THE MYSTERY OF KILLEEN CASTLE: OR A BRANDED BROW.

North Otago Times, 12 December 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE MYSTERY OF KILLEEN CASTLE: OR A BRANDED BROW.

•ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 1

BY A. M. AND W. f. HOWL FIFTH iXSTALMEN" 1 SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS PARTS Evelyn, a beautiful girl of eighteen summers, had come to take up her abode in Kiileen Castle. At the moment of her arrival she was unexpected, and she overheard Lady Mildred Lisle's warning to Sir Geoffrey Fitzgerald, that lie was mad to receive the girl. Evelyn and Hugh De Lacy sought refuge from a storm in the cave-dwelling of Kenny Carey, the hunchback, and were warned by his old mother that evil would befall the Fitzgeralds. The strange disappearance of the Countess Fitzgerald and Sir Maurice was a mystery that Sir Geoffrey's enemy, Squire De Lacy, was eager to unravel. Do Lacy engaged a celebrated dctco'tivc from Dublin Castle (Matthew Clearv) to solve the mystery. Clear.v concludes that some persons were playing tho parts of tho legendary "Red Woman" and the "Brown Monk." Lady Lisle nrircs her nephew, Norman to propose marriage to Evelyn, in order to keep the property in the family ; but Norman preferred to make love to Jforah Clancy, a lovely <-ipsy, although he had no intention of-marrying her.

CHAPTER XII,

A MYSTERIOUS VISITOR

They wore sauntering slowly along side by si(l:\ arcd the man's passionate gaze was fixt'd upon the fat'i 1 of t'no simple misting girl bosid-* him. Shvlv siic raised her eyes to his, ami with a pleading look, inquire:! : "Bui, Norman. now that you really wish in- to marry you, you will not mind it 1 tell duditli, our queen, of my prospective happiness ? She is so good, so beautiful—a real lady you know—and Xornian, 1 owe her so much. She has been a mother to mo since I was left an orphan. It was she who taught me to sing, instilled in me all that makes you love mo. You won't mind her knowing, will you ? " The young man started and a curse deep ami low burst from his lips : but the girl did not hear it. Unfortunately too, she failed to see the look oi horror and alarm which crossed his countenance at her suggestion. It was a moment or so before lie found voice to reply.

"Xorah, that will spoil all. Ii you let any one know our intentions my aunt will get news of it and will do her utmost to separate us and prevent our coming together. Darling, unless you wish to be parted lor ever do not breathe a word of this. Later when I come into my own money and am independent it will be another story."

The girl's face clouded ; but even now she did not doubt this man s honesty. Poor, simple, trusting maid ! She had surrendered him her heart in all the freshness'of a girl's first love, and it is one of the characteristic of her race that the Irish colleen is tlv most truling, faithful and a'lectionate of na'ur.'s once that precious jewel, her maiden heart, is wen.

lii-r own perfections, her great Isenuty were as nothing in her eyes. Hh l had lu'eii taufflu from h"i' childhood up tea! the.-" were not attributes of which she had any reason to 1p proud. They were a gift from Heaven, and must only teach her to lie more humid". Humility, indeed, was FHrli a I'ctetor in h"r /-ai'lvtrain-

ing ihut it took some lime aiier her iirs! meeting wi'h Wrman before the girl couid he brought to ivali/e thin she vj- ra'H 1 •• i .-'i'

Even when their ii'iendship and constant meetings ripened. into something: wanner on both sides, it was difficult for poor Xorah to realize that this fine, and, in her eyes handsome man really infant all he said, and that he loved her, a peasant cirl : yet strange to say. once her own fivlinirs i-hnnp-d into love for him this diffidence seem, d to grow less. It was not her own ideas of her personal qualities increased. nor yet njraia that she grew more self-confident. It was simply that her love and trust in him. Ivt first love was so strong and pure, thai because he said th'S.> things siv accepted them as facts, or appeared to do so: thouph in her inmost heart was always the wonder thai he so good, noble, and handsome, saw anything to admire in poor .N'orah Clancy, the Xomad. They had been 011 these terms for some time now, meeting in seer"! when and where they could, and Xorman Lisle was beginning to grow impatient. When he mentioned loving companionship and spoke 01 a future winch they should spend together in som • lovely cottage away from the rest of the world, living only for one another, Xorah thought the idea splendid ; but iust as her lover thought how well he was working his poim. and gaining his ends, the simple girl would stagger him with such re-

