At the Foot of the Rainbow

ark." Mary went to the Dolans for the winter and Dannie was left, sole occupant of Rainbow Bottom. Becau

es and as a never-failing resource, he cut wood. He cut so much that he began to realize that it would get too dry and the burning of it would become extravagant, so he stopp

and grain stored for feeding. He disposed of the chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese that Mary wanted sold, and placed the money to her credit. He sent her a beautiful little red bank book and an explanation of all these transactions by Dolan. Mary threw the book across the room because she w

iver bank, or tingling with cold on the ice went two Dannies. The one a dull, listless man, m

g, and the hard part of the work, and filled his traps wi' rats from my own; why in God's name did I let the Deil o' stubbornness in me drive him to his death, noo? W

er, and although Dannie did not know when or how it happened, he awoke one day to the realization that he had renounced her. He had killed Jimmy; he could not take his wif

ly friend, he would not complete his downfall by trying to win his wife. So through that winter Mary got very little consideration in t

e told himself that he was glad she was away and he did not care to have her return. Deep in his soul he harbored the feeling that he had killed Jimmy to make himsel

e. Dannie heard his rattle of exultation as he struck the embankment and the suffering man turned his face to the wall and sobbed aloud, so that for a little time he stifled Jimmy's dying gasps that in wakeful night hours s

feet, "Hurry!" sh

the walls, and washed the windows. They hung pictures, prints, and lithographs, and curtained the windows in dainty white. They covered the floors with bright carpets, and placed new ornaments on the mantle, and comfortable furniture in the rooms. There was a white iro

at he did not come, it really had been one long, glorious rest. She laughed and sang, and grew younger with every passing day. As youth surged back, with it returned roun

whin by ivery right of our souls and our bodies, Dannie Micnoun and I belanged to each other. Mourn for him! I'm glad he's dead! Glad! Glad! If he had not died, I should have killed

love of marcy, don't say that!" she cried. "You will hav

'm just an ordinary woman, he don't ixpict me to b

ouches. A comfortable big chair was placed by his fire, new books on his mantle, a flower in his window, and new covers on his bed. While the women worked, Dolan raked the yards, and freshened matters outside as

Jimmy, and treats for his friends. Now she danced and sang, and flew about trying a chair here, and another there, to get the best effect. Every little while she slipped into her bedroom, stood before a real dresser, and pulled out its trays to make sure that her fresh, li

coming up the lane. Peeping from the window, she saw Dannie stop the horses short, and sit staring at the cabins, and she realized that smoke would be curling from the chimney, and the flowers and curtains would change the shining windows outside. She trembled with excite

ook-fine were the things she intended to say to him. When he opened the door, and stared at her a

, Dannie," she said. "

idly walked back to his te

ld's voice. "Please let me

neck, and hugged him tight, as he stooped to lift her. Her yellow cur

he comes from all day gone. Aunt Mary's worked so hard to please you. And Daddie wo

me Uncle?" asked Dann

on of the cabin. Dannie climbed down to unhitch. "You are goin' to be my U

panted Dannie, hid

d so are all of us glad. Mammy said she'd just love to come here now, whin things would be like white folks.

any thunder in his ears. And whether closed or open, he could see Mary, never in all her life so beautiful, never so sweet; flesh and blood Mary, in a dainty dress, with the shining, unafraid eyes of girl

d her cabin otherwise. Dannie took hold of the manger w

the doorway, "has my spickled hin

answered Dannie. "She's in th

d the plumpness of the bare arms. One little wisp of curl lay against the curve of her neck, just where it showed rose-pink, and looked honey sweet. And in one great surge, the repressed stream of passion in the strong man broke, and Dannie swayed against his horse. His tongue stuck to the roo

uined, and instid of that it's all ixactly the way I do it. Do hurry, and get riddy for supper. Oh, it's so good to

nd spruce up a bit, for ladies,

ned if I will!" he said, as he started home. "If she wants to com

as hers. He washed his face and hands, and started for a better coat. His sleeping room shone with clean windows,

d come courtin'" he growled. "I'll s

into a corner. That showed a clean sheet, fresh pillow, and new covers, inv

nna know as that child's jabber counts. For all I know, Mary may already have picked out some town dude to

had sent word by Jimmy she meant years ago. He might lose her for the sec

Dannie?" called the child

e, little lass?"

red the little

' grain, and I'm covered wi' fine dust and chaff that sticks me. I canna co

aid she won't do it, and take all the time you want.

most, Dannie understood why Mary had brought her. Tilly led him to the table, and pulled back a chair for him, and he lifted her into hers, and as Mary set dish after dish of food on the table, Tilly filled i

ask a blessing, and thank God

atter with me

ye fra everything. I believe I'm most thankful of all fra the clean

d that bank account, pretty will, Dannie. Thank you, for that. And don't think I spint all of it. I didn't spind a hundred dollars all togither. Not the price of one horse! But it made me so happy I could fly. Home again

," said Dannie. And vividly before him loom

and her bright

Til thin we will just farm, and be partners, and be as happy as iver we can. I don't know as you mean to, but if

t the cabi

d made him mad!"

her married people for the first time, and sh

to make for breakfast, he'll get

d she marry him? Well, now, would she? After years of neglect and sorrow, Dannie knew that Mary had learned to prefer him to Jimmy. But almost any man would have been preferable to a woman, to Jimmy. Jimmy was distinctly a man's man. A jolly good fellow, but he would not deny himsel

self; and she might want to live in town after a while, if she grew tired of the country. Could he remember Jimmy's dreadful death, realize that he was responsible for it, and make love to his wife? No, she was

out his work. But as the day wore on, he repeatedly heard the voice of the woman and the child, combining in a chorus of laughter. From the little front porch, the green bird warbled and trilled. Neighbors who had heard of her return came

e the talk with him she had mentioned, he would hear what she had to say. And as he thought over these things, he caught himself watching for furrows that Jimmy was not making on the other side of the field. He tried to talk to the robins and bl

mentioned fishing; he had lost his love for the river. She knew that he frequently took walks to Five Mile Hill. His devotion to Jimmy's memory was unswerving. And at last it came to her, that in death as in life, Jimmy Malone was separating them. She began to realize that there migh

he next, she shrank in burning confusion, for when Jimmy Malone had asked for her love, she had admitted to him that she loved Dannie, and Jimmy had told her that it was no use, Dannie did not c

began to grow pale, and lose sleep, and Dannie said the heat of the summer had tired her, and suggested that she go to Mrs. Dola