The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-03-04

river SUR and gazed ex-
pectantly down the winding roadway
leading into the heart of Tipperary.
She made a pretty picture as the late
afternoon sun cast mellowing glow
over her delicate features and waving
black hair which had won for her the
reputation of being 1.-The prettiest col
leen for 100 miles or more''
Molly, watching for the arrival of
Patrick Rooney, who had been the
playmate of her youth, was gayly eX-
cited, and yet a vague foreboding
would now and again cause sugges-
ton of sadness in her eyes and a faint
line to mar her snow white forehead.
She loved Patrick-was. in fact.
practically engaged to him-and the
anger of Michael Maloney, another long
time acquaintance, at this circumstance
was an element that brought the first
real cloud into her care free life. Mi
chael had long courted Molly and had
the advantage of being warmly ia
vored in his suit by Molly's father
He had failed. however, to break down
the air of reserve which Molly had per-
sistently maintained toward him.
Molly knew the high spirited charac-
ter of the two young men and realized
that the crisis in the home rule situa
ton would further complicate matters,
as Michael like her father, was a
stanch home rule advocate, and Pat
rick was a member of the Nationalist
volunteers, who advocated the cause of
the Ulstermen.
Suddenly voice interrupted her rev.
cries.
Its no good you're bringing to your
self or to my house." and Mclly's gray
haired father came into the room. "Ye
will bring a curse on US all, that ye
will, with your lovemaking with that
traitor to our holy cause The Old
man clinched his fists and gazed bitter
ly at the girl.
Molly spoke slowly, the deepest sor-
row in her tones:
"My dear old daddy, you are all the
world to me. and yet-yet | cannot give
up Patrick. 1t would kill me to have
to do it. Don't ask me to, because
The quaint bronze knocser on the
door of the Molloy home changed loud
ly, and Molly. a radiant smile sweep
ing across her face, FASTENED to open
the door, She knew Patrick's knock.
She knew that he had arrived.
In his uniform of Nationalist sol
der and with his brightly polished rifle
Patrick, straight as a forest pine. made
figure that Molly was not alone in
admiring among the village girls.
But it was with disgust that the IA
Their turned away from the proffered
hand.
give just been drilling over at Car
Hck-On-Suir," he said, land things seem
to be getting worse and worse. Why.
only yesterday at Templemore three
home rule supporters were shot by
''Traitors."' broke in Molloy savage
~ and he started to the door. where
knocking was again heard. In mo-
ment the strong, vibrant voice of
Michael Maloney was heard extending
q greeting to Molly's father.
The girl started toward Patrick in
terror.
go at once" she pleaded.
mo-" was the firm response; I'll
not be the one to run away"
The father and Michael entered, only
to see the couple in each others arms
In fond embrace.
"You curv' cried the newcomer ven
Omously.
At this insult Patrick thrust the girl
from him and seized his rifle. Michael
ut the same time rushed at him with
a heavy blackthorn walking stick
which he habitually carried.
Father and daughter sprang to pre-
vent clash.
"Don't for my sakev' Molly fairly
screamed.
The men subsidized, and as Molly led
Patrick to chair the cottage door
Burst open with a bang, startling the
assemblage. Almost breathless, eyes
staring and waving a newspaper in his
hand, there was Snapper Kelly, near
by farmer.
"War! War! War;" he cried, and
thrust the paper under the eyes of his
appalled, neighbors. There in display
headlines was the following: