Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-28
Maureen's Dowry
Continued from page s

embroidery. So you can tell Maureen I'll take
her
Not SO fast, not so fastr' said Michael.
=" Didn't you give up all claims yesterdah! You
can't play fast and loose wild me this way!
You're making trouble for me, and I've got to
get something out of it.
They sat down on two Jumps of sod and
talked it over. Michael, shrewd student of
human nature, saw that he must warily play
poor Terence, who had already made cOmpro-
misses. After limiting at every available asset
the older man had. Michael was at last forced
to content himself with the paper Larry had
written giving Cahill the cows milk
But mind" said Michael. all this is only
to give you clear field from Nelligan and other
men. 1t lies in your own hands, not mine, to
get Maureen. She's fighting mad that you
Tilted her.
Sure if she d have me yesterdah. she will to-
day." said Terence complacently. You say
she's gone to Wexford. When she comes back
III fix it"
A FTER Cahill had left him, Michael threw
down his hoe and hurried off to the Nelli
gan place, where he offered to sell Larry's write
of hand to Mrs. Michigan: She wanted it not
only as a release from Cahil1, but to hold over
Larry's head as sign of her magnanimity:
After heated quarrel. Michael got ten shill
ings. He went home, trying to hearten himself
with the thought of his success. But though he
told himself over and over that he had dowry
of four pounds ten for the girl, and maybe pig
for himself, his words gave him no cheer, and
his feet were leaden- Somehow, ne refused to
think of Maureen as married to Cahill; and if
she really liked Larry, perhaps he had been
working against her happiness. Besides. there
was the chance that she would not want any
one interfering in her affairs; she might run
away to Dublin to service, just to show that
she had mind of her own.
During dinner he was absolutely silent, and
his wife followed his gloomy mood with anxiety.
Being tactful woman, she said nothing When
| the meal was over, he went for tramp over the
turf still out of sorts. BY the time he turned
homeward he felt sure his mind would leap to
| meet his difficulties they came. The first one
| met him at his neighbour gate Terence was
leaning against the post with his unaccustomed
smile.
I'VE been waiting to tell you the good news.
he said; land I'm waiting to tell Maureen
I've just been down to the priests to ask him
to put up the banns next Sundah. He was out !;
but l left write of hand for him.
Michael could not find word to say.
Il thought I'd better begin getting used to
the gurrl right off " explained Terence.
Michael nodded, and went speeches. along
the path to his own cabin His wife met him
on the doorstep.
Come in avic" she said heartily, and for
give me if I've been forehanded wild you.
couldn't bear to see the grave face of you at din
| ner for knew you were regretting the bargain
| wild Kate Michigan. From the way Maureen
dCCeO LHS anu Lic way Silc dueti
wild Larry. know she wants him. So down
went to the priest and left him note, asking
him to put up the banns next Sundah for Maui
reen and Larry. That1l Just give them time
to get it over before they sail for America"
Michael sank on the doorstep and groaned.
What is it, alannah?" cried Eileen. "Are
you sick"
No, oh. no! Let me alone, woman! | must
walk again"
He set off down the road at tearing pace,
with visions OF the anger of the priest and the
laughter of the neighbors. Him to be calling
himself good match maker they'd say: If
things were left in his hands, the whole parish'd
be supping sorrow with the long spoon of grief.
nice coil he got people in, entirely!
MICHAEL sat down in the ditch not far from
AVA Nelligan's place and groaned aloud in bit
terness of spirit. A startled face rose from the
other side of the hedge.
4" Is it YOU. Michael Dwyer7 Are you sick?"
cried Mrs. Michigan. I'm hunting hen that