The Green Forest tribune., 1910-08-12

right they came to St. Patrick's hall wearing the colors of the Orangeman And, without further ceremony the beloved bouquets were torn from the belts of the two girls and trampled under foot by the young Irishmen.
 Norah had been innocent of the breech of etiquette she was making in wearing the flowers and her chum had beer as guiItIess of error. Now, as they retired to the dressing room, red faced and not knowing whether to be angry or merry, they looked at each other and broke into laughter.
 Faith. and l never thought of it al all, at all, Katie" said Norah, ad- justing her disarranged belt. I'm sorry I was so generous with my bou- quet."
 Its nothing at all" retorted Katie, but l saw Pat Deasy and Michael OFlanagin standing on the other side of the room takin' in the whole thing. It's mad they are. or I'm not Katie Malone this night"
 Now, Pat Deasy, though well ia rored in the eyes of Norah, was not
 
 the time when his blue eyes flashed at the presence of another young man in her spotless kitchen. Per haIs,' the thought now, "he thinks am after getting the flowers from Tom ;"
 At least, whether the two swains took the wearing of the yellow flow ore 1rrI he they had other reasons for ignoring their hitherto adored ones, Norah and Katie heard the opening strains of Come Back to Erin" waited from the orchestra without noticing the approach of their usual partners.
 Never long alone at ball, Norah was soon whirling about the room in the arms of another admirer And from the way in which her soft Irish laugh rippled in response to bits of witty blarney her partner whispered in her ear she was conscious of no other man in the room. She was possessed of the inherent Irish quail ty of being all things to all people for the time being.
 
 and figs and two-steps and barn dances were called off one after an other but Pat Deasy never once sought Nerah as his partner; and she did not know that his eyes followed heI through every turn of the dance. If, as he believed, she had deliberate ly worn foWers-and yellow flowers at that-sent her by his hated rival she must indeed have forgotten all that he believed had been between them.
 It was late in the evening that an Irish reel was proposed, and the or ehestra struck up the merry music to which the feet of no true son of the verdant land can remain quiet Norah, new-found admirer in her wake, was taking her place. Her hair had become tumbled her cheeks were as rosy as apples and her black lashed blue eyes sparkled like dia- monds. If her heart was heavy she did not let it dangle on her sleeve so that all who passed might see it.
 In the intricacies of the reel, Norah, by counting ahead, could see that be- fore many moments she must clasp hands with Pat Deasy, and her heart thumped eXcitedly at the prospect Would he recognize her? Would he press her fingers-never so slightly?
 It was her turn and she put her hand in the great one Pat extended Yes; he held it closely, more closely than any other partner would dare ] to hold it. Quick as a flash, Norah detached the green shamrock pin from her belt and, when next she met Pat in the dance, slipped it into his palm. Across the petals was written in gilt letters. Come Back to Erin"
 When the reel was over and the dancers stood about the refreshment table or sat in cool corners, Pat sought out Norah, the message of the pin having been too much for him to resist. And, perhaps, after all, he had been mistaken.
 "Norah, is it all over between us?" he asked, his color rising to the roots of his well-brushed black hair
 An why should it be-" asked the girl, saueily.
 Sure, you wore the yellow flowers to the ball and who but that hateful Tom Horton could have given them to you-to spite me-" he asked.
 Its a silly Mick you are. Pat. she retorted. making room for him beside her on the bench Tt vase my lady who gave them to me off her own table to wear to the ball to charm you with. Oh, Pat!"
 And on the way home. Pat and Norah decided to visit the priest be- fore another St. Patricks ball should take place. But so busy were they in their own affairs that they did not see Katie and her beau deciding the same thing in the other end of the elevated coach