Part 24 (1/2)

”Bring it then, Barney, and you shall go on the force; for you're a fine, strong-looking man,--the kind needed in these days,” said Mr. Vosburgh, glad to do a good turn for one who unwittingly had rendered him so great a service, and also amused at this later aspect of the affair.

This amus.e.m.e.nt was greatly enhanced by observing Barney's proud, triumphant glance at Sally. Turning quickly to note its effect on the girl, Mr. Vosburgh caught the coquettish maid in the act of making a grimace at her much-tormented suitor.

Sally's face again became scarlet, and in embarra.s.sed haste she began to clear the table.

Barney was retiring slowly, evidently wis.h.i.+ng for an interview with his elusive charmer before he should return to his present employers, and Mr. Vosburgh good-naturedly put in a word in his favor.

”Stay, Barney, and have some supper before you go home. In behalf of Mrs. Vosburgh I give you a cordial invitation.”

”Yes,” added the lady, who had been quietly laughing. ”Now that you are to be so greatly promoted we shall be proud to have you stay.”

Barney doffed his hat and exclaimed, ”Long loife to yez all, es.p.a.cially to the swate-faced young leddy that first spoke a good wourd for me, oi'm a-thinkin';” and he stepped lightly around to the rear of the house.

”Sally,” said Mr. Vosburgh, with preternatural gravity.

The girl courtesied and nearly dropped a dish.

”Mr. Barney Ghegan will soon be receiving a large salary.”

Sally courtesied again, but her black eyes sparkled as she whisked the rest of the things from the table and disappeared. She maintained her old tactics during supper and before the other servants, exulting in the fact that the big, strong man was on pins and needles, devoid of appet.i.te and peace.

”'Afeared o' no mon,' he says,” she thought, smilingly. ”He's so afeared o' me that he's jist a tremblin'.”

After her duties were over, Barney said, mopping his brow: ”Faix, but the noight is warm. A stroll in the air wudn't be bad, oi'm a-thinkin'.”

”Oi'm cool as a cowc.u.mber,” remarked Sally. ”We'll wait for ye till ye goes out and gits cooled off;” and she sat down complacently, while the cook and the laundress t.i.ttered.

An angry sparkle began to a.s.sert itself in Barney's blue eyes, and he remarked drily, as he took his hat, ”Yez moight wait longer than yez bargained for.”

The shrewd girl saw that she was at the length of her chain, and sprung up, saying: ”Oh, well, since the mistress invited ye so politely, ye's company, and it's me duty to thry to entertain ye.

Where shall we go?” she added, as she pa.s.sed out with him.

”To the rustic sate, sure. Where else shud we go?”

”A rustic sate is a quare place for a stroll.”

”Oi shall have so much walkin' on me bate in New York, that it's well to begin settin' down aready, oi'm a-thinkin'.”

”Why, Barney, ye're going to be a reg'lar tramp. Who'd 'a thought that ye'd come down to that.”

”Ah! arrah, wid ye nonsense! Sit ye down here, for oi'm a-goin' to spake plain the noight. Noo, by the Holy Vargin, oi'm in arenest.

Are ye goin' to blow hot, or are ye goin' to blow could?”

”Considerin' the hot night, Barney, wouldn't it be better for me to blow could?”

Barney scratched his head in perplexity. ”Ye know what I mane,” he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed.