The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-07-03
CHAPTER XIV.

NOWN at Maple Grove the winter
IL had been a long one to every
body. After Nora had left the
life seemed to have gone out of the
homestead. At first 1t had not been
SO bad. The excitement incident to the
departure of the girls and endless dis
cussion as to what they would do and
how Nora would get IN kept Mallory
and the people keyed up. That they
would be all right was never the sub
ject of doubt for one moment. All had
u~nbounded confidence in Patsy. the
breadwinner, and in her ability to shift
for Nora as we'll as for herself. That
their faith was fully justified was
proved when. two weeks after the ar
rival of the girls in New York, a letter
was received announcing Patsy's en-
gagement at the Long Acre theatre
and when subsequently came the news
that she had procured an engagement
for Nora in the same company. This
caused great rejoicing 1t was particu-
larly gratifying because for some time
at least there would be no touring with
the production and the girls would re-
main in New York. The hopes of the
little family ran high.
vi Twp VI hllS was IdtSy 5 I1OHlen-
tous enterprise in taking a fiat and
her glowing descriptions of the luxury
and comfort they enjoyed In 1t. The
letters of both girls gave such minute
particulars that the old people were
able to picture the place in the minds
eye, though the picture, as such pic
lures always do. differed largely from
the original.
Nora's departure, however, was a
tearing away which was bound to be
felt and felt severely. AS the baby
she had held a very large part indeed
in the hearts and lives of her parents,
especially after Patsy had flown the
home nest. After a time the loss
of her bright presence and talkative-
ness began to have It's effect on Mrs.
O'Brien. She became irritable, then
melancholy.
Sure the house is loike a stove in
winter with the foire out since me
baby's gone away" she complained.
O'Brien missed the girl just as badly,
but If he went about his duties with
unwonted %quietness and an air of alb
~straction he was careful not to let his
feelings betray him in the house.
There he maintained his accustomed
cheerfulness and good humor and did
his utmost to keep his wife's spirits up.
AS to Dan. he understood the state of
mind of both of them and in his unob-
t~rusive, unselfish way sought to help
them to become reconciled to the
changed conditions.
Another person by whom Nora's alb
sence was keenly felt was the Duke,
and her departure had further conse-
quences for him in troubles of various
kinds and another fierce encounter
with the Shrimp. The Dukes liveli-
ness had beer succeeded by a gloomi-
ness that was positively melodramatic
and alternated with periods of sickly
sentimentality. His moroseness was so
marked. especially as it was accompa-
MED by diminished appetite, that Mrs.
O'Brien noticed It. and her motherly
solicitude was aroused. She rather
liked the Duke.
"'Tis bilious We are, choild," she
said one morning after watching him
attentively. "Yir liver's all upset.
OfIl have to physic we. Show me yir
tongue"
The Duke shook his head.
you myke a mistake. num-" he re-
piled. TT amt because I don't feel
like BLOWN tout me kite that I wants
physic."
Thin phwat's the natter" she de-
manded.
"Nothin', habsolutely nothin'. Him
all right" he assured her.
(To BE Continued ON Monday