The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1905-12-23
CHAPTER XXI.
SUNDAY EVENING.

In Greenvalc, as in all rural towns.
Sunday evening was Sparkling night"
when lads and lassies put on their very
best, the front parlor was given
up to Jane or Huldah, their SWANS
allowed all possible chance to reach
popping point, and the old folks kept
shady. AS rule all the young folks
gathered separately ut the church, and
when service was over, each rustic
Romeo hurried to the porch to there
await his hearts desire, and when the
smiling maids like snowbirds willing
to be mated" appeared, faced the mu-
sic with beating heart to receive Joy
supreme or the mitten. Only engaged
couples walked to the sanctuary to-
gether, and TO do so was Il tacit adj
mission of hetrothal
1t was This solecism on Martins part
on his first Sunday evening that caused
Angie so much embarrassment. He had
not repeated it; in fact, so uncertain
was lie OF his ground with her that he
had avoided Sunday evening church at
tendance almost entirely afterwards.
BY the time the excitement caused
by David's night scare and almost fatal
illness had subsidized, Martin had made
some slight advance in Angles favor.
She had been left alone Il good deal,
and he seized his chances. She also
seemed to grow more cordial, and by
degrees her cool reserve melted away.
When Sunday evening came again,
Martin, recalling Grecnvale's social
custom, resolved on n bold stroke, and
calling early. invited her to join him
churchward. For moment she hes
itated, knowing full we'll what would
be thought of it, and then. as an extra !
shade of pink crcpt into her face, she
consented. When the bell began to
call. she joined him on the porch,
dressed in spotless muslin, solitary
rose her only ornament. and. as Aunt
Comfort would say, "lun';in' sweet
enough to eat A.ld well might Ma..;n
feel proud, for no fairer me-,
blessed lovers eyes. F.rt
now. though they had M Z.
mention had been made OF :
He had essayed it at first, but suuu
1t to be unwise, and yet maybe tn!
Old-timc illusion, like the sound I
bells now calling them, had NJ 4,
ceased to vbrate in their hearts. V.
are moved by subtle influences. an!
memory is Ofttimes awakened by til:
reriest trifie. The odor of a certain
flower. strain of music, the signing
Of the breeze in the pines, even the
croaklng of frog in springtime, will
carry us back over a lifetime in an in.
stant
Only a few years, comparatively, sep.
arated the lives of these two-very
short 10 him. but long and weary to
her. She had much to forgive, but like
many another patient woman who goe,
through life silently forgiving an err
ring husband, SO maybe had she now
forgiven lovers desertion.
And very sweet the church bells
sounded TO Martin, for now the fairesi
and dearest Of all earth's womankine
was walking beside him in a journey
that was a tacit confession.
There were speaking glances en-
changed between matrons and maids
in that Sunday evening gathering, anl
whispered Il told you sos" while the
white-haired parson searched for his
chapter. The congregation arose and
sang as usual, Angie joining, while
Martin covertly watched her, feelin:
proud. And when both bowed witt
the rest to receive dismissal, and theg
walked away in the baImy August
evening. it seemed TO him he ought to
enclose her in one strong arm, lest she
escape.
When the lane that crossed the Mizz,
was reached, Martin halted. Lets 50
down to the old red bridge" he said.
and without word Angie turned witl
him.
It was secluded as we'll as pretty
spot; group Of willows shaded ons
end of the bridge and pile of worn-
out plants; below, the stream broad
ened into wide pool and beside T.
grew sweet flag. 1t had been one a
their old-;ime ,rysting places, oft Viz.
tied to gather flag and watch u
moons reflection in the pool
ITO Be Continued.l
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