Gilpin observer., 1915-04-01

l.
you see, Katherine. my niece, Nora,
is an only child, and dreadfully spoiled
by her father" said Mrs. Delaney, TAX
ing up her embroidery. "And how can
one bring up child in such place as
Ballyhinch? So, when Dennis wrote
to me that she was SO charming, sat
down and wrote to my brother to let
Dennis bring her back, in order that
/ might have her presented at Dublin
and brought out in society"
I'm sure hope Dennis appreciates
the child's charm as you call It," said
Katherine Cazalet scornfully.
Mrs. Delaney looked in dismay at
the girl. Katherine had been engaged
to Dennis for years; yet at times the
Inotherly, kind-hearted woman felt
that she did not understand her at
all,
you see, one could hardly be jeal-
Gus OF Dennis" continued Katherine,
rising and going quietly toward the
door.
Still Mrs. Delaney did not under
stand. 1t was not like Katherine to
appear Jealous. And why should she
be Jealous of Nora. Dennis cousin,
who was still schoolgirl, at least in
years? Mrs. Delaney had often wished
that Katherine did possess a little
more-well. II not jealousy. at least abb
sence of coldness and calculating self
interest She looked after her thought
fully.
She knew nothing of the fact that
Katherine had other wooers. The
placid matrimonial engagement which
Dennis and his mother had accepted
as a matter of course. had become
matter of doubt to Katherine, espe-
cially since Sir Brandrum Boileau
had been beseeching her to consider
his suit
Sometimes Katherine Cazalet felt
that she hated Dennis, his mother and
the very sight of the property. one OF
the most disturbed in Connaught,
whose tenants were as likely to wait
for their landlord behind hedge with
a fowling- piece as to drink to him at
the Delaney Arms" Katherine's un-
certainty and mental disturbance had
enkindled irritation when Mrs. De-
laney spoke OF Nora in that half-hesi-
tating manner. as though she feared
her future daugE.er-in-law would be
made jealous.
She laughed scornfully as she went
into her room. She stood at the win
dow, looking down over the lands.
The sound OF wheels arrested her at
tention. and presently. through the
trees, she perceived a carriage rolling
along the white road that swung up to
the manor house
In IL were Dennis and Nora. seated
side by side. She was laughing and
his arm rested lightly along the back
OF the seat. Katherine watched them
contemptuously; then she shut the
window down.
Dennis had spent week at his
uncle's estate before the letter from
his mother arrived. asking him to
bring back Nora with him. By the
same post arrived a communication
from his agent. stating that the ten
ants we're on the eve Of an outbreak.
Cattle had been manned. and one OF
the employees. who sympathized with
the squire. arrested.
Mrs. Delaney and Katherine had
lived in fear Of the men. Though they
realized that the influence of the priest
was sufficient % protect them against
bodily harm, 1t was an anxious time
before Dennis arrived. Maloney, the
ringleader. had been threatening the
young squire with mischief. and the
cattle were running wild over the bogs
Mrs. Delaney had spoken OF wiring for
police from Limerick
On the first night the storm burst.
Maloney and his crew had been drink
ing, and the man had boasted that ne
would show young Dennis who was
master in that end of the county.
Hardly had the four sat down to din
ner when the scared faces OF the serv-
ants in the doorway intimated to Den
mis- that the trouble had arrived.
They went out upon the porch, to
fnd Maloney haranguing his followers
outside, the priest trying in vain to
restrain him and induce him to go
home.
At the sight of Dennis. Maloney's
rage boiled over. He broke from the
priests grasp and flung himself upon
the young man. Dennis, with we'll
calculated blow, felled him to the
ground. where he lay, half stunned.
It is strange how much tension de-
cisive blow relieves. Where there had
been before mob of half-savage peas
antry. there appeared now admiring
faces.
Sure, Mister Dennis, that was
fine blow you struck" exclaimed Tim
Flaherty. You're getting more like
the old man every day Of your life"
Maloney had taken himself away,
a draggle-tailed hero, In the wake OF
the scornful crowd There would be