The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-02-12

M
" " my cooks interest and de-
light in the new arrival
from County Kerry. She was a mere
slip of thing, with eyes like patches
of blue sky let into her pale face, and
after each frightened upward glance
she dropped the black fringed lids has
iily in the vain effort to force back the
homesick tears.
Rigidly erect she sat upon the edge
of a kitchen chair. her nervous fingers
clutching the handle of a shiny. old
fashioned valise, her soft curves and
fresh. peasant beauty furnishing
striking contrast TO her aunt's sharp
angles and STOPPING figure.
Nora herself was not handsome, but
we had long since forgotten to com
fnent upon her peculiarlties of person.
We only remembered that she was
honest. devoted and. in the language
at much-trlcd housekeepers, "a treas
ure.''
had more than once heard from
Morals garrulous tongue the niece's
history, and knew that she had fur
nished the girls passage money to
America. I had promised to employ
Bridget as nurse maid. much to the
satisfaction of Nora, who wished TO
have her under her own careful guar
dianshlp. Having come late in life
TO this country Nora had never adapt
ed herself to new conditions, as other
girls OF her class usually do. She had
no followers, few guests and seldom
went out except to church. The intro
siuction of this new element from an
old environment was like burst of
sunshine in her lonely life.
The maternal instinct lies dormant
in the breasts of all women. and the
solvent of Bridget seemed to awaken it
in Nora. She was like a child with n
new doll, and with her joy was min
gied n delightful sense of her own re-
sPonsibilities.
The first thing 70 be considered was
Bridgets wardrobe. Nora was anx-
ious to exhibit her new acquisition to
her few old-country acquaintances, and
before doing so wished to make her
presentable according to New World
standards.
shes the look o. one lately come
over, hasn't she. mem? Old-fashloned
but dacint, anyhow. My sisters not
one to see her childer goln' ragged.
It's sailor hat I'm thinkin' to get her.
an nate an tasty jacket, don't ye
fhinkf" size said.
And when the two sailed forth ia
church on the Sunday following II
could not be denied that N0ra's pretty
niece well became n generous outlay
As for Nora her face shone with hon,
est pride.
After the first few weeks of homesicL
depression from which Bridget suf
fered, she began to revive and to take
a keen interest in her surroundings
She was extremely quick and bright
ana adjusted herself to new conditions
with the facility SO characteristic OF
youth
When / found her one morning IL
animated conversation with the police
man. while the baby tumbled I'D ant
down the front steps una TENDED, / fel
fhat Bridget had become successful,
Americanized. Her cool impertinenc,
when 1 reproved her for negligenc,
showed her an apt scholar of the as
sociates she had found.
Nora's satisfaction at Bridget's pres
ence in the family was so keen that w,
all felt anxious to be suited with OIL
new nurse maid. but as time went on
gard her with NOra's fond enthusiasm
1t was quite evident that my cook
steadiness had not descended in thi
instance to the second generation.
AT first Nora watched Bridget wit
persistent sOllcitude. She directed he
1neomings and outgoings, her uprising
and downsittings with an authorlt
which admitted OF no appeal. 1t 500
became apparent, however. that Bird
gel had u VIII of her own, and it's mar
ilestuti0ns, at first uncertain and OF
casi0nal. soon became so pronounced
anu were such a source of astonisl
inent to Nora, that the situation nigh
have been amusing If Bridget's ba
temper and Incompetence had not bee
tie source of constantly increasing NJ
1ioyance in our domestic economy.
She was frivolous, extravagant, id
and thoroughly irresponsible; and. e,
repf when she wished to make her auI
serve some selfish purpose, she treate
NOra with an exasperating contempt.
Yet her companionship was the onl
source Of inspiration for Nora, wi
WAS slow to recognize that the ri
uss gradually slipping from her 10
ing grasp. AS lapses became more fr
auen. 10 increased the loyalty vii
which Nora defended them.
ssure. yell not be afther bein' t.
Anr4 - the Eoor thing" she wheedl,
-. wtfh the familiarity born OF loz
asEsfss. when Rridset failed to rstul