The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-03
WHAT HAPPENED TO CLANCY
By FREDERICK WHITE

enfng Of soul. Even If she had known she
would not have appreciated the benefit OF
this, for in her simple scheme of life souls
were priests business and not useful to
ordinary people except on Sunday. 81
Maggie was not pleased by Clancy's
any event loyalty to Shorty-the localized
Shorty-prevented her from accepting
friendship from one she knew to be his
enemy. ~
Clancy's first visit awakened his inter-
est in the girl The second aroused his
sympathy and an added resentment
against Shorty. Soon the sympathy grew
into love and the resentment into jeal-
ousy. Clancy was surprised at the first,
but accepted the last as a praiseworthy
sentiment.
Maggie had been gaining strength, but
the hot weather and her efforts in keeping
Clancy from bringing matters to climax
were too much for her.. She had nerv-
Gus chill, and for day or two her mother
was greatly worried. 1t was just at this
time that some settlement girls discovered
her and after a little persuasion for the
Doans were proud arranged to send her
to the mountains for week. She was to
start on the following Tuesday with q
party of four other girls in charge of one
of the workers. ~. 10 -.
! On Saturday Clancy heard that Maggie
vented her from mentioning under what
conditions, and he supposed it was en-
tirely their own plan. He resolved to
settle matters between himself and Mag
gle at once.
On Sunday afternoon he bought rose
for his own buttonhole and some for Mag
gle and climbed the stairs to the Dolans'
rooms. Mrs. Dolan had stepped across
the street for chat, and Maggie was
alone. After the usual inquiries as to
her health he prepared to state his case.
TN miss you, Maggie. when you're
gone," he said.
1T won't be for long" she answered.
II must get back to work as soon as
CAM
I'm thinkin', Maggie, you won't have
to work in the factory any longer than
you want to-" he said, glancing at her.
She knew the time had come. She
dreaded the question, for she feared the
result Of her answer. Every one has to
work." she said, land I'm to have a
better place when I'm we'll enough to take
it, so I'll be glad to get back
II know better place than that" said
Clancy. You'd better marry me an quit
tho factory. You'd be havin' an easier
eime.
The blood left Maggie's face. but her
eyes were steady as she looked at him.
You're very good to think of helping
me that way" she replied, "but can't do
it. don't ever expect to get married."
she added quietly.
That's nonsense! he broke in.
| you're too fine girl to be talkin' such
! foolishness. You're goin' to marry me
| when you come back, so that's settled
Fear clutched Maggies heart. In her
| weak condition she almost felt that this
man would be able to cary out his threat.
IT tell you 1 won't do it!' she cried
| 70 <tx-1
! you,. and
Clancys temper was reused. His self
| esteem had received a blow. You had
| love, an a-plenty, to give that thief, Nc
| GoVern!' he burst out.
Maggie shrunk from the insinuation as
from a blow. It hurt her. She thought
that every one had understood Why did
not her mother come? She wanted some
one who did understand.
| Clancy was very angry-angry at him.
self, angry at her. With an effort he
smothered his rage and delivered his ulti-
matum. you can take your choice'' he
said slowly. If you marry me, III see
i that the police are called off McGovern' 8
t track; If you don't-he paused to give
weight to the threat-'Tn hound him till
he'll curse the day he ever saw your
facet"
1t was more than Maggie could stand.
Something of her old spirit came back
to her. She rose to her feet and con-
fronted the bully. That's enough for
mel" she cried. i've tried to be kind to
you, but you're not worth it. Now. listen
to what I say. You can hound until your o
tired-him and me- too-but I'd rather be
bounded until we both were dead than
be married to you!'
"In make you remember those words!'
roared Clancy and slammed the door be-
hind him.
1t was over, and Maggie fell back in
her chair weak and trembling. Her first
thought was for Shorty and what the con-
sequences Of Clancy's rage would be to
him. She reproached herself that she had
brought this added danger upon him. For
herself she did not care very much. Life
held very little in store for her except
trouble, and trouble she welcomed sadly,
feeling that in some way it brought her
nearer to Shorty.
1t was well for Maggie that she was to
have change of scene at once, for she
was fast drifting into a morbid and over
wrought condition of mind. She prepared
for her trip without enthusiasm, and the
only pleasure she felt was in the thought
that she was getting away from Clancy.