Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-03-04

could get the shut in Kilcashel an spoil
ould Dempsey's match before the day
was over"
Barney attended the meeting of the
Ballinacapple Agricultural bank and
made his application. At first it was
looked upon with disfavor by the board
OF small farmers; but Barney, grown
crafty through love, discovered the plea
that moved them.
The girl has a tidy bit of her own"
he said. ''It'll stock the land for me.
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 senti-
mental reasons would have failed Ber-
nard Riordan was voted loan of IA for
clothes and accessories, and went home
full of trembling hope.
lie was standing outside the door of
Molony's shop in Kilcashel as soon as
| the shutters were taken down the next
morning. He was back in his own house
by II 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 65, was sitting at
the table. facing Myles Whelan. There
were tumblers and bottle of whisky be-
| tween them, and a friend of old Demp-
seys, who was acting as matchmaker,
was lowering uneasily between the two
men, making such suggestions from time
to time as were likely to facilitate the
bargain.
The girl whose match was being made
sat by the window, looking out some
what drearily over the little neglected
garden at the back, which had more of
the debris of the shop in it than it had
flowers. Mrs. Whelan stood partly be-
hind her husbands chair, looking at the
would-be bridegroom with an unfriendly
gaze. He had shown a tightness. a grasp
Ingness, about the bargain which had ar
fronted her. Otherwise she saw nothing
to object to in the union of December
ana May, nor the manner of the making
Her own match had been made for her:
and where was there kinder man than
Myles? And if Dempsey was a bit ould
wouldn't the girl have everything a girl
could want? She could choose for ner
self the next time, thought the good wom-
an. cynically. She had her hand on her
husbands shoulder. Now and then
Myles' 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 GUS
tom 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 n crimson tie oddly
becoming to the dark, soft, handsome
fellow.
Every face was turned toward him.
Don't be bamin' Andy" he said.
quietly. candy was the youth behind the
counter1 HE told me yous were busy,
but | thought l had word to say in
it. Myles Whelan, will We have me for
a 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
Ike Andromeda at her deliverer. AS it
happened, Bernard had arrived at the
psychological moment Old Dempsey had
just demanded Mrs. Wheian's best feath-
er bed as 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. 20 to make a man o. you
What do you say, Susy? Will you have
the ould man here. that's for emptyin'
the house before he'll take you, or 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 suddenly soft and
kind within her.
Sure. she'll have Barney" she be-
gan. An the sooner some other trash
| could name takes itself out o. my
house.
Mr.. Dempsey was scrambling to his
feet, his little pigs eyes aglow with in
dignation.
Where I'd never have come if you
hadn't invited me, Manu." he was say
ing, with resentment.
But Barney had stepped up to Susy's
chair and, leaning over her, he was
between her and the company.
Its yes, darlin', isn't it?" he whis-
pered.
No one was more delighted over
Barney's reclamation than Mr. Morris,
whose affection for Barney enlarged
itself to take in Mrs. Barney
AT the same time" he would say,
laughing, that transaction with the
bank was quite irregular. We don't give
loans for clothes. Still, the result has
certainly justified the departure And if
you want another loan-those bullocks
are beautiful, Barney-for a legitimate
purpose, you can have it."
"Sure, isn't she like a fiower?" asked
Barney. looking delighted at his wife.
AN where would flowers grow but in
gardens? IT'S a garden I'll be maxim
the place for her, an keepin' it."
Long may your garden growr' re-
turned the organizer. Its we'll for us.
Barney. that we still have flowers to
make gardens forr'-Thp Sketch.