Catoctin clarion., 1923-03-08

though Donald had always been harsh
and stern with her.
"Ill no have ye leave the house
when I'm awa'."
''Then ! shall leave you. You have
no right to treat me so"
"Ye ken nothing of life. "Tis for
your own good. Doreen. Ye dinna ken
what the woyid Is"
II won't be treated like a child for.
ever" said DOreen.
She only knew that Donald had
been a harsh guardian to her since
the death of that mother whom she
could not remember. But Father
OSullivan knew Donald's history.
He had been engaged to Moira
Shane when, young Highlander. he
left to make his fortune In America.
After three years he had sent MORA
the passage money.
He missed her at the pier, but she
came to his room that night and
sobbed out her story Of betrayal, beg
ging his forgiveness upon her knees.
In his fury Donald drove her forth. He
forgot that they had pledged them.
selves to stand by each other through
whatever evil might befall either Of
them.
Once again Moira came to DOnald's
room. but that was two years later.
when Donald had become a recluse
MORA was dying. She carried the lit
tie girl in her arms and set her down
on DOnald's bed.
"She has no father and soon she'll
have no mother" she said. II leave
her In your care, Donald. It's the last
thing ! shall ever ask Of you"
Donald always remembered the
snow on Moira's shawl. When he re-
covered from his surprise he would
have called her back, but MORA was
gone forever. A month later Donald
learned Of her death.
He brought up the child in a lonely
part Of the country where he had
bought q small farm. He was re-
solved that the mothers fate should
never be the child's. And day by day.
as he saw Moira's beauty developing
in Doreen the tug at his heart grew
greater and he became more harsh
with her.
He was still q youngish man-forty-
two, but his hair was graying. He had
long since cut himself OF from life.
In her unhappiness D0reen had begun
to seek the company Of the village
boys.
Father O'Sullivap went to Donald.
"YOu owe her bigger duty. Donald"
he said. "It's your task to fit her
for the world, not to hide her from the
world"
"If hide her from the world, It's
because the worlds evil." said Donald.
Father O'Sullivan sighed and went
away. A week later Doreen came to
Donald.
"I'm going away" she said. I'm 60
ing to the town to earn my living"
what can ye dor
"Cook and slave" she retorted.
"Ye1l never come back"
"I don't want to come back"
She put on her, hat and he watched
her In silence. It was the old tragedy
returning into his life. How like her
mother she vast
She halted at the door. She was
crying. "T've never had any one but
you." she said, "and now you're turn
Ing me away. II you cared for my
mother you would be kinder to me-"
Donald stared at her. It might have
been MORA speaking. He stepped to-
ward her, his resolve melted.
"Doreen, IL loved your mother.
It's because you're SO like her that
IL" He took her hands IN his
"Doreen, I'll sell the farm and take
you to the town II you'l marry me-"
She looked at him doubtfuily. She
knew 10 little Of love. But into Don
AIDS heart q tenderness flowed that
seemed as It were Moira's spirit re-
hected In him. softening him.
"Doreen. Til be good to you"
"Oh. Donald, I'm sure I'll always
love you best"
Donald was very glad. The problem
of his life seemed suddenly to have
been solved. And thissw was M0ira, this
was the fulfllment Of his love for her.