Part 28 (2/2)

”My God!” I exclaimed with a shudder

”That's why Joe ain't struck on staying at the ranch Says it's like a deaf and dumb asyluht What a life! What an existence for this poor woed at that dour old rascal, ould dare to sour a home for ten years because of a vow made in a moment of temper

If any one deserved to be stricken durace at the tea-table that would put a bishop to scorn,--all on top of this: oh! the devilish hypocrisy of it!

Rita cahtly on e He's a rand-dad

There ain't a better anywhere In everything, but speaking to grandrand-dad”

I could not trust myself to say ood grand-dad,” I exclaiood mule, you mean

”Rita,--I knoould cure hirand-dad”

”Yes!--I knoould cure him, Rita”

”What?”

”A rope-end, well applied” And I pushed off

She ran into the water up to her knees and caught hold of the stern of e,” she cried anxiously

”No, no! Rita Poor little woht maybe you was

”Well,--if you ain't, won't you kiss e?”

I leaned forward She held up her face innocently and I kissed her lightly on the lips

And to me, the kiss was as sweet and fresh as a hed as if satisfied that our friendshi+p had held good, then she ran out of the water, up the beach and into the house