Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-12-04

him anyway, and If he says Yes I'll
marry you right away" repeated FL
len almost tearfully. She was so tired
Of reiterating this parrot-llke sentence.
"I'll be handicapped with his dislike
for my father said Steve gloomily.
There was the old quarrel in County
Antrim that made them as quarrel
some as dogs with sore heads. Your
father'll be throwing a sledgehammer
at my head, I'm thinking"
1T will only prove how brave you
are, Steve, If you ask him in spite of
everything" urged Ellen.
"Oh, I'm not afraid of him." boosted
Steve as he skillfully turned the buggy
around on the narrow road. ITO
him this very mint"
Where will you leave me, Steve?"
quavered Ellen, vision of her angry
father arising before her mental vi
sion
You can wait close by in the buggy
here. ready to receive his blessing. for
I'll get it If have to knock him down
and sit on his chist till he gives III"
declared Steve valiantly. But they
were both very quiet as they drove
back toward the village. The roof Of
the smithy came into view all too soon,
and the little building seemed to as
sumo alarming proportions as they
drew nearer. Steve turned the horse
into a narrow wood road that ran
parallel with the highway, a few trees
separating the two thoroughfares.
From this wood road Ellen might
watch all that transpired at the smithy,
which stood with an open front to the
road
"Wish me good luck, Nellie" whis-
pered Steve as he took a kiss from her
trembling lips.
1t happened that Harold Spen-
Ger had Jagged on his errand Of love
until the same moment that marked
his arrival at the smithy Of Ellen's
father also witnessed the approach Of
Steve Morris. A sudden fame of jeal-
ousy scorched Harold into instant ac-
ton. He dashed breathlessly up to the
giant blacksmith who paused in his
forging OF redhot iron to stare curious
ly at him, half expectant Of some i'll
news. From the corner of his keen
eyes Michael Dugane also saw the
more leisurey approach of Steve Morris
and all at once he understood the sit
uation.
Good afternoon, Mr.. Dugane," shout
ed Harold shrilly above the creak Of
the bellows and the ring Of iron.
well" roared Michael fiercely.
who calls me Du-gane? Dim plain
Dugan, no less and no more What
90 We be wantin'?"
81 want to- want to- Harold
thrust nervous fingers inside his col
lar and eased his CONSTRUCTED throat.
ELLEN told me to ask you"
Steve Morris, standing near. heard
and paled to the lips. He understood
now what Ellen had meant by a ''fair
show" Did she care so little for him
that she let her father decide whom
she should marry or was it that she
was trying the mettle of the two suit
ors? Old Michael Dugane was known
as an irritable. hot Drained Irishman.
whose sense of humor cropped out in
the most unexpected places and who
loved to torment the unwary by mani
festations of ferocity. At heart he
was warm hearted enough and devot-
eddy fond of pretty Ellen. the eldest Of
five girls.
Now Michael tossed his sledge to
the earth packed floor and rolled his
grimy sleeves higher above his brawny
arms. He wagged his gray beard omi-
nously as he walked around the anvil
and stood over the dapper form Of
Harold Spencer.
ELLEN told you to ask me-what"
he beloved.
Under the conclusion of that voice
Harold Spencer almost swayed where
he stood. He had fieeting mental
vision of Ellen Dugane, the desirable;
then the gigantic form of her parent
blotted out the hope Of Ellen forever.
Michael as father-in-law was impos-
sible. Angry rage took possession Of
Harold, and he shook his white fingers
fairly in the face of the astonished
blacksmith
ELLEN told me she'd marry me If
you'd say Yes but / decline the honor
of being your son-in-law, Mr.. IAlgane.
You're not the kind Of father-in-law
I want" And so, like small, splitting,
spiteful kitten, Harold Spencer turned
his back upon the ferocious form of
the blacksmith and marched out of the
smithy and straight back to Krietz-
mans clothing store.
Michael Dugane looked amazedly aft
er the little strutting form of the clerk.
Then he lifted one black, hairy fist and
shook it. 'The little divil, the little
divil!" he muttered slowly, while a
humorous smile trickled around his
bearded lips.
In this humor Steve Norris approach
ed him, white faced and resolute.
Good afternoon, Mr.. Dugane," he
said simply. You know who I am
and who nv father was and Won know