The Argosy — page 256: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Tom Conlan’s Tryste. 239 me,” said Mary, half-puzzled, half-angry. ‘‘If that’s the way wi’ Tom, there’s plenty of ither boys wad be proud——” ‘Whisht, dear,” interrupted Mrs. McGarvey, ‘‘ we'll gae into the house an’ hear what he has to say for himsel’.” Mary stood in the lively kitchen like one utterly lost in painful bewilderment. ‘What is it, jewel ?” asked her mistress. “ What ails you, Mary?” cried the guests, crowding round her. “Tom was in thon corner amang ye all when I came in; what gars him hide fra me? I can tell him [’ll no tak’ it too weel,” said Mary, wrapping her arms in her new shawl, since she had no apron to twist. “Tom? Why, girl, he didna come in at allatall. Youcan search if you plaze, but well hold you Tom isna in this house,” replied the young people with one voice. ‘‘'There again!” cried she. ‘‘ There, standing at the dresser.” All followed the direction. of her eyes, but saw nothing. Fear laid his chilly hand upon the company, and there was a dead silence until Mary drew a long breath, and sobbed, “‘He’s gone now; the blessed saints preserve us! Something has happened to Tom.” So saying she sank upon the creepie in the chimney corner, and cried bitterly. A message was sent to the priest to tell him that there could be no wedding that day, and then the neighbours consulted what was to be done next. They were much frightened, but did not like to lose the good dinner, and it would be a sin to leave the jar of poteen undrunk ; so they decided on staying to console the bride. Just then steps came to the door, and Tom’s father and uncle appeared. ‘They came to ask if anything had been heard of Tom, for they had not seen him since the Sunday morning, when he set out for chapel, saying he meant to spend the day at Mrs. McGarvey’s. They had not felt uneasy until Tuesday, thinking that he had probably been prevailed upon to remain at Tamney until the snow should cease to fall; but when Tuesday dawned brightly, and the ground was frozen hard, they began to wonder at his non-arrival. The whole assembly spoke together, relating the events above des- ribed, and poor Mary continued to weep. “He’s met wi’ an unfair death—my son’s no more,” said the father. ‘‘ Come, Dan,” (to his brother) ‘“‘we maun raise the counthry an’ mak’ a search for him. God comfort you an’ me baith, my lass!” And laying his horny hand on the poor girl’s head, he gs a with dejected steps. The dinner was eaten, and the whiskey drunk, and the ouests, ina merry condition, went off to a neighbour’s barn, taking the fiddler with them. Mary put on her working dress, and helped her mistress to wash the dishes. During the rest of the week Tom appeared to her once or twice a- CcoOnmicoookks (CO) an