ood, but the girls were like young chamois, and leaped over such obstacles with the lightness of fawns. Presently they arrived at the back entrance of

painful insistence, to reach a clump of hay which was sticking out of a hayrick a foot or two away. Nora, seeing his wistful eye

et. "What right have you to

s neck, pressed a kiss on his forehead, and continued to cross the yard with Biddy. Two or thr

t you want the boat,

ed her voice

u are not to let it out to a soul. You and Mike

glance at handsome Nora, as she

t, miss,"

have the boat in the cove then, a

Banshee is out on the nights

face did not change a muscle, although the brightness and wistfuln

k to the Banshee alone-to ask her t

ugh she knew and almost gloried in the fact t

A little camp-bed stood in one corner, covered by a colored counterpane; there was a strip of carpet beside the bed, and another tiny strip by a wooden washhand-stand.

the old frames rattled and shook, and gave some

more luxurious chamber, crossed it to where a huge wooden wardrobe stood. She unlocked the do

said Nora, whose own training had made

ow can I see your lady-moth

in front of Nora wi

f the best, and my stockings-well, I know it is my own fault, but I won't darn them, a

will your

she won't even notice. Her

agged cotton skirt, and put on the pa

at Nora. "I declare you're too stately for anything, Nora O

lied Nora. "You are Biddy Murp

et to hear he

on't like that dress, and it's terribly u

nd I with th

you mention that fact. I have not the slightest doubt t

her pillow, and held it in a warlike attitude. "Another word abou

into a me

proceeded with her toilet. The dirty skirt with its tawdry flounces

black eyes, a turned-up nose, and a wide mouth; but there was an irresistible expression of drollery in her face, and when she laughed, showing her milk-white teeth, there

nnagan sent me this dress at Christmas. She wore it at a fancy ball, and said it might suit me. It does, down to the ground. Let me drop a courtesy to you, N

had detached itself from the wall and fell in great sheets to the ground. One loose piece of paper was tacked up with two or three huge tacks, and bulged out, swaying with the slightest breeze. The carpet, which covered the entire floor, was worn threadbare; but, to make up for these defects, there were cabinets of the rarest and most exquisite old china, som

nique vase of antique design, stood Squire O'Shanaghgan. He was talking in pleasant a

hich curled tightly like her daughter's; on top of it was a cap formed of rusty black velvet and equally rusty black lace.

was dreadfully afraid of that stately lady, and was glancing ne

hat field just yonder. We have had a very good crop of hay too. It is

root," said Mrs. O'Shanaghga

ngs that keep us all going. The potheen and the potatoes-what would Ireland be withou

ou know," said M

daughter. Mrs. O'Shanaghgan slightly raised her brows. It was the faintest of move

in her hand, went straig

you do?"

extended her hand

r!" pant

aughter. "Oh, to goodness, what have you put that on for? It's your very best Sund

purpose. Why, then, it's sweet I want to make myself, and I believe

ble dress from the front and side; and then, being thoroughly satisfied with th

want to make of yo

o it if you will ask me prope

" said Biddy. "Ho

uietly,

in her heart of hearts envied Mrs. O'Shanaghgan's icy manners, and thought them the most perfect in al

," said Mrs.

and spend tomor

ghgan's lips; but just th

o her a sight of good. The chi

sed displeased eyes t

ge ought to stay a

would miss her awfully if she was away from us; but a

hgan; "her father wishes Nora to accept your invi

d broadly r

." She seized her friend by the ar

veliest garment in all the world. Come along now, and l

vely summer air. The eggs which Nora required were put into the little basket, and in half an hour the O'Shanaghgans' party were returning at full speed to Castle O'Shanaghgan. Nora gla

ife on the shoulder, and complimented her on her bravery. Nora's driving was the very best in all the world; she was a b

but Nora was neither elated just then by her father's praise nor chilled by her mother's demeanor. Every thought of her heart, every nerve in her hig