what they may, they're faithful and honest, and
affectionate to our family; an' that, I believe, is the only good about
them. Bryan, I am very sorry for this misfortune that has come upon you.
I am sorry for your own sake."

"And I," replied Bryan, "am sorry for--I was goin' to say--yours; but
it would be, afther all, for my own. I haven't the same thoughts of you
now, dear Kathleen."

She gazed quickly, and with some surprise at him, and asked, "Why so,
Bryan?"

"I'm changed--I'm a ruined man," he replied; "I had bright hopes of
comfort and happiness--hopes that I doubt will never come to pass.
However," he added, recovering himself, and assuming a look of
cheerfulness, "who knows if everything will turnout so badly as we
fear?"

"That's the spirit you ought to show," returned Kathleen; "You have
before you the example of a good father; don't be cast down, nor look
at the dark side; but you said you had not the same thoughts of me just
now; I don't understand you."

"Do you think," he replied, with a smile, "that I meant to say my
affection for you was changed? Oh, no, Kathleen; but that my situation
is changed, or soon will be so; and that on that account we can't be the
same thing to one another that we have been."

"Bryan," she replied, "you may always depend upon this, that so long as
you are true to your God and to yourself, I will be true to you. Depend
upon this once and forever."

"Kathleen, that's like yourself, but I could not think of bringing you
to shame." He paused, and turning his eyes full upon her, added--"I'm
allowin' myself to sink again. Everything will turn out better than we
think, plaise God."

"I hope so," she added, "but whatever happens, Bryan do you always act
an open, honest, manly part, as I know you will do; act always so as
that your conscience can't accuse you, or make you feel that you have
done anything that is wrong, or unworthy, or disgraceful; and then, dear
Bryan, welcome poverty may you say, as I will welcome Bryan M'Mahon with
it."

Both had paused for a little on their way, and stood for about a minute
moved by the interest which each felt in what the other uttered. As
Bryan's eye rested on the noble features and commanding figure of
Kathleen, he was somewhat started by the glow of enthusiasm which
lit both her eye and her cheek, although he was too unskilled in the
manifestations of character to know that it was enthusiasm she felt.

They then proceeded, and afte