The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-07-31
The GAL WAY PLATE.
A Short Story Descriptive of an Old
Irish Race Course by Cabin.
written for The Intermountain Cath
olic.)
IL

ollc.)
CHAPTER II.
Two years have passed since my stor
opened, and it is an evening in the mid
die of July. Norah Lynch is seated o
a rustic bench in her fathers garden
A beautiful girl Norah is, with hair dar
as the ravens wing, eyes of the deep
est blue, and a fresh rosy face, on whic
is clearly written all that is good. He
favorite book, Knocknagow, is lying Of
the seat beside her, and on her knee
is an open letter which causes her
great deal Of satisfaction, if we ma.
judge from the joyful smile that light
up her beautiful face.
Yes, indeed, this is good news" sh'
is saying to herself, and taking up tn,
letter she reads it again:
Dear Norah,'' the letter ran, 81 wan
you to come over to my place tomorrow
with your father. I am writing him by
the same post, to tell him that 1 wish
to see him on important business.
have no doubt the business Will be q
surprise to him when he hears it. In
my last letter to you 1 told you that
Shabby Prince was a good horse, but
now l say he is a wonder. and the best
] have ever trained. Nothing is more
uncertain than racing, but if 1 have not
the winner of this years Galway Plate
in my stables, fear 1 will never train
the winner of it. Best wishes to my
little girl. Your old friend,
tom KELLEY"
"Oh, won't father be-
Here there is a thud on the walk be-
side her, and before the surprised Norah
can turn around, fine retriever dog is
beside her, and has placed his head on
her knees, uttering as he does so, short
sharp yelps of welcome.
Down, Rory, down, you are a
naughty dog. I am afraid you have
frightened Miss Lynch and a young
man with gun in his hand opens the
garden gate, and in a few strides is at
Norah's side.
"Oh, no, Mr.. Bodkin, Rory is a dear
dog, and has not frightened me in the
least" and Norah, rising from her seat,
extends a welcoming hand.
The newcomer, Mr.. Gerald Bodkin, is
a tall, well-built man of about % years
Of age. His face is clean shaven and
handsome, with large pensive eyes, firm
lips and bold chin. BY profession he is
lawyer. His father, Maurice Bodkin,
is younger brother Of Sir Johns, and
like the latter, Maurice is the owner of
an extensive farm and beautifully old
fashioned house. In his youth Maurice
was a man OF extravagant habits. and
for many years lived beyond his means,
and this, togo or with the fact that he
married Der ~ lis position, estranged
Sir johns n, nip from him, and for
the past tt y Years the two brothers
were as ute syrI ers to each other.
Maurice indulSed e sreat deal in racing,
and never being ! 'sssed with any kind
of good luck, his loney rapidly dwin- |
died away, SO before his fortieth year |
he was heavily IN debt, and his fine
farm fell into the hands of creditors |
who allowed him but small yearly |
sum of money, barely sufficient for the |
necessary wants cf himself and his |
family. He saw his folly when too late. |
and the thought of his past extrava-
gance was very bitter to him on account
Of his only son, Gerald, and his invalid
daughter, Rosaleen. An aunt however.
interested herself in Gerald, and sent
him to college. Gerald's dearest wish
was to live the life Of a country gentle
man, for the love of outdoor life and
horses was born in him. He was at
horne in the saddle, and whether on the
Tat or over fences, could hold his own
with the best When the crash came.
Gerald saw that he must work for his
living, work for his mothers sake and
Rosaleen's, and taking advantage of his
lunt's kind offer, he applied himself dill
gently to his books, with the result that
-oday he is a lawyer of great promise.
With a large practice in a provincial
own. Knowing the Lynch family from
lis earliest years, Gerald Bodkin re-
;pected and loved them, and there was
10 person Ned Lynch welcomed so cor
llally as young Master Gerald, who as
Ned used to say, was good stuff every
Of wifi f1,o l., l
jlace."
Pray be seated, Miss Lynch. and
ion't let Rory and I disturb you" be- !
san Gerald. THE fact of the matter
s, came over specially to speak to
'ou, and am very fortunate in finding :
-ou alone
Il am enjoying a few quiet moments !
ere by myself, Mr.. Bodkin,'' Norah an
wers, seating herself, "but I EXPECT
cry soon to hear mothers voice call
ag me, for she has some letters to .
rite
Il must make the most of my oppor-
unity then" and Gerald sits down be-
de Norah on the bench, and taking her
and in his, says: I
Miss Lynch, do you care enough for
le to become my wife?"
Oh, Mr.. Bodkin, It's so sudden" an
Ao4A' lying " release ner -
and. "and L" h
You will not refuse me, Norah. I'll s
Ill you Norah, for / have loved Won Y
lis long while, but I could not declare n
y love until 1 gained a position in life. II
hanks to my profession, 1 can offer L
0u comfortable home, and the love c;
heart that is devoted to you now o.
10 henceforth. Oh, Norah, say YOU o'
We me; say you viii be my wife"
But, your father
My father" put in Gerald, before
orah could proceed any further. OIL
Knows the reason of my coming over n;
Id listen, Norah, the dear old man dt
i'd, Right, Gerald. my boy, you have q
Y blessing. Miss Lynch is a good girl. 70
I'd will have you happy and as for my %
other and Rosaleen, why, when told az
en- that 1 loved you, and was about 10
ask you to be my wife, they simplv re-
bothered me with kisses, and already Al
exon you as one of our family. Oh. III III
y yes, Norah, and complete my hap ", w
ness" IN
We'll, yes then, Gerald, since Won ~ ~
sh it, for I, too. dearly love YOU" VI VI
ID Norah hides her blushing face on 81 81
erald's shoulder. pc
After while Norah frees herself from - 10
'rald's arms. and looking up into his Do DO
&c, says: ue
Gerald, I want you to keep our en-
cement 2 Sarrpf froy,, -.