The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1906-12-14
Never knew he had a brother e

L answered, with great interest.
Yes; this is the only one. He's a
ne'er-do-well, and comes from Amer
lea. He has no money, and is very
idle and dishonest and fascinating.
and"
How typical" murmured dream
lily.
What of"
"oh, nothing, dear Please tell me
more about him"
IL appeared that Mikes brother
was nearly twenty years younger
than he. and mad distinguished him
self by robbing the surrounding fam
lilies when AT home. and. when
shipped Of 10 America at great ex-
pense 10 his family, had proceeded
10 drain their feeble resources by
begging letters, full of-Irish i'm.
asination,
Mikes brother7"'l cried, amazed
Yes. Nike is his guardian angel.
and ] believe"-witb great mystery
~ believe that Mike sends him
money still"
Nike came into the room just then.
and cur conversation stopped, but 1
noticed he looked very much dis
turbed the next few days. his simple
eyes elouded. his ruddy face psler.
| left Ballyknoeksbanpon a week
afterward, and | always carry in my
mind the remembrance OF old Mike
as he opened the gate for the dogeart
that vas TO take me To the station
the November sun on his white head.
bunch Of his best ruddy chrysanthe-
NUNS held up for me 20 take as We
sped along. hts left clutching Brian
Boru (whose coat matched the
chrysanthemums). and wistful, far
away eagerness in his earnest eyes
as they followed the cart down the
leaf strewn road.
/ Vondered-did Mike look more
careworn? Was my sight, misty
with tears. deceiving me? Or was
il the influence (always keenly felt
by me) of the romantic melancholy
OF the half-neglected acres around
me. with their fateful autumn still
ness?
Life, however, with its incessant
hustle and stir. claimed me, and in
its feverish stress perhaps the mem
ory Of Ballyknockshannon and my
old friend Mike faded little until
chance took me to Ireland again-to
dear, dirthy Dublin" on this oc-
Casion.
1t was during the late spring, and
the season there was nearly over.
remember l had promised to do a
commission for a friend in "A remote
and somewhat Sunny" part of the
town, and as | was amusing myself
with watching the types" around me
man who came hurriedly out of "a
pawnbroker's shop and walked in
front of me few steps, then turned
TO cross the road. | caught his pro-
file, then full FACET was Mike!
The same "bumpy" head tanG tha
hat at the same angle), the same
childlike, deepset eyes, yet | thought
he looked broken, older, shabbier
Mike / cried, you remember
me-"
lie dropped his eyes nervously and
flushed with embarrassment.
'Tis Miss Janet" he said, with
an obvious effort at being pleased to
see me. Sure, an how could | ba
forgettin' the lovely face OF YER"
oh! Mike, just the same" I
laughed. How are they all at Bally.
knoCkshannon?"
Yer ladyship," the old mans voice
sank and his earnest eyes solicited
mine, " tbs grand favor you'll be
doing me not 10 tell her honor that
you met me here. ] was jus" he
hesitated d-"buying an Elegant pres
ent for me cousin Biddy, who is to
marry young Larry Murphy at"-he
began TO cough. and | didn't like to
hear him, also ! distrusted his COM
ing to Dublin TO buy a present.
Doesn't the mistress know you IRE
in Dublin, Nike" / asked, grave,y.
She does. yer ladyship, but this
street he indicated it with "A fine
air OF patrician scOrn" It's not Of
the quality, and her honor might be
thinking I'd be afthcr taking some
sickness down" ne stammered, pain
fully.
"Of course, Mike" / answered
gently, II shall not say anything"
In vain / tried 10 persuade the old
man TO let me give him some tea, he
looked so III and worn out. He pro-
tested with an air Of great mystery
that he had business. an appointment,
etc; so / let him 90, as he was OBJ
yiously eager to do 50, and watched
him down the street. How shabby
his coat looked, and It was turned up
around the neck as II ne feared the
wind; and Mike, who had faced all
weather In all seasons, and this was
a balmy spring afternoon. went
home wondering.
A few weeks later I received the
following letter:
Dear Janet have been intend
ing 20 write to you FOR some weeks.
I.F