The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-03-27

AL OSy sOu8 OSuAALO O0O s1"SCACO "
the postman's ring ut the doorbell. but
In vain. There came u newspaper
from his old home in County Antrim.
Ireland. but beyond that there was
nothing. Always before they had re-
ceived some word from Larry IN his
fara way home. and. though the delay
might be attributed to the mails and
the heavy snOwstOrms reported in the
northwest. Dennis was heavy hearted. =
May the blessed saint whose day
It is protect him wherever he Isl" sigh
ed Dennis Us he took u cup Of tea from
Molly's hand.
I'm sure we will hear from Larry in
the morning" cried Molly hopefully.
Look. Uncle Dennis, at the sweet pot
of shamrock | brought home
Dennis looked ut her keenly.
Molly. lass. and do you not pine for
the real emeralds. the jewels that
Larry promised?" he asked.
Molly laughed scornfully. Her cheeks
flushed rosily. and her blue eyes shone
with love for the absent lover-cousin.
Uncle Dennis. you make me asham-
ed! Don't you believe Id rather see
a lad who has two green eyes-eyes
the color Of that bunch Of shamrock
than all the jewels in the world?
Those. emerald eyes Of Larry Flana-
gan's are the only jewels l would wear
against my heurtr! She hung her head
in sudden sweet shame.
Dennis wrinkled hand was stretched
across the table toward her.
Then. Molly. lass" he whispered.
maybe it'll come all right. for again
! dreamed the dream of Larry coming
home. poor and needy instead of rich
and
"Who wanted him rich. Uncle Den.
nis?" cried the girl holly. I'VE were
satisfied. you and l. We pleaded With
him not to 70 away and leave us. But
there; perhaps 1t was for the best. but
there il an ache behind it ALL"
what ia that?' Dennis lifted his
head.
1.-The music of the band. The knights
o green ure parading. Shall we go
down to the r Of the street and
watch them. Uncle Dennis?"
Yes. "Twusn't 50 many years ago
that | marched with EN- meself ON st.
Patrick's day. and Larry hoped by
this time he would be back among
them. brave in u green aud gold uni
form. Help me on with my OvercOat,
dearie."
So the old man. leaning on the arm
Of the slender. upright girl. went down
to the corner and with swelling heart
watched the passing Of the gallant
knights who marched In honor Of the
good st. Patrick.
Al the tail Of the procession passed
out Of sight Dennis Flanagan and his
niece turned toward home.
Molly knew that the old mans heart
was far away in Alaska with the BE-
loved son who was vainly seeking the
will o the wisp. sold.
y, Tonight gold and the Injuries It
brings seemed . tipv thing to the girl
with the aching heart.
Again they were seated about the
glowing little stove in tho sitting room
when there came q soft knocking at
the door to the porch.
Molly crossed the room and opened
the door only to fall back against tina
Intel white Tipped and staring.
uncle Dennis. Uncle Dennis. I'm
seeing v~isionsr" she sobbed. pointing to
the snow covered porch.
Dennis hobbled to her side and saw
the form Of q man huddled ON the door
mat.
"Poor soulr' he muttered. turning
the face toward the light. and then he
fell back. with a startled cry.
Heavens. Molly. it's our wi Larryi
It's my dream come truer be moaned.
Molly recovered her courage when
she realized that she was actually
needed to allay suffering. She rubbed
the cold face with snow and poured q
strung stimulant through the white
lips. After awhile Larry opened his
eyes. smiled. shook himself and slowly
staggered to his feet
When he was safely inside. support
ed on either side by father and sweet
heart. he looked down at them from
tender green eyes that were rarely
beautiful.
Dennis and Molly looked at him hum
grily.
Larry, who had gone forth x gal
lantly to seek his fortune. who had
promised to bring back emerald sham
rocks to deck his sweetheart'si breast
Larry was shabby and obviously poor
and ~undeniably hungry. Tor he was
thin and pale and worn. t.
But he was Larry. come home to
them once more!
Clasped in his fathers trembling
arms. Larry soothed the old mans e Z
element, while Molly hurried to and
fro making a pot Of strong coffee and
broiling a piece Of beefsteak.
When she had set the table with the
meal Larry's eyes beckoned her across
tho room. and she came and stood be.
fore him.
"Molly. darling" said Larry In q low
<omo ssmv hne nromiaos arc for moth.