Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-02-27

And. just az he almost eate with the strength
and fervor OF his resolve. Sheilah came back from
Newport, weary OF luxury Of subsection, of associa
ton on terms Of unbearabe inequality with the rich
and the great.
Her grief at the loss Of her little brother and sister
her indignant pain at not having been summoned
to do her share of nursing sincere and deep She
took her old place at the notion counter and slept
beside her mother the hard straw bed across the
foot of which no MORA tossed in restless sleep
But Sheah was young, and not deep or stern Of
fibre Pat had been the lodestone after ALL to draw
he's back, and her tears shed, she looked to his
ing with beating heart
Her savings had provided her mother with the
Of the Old Country. extract certain satisfaction.
Sheilah, modern, was content with white
black ribbon. She knew that she looked we'll. and
she longed to read the old assurance in Pats eyes
When he came Mrs. Moriarty greeted him. and then
sheilah lifted shy eyes to Pats blue gaze.
We'll Pat I've come back" she said
"Your mothcr'll he glad" he answered gravely
She's good woman, Sheilah."
Sheiah felt the tears dim her eyes.
She's very, good" she agreed. Then silence fell;
Sheiah. unable to bear It, crossed to the window and
looked at the line Of roofs against tho sky.
DO you remember coming to SEQ me-" she asked
at length "Do you remember what YOU said. Pat?"
81 guess don't forget" ne replied sheepshly.
Sheilah turned to the window and faced him. do
you remember what you said about being queen Of
didn't think 50 then bu-noyv-that sounds-nce"
Her cheeks famed in the gathering dusk. She
turned away to sec The sky line still more sharp and
clear and waited-waited till Pats slow brain should
have realized her words; but Pat stood in dumb agony
holding himself to his vow.
He had words for her and sheilah sank, sobbing
into the chair by the table
"You don't cerc-you don't" she wept. on go
away then--go away Why do you atay to shame
me9"
The dignity Of his honest intent the dignity of his
own sacrifice Patrick CMeara the look Of
prince. All embarrassment l::t him. At the sound
Of his voice, Shelah lifted her head.
"Yere not to say don't care" began he- lover
"Yere never to think thu. Stcs'. mavourncen. But
I've seen your mcthci's n'o and I've seen in ne
minds eve. what my wife WI be-if had Wife,
and ron. She'd have to rise early and sleep late
And there1 be children-and-they make life hard
for the woman, I'll not bring you any woman
to It, shFilah. III never have q wif",
He said the words solemnly and Sheilah shivered
she listened The Injuries she had loved the rifes
that had made her pleasure suddenly shriveled away.
before the fire of her longing for the man who
nounced her. for the clasp Of the arms that would
sought to touch hers She rose stretching ont trem-
bling hands
"Put pot-pat!" she cried. Don't you SELL
like vow enough Pat--nOt to mind"
He shook his head.
Not We don't mind" he said gently a.
member what ye told me, she'lah, once. before ye
f:t, and the furniture, and the lew clothes would
make It not bad!' that now Sheilah. though
didn't then. A womans life-a poor wt1nc, : life
IS cruel hard and II not bring you &c IT.
There was sad fnality in HIS tore that inside ar
gument, pleadings. futile. Sheah stood trembling.
her happiness falling in ruins about her while she,
helpless could but watch its fall
"I-I-like you enuUgh--not to mind" che v'his-
pered her tears falling
Pat folded his arms across his breast that they
might not fold her against his will. While so
they stood, the door of the inner room opened and
Mrs. Morlarty came out
be meanin" she said and Sheilah knew by The words
that her mother had been living through her own
courtshp, in listening to hers. But ye think 100