Atlanta Georgian., 1914-02-19

AOl SeIhCH place IL IIS GOuAd ilciP -
God -forsaken, is it," said my
father Maybe so, sir-but that's
what the cuckoo said after he had
eaten the eggs out of the thrush's
nest and left a mess of it."
Aunt Bridget was talking in doleful
tones to Lady Margaret about my
mother. saying she had promised her
on her deathbed to take care of her
child and had been as good as her
word, ALWAYS putting me before her
own daughter, although her ladyship
would admit that Betsy was a hand
some girl, and, now that his lordshlp
was married, there were few in the
island that were fit for her.
"Why. no, Mrs. Macleod" said my
husband. after another significant
glance at his friend, Il dare say
you've not got many who can make
enough to keep a carriage"
Truth enough sir" said my father.
'We've got hundreds and tons that
can make debts though"
The breakfast came to an end at
length, and almost before the last
of the walters had left the room my
father rose to speak.
"Friends ALL" he said, the young
married couple have to leave us for
the afternoon steamer"
In this weather." said somebody,
pointing up to the lantern llght
through which the sky was now dark
"Chut! A puff of wind and a slant
of rain, as I've been saying to my
gel here But my son-ln-laW, LORD
Raa" cloud hammering on the table,,
my son-in-l law says he has TO be IN
London tomorrow, and this morning
my daughter has sworn obedience.
What's that? Something like 1t
then, so she's bound to go along with
him. So fill up your glasses to the
brim and drink to the bride and
bridegroom.
A Proud Day. .
AS soon as the noise made by the
passing of decanters had died down
my father spoke again.
This is the produest day OF my
life. It's the day I've worked for
and slaved for and saved for and it's
come to pass at last
There was another chorus OF ap-
plause.
whats that you were saying in
church, Mr. Curphy, sir? Time brings
in its revenges? 1t does, too. Look
at me-"
MY father put his thumbs in the
armpits of his waistcoat.
You all know what / am and
where | come from.
My husband put his monocle 10
his eye and looked up.
"I come from a mud cabin on the
Curragh. not hundred miles from
here. My father was kill :.
hut never mind about that now.
When he left us it was middling hard
collar work, | can tell you - what
with me working the bit of croft
and the mother wedding for some OF
you-some of your fathers / mean
ninepence q day dry days, and six
pence all weathers. When | was a
lump of lad / was sworn at in the
high road by a gentleman driving IN
his grand carriage, and the mother
was laShed by his put never
mind about that neither. | guess
I've hustled round considerable since
then, and this morning I've married
my daughter into the first family IN
the island"
There was another burst of cheer
ing at this, but it was almost
drowned by the loud rattling of the
rain which was now falling on the
lantern light.
pitching his voice still higher, whats
that YOU were saying in Rome about
the mills of God?"
Fumbl!ng his jewelled cross and
smiling blandly the Bishop gave my
father the familiar quotation.
Truth enough, too. Ihe mills OF
God grind slowly but they're grinding
exceeding small. Nineteen years ago
l thought / was as sure of what
wanted as when I got out OF my PED
this morning If my gel here had
been born a boy, my son would have
sat where his lordship is now sitting.
But all's well that ends well. II l
haven't got a son I've got a son-in-
law, and when | get a grandson nell
be the richest man that ever stepped
into Castle Raa, and the uncrowned
King of ELAN"
"a Propitious Union. y
At that there was q tempest Of
cheers. which, mingling with the
clamor of the storm, made deafen-
ing tumult
about fathers and Children--daugh
ters being separate beings, and all
TO that But show me the daughter
that could do better for herself than
nv gels father has done for her. She
has big fortune, and her husband
has a. big name, and what more do
they want in this world anyway"
Nothing at all" came from various
parts of the room.
"Neighbors," said my father, look
ing round him with a satisfied smile,
I'm LAYING you dry as herrings in
hould, but before 1 call on you to
drink this toast I'll ask the Bishop to
spake to you. He's a grand man is
the Bishop, and in fixing up this
marriage l don't in the world know
what | could have done without him"
The Bishop, still lingering his jew
elled cross and smiling, spoke IN
his usual suave voice. He firmly be-
lieved that the Church had that
morning blessed a most propitious
and happy union. Something might
he said against mixed marriages, but
under proper circumstances the