Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-02
The Sisters

BY SHAN r. b BULLOCK,
Author OF "The Barrys." by Thrasna River" etc, etc
Copyright. 1902. by Shan =. Bullockl

orous. But now" Again George paused.
again rushed his words But now I'm
come, Mr.. Greig. to ask your leave to pay
her me respects"
II was out at last. and. being out.
George sat upright, his eyes hard on James
face. James nodded, sat back in his chair
and looked at the ceiling. Il know he
said. aye, | know lie looked at George.
IT'S my girl Mary ye mean, l suppose"
he asked.
TT is,'' nswered George. I'm hearin'
that's her name"
T be sure said James. why. to be
sure now Am I right in sayin' that so far
you've no more than seen herr"
W passed a word at the door a while
ago. answere George. yes, We did. I
had half a mind to-but / didn't. No, 1
just waited for a word with yourself"
II know. Aye. Aw, to be sure" James
sat considering, a hand tapping the crown
Of his hat, that slow smile playing on his
face. We'll" said he in a minute. las We
say. Mr.. Hand, it's curious, an it's sudden:
but 1t was his turn to hesitate. "Oh,
it, your own business; I'm of opinion. II
so be you're sure o. yourself, an"
I'm certain sure said George. Her
face is burnt in me. I've seen it day an
night ever since. First sight of it under
that big hat. an 1t so pale and tired like
took the heart in me. Am, I'm certain
sure
II know" James nodded his full under
standing. AN you'd be wiShful to try
your arts upon herr"
witt your good leave, sir
AN you'd mean we'll, an you'd do we'll
by her, IL so be-
Mr.. Greig," said George, I'm a man
ye can trust. I mean well an I'll do well.
Just as l am your daughterll see me-.
She can Judge for herself. I'll come open
handed, leavin' all I've got at her two
feet; an her wish'll be mine. All want
is a chance" said George; then he, being
an Ulster man. and having therefore an
eye to business even in love affairs, went
in to refer, handsomely enough. to his ex-
pectations in the matter Of dowry. But
James would not hear him.
Leave that till afterward," he said. and
rose frowning. Thine enough to buy the
salt when you've caught your FISH"
Hannah took the news kindly (as was
her way and thankfully (as well she
might; one thing only she counseied
George, even as. James had counseled, that
he should go warily. Mary was strange in
her nature, said Hannah; was shy, was
self willed, was little used TO men and their
ways, wanted leading, wanted humoring.
you'll find her a good girl, Mr.. Hand
though dear knows I'm not the one should
say TIA better wife or housekeeper no
man in the world could ind. Her butter
gets top price in the market, her breads
! the sweetest ever was baked, with needle
or crochet hook she's Just matchless."
"Ma'am,' said George, II can well be-
lieve it,"
"All I can say is this, Mr.. Hand-an'
God knows l say 1t from me heart-she's
as good a girl as ever hreathed, an ! wish
her the best in life. All, I'll be sorry to
lose her." sighed Hannah. 81 will. I will.
"Ma'am," said George, cts the way of
the world. Trust me, Mrs. Greig; trust
me. A may God prosper the match"
Amen was Hannah's word; and the
thing was settled. Ta7, l.
There remained only Mary to be con-
sidered; and with henoall did ~cunningly,
went softly warily, IN. strict accord with
rules laid down, James kept to the field
and meddled nothing. Hannah dropped wise
hints, precepts. hopes; gave George good
welcome. shook a warning finger at the
door and left Mary to his care. Every OPP
portunity he had, every good wish. and he
took them bravely, Never was more
thoughtful lover or discreeter. Mary had
but to sit demure, in parlor or kitchen, at
table or window; just sit and be wooed,
Nothing to do but listen and watch. smile
laugh. be agreeable as she might, George
did everything. His ways we're mighty
pleasant. Before a week he had Hannah
at his feet, had James in chains, had
Mary t-7
1t took longer than a week to charm
Mary's heart. Meek though she was and
docile, unsophisticated, backward; yet be-
hind that calm brow was power Of will, and
her eyes were very deep. Others might
propose; before her the path might be laid
smooth; but, after all, the disposlng was
hers, and no leading might persuade her tc
walk that path blindfolded. She read be.
meath her mothers limiting and her fathers
silence; sat wide-eyed before the mar
George, seeing him palmer. maybe. than he
knew. Now and again It happened thai
Mary sat watching him, wondering in her.
self whether some day change might come
Suppose Jessie were there beside him
Suppose a year gone by7 Suppose then
always together. face to face at the same
table, living always under the same roo,
from morning to night? Was his admira.
NlOh Bchulut anu III SUI SpttCn-duu nlH'
self? Did he really care for herself, heI
own dull self, or was II just a fancy tha
might pass, or worse, a liking that oWeI
something to what she might ~bring-money
help. youth? These things Mary asked o
herself sometimes, as she lay thinking be
meath the thatch, went sobeTly her dali
round in house and dairy, stood leaning
across the gate below the solemn star
when George had gone. But ah. he wa
kind and pleasant; doubts and all, she like
him very well. No one was perfect. He
doubts we're foolish, unjust. She longed 70
him 10 come; missed him when he went
Slowly but surely her fondness for hir
grew. day by day. night by night; and a
last one evening early in September, by tn
river bank, and under the stars, he aske
and she gave herself to him.
MARY" he said, I'm little to have an
nothing to boast about; but such as I al
will ye TAX me for your man? VIII "
Mary? All, will ye. Ma-y?"
She stood quite a minute, looking GU
through the twilight, flushed, tremuloui
not doubling now. but hating ere she CAV,
"wiIl ye, Mary? All, girl, girl. Tell m,
Mary-tell meT'
She turned quickly. I'm here. George.
said she; and gave herself to his arms.