The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1910-08-12


beloved bouquets were torn from the
belts Of the two girls and trampled
under foot by the young Irishmen.
Norah had been innocent OF tho
breech OF etiquette she was making
In wearing the flowers and her chum
had been as guiltless 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 never thought Of 1t &C
all. at all. Katie" said Norah. ad-
justing her disarranged belt I'm
sorry was SO generous with my bou.
Quet"
Its nothing at ALL" retorted Katie,
but l saw Pat Deasy and Michael
O'F1anagin 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
vored in the eyes OF Norah. was not
her only admirer. and she had seen
the time when his blue eyes flashed
ut the presence Of another young
man In her spotless kitchen. Per
haps." 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-
ers as personal insult or whether
they had other reasons for ignoring
their hitherto adored ones. Norah
and Katie heard tho opening strains
OF Come Back to Erin" waited from
the orchestra without noticing tho
approach Of their usual partners.
Never long alone mt 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 car she was conscious OF no
other man In tho room. She was
possessed of the inherent Irish quail
ty Of being all things to all people
for the time being.
The ball waxed merry and waltxeA
and jigs and twosteps and barn
dances were called on one after an
other. but Pat Deasy never once
sought Norah as his partner: and she
did not know that his eyes followed
her through every turn OF the dance.
\ II. as he believed. she had deliberate
ly worn nowers-and yellow flowers
Mt that--sent her by his hated rival
she must indeed have Sergotten all
that he believed had been between
them.
II was late In the evening that an
Irish reel was proposed. and the or
chestra struck up the merry music
to which the feet OF no true son OF
the yerdant land can remain quiet.
Norah. a new-found admirer In her
wake. was taking her place. Her
hair had become tumbled. her cheeks
were AZ rosy ms apples and her black
dashed blue eyes sparkled like dia-
monds. II her heart was heavy she
did not let It dangle on her sleeve %
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 herr Would he
press her nngers-never 20 slightlyf
II was her turn and she put her
hand In the great one Pat extended.
Yes; he held It closely. moro closely
than any other partner would dare
to hold It. Quick ~ . flash. Norah
detached the green shamrock pin
from her belt and. when next she met
Pat In the dance. slipped II into his
palm. Across the petals was written
In gilt letters. Come Back to Erin" !.
When the reel was over and tie
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. IL It all over between us?~'
he asked. his color rising to the roots
of his wellbrushed black hair.
AN why should It be?" asked the
girl. saucily.
Sure. you wore the yellow flowers
to the bali and who but that hateful
Tom Horton could have given them
to you-to spite met" he asked.
ITS silly Mick you are, Pat.~
she retorted. making room for him
beside her ON the bench 1T vase my
lady who gave them to me OF her
own table to wear 70 the bali 10
charm you with. Oh. Patti.
And. on the way home. Pat and
Norah decided to visit the priest be-
fore another st. Patrick's ball should
take place. But 30 busy were they
In their own Affairs that they did
not see Katie and her beau deciding
the same thing In the other end q the
elevated coach.