marks as: "Yes, Xorman, and what a lovinrr little wife 1 shall be ! Your Xorah will study hard, so that she will be a fit companion for her husband. Xorman, you will always love nv, won't you, dear—you will never be ashamed of your peasant wife? " And then, though taken aback for an instant, while under the fascination of those beautiful blue eyes and Willi the spoil 01 till! girl's love and trust upon him, Xorman Lisle could say no less than that lie would always love her, and that as his wife 'she would he the most beautiful and stately lady in the land. Then seeing that any other advances but those of marriage would only frighten off the beadtiful wild flower—a thing not to be tolerated

by this passionate, sell-willed young

Man—Norman Lisle began to cast about for other ways and means by which lie could entrap his bird without the girl being cognizant ol either deception or danger. , Thus it was, poor, trusting, loving Norah, thinking herself the affianced wife of Norman Lisle, now gave and received her lover's warm, passionate kisses and fond embraces as they parted for the night, she to return to her humble home in the Nomad camp., with only the broad canopy of heaven for roof; yet the girl's thoughts were all of her new and coming happiness.

No unpleasant dreams visited her maiden couch that night, no banshee walled round the camp to warn the people of danger to one of their tribe; yet in the heart of one man, and that the lover she trusted, was being woven a plot so vile, so atrocious in 'its, deceit and wickedness, that' the very angels above must have trembled and wept for the future safety and honour of lhat innocent young girl who slept on and dreamed of pleasant things regardthe lover who was already plotting her downfall and destruction. i i ♦ » To- rt'lurn to Tim Hrygao and the

detective whom wo loft upon the i road by tho ruined abbey. ' | No sooner was Inspector Cleary's i first surprise over than ho did his best to persuade his companion to wait and discover for themselves what, the strange apparition meant. That this was 110 supernatural being' but one of a band of ruffians who, for their own nefarious motives was acting the ghost so as to frighten off the I inhabitants, and prevent them from learning the secret which he, the inspector, felt sure was at the bottom of all this mystery, lie was more than convinced. 1 Yet to have offered Tim his weight in gold could not have induced the carmAn to slacken speed just then, and to all the man of law's entreaties to wait and see what would happen, he turned a deaf ear, and drove the faster.

There only remained 0110 way, then of pursuing his investigations, and that involved great risk to life and limb, for at the pace tho ear was going, and taking into consideration the narrow roads and deep ditches which lined both sides, to alight in safety was 110 easy matter. Tim, too, seemed to divine his companion's thoughts, for, leaning over, he gripped him firmly by the coatsleeve, crying at the same time: "Is it wantin' to have me up for murdhcr, ye'd be, Misther Cloary ? Slnire, it's a poor return anyway fur a lift I've been givin' ye to have a crime loike that laid at a poor man's door ; but the devil a bit 11 ye lave this car wid or widoiit my consint until ye git away from this place. Faith, the very mare herself knows tho danger that's hereabouts. liedad, she is'the sinsible crayther ontoiroly : the 'udn't wantin' to be throwin' her life away for such nonsense. oil, be the holy St. Patrick, but it's the commether they've put 011 tho horse. Shtire it will take yersilf and me to hoiild her in now her mettle is up. Sit tight mail; kape your place. Can't yer see there is 110 stoppin' her. It is driv- ' in' to perdition instead of to ghosts | this time anyhow, we arc, the Lord hetune us an' all harm ! Come, my beauty : good mare. Whoa! whoa!" So in spite of his own desire to follow up the ghost, for the second time the inspector was baulked of his prey, for, as lie himself agreed, it was impossible to desert Tim now that the horse had taken (right and was beyond his driver's control.

