The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-03-20

~ don't often cry" she said.
ject about which she could talk freely
all she needed was good listener.
This strange man, unlike her aunt.
seemed to be the very person to talk
to on the one really vital subject to
reg. She said breathessly:
Sure ME father can do anything at
all-cxcept make money. An whenl
he does make it he can't kape it. He
doesn't like it enough. Nayther do l.
We've never had very much to like,
but we've seen others around us with
plenty. an. faith. we've been the hap
piest-that we have"
She only stopped to take breath be
fore on she went again:
There have been times when we've
been most starvin', but me father new
err lost his pluck or his spirits. Nayther
did !. When times have been the
hardest I've never heard word of
complaint from me fnther nor seen a
frown on his face. An I'm sick for
the sight Of him. An I'm sure he is
for mc-for his Peg o My Heart az
he always calls me-"
She uncovered her eyes as the tears
tricklcd down through her fingers.
Don't do that" he said softly as bel
felt the moisture start into his own
eyes.
II don't often cry she said. "Me
father never made me do 1t. never
saw him cry hut twice in his life
once when we made a little money an
we had Il mass said for me mothers
soul an we had the most beautiful
candles on Our Lady's altar. He cried
then. he did. An when left him to
come here on the ship-nn' then only
at the last minnit."
In a moment she went on again:
II cried mesclf to sleep that night.
did. An many night, too, on that
steamer.
AN l wish l hadn't comc-that I
do. He's missin' me every minnit-an'
I'm missin' him. An I'm not goin' to
be happy here ayther.
II don't want to be a lady. An they
won't make me one, aytler, If can
help 1t. 'Ye can't make silk purse
out OF sow's ear, that's what me
father always said. An that's what
l am. I'm Il sow's ear"
She stopped. I
I'm afraid cannot agree with
YOU"
She looked up ut him ana said in
differently:
That's what am. I'm a sow's
ear"
when the strangeness wears of
you'll be very happy. You're among
friends"
Peg shook her head and said bitter
ly: mo, I'm not. They may be rela-
tons. but they're not me friends"
He turned to Peg and said:
when they really get to know you,
Miss O'Conncll, they will be just az
proud of you as your father is-as-I
would be-"
Peg looked ut him in whimsical as
constituent: you'd be? Why should
you be proud Of me?''
I'D be more than proud If you'd look
on me as your friend"
"a friend is it?" cried Peg warily.
Sure don't know who you are ut ALL
and she drew away from him. She
was on her guard. Peg made few
friends. Why this man calling him.
self by the outlandish name Of Jerry
should walk in out Of nowhere and Of
fer her his friendship and expect her
to jump at it puzzled her. Who
was he?
"Who are ye ut all?" she asked.
mo one in particular" answered
Jerry between gasps.
Il can see that" said Peg candidly.
II mean what do We doy'
Everything little and nothing
really WELL Jerry replied. II was a
soldier for awhile; then took splash
at doctoring, read law, civil engineered
in South America for a year; now I'm
farming"
"Farming" asked Peg incredulously.
"Yes. I'm farmer"
Peg laughed as she looked at the well
cut clothes, the languid manner and
easy poise.
1T must be mighty hard on the land
and cattle to have you farmin' them"
she said.
1T u.s." and he. too. laughed again.
She started up the staircase leading
to the mauve room.
Jerry called after her anxiously:
mo. no. Miss O'Connell! Don't 70
like that"
CONTINUED next weekly