The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1906-11-22

gone or what had become OF him.
One of the children vouchsafed the
information that he had been seen rid
ing away from Ballymoran 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 a 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, avick," said Bar
ney, "but ye're none the less well
come"
"'Tis from the postoffice / ann. 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.
"Belike it's from Uncle Seamus.' y
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 stOlA 4 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. 'Asrah, my darlint," he whis-
pered to himself, before this evenn' s
gone I'll have your promisew 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 more desery-
ing of it then yourself" he said steadi-
ly but his voice was lost in the GEN
eral acclaim, for Hugh had become the
hero of the evening" The attentions
that had formerly been showered on
Barney were now lavished on him.
His good fortune went to his head like
wine.
'Since I'm the herr he cried, I'VE
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 THE
Rocky Road to Dublin" and, singing
! the door. A few paused long enough
to say good night to their host and
could not pass without a word at his
expense.
Don't forget my red petticoat," says
Biddy Mcbride, "and the package of
tay We were for giving me-"
"Nor the baccy We promised" chuc-
killed. old Donnelly land the dhudheeli
I'll likely be smoking next week. To
which Barney answered gayly enough,
smiling with set lips. He had kept up
CALAMITY before them, yet, after all. he
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 face in his arms.
Deeper than the disappointment over
the money was the thought that Eileen
had gone without so much as a word.
shell marry Hugh" groaned Barney
| between his teeth. She'll marry Hugh
| And, och, if there's a miserable lad in
the country that same is myself"
The door creaked on it's hinges. "'Tis
only the wind,' thought Barney. Then
something made him turn and look.
! Eileen stood in the doorway.
"Have We left something's" said Bar
ney, starting to his feet.
| Eileen's eyes were very bright and
tender.
"'Tis my heart I've lost" she an
swered.
'Hugh's a lucky lad, Eileen" said
Barney, "a lucky lad, and-and-I wish
We joy, the both of yez''
"'Tis not Hugh that has my heart y
cried Eileen; "'tis-ah. Barney. can We
not see-can We not understand
''Shure-shure, it's never me We
mean" gasped Barney. why, Eileen,
girl, I'm poor Suddenly a light
broke on him, and he caught her to his
heart. NO" he cried, I'm the richest
man in the whole wide wurruldv'
Thus fortune came to Barney after
all.