Page 154 - The snake's pass

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142 — — THE snake's pass. — —
" Oh, bother Miss Norah ! " said I. " Get along
with you—do ! I think you've got Miss Norah on the
brain or perhaps you're in love with her yourself.'*
;
Andy murmured sotto voce, but manifestly for me to
hear :
"
" Begor, I am, like the rist iv the bhoys—av course \
Here I looked at my watch, and found it was
three o'clock, so thought it was time to get rid of him.
" Here," said I " run down to the men at the cutting
and tell them that I'm coming down presently to measure
up their work, as Mr. Sutherland will want to know how
they've got on."
Andy moved off. Before going, however, he had
something to say, as usual :
"Tell me, Misther Art"—this new name startled me,
Andy had evidently taken me into his public family
"
" do ye think Misther Dick —this was another surprise
"has an eye on Miss Norah? " There was a real shock
this time.
"I see him lukin' at her wance or twice as if he'd
like to ate her; but, bedad, it's no use if he has, for
she wouldn't luk at him. No wondher ! an' him helpin*
to be takin' her father's houldin' away from him."
I could not answer Andy's question as to poor old
Dick's feelings, for such was his secret, and not mine ; but
I determined not to let there be any misapprehension
regarding his having a hand in Murdock's dirty work,
so I spoke hotly :
" You anyone that dares say that Dick
tell to