With this thought the inspector consoled himself as he saw the abbey along with its ghostly visitant fade from' sight. Never for a moment did it enter his head that this was but a ruse on Tim's part to save his fare from what he considered the clutches of the red-haired woman, while the poor mare, the innocent scapegoat oi all the trouble, and the most even-tempered of brutes, was as much under her master's control as ever, yet acted the part to perfection of a runaway horse. Xo wonder her master proudly boasted lloris was indeed an intelligent animal, unlike most of her dumb companions in Ireland; yet surely Inspector Cleary had good reason to bemoan his luck in again missing his opportunity, and could only hope that Dame Fortune would deign to frown less severely on his next visit to the Abbey, which he still firmly believed contained an important clue to the mystery he was trying to unearth.

From the time of her meeting with the strange apparition on the moors Lady Lisle was both changed and very nervous in manner. Her wonted calm and placid demeanour now gave place to a sudden and excitable temperament. She repeatedly snapped at her cousin, Sir Ceofirey but the next moment would be trying to make amends, as if regretting her former harshness, anxious to conciliate him once more. Sir Geoffrey himself seemed scarcely conscious of the change ; so wrapped up did he appeal' in his own affairs that often h«r ladyship's pettishncss and curt answers remained unnoticed In. fact. >o used had lie become to iier pivsence that her vagari'-s and moods wei\' like part of his life and failed either to interest or disturb him from his ordinary routine.

It was only when alone together one evening in the library that his ears were startled by a remark of her ladyship, following on a conversal ion :

"Mildred, what was that I understood you to say ? A ball ! A ball here, in this house? You must be mad." "Not so mad as you think Geoffrey What I said 1 mean. If you do not gi\e a party or ball, you cannot expect things to work out as you wish, i 'tell you there is 110 better way oi bringing young people to a proper understanding than a dance or ball. Evelyn is not used to these amusements and it is high time she was brought out. At present she is indifferent to Norman's love and attention ; treats liirn as a brother, a friend—nothing more. Yet if she saw and mixed more in society I believe she would soon grow to value them. S'ring other girls admire hue. Ki'fljn may change her tactics."

Sir Geoffrey sighed : then a bitter smile slide over his face. "So ih" of all this means yon will till the house with people who only loathe and scorn us; those who are not Iriie.ath pointing the linger of contempt at us behind our lacks, yet who smile and fawn upon us to our fac's. Oh, Mildml, how can you think of such a thing when you remember our present standinc l , in the county, the secret and horror of the past ? " "1 do recollect all, and for that reason am determined to live it down. For Evelyn's sake as well as the boy's this barrier oi reserve, this veil of nWstery and exclusively must be swept aside. Had you taken my advice long ago, defied public opinion lived and entertaint'l as befitted one of your station, all this shadow and suspicion would have been forgotten by now." The baronet groaned. "Xo, not forgotten," he replied, bitterly ; "only overlooked and cast aside because of what I could give them. Mildred, lam no fool, and am well aware the guests a man invites to sit at his table are often the very ones who find fault and carp about him, to administer the first kick when lie is down. Besides, who would you ask ? Who would deign to accept hospitality of the Knight of ICillccn 1 "

"Leave that to me and then see if I am not right in declaring that the county will flock here. All will be delighted to have the doors of the Castle thrown open once more lo receive them, I assure you by these means alone will the desire of both our lives bo accomplished; it will work wonders in the matter. Have I your consent ?"

Sit Geoffrey sighed wearily. "I suppose so: you generally have your own way Mildred. What did I ever refuse you ? " The woman turned upon him sharply.

"Only one thing, certainly; but the greatest thing of all-rthe ono boom I would willingly surrender half m.v life in obtain," sho exclaimed passionately. Sir Geoffrey winced as.K he had ro* I'l'lvcd « I'low; ihen suddenly rising (mm liih ilmir, iral Hie room With lons', uitcvoii strides.

"Woman," lie cried at la,st, ''l believe you are inhuman. It is cruelcruel to torture me thus. Why revive the miserable past, taunt mo when you know my lips are sealed, my hands lied in the matter? Woman, I believe you love to torment me, to gloat over my agony, triumph in my pain." Lady Lisle laughed mockingly. "And what price my pain and misery, the humiliation ami degradation I have undergone and endured for all these years, yet been faithful to you, clung to you in spite of it all ? " she inquired.

