The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-11
(Continued.o CHAPTER VIII.
For the Cause.

For Fn& cause ~ 'CONNELL had changed very
 much since the days of St. Ker-
 nan's hill. As was fOreshad-
 owed earlier, he no longer urged violence. He had come under the in fiuence of the more temperate men of the party and was content to win by legislative means what Ireland had failed to accomplish wholly by con dict, although no one recognized more thoroughly than O'ConneH what a large part the determined attitude Of the Irish party in resisting the Eng fish laws, depriving them of the right of free speech and of meeting to spread light among the ignorant, had played in wringing some measure of recognition and of tolerance from the English ministers.
 What changed O.Connen more par ticuIarly was the action of band of so called patriots who operated in many parts of Misunderstanding cat tie, ruining crops, injuring peaceable farmers who did not do their bidding and shooting at landlords and pron1i- nent people connected with the govern ment.
 He avoided the possibility Of im- prisonnent again for the sake of Peg. What would all her if he were talk en from her?
 The continual thought that preyed upon him was that he would have nothing to leave her when his call came. Do what he would, he could make but little money, and when he. had a small surplus he would spend it on Peg-a shawl to keep her warm or $ ribbon to give a gleam of color to the drab little clothes.
 On great occasions he would buy her a new dress, and then Peg was the proudest little child in the whole of Ireland.
 Every. year on the anniversary of her mothers death O'Connell had mass said for the nspose of Angela'sI soul, and he would kneel beside Peg through the service and be silent for the rest of the day. One year he had candles blessed by the archbishop lit on Our Lady's altar, and he stayed long after the service was over. He sent Peg home But, although Peg obeyed him partially by leaving the church, she kept watch outside until her fla ther came out. He was wiping his eyes as he saw her. He pretended to be very angry.
 Didn't tell ye to go homer
 sYe did, fathef''
 %Then why didn't ye obey me?'
 ssSure an what would I. be doin' at home, all alone, without you? Don't be cross with me, father"
 He took her hand, and they walked home in silence. He had been crying, and Peg couldtnot understand it. She had never seen him do such a thing be fore, and it worried her. It did not seem right that a man should cry. It seemed weakness, and that her ia ther of all men should do it, he who was not afraid of anything or any one was wholly unaeeountable to her.
 When they reached home Peg busted herself about her father, trying to make him comfortable, furtively watch ing him all the while. When she had put him in an easy chair and brought him his slippers and built up the fire she sat down on a little stool by his side. After long silence she strokea the back of his hand and then gave him little tug He looked down at her.
 sswhat is it, Peg?'
 ssWas my mother very beautiful, fla ther?''
 .eYhe most beautiful woman that ever lived in all the wurrld, Peg"
 ssShe looks beautiful in the picture ye have of her"
 From the inside pocket of his coat he drew out little beautifully paint ed miniature The frame had long since been worn and frayed. O'Con- nell looked at the face, and his eyes shone.
 serhe man that painted it couldn't put the soul of her into it. That he couldn't; not the soul of her.''
 ssAm I like her at all, father?'' asked Peg wistfully.
 sSometimes ye are, dear, very hke.''
 After little pause Peg said;
 esYe loved her very much, father. didn't ye?'
 He nodded. q loved her with aH the heart of me and all the strength of me"
 Peg sat quiet for some minutes: then she asked him a question very quietly and hung in suspense on his answer:
 '.Do ye love me as much as ye loved her, father"
 tits different, Geg. quite, quite diff ferent."
 "Why is itT' She waited.
 He did not answer.
 "Sure, love is love whether ye feel it for 8 woman or child" she per. sisted
 o'Conneu remained silent.
 esDid ye love her betther than v love me, father2" Her soul was in hel great blue eyes as she waited excitedIy for the answer to that, to her, momen tous question.