Mrs. Geoffrey

tree and opening flower the dew lies heavily, like diamonds glistening in the light of

us st

vering clouds

der, trudges steadily onward rejoicin

atch the delicate hues of the sky above. They rush to greet it, and, sinking deep do

ess and the absolute joy of living. His good dog is at his heels; a boy-procured from some neighboring cabin, and warr

ds flock to his gun; there is, indeed, a settled uncertainty as to whether one may or may not have a

t wild life, but a pleasant one, and perhaps, on the whole, Mr. Rodney finds Ireland an agreeable take-in, and the inhabitants of it by no means as eccentric or as bloodthirsty as he has been led to believe. He has read innumerable works on the Irish peasantry, calcu

e drivers of the jaunting-cars that take him on his shooting-expeditions are not all mo

face beautiful as a houri's. And he learns by degrees that only one in t

core; a people who can speak English fluently (though with a rich brogue) and more grammatically than the Sassenachs themsel

h under the other, is literally nowhere! The caubeen and the dhudheen which we are always hearing about may indeed be seen, but th

with a shamrock pinned in his hat and a straw in his mouth, singing "Rory O'More" or "Paddy O'Rafferty," as the case may

no one is waiting round a corner, or lying perdu in a ditch, ready to smash the first comer wit

ate of blissful uncertainty. He may be a mile from home, or

Geoffrey, suddenly, stopp

't kno

y,-couldn't be puzzled within a radius of

abroad before, an' I'm dead ba

ve me the bag! Perhaps you would like me to carry you to

ungry, and Geoffrey's heart smites him, the

linging the heavy bag across his own should

es, lies an extensive farmstead, larger an

says to the boy: "yonder lies an

though charmed with his companion's metaphor,

im is rich with life. Cocks are crowing, geese are cackling, and in the mids

upon a low wall, and waits until the girl in question shall turn her head.

s of "heaven's own blue." Their color changes too, and deepens, and darkens, and grows black and purple, as doth the dome above us. Her mouth is large, but gracious, and full of lau

ly on her neck. She has pulled up her sleeves, so that her arms are bare,-her round, soft, naked arms that in themselves are a perfect picture. She is

hind the old house, and tumble down upon her in a reckless fashion. They perch upon her head, her shoulders, her white soft

in the world. "Sure you can't eat more than enough, can you? an' do

has occurred to him that perhaps this peerless being in the cotton gown will feel some natural chagrin on being discovered b

ndeed how could she be?) of her naked arms, and, coming up to him, rests the

for you?" she

et leisure of her gaze, "I have lost my way. I have been w

expression on his face that her words bring him no comfort, she co

," he says. "Mangle Farm, I am sure, is the most attractive spot on earth, bu

be able." She speaks softly, but quickly, as do all t

lodge called Coolnagurtheen.

of animation. "I have often seen it. That is where the

ish gentleman," says Geoffrey, liftin

s grows a shade deeper. Yet she does not lower her eyes, or show the slightest touch of confusion. "I might have guessed it,"

efully crestfallen air that has generally been

an irrepressible glance, full of native but

-flies to her, and, resting on her shoulder, makes a tender cooing sou

usy comparing most favorably the face of its mistress with the faces of all the fashionable beauties London has been raving about fo

sure I don't wonder at it," says Geoffrey, ma

y, it is eight miles from this," says she, taking no noti

inn, and I want you to direct me how to get to it. I am giving you

who is sitting on the ground with his knees

ter come in and breakfast here. Uncle will be very glad t

en as he hesitates, a girl coming out to the door-step puts her ha

e cold, an' the rashers all spoiled

that seems to spring from her very heart. "Would you have the 'tay

ves fr

u, if you will allow me," says Geoffrey

Mona, thoughtfully, and, Paddy being dispos

ld wild blossoms are blooming in them, as gayly as though they have forgotten the fact that autumn is rejoicing in all its matured beauty. Crimson and white

virgin queen

diad

nd every-varying tints. A gentle wind is rushing through it now; the faint murmur of some "hidden brook," singing its

Geoffrey Rodney," says the youn

seems part of her lips, and which already has engraven itsel

ll, and then he follows her into a room open

certain charm. It is uncarpeted, but the boards are white as snow, and on them lies a fine sprinkling of dry sand. In one of the windows-whose

azes at him expectantly. Mona, going up to him, rests her hand upon

sked him to have some breakfast. He is the Engl

Geoffrey accepts with pleasure the toil-worn hand his host presents to him a moment later. The breakfast is good, and, though composed of only country fare, is delicious

s her eyes on Geoffrey, as though glad in a kindly fashion to see him there, seems a necessary part of the whole,-her gracious presence rendering it each moment

d chatters to him over the big bowl of flowers that lies in the centre of the table. Not a hothouse bouquet faultlessly arranged, by any means, but a great, tende

Geoffrey follows him; and both look out upon the little ga

earth, I think. Her mother was the same; but she wasn't half the lass that Mona is. Never a mornin' in

ffrey, making this trite little speech, that sounds like a copy-book, in his most enga

ng to do." There is a regretful ring in his tone

d country life unsatisfying? H

see that for yerself. She's as fine as the queen to them. Her mother, you see, was the parson's daughter down here; tiptop she was, and purty as a fairy, bu

ay down here. Well-and-your brother?" He cannot to

ll I will say Dan was a fine man, an' one to think about; an' no two ways in him, an' that soft about the heart. He worshipped the ground she walked on; an' four years after their marriage she told me herself she never had an ache in her heart since she married him. That was fine tellin', sir, wasn't it? Four y

, as though preparing for a long dissertation on matters still unknown. "Pray tell me how yo

t is manly, and by right of its beauty demands confidence, the o

le one-Mona-was barely five years old, they went to ground; Mount Jerome got them. Fever it was; and it carried 'em both off just while ye'd have time to

,-Miss Mona?"

tiresome with his Greeks an' his Romans, an' not the height of yer thumb," says Mr. Scully, with ineffable contempt. "I went to Dublin one day about cattle, and called to see me niece; an' she took to

omfort to you," says G

say it, law is the thing that pays in Ireland. A good sound fight sets them up. But I'm keeping you, sir, and your gun is waitin' for ye. If you haven't had

d thank her for all her goodness to me, before g

gly, pats Rodney kindly on the shoulder, and leads the way out of the house. Yet I think Geoffrey would willingly have bartered potheen, partridge, and a good deal more, for