"I know it, I am well aware of all you have done, and endured for all these years. But leave 1110 now Mildred ; I cannot ' bear this constant' reaping up of the past. I have sinned, I know ; but you, of nil people should be the last to reproach me with it. Leave me, I say, and go and sec about this ball, for such, 1 suppose is your latest whim." Tho lady gazed upon him in silence for a moment; then crossing to his side gently laid her hand upon his shoulder.

"Forgive me, dear Geoffrey* if at times 1 seem cross and unreasonable, but you understand, know the reasons why."

Then, without giving him time to reply, she glided from the room, leaving the man alone. As tho door closed upon her a moan broke from Sir Geoffrey's'lips and he buried his face in his hands.

"God help me, I deserve all the reproaches and more—more a thousandfold ; my sin has found mo out, and tho punishment is greater than I can bear, Oil, why is it that our misdeeds do not recoil alone 011 our heads V Why is . it that those we love must suffer too ?" "Because the love you speak of is a guilty affection, Sir Geoffrey Fitzgerald. No innocent lie binds you two together ; the compact was sealed bv crime, stained with the blood of innocent people. llow, then can other than sin and misery follow in its wake ? I tell you the promised atonement has not yet been made, the time of reparation passes, and that of vengeance draws nigh." The woi'ds were uttered in the sam? solemn, wailing lone that had before pronounced the words, "Too lato! Too late!"

Sir Geollrey started up as the voice reached his ears, and his features assumed a horrified, startled expression as his eyes rested upon a tall figure standing motionless be-

side him. v llow it had entered, whence sprang, the Knight of Killeen neither knew, nor troubled to think; lie asked no questions only sat staring with wide

distended eyes at the strange apparition before him. The tall, majestic form was clad in long, flowing garments of black, her abundant red hair falling in loose tresses around her shoulders and down past her wnist; over her dark, gipsy-like face, and banded across her brow, so as to fall down her back in mantilla-like fashion, was a black silk shawl or senrf that gave an added charm of grace to her figure. For some moments after she had spoken the woman remained silent, while her large piercing, coal-black eyes were glued upon his face seeming to read the cowering figure before her, searching out his inmost secrets as though she were rending a book.

Then suddenly a hoarse cry broko from the man's pallid lips; the perspiration stood out in great heads upon his forehead, and throwing out his hands imploringly towards his nocturnal visitor, he gasped wildly: "Mother, mother, have you come back from the grave to blame and upbraid mel swear—promise it shall be done, atonement made, all given back, Oh, spare me! Sparc

And with a loud moan the Knight of Kllleon (ell unconscious to the lloor. When, a iew minutes later, Evelyn, attracted by the noise and sudden fall entered tjtc library, it was to lind her uncle lying still and prostrate on the hearthrug, many of his |)a|)i'i's and the contents of his writing-desk tossed hither and thither about the room, while, to add to her horror, the same weird, spectral-looking figure which had so startlc-.'i her on the night of her arrival was just disappearing through the open French window,

CHAPTER XIII. A VILE CONSPIRACY.

On parting with Ills aunt 011 the moors, Xorman Lisle walked briskly along in the direction of the cliff road, his head bent forward, his mind deeply engaged in settling a knotty problem to his own satisfaction. "The devil take the thing ! Just my luck, of course, when everything was going smoothly, to lm'vc the other beastly business thrust upon me. But I will not give the girl up not for any of them. N'orah, ray beautiful wild mountain flower, will be mine in spite of all. They talk of honour, and all that; a fig for it ! That is all very fine when a fellow has everything he rafuires—money and such like ; but to think of losing my prize when a little waiting and patience might have won my ends, it is monstrous. I shall not .submit. Hut now, us to ways and means. N'orah will heal' of nothing short of marriage, and that is out of the question. I cannot carry her oil against her will; she is too much of a spitfire for that; might tear my eyes out if I tried it on. Xo, some other and more peaceful method must be found." Then, suddenly, as he saw a liny wreatli of smoke issuing from what at first sight appeared but a huge cleft or hole in the rocks, a new idea seemed to occur to him. "I have it ; n grand thought ! Why nol consult Mother Carey ? She is just the one to help on a work like this, and, besides, she dare not refuse, now I have discovered her little secrel. Nothing like having a few of this class in your power. Why, I verily believe the old crone would sell her very soul for a few shillings. She will find a way out of the difficulty, I'll swear," A few more minutes found the young aristocrat giving a peculiar knock upon the secrel. door which led into the interior of Mother Carey's apartments. It was evident from (lie reception, that this was not the young man's first visit to the vnnithce's abode; there was no scurrying about or sudden movements inside, as if something or other'was being hidden away before his entrance, No, unlike our last'visit here, no secrecy reigned ; the peculiar knock was an indication that the visitor could he trusted, or was one of themselves.

Norman Lisle was therefore, readily admitted and greeted with "Good-day your honour" from the son of the vanithee, a big, hulking, broad-shouldered specimen of his class, with a hot over-intelligent face, and a tendency to lean against any article that he came in contact with, showing distinctly a decided aversion to manual labour and likewise a decided partiality for lounging about. With a nod and a dip to the new* coiner, the vanithee still continued lending some largo stills of liquid which sho was boiling, while In an* oihor corner ol the apartment wero piled large (pmitlM of pin ready

to hand for the worm boforo its distillation could bo accomplished.' In another part of this secret abode reclined large vessels fdled with' that golden liquid which had neither been subject to the ganger's test nor yet boasted the King's seal. : Having plentifully supplied their visitor with potheen, the two occupants seated themselves on tho rude log. seats and prepared themselves for the news they wo|'o confident ho had to disclose.

"An' how is the colleen gettin' along this while back, Misthcr Lisle? Faith, it's lovin' enuf and quite sinsible she ought to be to -have the honour ye was payin' her. Shurc, it's a great talkin' I myself gave her the Inst time sho was here."

"You did ? Oh, that was kind of you, Mother Carey; but it is moro than speaking a good word for mo I want now."

"lndnde, an' what may yo bo wantin' av mo sor ? Shurc, yo know it's plazed to be sarvii)' yo I'd bo." "Yes, I know ;• but this is. a most serious matter. I want that girl, Mother Carey and yot cannot really wed her-mako her my wife," The old crone chuckled.

"Av course not. Begorra I never expected ye 'ud do that same,.His-1 ther Norman, an' if it wasn't that Norah Clancy is a bit simple shure it's not expectin' it she'd be either. What 'ud a poor ignorant colleen loike her be doin' as your wife, sor?" The young man groaned. Despito his own depravity; he somehow felt annoyed that this old hag should so speak about his boautiful Norah. He liked, loved, he considered, the wild. mountain maid better than any girl he had ever met, and being of air unprincipled, licentious disposition, his one idea was to make this boautiful, and as yet, unplucked flower all his own, No thought beydnd the accomplishment of his vile purpose entered his breast, and to attain this he must needs solicit the help of this infamous old creature, who possessed neither heart nor feeling for any one but herself,

flailing as was this fact, he still needed the woman's assistance, so listened in siloncc to lu-r insolent remarks and insinuations about the pirl he loved and would have married, despite lu-r lowly origin, had circumstances permitted. Few nra like to see themselves in the same light as others see them, or view their actions from another's standpoint. The most hardened criminal tries to find an cxcuso for his misdeeds, saying to himself that such and such things would never have happened, that crime would never have been committed, only circumstances and fato were against him.

Thus trying to excuse his own wickedness both to himself and the vanithee, Norman Lisle only plunged still deeper into the mire by explaining that at all costs he wished to secure the girl. Broadly speaking what he desired was some scheme by which she could be • deluded into thinking that lie would marry her, as some pretence at a marriage ceremony would alone satisfy her simplo upright nature. Thus it was that the young man in an indirect manner, first suggested the foundation and weaving of a plot which was the delight of that wretched woman's heart. Conspiracy and plotting were her best achievements her fertile yet unscrupulous | brain often produces schemes truly I diabolical in their wickedness, while | somehow tho planning of the downKali of the beautiful and the virtu- ! ous were acts she gloried in, for she hated all the humankind with an undying hatred., Rumour had it that during the troublous times in Ireland Mother Carry was most assiduous in forming societies anil arranging meetings with the young hopefuls of the place for what she termed the freeing oi I their country from the foreign yoke'; j but just when tilings were prospering most and the aims of the patriotic but headstrong youths seemed about to lie accomplished, secrets began to leak out. in a truly alarm- [ ing manner, and the members were ! arrested in dozens. I Although no real proof was forthj coming it soon spread abroad that Mother Carey its she was termed by I her admiring, and simple followers, I was the informer; she who had stirred the people up to this state of unrest and [discontent, organized and arranged the assemblies, was herself the Castle hack, tho paid renegade and spy of the fiovornilient. She, the leader and fosterer of tho.'rebellion in these parts, had gathered her prey, collected her flock, and led the party into the danger then turned and betrayed them, and sold them as

