Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-10
XVI.


wet cheek pressed against her sisters and
her arms clasped closely round her.
Next morning she woke Gained and
soothed by her outburst of the night be-
fore, and after breakfast was able to enter
into the primary discussion concerning her
marriage without any show of emotion.
The conclave, at which she. her aunt, and
Milbanke alone were present, took place in
the drawing room and was of Weighty
and solemn character. The first suggestion
was put forward by Mrs.. Asshlin, who. with
the native distaste for all hurried and def
mite action, pleaded that an engagement Of
six months at least would be demanded by
the conventionalities before marriage
could take place; but here. to the surprise
of his listeners. Milbanke displayed fresh
CLEAN of the determination and firmness
that had inspired him during the days Of
sickness and death. With a reasonableness
that could not be gainsaid he refuted and
disposed of Mrs. Asshlin's arguments, and,
with a daring born Of his new position.
made the startling proposal that the we'd
ding ceremony should be performed within
the shortest possible time, and that, to OBJ
viate all difficulties Clodagh and he should
leave Ireland Immediately, journeying to
Italy to take up their Residence in the villa
that he had already rented at Florence for
his own use.
Immediately the suggestion was made
Mrs. Asshln broke forth in Irresistible OBJ
lection.
"Oh, but what would people say?" she
cried. Think of what people would say!
With the funeral scarcely Overt!
Milbanke looked at her gravely. His mat
ter-of-fact mind was as far as ever from
comprehending the ramifications of the
Irish character.
But, my dear Mrs. Asshlin,' he urged
do you think we need really consider
whether people talk or not? Surely we who
knew and loved poor Denis"
oh. it isn't that No one knows better
4, l. Ct. lox, hnav
Milbanke stirred uncomfortable
please do not speak of it. II did no
more than any Christian would have done.
What mean to suggest
But again she interrupted.
Eyes. yes; / Know. But we must con-
slider the county. We must consider the
county,"
But here Clodagh, who was standing by
the window. turned swiftly round.
why must WEI" she asked. 1.-The county
never remembered father till he was dead.
IF I'm going to be married, it's all the same
to me whether it's in three weeks or three
months three years..
Milbanke colored-not quite sure whether
the declaration was propitious or the re-
verse.
Certainly! Certainly he broke in, ner-
vously. II think your view is "a very
sensible one
Mrs. Asshlin shook her head in speeches.
Gisapproval.
and what is to become of Nance?" she
asked after a moments pause.
Again Mlbanke glanced uncertainty at
Clodagh.
MY idea" he began. deprecatingly, was
to place the child at a good English school.
But for the first year or two I think that
perhaps Clodagh might be allowed to veto
any arrangement l may make"
Clodagh stepped forward suddenly and
fmpulsively.
DO you mean that?' she asked.
He bent his head gravely.
lat folx how NIT to
Florence? "rwould make me happier than
anything under the sun"
The words were followed by a slightly dis
mayed pause. Although he strove bravely
to conceal the fact, Milbanke's face fell.
And Mrs. Asshlin became newly and mark
eddy shocked.
my dear Clodagh." she began, sternly.
But Milbanke put up his hand.
pray say nothing. Mrs. Asshlin," he
broke in, gently. "Clodagh's wishes are
mine
The blood surged into Clodaghs face In
wave of spontaneous relief.
"You mean thatE' she said again.
Once more he bent his head.
''Then I'll marry you any time you like
she said, with sudden. impulsve warmth.
And in due time the day of the marriage
dawned. After careful consideration. every
detail had been arranged and all difficulties
place in the Small. unpretentious Protestant
church at Carrigmore where, Sunday after
Sunday, since the days Of her early child
hood, Clodagh had listened to the Word of
God. and had sent up her own immature
supplications to heaven. The marriage
which of necessity was to be of the most
private nature-was fixed for the forenoon;
and it had been arranged that Immediately
upon it's conclusion Clodagh, Nance and
Milbanke should repair to Mrs. Asshlin's
cottage, from withdrawing partaken of
lunch-they were to start upon their jour-
ney without returning to Orristown.
w. biol
mild, presaging typical Irish day. After
a night of broken and restless Sleep Clo-
dagh woke at 6. and slipped out of bed with
out disturbing Nance.
For the first moment or two she sat on
the side Of her bed. her hands locked be-
hind her head, her bare feet resting upon
the uncarpeted floor. Then suddenly the
sight of the long cardboard box that had
arrived from Dublin the day before, con-
tanning the new gray dress in which she
was to be married, reused her to the sig
nificance of the hour. With a swift move
ment she rose and crossed the room to the
window.
The view across the bay was neutral and
calm. Over the sea to the east, a pale and
silvery sun was emerging from a film of
mist, while on the water itself white, al
most spiritual radiance lay like a mystic
veil. Clodagh took one long, comprehen-
sive glance at the familiar scene; then, as
If afraid to trust herself too far, she turned
away quickly and began to dress with
noiseless haste
Twenty minutes later she crept down.
stairs arrayed in her old black riding habit
Where she rode on that morning of her
marriage; what strange and speculative
thoughts burned in her brain; and what Sc
crets-regretful or anticipatory-she whis-
pered into Polly's sensitive ears, no one
ever knew! At half-past she rode into
the stable-yard, slipped from the saddle I'M
aided. and threw the mares bride to
Burke.
For full minute she stood with her
gloved hand upon the neck of the animal
that had carried her so often and SO well;
then, with a sudden almost furtive, move
ment, she bent forward and pressed her
face against the cropped name.
Take care of her, Tim" she said I'M
steadily. Take care Of her. I'll come back
some day, you know
And without looking at the old man she
turned and walked out of the yard.
She met no one on her way to the house;
but as she passed across the hall she was
suddenly arrested by the sight of Milbanke
the stairs. already arrayed in a
frock-coat.-
UncOnsciously she paused. From the first
she had vaguely understood that he would
discard his usual tweed suit on the day of
the wedding: but the actual sight of these
unfamiliar clothes came as shock. bring
ing home to her the simminence of the great