Northern Weekly Gazette. — 1914-08-22 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

GRISELDA'S GOOSE.  BY E. BUHROWES.  As Grit*lda appeared in the yard a terrible outcry arose among the denizens of the poultry houses. dens, chickens, ducks, geese, and peevish turkeys came scuttling from every corner, filling the air with their raucous voices, greedily anxious to devour the corn which their mistress was scattering abroad for their delectation.  It was a perfect summer morning—perfect as it only can be in the South of Ireland, where the air Is soft, and moist, and fresh, and the land as green the proverbial emerald, where a great sense of peace and sadness broods over the country—the Country of past glories and future hopes. Beryond the square white house one could see a dim line of purple sea; and to the west rose blue mountains, flushed with heather and flaming here and there with yellow gorse, lying like splashes of gold on their rugged heights. The pleasant sound of & mowing machine working in a distant hayfield was about the only noise in that quiet spot. and Griselda, in her rose-coloured cotton gown and wide sun hat, made a delightful patch of colour against the old grey barns. She looked about her with happy, contented eyes, conscious that she was mistress of all slit, surveyed. A hundred acres of that verdant land—solid barns and a snug little house. The cattle browsing contentedly were all hers, and the place, though it was not as 'tidy as it might have been. was fairly well kept, and had a prosperous air—for Ireland. And all this Griselda Burnet managed alone and unaided, save by her willing servants, who adored the young mistress who reigned so satisfactorily at Castlejerniain. Her people—consisting of a fashionable mother and a . pleasure-loving. lovely young sister— had shrieked their disapproval in no uncertain voices when, on inheriting the not particularly valuable legacy of Irish land and a farmhouse from her godfather. Griselda. Burnet had announced her intention of living on her new estate. She was not going to be an absentee landlord! "You are mad!" wailed Lady Burnet. feebly. "quite mad. Why, you'll be murdered in your bed by. a moonlighter, or whatever they call those dreadful people—you'll find skulls and crossbones painted on your hall door—you'll have to live like a savage." "Shall I? said Griselda. cheerfully. "What a delightful idea! I always had an idea that a drop of savage blood got into my veins by mistake— shall love a wild life among moonlighters." "But what will you do at the Back of Beyond?" asked Stella Burnet. curiously. She was lovely and silly and useless—a great contrast to her pleasant. looking, sensible sister, who had a soul which loved other things beside the pleasure of the moment: though like the healthy young woman she was, she took the pleasures that came her way, and thoroughly enjoyed them all. But she knew there were other things in life which mattered—and she determined to do some of them. Work was one. A word that had never entered into Stella's mind at all. _ _ _  "Do? she echoed dreamily. " I shall find heaps to do. I shall farm for one thing—and think what It will be to have a house of my own!" Stella laughed and coloured. She looked like some lovely and useless exotic flower with her purple-grey eyes, and cream complexion and wealth of dark hair. There was very little soul, though, in those wonderful eyes. "One can have that,” she said, "without going to the Back of Beyond. Besides, what's the use of it, unless you have a husband as well?" How Griselda had laughed! • "You silly child." She said; "how your mind runs on husbands! Don't you know, some women are better and happier in single blessedness? I thisik I am one of them. You see I've got something to do now—something that will keep me busy— busier perhaps than if I had a man to look after. I leave that to you. Stella!" "Well, I don't know how you can bear the idea," said Stella frankly; " fancy going willingls to a