a farmer would his live slock. Thus, although she never appeared in court against them, the suspicions of the people were aroused at her safety when others suffered for their acts ; so the Inhabitants of Killecn avoided ami shunned her. She grew more resentful and bitter each day, while the .iiicknnme of "Mother Carey and her chickens" still clung in memory of the many dupes she had led like lambs to the slaughter. At the suggestion of n little double dealing and treachery the old crone was all animation. Like the sound of battle to the ears of a warhorse was the thought of intrigue to this strange, evil-minded old creature. Her whole soul and energy were thrown into the work, and there and then was arranged a scheme so vile ami wicked that it caused even Norman Lisle, its instigator and prime mover, (o blush'and feel uncomfortable at the thought of how lie would betray and ruin the life of that noble trusting, innocent girl, who, in her | colliding innocence had surrended both heart and honour into his keeping. * # ».»•'■

When Kvelyn rushed into the library and saw her uncle lying upon Hie floor, mid the strange woman disappearing through the w'iivdow, her first inclination was to ring and summon tin; servants ; but on second thoughts she did not deem this advisable. She remembered the very fussy, excitable nature of Lady Lisle and the confusion subsequent on their arrival might not suit her uncle, who detested anything in the shape of a scene. Hurriedly she knelt by Hie side of the master of the house, and sought to restore nim. She chafed the cold hands and Ijrou-, bathed (lie forehead villi water from the carafe near by, and at last waji rewarded by her uncle opening his eyes and. looking round in a dazed fashion, s "Where am I? What is \yrong?" he asked.

Gently the girl tokl him all that she knew ; how she had found him insensible, his papers and drawers ransacked and strewn about the room, and the disappearance of the strange figure as she entered, "Now that you are better,'uncle, I will give the alarm. Lot this thief be searched for, She cannot be far away, and may be caught In the grounds," Hie girl observed.'. Sir Geoffrey laid a detaining hand on her arm as she rose to go. ''No, no: not that." he cried, excitedly, "Evelyn, do not leave me. Those things can wait, but you are sure,, positively viiri', it was a real live person ynu saw leaving ihls room 7 It was no spirit or ghost J suppose ?" • i "A spirit, ghost! 1 Uncle, what can ynu mean' 01 cuiirßti ii wn,*t n I real persons \yqmh, inu, Styii'lia

do riot ransack'drawers and search ' cupboards, I think'. Bat you do not vet know' what is missing. 'Although my cntranco, disturbed tho thief much may havo'beeii taken. But how came you to faint ? Did she attack you ? " . Sir Geoffrey r.oso, with his nleco's assistance and staggered to a chair; then a frightened expression stole over his face as ho murmured: "It was not her spirit then? others saw it as well as myself. Oh, what can it mean . Who was it if hot she, and what brings them here?" ' Then seeing tno. perplexed look on Evelyn's face' ho continued : "Yes, df course, it was no spirit, Robbery, too, must havo boon the motive, as this disorder proves. But you disturbed their little game, dear. Ido not think thoy secured much. And Evelyn, dear, as tho thief was a woman-you say, probably ft lunatic —supposo wo say nothing about it. Lady Lisle is very nervous, and wo might needlessly alarm her."' Evelyn looked astonished. This was indeed an unusual way for her uncle to view matters. ' llut as ho insisted on her keeping silence '-sho readily gave her consent not, however without a strnngc'feeling of un- | easiness that all was not right and above-board, which was not decreased by her noticing as she assisted her rolativo to put the papers straight and in order again, that tho absence of one caused him great anxiety, while theso words falling from his lips, made her wonder moro and more. <

"It was no spirit, not her ghost

corao to torture and upbraid me ? No, that paper was taken by human hands. But whose? That is tho

question, Yet who but ono person can it concern? To whom does it matter whether Maurice Fitzgerald was married or not? That document was valuable to one only, and she, alas I is unablo to grasp the reality of her position; her mind on this matter is a blank. ■ Frances is incapable of the act. Who, then, accomplished it, and for what reason ?"

