The daily Alaskan., 1914-03-16


 "I'm sure we will hear from Larry in the morning." cried Molly hopefully. Look, Uncle Dennis, at the sweet pot of shamrock I brought home"
 Dennis looked at 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 roslly, and her blue eyes shone with love for the absent lover-cousin.
 "Uucle Dennis, you make me asham- ed! Don't you believe I'd 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 I would wear against my heartw 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 1 dreamed the dream of Larry coming home, poor and needy instead of rich and"-
 "Who wanted him rich, Uncle 'Dens nls?" cried the girl hotly. We were satisfied, you and I. We pleaded with him not to go away and leave us. But there; perhaps 1t was for the best, but there is an ache behind 1t all!'
 What is that?' Dennis lifted his head.
 "The music of the band. The knights O green are parading. Shall we go down to the corner of the street and watch them, Uncle Dennis?"
 Yes. 'Twasn't so many years ago that I marched with 'em meself on St. Patrick's day, and Larry-I hoped by this time he would be back among them. brave in green and 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.
 As the tall 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 gold.
 Tonight gold and the luxuries it brings seemed a tiny thing to the girl with the aching heart.
 Again they were seated about the glowing little stove in the sitting room when there came a soft knocking at the door to the porch.
 Molly crossed the room and opened the door only to fall back against the lintel white Tipped and staring.
 Uncle Dennis, Uncle Dennis, I'm seeing visions" she sobbed, pointing to the snow covered porch.
 Dennis hobbled to her side and saw the form of a man huddled on the door mat.
 Poor soulr' he muttered, turning the face toward the light, and then be fell back, with a startled cry.
 Heavens, Molly. it's our own Larryl Iris my dream come true" he 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 strong stmuant through the white lips. After awhile Larry opened his eyes, smiled. shook himself and slowly staggered to hls 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. C.
 Dennis and Molly looked at him hun grily.
 Larry, who had gone forth So gal lantly to seek his fortune, who had promised to bring back emerald sham rocks to deck his sweetheart's breast Larry was shabby and obviously poor and undeniably hungry, for he was thin and pale and worn.
 But he was Larry, come home to them once more!
 Clasped in his fathers trembling arms, Larry soothed the old mans ex- citement, while Molly hurried to and fro making a pot of strong coffee and broiling piece of beefsteak.
 When she had set the table with the meal Larry's eyes beckoned her across the room, and she came and stood be- fore him.
 Molly, darling" said Larry in low tone, "my fine promises are for noth- ing. come home poorer than when l went away, and the emeralds I was to bring home, lassie'-his voice shook -"are missing. l find you have been as. a daughter to my father. My heart is broken with the shame of 1t all, and"-
 Molly's soft hand closed his lips.
 "Be still," she smiled at him, while Dennis chuckled :n his corner Be still. Larry. You have brought home Jewels to me worth more than emer- aids. Your true eyes of emerald green are my jewels, and your love and con stancy shall always grow green in my heart. and the little bit of living green