The Washington herald., 1907-02-17

1t was summer IN Ballymoran. Long
days OF blue and white and green. the
blue OF the sky. the white OF drifting
clouds, and the bright green Of the Irish
turf GOrse rose golden in the feds.
wild roses bIoomed by the hedges. fragile
and equisite, yet full OF snares for the
unwary. Many an eager child plucked
at them, only to withdraw a scratched
finger
Terry O'Rourke. looking up from his
potato patch, philosophicaIly observed
that thin flowers were as sharp as they
were swate. ivry one o. thimt aud then
smiled 20 himself. thinking of Clodah
Mulvdney. Hazel-eyed. she WAS, with
red-brOwn hair, cheeks Ike a wild rose
and temper as keen-edged as the prick
lest thorn.
Yet, faith, what matter about the
thorns.' said Terry, II the rose be worth
the winning"
He was as quiet and determined as
Clodah was hasty, and. If as his neigh
bOrs declared he was a bit slow iB his
love-making, he was none the less sure
| True, he had a dangerous rival In jim
Hagan, who had lately fallen heir TO a
legacy. and who had spent the half Of II
on a bran new jaunting car, 1T for the
mayor, himself 1t was IN this that
Jim had begged Clodah 10 accompany
him to the Gulmullet fair, some ten miles
distant.
Thank We kindly. JIM" she ans.z>red
but I've promised TO go with Terrence
well, thin, it's meself that will have
to ride alone" sighed Jim, disconsolately
for sure there's no one in BaliymOrar
who can take your place at all. at all.
The night before the fair ClOdah and
Terry sat before her door discussing the
joys Of the morrow.
Wen start early" said he, "and 0e
back by nightfall"
And I'll wear my best dress with the
| blue ribbons" said Clodah. and keep my
coat IN the back o. the cart"
Il mistrust yen have TO hold IL on your
lap, MavourneeH said Terry. "On account
o. the pig"
Pig cried ClOdah
I'm going to take the pig along in the
back o. the cart. IT'S a foine price I'm
expecting To get for her, and
Terry O'Rourke"' shrieked ClOdah
do ye think I'd ride in a cart with d
p.g?'
You've done it before"
''Nlyer with my best dress on
Lave your best dress at home thin,
said Terry. humorousIy.
Clodah saw no humor in his remark.
You can choose betwain US. she said
I haughtily- VIII ye take me-OT viii ye
take the pig"
But. Clodah, girruI, be reasonable
The pig can do ye no harm. Shes as
clean as an angel. and as we'll behaved
and tbs my one chance o. selling her
Clodah stamped her foot.
I've given We your choice. Terry
O'Rourke Once and for all, which will
sc take2'
Terry was usually slow to anger. bun
now a danger spark burned in his eyes.
III take the pig. he said
ClOdab few inside and banged the deer
Next morning she passed Terry's cabin
riding with Jim Hagan in his jauntinE
car. Her muslin dress was as blue as the
sky and it's many ribbons fluttering il
the wind Terry was out IN his garden
and Clodah feigHed not 20 see him. though
Jim glanced around with a look OF
triumph.
How are We, Terry" he called out.
tbs q foine day for tEe fair"
And they ratified gaily down the road
the new yellow wheels Of the jauHting
car shining in the sun.
Terry gazed after them. All the bright
ness seemed gone from life. IL was as IL
the candle of his happiness had been
blown out leaving him IN utter darkness.
% Twas a wise man. he mUttered, who
said that Fortune was q tickle jade. 4
turn of her wheel-and where are ye now,
Terry O'Rourke?''
Then he harnessed up slowly. put the
pig in the cart, and took the road for
Gulmullet.
There was no one to see Clodah drive
ont Of RaliyrnOrau sqv-p 4 few old women
and children The rest of her neighbOTs
had risen with the dawn. and set out
for the fair hours ago. Clodah, being OF
two minds whether 10 go or not had kept
the ardent Jim waiting till she reached a
conclusion. Now they rolled swiftly along
in order 20 make up for lost time. The
road was almost deserted save in the
distance. where there were a few tardy
wayfarers like themselves. And these
too, having the start OF them, soon van
ished. Cl0dah was contented enough She