All-Hallow Eve; or, The Test of Futurity.

d have pretty much the same thoughts respecting the manner of carrying it out, and finally pursue the same course to effect their purpose. Bu

a play. Winny wanted to find out something from Kate Mulvey, and at the same time to hide something from her. Kate Mulvey was on precisely the same intent with Winny

ing Winny, she was, at all events, ready for the encounter at any moment, and had discussed the matter over and over in her own mind. Their mutual object, then, was to fin

performance; and as she knew that some indefinite time might elapse before an opportu

h farmers. It was not so with the house where Kate Mulvey resided. Its full front was to the high-road, with a space not more than three perches between. This space had been originally what is termed in that rank of life "a bawn," but was now wisely converted into a ca

, and trotted down the lane before her. As may be anticipated, she bent her steps down the road toward Mulvey's house. She knew she could be seen coming for some distance, and hoped that Kate might greet her from the door as she passed. She was not mistaken; Kate had seen her from the first turn in the road toward the house, and was all alive on her own account. She had tact an

e," said Winny; "

inny; won't you come i

a walk. You may as well put on your bonnet, and

and I'll be ready in two twos." But she

dering Bully-dhu not to growl at Captain, and begging of Captain not to growl at Bully-dhu. Kate was scarcely the "two twos" she gave herself until she c

give Kate reason to suppose there was anything unusual upon he

have been churning, and packing butter, every day since Monday, and could not get out.

, Winny, that has t

or other; but as long as my poor father lives-God be

I hope he'll live to be at the christening of many a grandchild. If rep

s speak the truth, Kat

n's more reasonable than that it's right this time. Tom's a fine young fellow; an' like yourself, sure, he's an only c

oung man, Kate;

ursel' if you did," said Kate, with a little more warmth

I can't see why you need

another; an' why not?-wasn't he as cross as a bag of cats at his father's party because

he couldn't call him a wh

you didn't you might; it wasn

im. He's as good a man as Tom Murdock at any rate.

he fung of his pump loose myself; didn't I

yed indeed, Kate," s

ourself if he axed you as

y not," s

What they wanted was to find out how the other's heart stood between these two

e, and Kate was

in some respects than Tom. He has a nicer way with him, Winny,

ys you do,

rt does not always spake t

ust now, Kate, it some

for your match; an' sure, when the two farms is joined in one, with you an' Tom, you can liv

from ignorance of how matters really stood, was partly gen

he door flew open. Winny could f

ell enough off, Kitty, without Tom Murdock's money or land; and when I really don't care for him, don't you think it would be much better and handsomer of him to bestow himself and it upon some nice girl without a penny" (and she glanced slyly at Kate, whose cheeks got rosy red), "than to be striving to force it upon one that

The weight of Winny's rich rivalry had been lifted from her heart, and so far as that obstacle had been dreaded, the coast was now

er me them quest

don't wish to have act, hand, or part in

praising Tom Murdock, and hinting at the business, by saying he wishes he could see me comfortably settled; that he is growing old and is not the man he used to be; and all tha

rms into one, and so spoil two good establishments; for sure any one of them is lashings, Winny, for any decent boy and girl in the parish; an'

of poverty, Kate; for, thanks be to God, it is not come to that with you, and that it never may-but into comfort and plenty; and that I could, some day, do the same, if I could meet with a nice boy that, as I said, would care for myself and not fo

to think of him for that same reason. There's no doubt, Winny dear, but it would be a fine match for me; but I kno

s, and between my father and me too. When Tom finds I'm positive, he can't be blind to your merits and beauty, Kitty-y

I couldn't sit or stand beside you in that respect at all, an'

can't make me do what I am determined not to do;

won't be afeard of crossing you, at any rate; and I know

itty? t

u guess? or maybe it's what yo

, and the parish has it that you and he are promised. Come now, Kitty, tell us the truth. I told

part of the sentence could be. It was what the lawyers would call a "leading question." The excitement too of Winny, du

ware of, and that it was not then she found them out for the first time; for Kate was a shrewd obse

t wouldn't do at all-two empty sacks could never stand; and in the next place, neither his heart was on me, nor mine on him. It was all idle ta

say, and for that self-same reason I believed

since we were that height" (and she held her hand within about two feet of the ground, at the same time looking fully a

, it could not fret me; but for my

when I see them cheeks of yours,-or is it the su

our account. I think, Kate, if I hadn't a penny-piece in the world no more than yourself, I would have done my very best to take him from you; it wou

thought you were for a high match with rich Tom Murdock; an' a

e! O Kitty, dear Kitty, what used

ke to yourself; which maybe he'll do when he finds you g

orning; for now we understand each other, and there's no fe

nk God," s

r which we had anticipated, and they were now both happy. They were no longer even the imaginary rivals which it appears was all they had ever been; and as t

"understood each other," as Winny had said; and to their cordial shake-hands at the turn up to Kate Mulvey's h