Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-11-13
MILLER'S PHARMACY


One of the children vouchsafed the
information that he had been seen rid
ing away from BalIynoran at brisk
canter, piece of news to which Bar
ney paid small heed, so engrossed was
he In watching Eileen as she swung
through a reel, eyes alight and step as
swift as fairy's. 1t seemed to Bar
ney that he never had been so happy
He went about among his guests prom
Using gifts to this one and that and
hardly hearing the thanks they gave
him in return. Presently the door
opened and Hugh appeared among
them.
",Tis late We are, avlck," said Bar
ney, ''hut ye're none the less vel
come
"'Tss from the postoffice / am" an
swered Hugh and drew from the pocket
Of his mud despatched coat an Off
cial looking envelope, the seal of which
was not yet broken.
Belize it's from Uncle Seamus,"
Hugh went on. and the guests gathered
round him. while Eileen held the can
die that he might read.
Barney sat on table near by, swing
ing his feet He stole q glance at
Eileen and noted the shadow the can,
die threw across her face and how her
dark lashes swept the rose of her
cheek. "Arrah. my darilnt." he whls-
pered to himself. before this evenln's
gone I'll have your promise" Then he
composed himself to listen to the let
ter.
1t was very brief-brief as the hopes
of Barney. for it was to Hugh that
Seamus McShane had left his fortune
When Hugh had finished reading the
letter the guests drew long breath.
Barney was the first to come forward
and congratulate him.
"Shure, there's no one moro deserv-
ing of 1t than yourself" no said steadl-
", but his voice was lost In the gen
eraf acclaim, for Hugh had become the
hero OF the evening. The attentions
that had formerly been showered on
Barney We're now lavished on him.
His good fortune went to his head like
wine
"Since I'm the heir" he cried, rye
must all come home with me and drink
remembrance to Uncle Seamusr' This
was greeted with a shout of acquies-
cence The fiddler started up Tho
Rocky Road to Dublin" and, singing
and laughing, the guests danced on.
the door A few paused long enough
to say good night to their host and
could not pass without word at his
Eexpense.
Don't forget my red petticoat," says
Biddy Mcbride, 'and the package OF
tay We were for giving me-"
"Nor the baccy ye promised" chuc-
kled old ponneily. and the dhudheen
I'll likely DO smoking next week. To
which Barney answered gayIy enough,
smiling with set lips. He had kept NJ
calamity before them, yet. after all, be
was only a lad, and When the last
guest had gone and his cabin was de
serted he sat down by the table and
buried his race In his arms.
Deeper than the disappointment over
the money was the thought that Eileen
had gone without so much as q word
shell marry Hugh" groaned Barney
between his teeth Shell marry Hugh
Aud, och, If there's a miserable lad in
the country that same Is myself"
The door ereaked on Its hinges. "'Tis
only the wind" thought Barney. Their
something made him turn and look
Eileen stood Ia the doorway.
"Have We left something's" said Bar
ney, starting to his feet.
Eileen's eyes were very bright ant
tender.
agF1s my heart I've lost" she an
fswered.
"Hugh's a lucky lad. Eileen SAT-
Barney, "a lucky lad. and-and-I wisl
We joy, the both of yez"
IT'S not Hugh that has my heart.
Icried Eileen; { tis-ah. Barney. can y
mot see-can We not understand"
| "Shure shure it's never me y
Imeansa gasped Barney. why, Eileen
girl. I'm poor Suddenly a ligh
lbroke on him. and he caught her to hi
lheart NO" he cried. I'm the riches
man In the whole wide wurruhs'
Thus fortune came to Barney afte
Ian.