle
before it and listened to the hiss of
the rain In the leaves and watcEAd the
streaming white road
"Ye'd made boots IN this weather."
-efs lin, .glnncing at her bare feet.
Il Not at all! What mischief'd little
wet do!" She pressed her toes into the
soft earth.
"I'm dom well now, Maggie"
THAT'S good hearln'," size said.
aye, I'm dom WE'LL" he repeated.
yell be almost woman now,
| s'pose?"
Seventeen last birthday" she said.
"Bedad, that's a great age! Almost
marryin' time, Maggie | spose ye
haven't notion nv it yersel'?"
How would |, wild all thin childer
to look afthery'
jim slipped an arm round her waist
and kissed her.
81 thought We might have" he said.
Maggie flushed and closed her eyes
for moment. Then they opened again
to see the blurred sky and rainy road
81 couldn't" she said softly.
Jim released ker suddenly and cried:
"Whisht! There's Mary Cregan COM
IMP
She was opposite the pair almost as
soon as Jim spoke-a tall, handsome
girl, warmly clad, though less neat
than Maggie. She had strong shoes on
her feet, too, which should have been
sufficient herald of her approach If
Jim had not been deaf at the moment
She paused and looked them up and
down with smile that had something
| pf saorp N n md nt tho ho ,p t1,,t