But seeing the look of sorrow that crept into the death-dulled eyes, she added frantically--despairingly, thinking of nothing save the soothing of her friend. “Yes, yes, Mary, I will! If it’ll give ye peace, I’ll promise.” The clock ticked on through the hours; the breathing of the man and girl was long and heavy, and their eyes were blood-shot with watching. And when dawn drew aside the sky’s black draperies, the gray light stole into the room and lighted up a face that was calm and still. Chapter XV “_The weird sisters hand in hand._” MACBETH, ACT I; SCENE III. “IT’S an ill wind that blows nobody good,” muttered Malachi O’Hara, as he stood looking through his store window, his eyes resting upon Goose McGonagle who had just drawn his wagon up at the curb. “She’s the lucky girl, so she is.” Goose swung himself from the step of the wagon, a milk-pail in his hand. Filling the pitcher, resting for the purpose upon the counter, Goose addressed O’Hara. “I’m sorry,” said he, “that election comes off so soon after Mary Carroll’s funeral. Larry ain’t feelin’ fit for a bruisin’ fight, yet.” “I’ve heard,” said O’Hara, “that yez are both goin’ on the ticket at the primaries.” “It’s a gift! We’ll go t’rough to beat the band, for both divisions is behind us, solid.” “Ye’ll get it if yez are for James Kelly. It’s a walk over he’ll have, I’m told.” “Rats! We go to the convention and we don’t carry no banner for Kelly, either, see? And if he t’inks he’s got this t’ing cinched he’s sold. The boss is with him this time, but then, McQuirk ain’t the on’y fish in the swim. Gartenheim kin have the nomination if he wants it, in spite o’ him; and then there’s O’Connor; he wouldn’t shake Kelly’s fin if it was made out o’ gold.” “Sure thim two won’t go afore the convintion! It’s inside information I have, from Moran.” “Moran misses it more times than any guy I know, but he’s put ye next to the right graft this time. Gartenheim an’ O’Connor both blowed in a bunch o’ money last ’lection, an’ they’ve sort o’ got it into their heads that they can’t stand for any more. If Gartenheim’s named he could not win out unless O’Connor turned in for him, see? An’ youse kin stake yer coin on it, that O’Connor ain’t a-doin’ that--he don’t forget so easy.” “Faith an’ that’s jist what the Judge told me, an’ he says, says he, ‘They’ll pick Kelly in the end, never fear,’ says he.” “Ah, we ain’t losin’ any sleep worryin’ about old Kelly scoopin’ the pot. The gang’s got their coats off an’ say we’ve got a graft to throw into the fight that’ll make him look like t’irty-seven cents. Look out for the papers the day after.” After McGonagle had gone, O’Hara walked back into the kitchen where his sisters were crouched behind the range. “Where’s Rosie?” asked he, glancing about the room. “She’s above stairs,” answered Ellen, “an’ cryin’ the two eyes out av her head!” “And for why?”