Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-02

II was in hot July. Jessie was away in
Dublin, making holiday there. A dry spell
Of weather had helped James with the hay
making. Mary looked pale, he said, Han
nah was ailing. So, one day, as 1t CHANGED,
he persuaded them to take diversion with
him at a race meeting In Clam. 1t was the
usual hillside gathering; noisy, vivid with
life and color, rows Of jaunting cars around
the course, booths. stalls, shooting gal
~leries, crowds Of gaudy townfolk, bevies
Of roaring ~rustics, a little sport, a power
OF fun; and Mary, sitting stin on the gig.
in muslin frock and straw hat, soon grew
weary Of 1t. Would It never end? thought
Mary, sitting there so patiently. never
guessing what for her those weary hours
held. How, indeed. could she guess. how
know tina fate was lurking in that seeth-
ing crowd? Had Jessie been there doubt
less she would have seen-haye seen him
watching, seen him pass n repass, his
eyes ever on Mary's face, seen him speak
to James and turn and stare, seen him
stand at last. as the gig went OF. still
watching silently-but how was poor Mary
to see or know? She expected nothing,
looked for nothing; wanted only to be done
and away. "Ah. the long. cruel day." sighed
Mary, her eyes eager on the homing
road; nor guessed that the day, so long
and cruel now lay like a shadow across her
life.
Two days went unmarked; on the third
came he-a tall man, rudy and we'll
favored, with blue eyes and wavy hair.
Leaving his horse at the gate, he strobe
up the box-edged path. past the laurels and
flower beds. knocked at the green door and
stood waiting on the step. Mary answered
him. For a moment he looked at her. re-
..TNt,o H. Foaa ,ad at,.dvfn1 a. thap wiFh
his ready smile and easy wav. asked for
James. He was in the meadows, answered
Mary. Might he go TO the meadows?
Surely. said Mary. Might he leave the
horse7 Why. to be sure. answered Mary,
and dropped her eyes before the quick IN
sistenee Of his gaze. and turned away flush
ing. It was with her just as though a man
had looked in her eyes for the first time.
Having stabbed his horse, George Hand
Ito give him his name), went to the mea-
dows; there found James, held him in tall
for awhile, then came back with MIN across
the hill, and sat down in the musk-seentet
parlor. He seemed pre-occupied. his tongue
wandered; soon he pulled his chair nearer
James, spread his knees and leaned across
them.
"Mr. GreIg." said he. "ye know who / an
an what am. In our time we've haC
d~ealin's with each other; we've always beef
friends. an I hope we'll never be else. Well
I'm come to ye now on a curious arrand
Maybe you'll not thank me; maybe ye will
but"
George paused. losth, you might think. Il
say his word. Indeed. he was not at ease
MAS flushed and hesitant. In his shirt
sleeves. arms folded. knees crossed an,
straw hat poised upon them. James sa
cycling him. a smile on his rugged face
Well. I'm listenin'. Mr.. Hand" said he
with a nod; and at that George plunged.
IT'S Just this" he said. "A day OF 8
ago met ye at the races beyond in Clam
was-wss glad TO see ye; but gladdeT
I'm OF opinion. TO see someone else.
watched her all day. A hundred times
WAS wishful 10 speak; twenty times | wen
searehin' for yourself. meanin' 70 ask ye &
to present me. an twenty times stoppe
at sight Of ye. I Was loath. ! was tim