The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1908-11-20
BranniSan's Courtsbip



Yes. | suppose IL must be"
Brannigan's face assumed winning
expression OF entreaty.
I'D be proud II ye'd ride out there
with me tomorry."
Alma's delicate color deepened She
gazed fixedly at the handle of the
door A more sensitive admirer than
I hers might have suspected a hint OF
dismissal in the direction OF her gaze,
but Brannigan was not sensitive. lie
came a step nearer.
All. say now, won't We go?"
Alma was silent still
Let's say 3 o'clock
I'm not through my work till a."
II was the same thing as an assent.
I'll call for We at A."
He went of beaming. but her voice
made him turn back in sudden panic.
Don't call for me" she said. in a
low, hesitating tone You'd rather
you wouldn't Maybe I'll be AT the
corner at T."
The maybe" had no terrors for
Brannigan, who read capituation in
every word and every line OF the
dropping figure, with its back kept
turned away. He marched forth ra-
diant
The ride out on the open car was
very pleasant. Alma enjoyed every
biz of il. though she asked herself fire.
quently What was she about?
Brannigan was not retrospective;
besides. he knew what he was about.
perfectly. He paid Alma's fares with
an authority she dared not gansay
and sat with his arms on the back OF
the seat behind her. his eyes travelling
delightedly from her Sunday hat. with
its impossible decorations. to her
sweetly embarrassed face and back
again. He felt the end in view.
She's my gyurl." he was saying to
himself. proudly. IAN If she don't
know it yet. she's goin' to-"
His heart swelled; he almost wished
some man would do something for
which he could knock him down. He
had the primitive instincts OF the
tribal lover, he wanted to show and
to have her know that strength would
always stand between her and danger
This feeling increased as time went
on and he saw more and more clearly
that Alma was unhappy at home Her
eyes were often red. She complained
u.
confessed that the boys We're tire
some"
Brannigan once heard one OF them
speak rudely 10 her and promptly lift
ed the young cub by the scruff of the
neck, demanding If he knew what they
did 20 bad boys in the West Tommy
whined a denial and Brannigan thun-
iered out:
Well. If iver hear We open your
head to your sister that way again
III show ye,"
But 1t only made things harder for
Alma to have a champion. The step
father dropped insinuations which
made her face burn and the boys
ieered her about her sweetheart"
Say" Brannigan announced one
IF that stepfather OF yours
don't behave himself I'll be SEWN a
button on him one of these days."
Alma dreaded some such issue: she |
changed the subject.
One afternoon a strange man came /
with the ice.
Tim Brannigan's hurt" he ex-
planned. II appeared that Brannigan |
had been at fire and. rushing out OF |
he burning tenement with a forgotten |
baby, had fallen and broken his leg. /
he was in the city hospital.
The next day Alma dressed herself |
With care in the blue gown Brannigan |
liked and outspreading ribbons and |
started for the hospital. The boys |
saw her before she gained the corner /
md screamed impertinences after her. /
put she never turned her head
IL was. fortunately. a visiting day.
When Brannigan saw Alma enter /
he ward his face was irradiated with |
oy. He wanted to jump up and run
% meet her And yet. when she |
cached the bedside, he was lying very
still. with closed eyes-or with eyes
hat seemed to be closed.
'Ah, an is It you?" he asked faint
y, feigning a languid awakening.
IT'S good OF we to come, but I'm that
wake | can scarcely take it I'M"
A great lump rose in Alma's throat.
She had not thought to find him so
ow
ooh. but you'll soon be better. Mr..
3rannigan." she said. struggling not
o cry.
"Ah. an do ye think so?" he asked
eebly.
les ihuteu' YOU utu look so very
lick now. really you DON'T"
Looks is decavn'i" he sighed. me
mother was always afeared she'd
liver raise me. an I'm doubtin' she
lad the right OF It,"
Alma looked down at his splendid
in perfect seriousness. A
tense OF humor had not been included
Imong her other qualities and Branni-
,an's fun always bewildered her.
DO you feel pain anywhere?" she
lsked fearfully.
"Ahful, just here" said Brannigan.
aging a muscular hand upon the car
lac region. Not a muscle OF her face
hanged. as he saw through his half.
hut eyes. A ripple OF laughter passed
,ver him and he bit his lips under the
ong. tawny mustache. And while he
aughted he could have fallen at her
was so adorably Innocent
Alma saw and wholly misinterpreted
he tremor which shook him.
Are you cold?" she inquired anx.
ously. She knew that II was a bad
ign to feel cold in serious Illness"
"Froze OUT" said Brannigan. in a
"a.