Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-04-27

cradle night, and he had scarcely
caught glimpse of her face, save at a
great distance. until that morning
when she came into his news store.
Two weeks dragged slowly by, and
the morning of st. Patrick's day found
! Matthew Golden arraying himself in
the splendid uniform of the Faithful
Sons of st. Patrick. He dwelt wretch
eddy on the same anniversary year
ago, when Margaret had stood on the
curbstone and waved green and gold
flag as he passed by. 1t had been the
happiest day of his life, for that very
evening he had asked Margaret to
marry him, and she had consented. By
contrast today would be the bitterest
he would ever know.
He strobe down the street, admired
by many feminine eyes and quite ur
conscious of anything except the event
that would occur at 9 O'Clock. A little
past that hour the parade would march
down the avenue past the very portals
whence Margaret would emerge chang
ed in name forever.
Trumpets blared, drums ratified, flies
! rippled as the several bands of music
fell into place. There were hoarse
commands, the shuttle of countless feet
on the pavements; shrill cries from the
throngs gathered about. and the pa
rade started.
As they neared st. Francis granite
bulk Matthews heart almost stood
still. He prayed hard that he might
be spared the sight Of Margaret's we'd
ding party emerging from the church.
The uniforms Of the men, white and
green and gold, with splendid sashes
of emerald satin fringed with gold,
made ribbon Of color down the broad
avenue. Matthew was in the outer
column, his face like ashes, his mouth
set in q grim line Of despair and his
feet mechanically moving to the
strains of the "Wearin' Of the Green"
Then. just before they reached the
church, he saw them-saw Corners
red head and girls figure beside him,
saw them run down the steps and en-
ter carriage on the cross street and
roll away, while Tom Devlin waved
jovial farewell before he turned to
watch the paraders.
Matthew's face had turned to watch
the bridal pair enter the carriage
When he faced front once more his
startled, unbelieving eyes saw Mar
garet Devlin Margaret in green
broadcloth with great bunch Of
shamrock at her waist waving a green
satin flag at--him!
Tom Devlin and his daughter follow
ed close in the wake of the Faithful
Sons of st. Patrick that day. Mat
thew saw them at the most unexpect-
ed corners, always smiling and waving
their flags at him. He began to feel
like one of the family again and to
realize that there was blunder some
where-a mistake for which he might
be devoutly thankful, for 1t was evil
dent that Corners had married some
body, and Matthew did not care who it
Devlin.
When the parade was over Tom and
Margaret were on hand to escort Mat
thew home. He entered the big tour
ing car that sprang from somewhere
and found himself between Margaret
and her father. The girls cheeks were
flushed, and her blue eyes evaded Mat
thew's questioning glance.
Once at the familiar house in Sew
enty- fifth street Tom Devlin disappear
ed and left the two together.
Margaret, dear"-Matthew was be-
side her instantly-"1've been a jeal-
Gus fool. Tell me the mystery. Did
you marry Corners or what?"
"Of course l married Tom Corners.
That's why l let another girl go off
with him." Knocked Margaret, and then
suddenly her blue eyes filed with tears
and her head found its place on his
broad shoulder. IF you'd had little
more faith in me. Matthew" she said,
you would have been happier your
self and made it easier for me to do a
good deed"
you'll have to explain, dear. I'm
all at sea-" he pleaded.
"Conners has been engaged to Agnes
Lee for a year, and he hasn't had q
chance to show what he can do. He
| needed to get out one successful draw
ing and then he could have all the
orders he wanted. Till then he had
to starve, and Agnes had to wait and
wait for the home she wanted. You
know Agnes is skin and bone and
homely, and I'm not. So l went to
Corners and suggested the picture
you saw on the magazine cover.
! wanted to help them, that's all. He
sold the drawing, got another and lar
ger order, and when the magazine
came out father and / bought up all
the copies we could, and they got out
second edition. What do you think
Of that? OF course Tom Corners is
fixed nowsthey've recognized what
he could do. l didn't really want my
face on a magazine cover, Mat, but
had to help them out. They love
each other just as we do. Father and