New-York tribune., 1903-03-01


spoil ould Dempsey's match before the day was
over"
Barney attended the meeting of the Ballina-
capple Agricultural Bank and made his appn-
cation. At first it was looked upon with 0ls-
favor by the board of small farmers; but Bar
ney, grown crafty through love, discovered the
plea that moved them.
The girl has tidy bit of her own" he said.
''It'n stock the land for She wouldn't LOOK
at me If she saw me in my rags. She'll take
me in the new clothes"
The "bit" prevailed where more sentimental
reasons would have failed. Bernard Riordan
ries. went home full OF trembling hope.
He standing outside the door OF Moionys
shop in Kilcashel soon the shutters were
taken down the next morning. He was back
in his own house by IL O'Clock, with his big
brown paper parcel.
That evening in the parlor behind Whalens
shop the matchmaking was in progress. Old
Dempsey, a wizened little yellow man Of about
sixty-fve, was sitting at the table, facing Myles
Whelan. There were tumblerS and bottle OF
Whiskey between them. and friend OF old
DeEnpsey's, who was acting as matchmaker, was
towering uneasily between the two men, making
such suggestions from time to time as were ike
Iy to facilitate the bargain.
The girl whose match was being made sat by
the window looking out somewhat drearily over
the little neglected garden at the back, which
had OF the debris OF the shop in it than 1t
had flowers. Mrs. Whelan stood pertly behind
her husbands chair, looking at the Would-oe
bridegroom with unfriendly gaze. He had
shown a tightneSS, a graspingness, about the
bargain which had afTrOnted ner. OtnerWlSe SHe
saw nothing to object to in the union of Decem-
ber and May, nor the manner of the making:
Her match had been made for her; and
where was there a kinder man tF an AyleS! ana
if Dempsey was a bit ould wouldn't the girl
have everything a girl could want? She could
choose for herself the next time, thought the
good woman. cynically. She had her hand on
her husbands shoulder. Now and then MyleSS
face would darken at some greedy exaction OF
the suitOr The atmosphere was electrical,
though for all the girl at the window needed
it might have been smOothness itself, They were
selling and buying her like heifer. 1t was the
custom Of the country, and she would no more
have thought OF protesting against it than
against the will of God for her.
Suddenly into the intimate group came an
unlimited guest-Barney Riordan. Yes it was
Barney, though no one would have known him,
in a smart gray suit and new hat with
crimson lie oddly becoming to the dark, SOFT
handsome fellow.
Every face was turned toward him.
Don't be blam'n Andy, he said quietly
(Andy the youth behind the counter.) He
told yOus were busy hut thought had
a word to say in it. Myles Whelan. will ye have
me for husband for your niece? Yell never
regret it and she'll never regret it. The lands
good land. I'm going to do by it as ought to-
The girl at the window looked at him like
AndrCmeda at her deliverer. AS it happened,
Bernard had arrived at the psychological mo-
ment. Old Dempsey had just demanded Mrs.
Whelan's best feather bed a part of her
niece's dowry. Down went Myles Whelan's fist
with a great clang among the tumblers.
Dang it"' he said, "let the girl speak for
herself. I'm sick O. the business. An the world
knows, Barney Riordan. that you nayther drink
nor play cards, that the farms a good one, an
you only want the bit O go to make man O.
you. What do you say Susy? Will you have
the ould here, that's for emptyin' the
house before hen take you, will you have
Barney Riordan?'
Bernard Riordan turned the most shy, love-
litten face toward Susy. Mrs. Whelan saw the
expression, and her Woman's heart became sud-
denly soft and kind within her.
Sure, she'll have Barney" she began. "An'
the sooner some other trash could name takes
itself out O. my house,
MIR Dempsey was scrambIing to his feet, his
little ,dg's eyes aglOW with indignation.
Where I'd never have come if you hadn't in
vited me, Mann" he was saying, with resent
ment.
But Barney had stepped up to Susy's chair
the company.
Its 'yes,' darlin', isn't it?" he whispered.
No one was more delighted over Barney's rec
lamation than Mr.. Norris, whose affection for
Barney enlarged itself to take in Mrs. Barney.
'At the tiTne,' he would say. laughing,
that transaction with the Bank was quite ir-
regular. We don't give loans for clothes. Still,
the result has certainly justified the departure.
And If you want another lOan-those bullocks
are BEG utiful Barney-for a legitimate purpose,
you can have it,"
'Sme isn't she like fiower?' asked Barney,
looking delightedly at his wife. AN where
would flowers grow but in gardens?" 'Tis a
garden I'll be maxim the place for her, an
keepin' it,"
Long may your garden grow" returned the
organizer It's well for US, Barney, that we
still have flowers to make gardens for!'-CThe
Sketch.
PEDUECLES AND PEDANTS.