Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-07
waverlnsly. mo aoub. you are

right"
For the space Of minute Hannah was
profoundly silent: then she preached the
q day and half.
"w1sha. now, is It thrue what they do be
tellin' me?' she asked. softly and warfly.
That you're goin' to be father and mother
an all to thin two poor children
Again Milbanke started almost guiltily:
then the personal anxiety that mingled with
and almost dominated his grief for Assn
lin rose irrepressibly in response to the per-
suasive tones. the kindly human interest
and curiosity.
The tears welled suddenly into Hannah's
is my intention to try and. I'LL my poor
friends place."
eyes, and with an awkward movement she
wiped her rough hand in her apron and
held it out.
God Almighty will give it back to you.
sirP' she exclaimed with impulsive fervor.
Strangely touched by the expression of
understanding and appreciation. he re-
sponded to the gesture and took her hand.
But instantly she withdrew 1t.
Don't be mindin an ould woman like
me, SIR" she said. deprecatingly. Twas
the thought Of the children that come over
me. couldn't help it. had the both Of
thin In me arms before they could cry:
Many's the sad day put over me. thinkin'
what would become Of thin. wild the poor
| masther goin' to the bad. God forgive me
for saying it! And sure now it's all set.
our minds. Praise to the GodT'
She paused to dry her tears.
And what would you be thinkin' to do
wild them?" she asked, presently, in q new
and more personal tone.
Milbanke did not answer at once. His
eyes strayed uneasily from one object in
perpiexity that had puckered his brow since
Asshlfn's death reappeared more prOmi-
nently than before. At last, with a certain
expression OF puzzled resolution, he looked
mr., md nof Hon H. fun
TO tell you the truth, Hannah" he said.
that is the precise question have been
asking myself ever since your poor master
died"
There was a wait Of some seconds while
his listener digested the information; then
she nodded her head with slow impressive
ness.
IT seen it meself," she said again. Sure,
seen 1t as plain as daylight. There's
somethin on his mind I says to meself.
An If it isn't the poor masther's DEATH I
the natural feelin's Of a single gentleman
that finds himself wild two grown daugh-
ters.'"
1t was characteristic Of Milbanke that he
did not smile. He recognized only one fact
in the old servants words-the fact that the
state Of affairs over which he had been
worrying in lonely perplexity had suddenly
been accurately. If roughly. voiced by some
one else. He glanced up with quick relief
into the round red face framed in the dairy
window.
hannah, ne Sa1Q, honestly, your sur
mise was perfectly correct"
For the first time smile broke over her
tear-stained face.
Il was right thin' IT'S the children was
A sharp CLEAN OF inquiry shot from her
eyes.
YES" he answered. simply.
Why thy Aga1 her tone
native humor. native inauisitiveness and
familiarity yelling out unconsciously.
Sure they're good children"
one moment"
But they're troublin' you all the same?''
We'll, Yes. y Yes. + confess they are
Both Of thim?" she asked, innocently.
He hesitated --->. ..-..
WELL no., he replied. artlessly. mo.
not both of them" ~
nod Of complacent understanding "Sure,
twas to be tormentin' men she was brought
into the world for. I said so meself the
first day 1 took her into me arms"
"But-but 1 haven't said anything How
do you know that 1t is"
How do 1 know that it's Miss Clodagh
that you're standin before me? Faith, by
the use of me eyesight Haven't seen you
lookin' at her and ponderin'-and lookin'
at her ag'in?'
Milbanke's lips frightened and he drew
Il should be sorry If any thought I have
bestowed on your young Mistress he be-
gam coldly; then suddenly the intense need
of help and sympathetic counsel overbal-
anced dignity. Hannah" he said, abrupt
ly, I'm in terribly awkward position,
and that is the simple truth My mind Is
quite at rest about the younger girl. She
Is child-and will be a child for years. A
good school Is all she needs But with the
other it's different-with Clodagh it's diff
ferent. Clodagh Is no longer child"
Hannah remained discreetly silent
"If 1 had a sister," he went on, "or any
friend to whom could intrust her. But I
have none"
Again Hannah shook her head.
why, thin, that's pity, she murmured.
Sure. It's lonesome for gintleman to be
by himself"
"It is pity-a great pity. You do not
know how 1t Is weighing upon me. OF
course. there is her aunt"
Hannah made an exclamation of horror.
rs 1t Mrs. Laurence?" she cried. us It
tie her to Mrs. Laurence you would? Sure.
be done wild IT.
Milbanke's harassed face grew more per-
picked.
NO he said, hurriedly. mo; 1 under
stand that that arrangement is impossible
l was merely wondering whether there is
whom she might be happy"
He looked anxiously into her broad,
shrewd face.
seriously. then involuntarily they twinkled.
Faith, when was young woman, SIR"
she said, slowly. men wasn't so sat on
f1ndin' relations for girl like Mise Clo-
dagh-unless maybe twas relation Of
their own makin'!'
Milbanke suddenly looked away.
"What-what do you mean?" he asked,
confusedly.
''Why that 'tisn't aunts and cousins that
girl like Miss Clodagh wants, but good
husband
'A-a husband?"
why thin, what else? Instid of throub-
lin yolWself and frettin' yourself till your
heart isracalded out Of you. why don't you
marry herb That's what I've been aslkin'
meself ever since the poor masther died.
It's out now, If I'm to be killed for ft!'
She eyed him quizzically and half de-
family.
But Milbanke stood stammering and con-
fused, his gaze fixed nervously on the
ground, an unaccustomed flush on his worn
cheeks.
"But-but. Hannah. II am an old manr
His tone was deprecating and meant to
be ironic, but unconsciously 1t had an I'M
dernote Of question; unconsciously, as he
raised his eyes to his mentors face, he
Strengthened the shoulders that age and
study had combined to bend.
I am an old mani" he said again. "Why
why. am five years older than her