Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1907-05-03
A TURN Of THE
WHEEL. 80
BY Constance Darcy Mackay.

Observation-Disclosures.


1t was summer in Balymoran--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
fields: wild roses bloomed by the
hedges. fragile and exquisite, yet full of
snares for the unwary. Many an eager
child plucked at them only to with
draw scratched finger
Terry O'Itourke, looking up from his
potato patch, philosophically observed
that "thim flowers were as sharp as
they were swate, ivry one o thin"
and then smiled to himself. thinking
of ClOdah Mulvaney. Hazel eyed she
was. with red brown hair. cheeks like
n wild rose and temper as keen edged
as the prickliest thorn.
yet faith what matter about the
thorns." said Terry. eff the rose he
worth the winning"
He was as quiet and determined as
Clodah was hasty, and if. as his neigh
lovemaking he was none the less sure.
True, he had a dangerous rival in Jim
Hagan, who had lately fallen heir to n
legacy and who had spent the half of
il on a brand new jaunting car fit for
the mayor himself. 1t was in this that
Jim had begged ClOdah to accompany
him to the Gulmullet fair, some ten
miles distant
"Thank we kindly. Jim" she answer
ed, but I've promised to go with Ter
ence."
well thin. it's myself that will
have to ride alone" sighed Jim discon-
solately, for. sure. there's no one in
Balymoran who can take your place
at all Mt all"
The night before the fair Clodah and
Terry sat before her door discussing
the joys of the morrow.
"Well start early" said he. "dnd be
back by nightfall."
And I'll wear my best dress. with
the blue ribbons" said Clodah, land
keep my coat in the back O. the cart"
Il mstrust yell have to hold it on
your lap, mavourneen," said Terry ION
account o the pig
Pig" cried Clodah.
"lm going to take the pig along in
the back o. the cart It's foine price
I'm expecting TO get for her. and
Terry ORourke" shrieked Clodah.
''do We think I'd ride in cart with
pig?"
you've done it before"
"Niver with my best dress on"
Lave your best dress at home. thin"
said Terry humorously.
ClOdah saw no humOr in his remark.
"You can choose bctwain us" she
said haughtily "Will We take me or
will ye take the pig3"
But Clodah, girrul be reasonable.
The pig can do We no harm She's as
clean as an angel and as we'll behaved.
and It's my only chance O. sAHng her"
Clodah stamped her foot
"I've given We your choice, Terry
O'Rourke. Once and for all, which will
ye take?"
Terry was usually slow to anger, but
now danger spark burned in his eyes.
"I'll take the pig" he said.
Clodah flew inside and banged the
door.
Next morning she passed Terry's cab
in. riding with Jim Hagan in his jaunt-
Ing car. Her muslin dress was as blue
as the sky, and its many ribbons flut-
tered in the wind Terry was out in
his garden. and Clodah feigned not to
see him. though Jim glanced round
with look of triumph
How are ye Terry?" he called out
"'Tis fone day for the fair"
And they ratified gayly down the
road, the new yellow wheels OF the
jaunting car shining in the sun.
Terry gazed after them. All the
brightness seemed gone from life. 1t
was as if the candle of his happiness
had been blown out. leaving him in ut
ter darkness Twas a wise man.
he muttered "who said that fortune
was a tickle jade. A turn of her
wheel-and where are We now. Terry
O'Rourke?"
Then he harnessed up slowly, put the
pig in the cart and took the road for
Gulmullet
lnere was no one to see ClOdah
drive out of Ballymoran save a few
old women and children. The rest
of her neighbors had risen with the
dawn and set out for their fair hours
ago. Clodah. being of two minds
whether to 90 or not, had kept the
ardent Jim waiting till she reached
conclusion. Now they rolled swiftly
along in order to make up for lost
time The road was almost deserted
save in the distance, where there were
few tardy wayfarers like themselves.
And these, too, having the start of
them. soon vanished. Clodah was con-
tented enough. She felt that she was
looking her best. and If she had any
doubts on that score Jim's fluent tongue
would have treasured her. She an
swered his lOvemaking with laughing