Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-02

In a while, however. her tears dried.
and presently. the wonders Of the box be-
ing exhausted. Il came to her that Mary
was also changed. Her voice was softer,
her laugh happier; she looked younger. and
her eyes shone strangely. What had hap
pened? OF a sudden she sat hack on her
heels. folded hands. and looked Mary in
the face.
Mary she said. what's come over
you? What has happened? One would
think to sec you some one had died an left
you a legacy. What is it?'
Mary laughed; her eyes toll and a flush
rose to her face. "Nothin'. Jessie, she
answered. "Oh nothin'."
But there is somethin'. Tell me quick.
Look at you blushiu' there like a -'
With a rush Jessie rose. stopped over Mary
with a hand on each shoulder. Il know"
she cried. You're in love. Look at me,
miss; look up an tell me-
Mary looked up; she answered nothing,
but her eyes told. Slowly Jessie swayed
her to and fro; gra gely stood shaking her
own wise head from side to side. You
cruel, cruel girl" she said; never to tell
me one word! To think OF It; 10 think Of
comm home TO this! l could shake you,
Mary. for a sly, designin' mink. | could
She sprang away and cut a fling across the
floor. c~lapping hands and capering. 'Hur-
rah' A weddin' in the family! An I'll be
bridesmaid. an I'll wear white muslin"
Back in a whirl she came and dropped on
her knees before Mary. But VIII is he?'
she cried. where does he come from?
DO ] know him? What is he like? Tell
me, tell me quick or I'll just die" cried
Jessie, in her old impetuous way, Dublin
and its wonders now flung aside; tell me,
I - - - - -
till Mary. as best she might, had told her
all. Then sinking back on the foor, she
clasped her knees with her hands and sat
looking at Mary. head on one side and eyes
critical.
Mrs. George Hand" she said. well,
the name will become you, Mary; an mar
ryin' will suit you; an'-an' I'm glad as
glad" She kissed Mary; then sighed and
looked at tho window. But think Of losin'
you; think OF bein' left here all by myself.
All. me, the changes that will come. An
to think, too, that it's you who goes first
| you-you-" She looked round. when
will l see him?" she asked, eagerly. What!
This very nigh, maybe. Oh, glory, glory.
I'm dyin' to see him-dyin'." And springing
to her feet Jessie fastened TO find her new
est gown.
That evening then as Mary and George
sat together in the parlor, exchanging
sweet nothing and hand in hand, the door
opened and in came Jessie, stepping gra-
ciously Qike som heroine in a play)
through the twilight. Adorned from head
to heel she came; greeted George pleasantly,
swept to a chair and gave him her eyes.
Poor Mary, there in her dim corner, could
but stare; sudden sight Of this radiant
vision made George gasp in his chair. He
90 ia nwnRaA Aan1A
take eyes from her face. When Mary spoke
(Which was SELDOM he looked round,
smiled and nodded; but Jessie's chatter
drew his ear. Indeed, she seemed TO fill
the room, demanded attention and admira-
ton. She talked Of Dublin and its won
ders, and her voice was sweet; told of her
adventures, and her eyes were bright; bent
over the table, when candles were lit and
supper laid, quite charming in her sparkle
OF youth. Mary sat eclipsed, content enough,
proud OF this dashing sister, asking OF
George only an occasional glance, a whis-
pered word. Mary" said he at the gate
that night beneath the solemn stars, that
sister OF yours is a kind of miracle. She
has the spirits of a lark; an sure she takes
one off their feet" He caught her arm and
stopped. I'm thinkin' it's well laid eyes
on yourself first"
Mary looked up. her eyes grave in the
starlight. eye wish l was like her, George?'
she asked in her sober way.
Like herr" George held his answer for
a breath. Did ne wish it? Nov" said he,
faith don't. Woman, dear, you're worth
a houseful Of her. Whisht now, with your
solemn face. Just kiss me. an way into
your bed; an expect me in a night or two
Good night, me own Mary" He kissed her
and tramped off between the hedges, whis-
thing gaily, thinking of May, thinking
Of Jessie. But Mary stood lonely by the
gate, thinking only Of him. All, she liked
him well. How happy she was, how con-
tent. Life seemed Just beginning. A month
ago how dull was the world; now whal
bounty 1t held! George, George" she
said, her thoughts following him along the
road; "God keep you, my own boy, an
make me worthy of ye." She bowed hel
head upon the gate. Tears came. Georges
whistle died out in the silence Of the hills
Then a quick step sounded behind on the
path. and Jessie came tripping to her side
a~-futter with mischief.
81 saw you. I was watchin'. oh, you're
sly pair. Kissin' at the gate, indeed, Xix,
Pat an Biddy. Just wait till see hin
again: my word, won't I tease him" Mary
did not answer; so Jessie stopped. Mary,
she whispered, hell do. / wish you Joy
He's Just the kind I'd choose myself"
The words came lightly; but somehow
they fitted i'll with Mary's humor. With.
out answering them, she turned from tn.
gate. TITS late" said she, IAN I'm tired
Aren't we comm to bed, Jessie?"
".
II Jessie in tho days that followed, dit
not twist George round her fingers, at least
she held him submissive between them