“Ye may well say that, zur; oi’ve not sane the man yit that oi was afeared on.”

Sally chuckled over her knowledge that this was not true in respect to women, while Marian whispered to her father:  “Secure him the place if you can, papa.  You owe a great deal to him and so do I, although he does not know it.  This is the man whose words, spoken to Sally, disgusted me with my old life.  Don’t you remember?”

Mr. Vosburgh’s eyes twinkled, as he shot a swift glance at Sally, whose face was redder than the sunset.  The man’s chief attraction to the city was apparent.

“What’s your name?” the gentleman asked.

“Barney Ghegan, zur.”

“Are you perfectly loyal to the North?  Will you help carry out the laws, even against your own flesh and blood, if necessary?”

“Oi’ll ’bey orders, zur,” replied the man, emphatically.  “Oi’ve come to Amarekay to stay, and oi’ll stan’ by the goovernment.”

“Can you bring me a certificate of your character?”

“Oi can, zur, for foive years aback.”

“Bring it then, Barney, and you shall go on the force; for you’re a fine, strong-looking man,—­the kind needed in these days,” said Mr. Vosburgh, glad to do a good turn for one who unwittingly had rendered him so great a service, and also amused at this later aspect of the affair.

This amusement was greatly enhanced by observing Barney’s proud, triumphant glance at Sally.  Turning quickly to note its effect on the girl, Mr. Vosburgh caught the coquettish maid in the act of making a grimace at her much-tormented suitor.

Sally’s face again became scarlet, and in embarrassed haste she began to clear the table.

Barney was retiring slowly, evidently wishing for an interview with his elusive charmer before he should return to his present employers, and Mr. Vosburgh good-naturedly put in a word in his favor.

“Stay, Barney, and have some supper before you go home.  In behalf of Mrs. Vosburgh I give you a cordial invitation.”

“Yes,” added the lady, who had been quietly laughing.  “Now that you are to be so greatly promoted we shall be proud to have you stay.”

Barney doffed his hat and exclaimed, “Long loife to yez all, espacially to the swate-faced young leddy that first spoke a good wourd for me, oi’m a-thinkin’;” and he stepped lightly around to the rear of the house.

“Sally,” said Mr. Vosburgh, with preternatural gravity.

The girl courtesied and nearly dropped a dish.

“Mr. Barney Ghegan will soon be receiving a large salary.”

Sally courtesied again, but her black eyes sparkled as she whisked the rest of the things from the table and disappeared.  She maintained her old tactics during supper and before the other servants, exulting in the fact that the big, strong man was on pins and needles, devoid of appetite and peace.

“‘Afeared o’ no mon,’ he says,” she thought, smilingly.  “He’s so afeared o’ me that he’s jist a tremblin’.”