Kvel,vn had overheard only part of

this muttered conversation, but slit caught the portion as to Frances, and her mind being a blank, also something about marriage, and although unablo to connect tho whglo, it mado her feel strangely uncomfortable.

Sir Geoffrey, not being aware that | he had expressed his thoughts and fears aloud, never for an instant dreamed that, after leaving the library and promising to keep silent about the supposed burglary, his nicco was haunted by the stranga words she had overheard, or that she kept asking herself, "Who was Francos, and what connection had she with a marriage certificate and tho Fitzgeralds ?"

CHAPTER XIV. | THE UNINVITED. GUEST. >1 "Oh, by all that's wonderful, hero's a rum go! Faith, miracles will never cease afthei* this, I'm thinking. It's a letter for you, Mistlier Hugh, an' be tho same token it's got the coat-of-arms an' tho monogram av tho Fitzgeralds upon it. Bcgorra, perhaps, it's open war or a julc 'the spalpeens are aftlier I Shure it's puttln' the dirthy tiling in the fire yer honour'll be, bad scan to their impudence for writing to yo!"

Tim had been to town, and returned from tho post-office bearing for Hugh what he considered must be nn insulting, blackguardly letter, taking into account from whence it came.

Hugh took tho envelope in silencehe was used to Tim's outspoken manner—but when he saw the wellknown crest and monogram of the family at Killeen Castle, he cdukl hardly believe his eyes. Tho writing too was not Evelyn's and what was his further surprise to find that it contained an invitation to a ball to be given by the Knight, of Killeen and inscribed by himself.

The young man's astonishment over, he began to think. Luckily for him his father had not seen the letter, otherwise trouble might lmvo ensued at the idea of his son receiving correspondence from his enemies. At first Hugh was inclined to refuse the invitation with thanks. The notion of being entertained dt Killeen Castle and by the enemies ot his race, was repugnant to him ; but as time passed on, and Evelyn herself during one o( their rambles begged him to accept for her sake, he began to waver,

What man who does this for the sake of a woman remains long undecided ? Not an Irishman, certainly, if the woman is young and pretty and the one in all the world to him. Hugh hesitated, and was lost. Excuses rose up now in plenty, and he did not see why he should give up such a chance. To ho at a ball with her, to spend a whole evening in her company, have the happiness of holding that graceful form in his arms was a pleasure too great to think of. TTpw, then, could he contemplate giving up such enjoyment? It would be like relinquishing a glimpse oi heaven.

Hugh dc Lacy was no fool, He knew well that the hours spent in Evelyn's society were danger,ous to his peace of mind; realized also that he was growing to madly love this girl who was niece to his father's bitterest 'enemy, He felt that such a union would be, practically speaking, impossible because of the terrible opposition it would receive from both houses, yet with this stern fact staring him in the face the young man could not bring himself to remain away. He loved Evelyn Fitzgerald with all the strength and ardour of his passionate nature, and with that happy-go-lucky way so common to his rare accepted the happiness of the present, leaving the future to look after itself; Thus it was on the night of that rare event, a ball at Killecn Castle wo find Hugh doLacy, full ,of excitement at tho thought, of pleasure for him, busily engaged dressing, while he gave instructions to Tim how his absence was to bo kept from his father, who on 110 account was to learn of his presence at the ball. . "lieilad, an' he'll niver larn St from, me, yer honour; niver fear but I'll knpe a saycrct. An' it's the quare man the squire is to want to kape ye from a ball, sor. Sliurc, it's little enuf balls and dances yo have round here, anyway, for young people. An' be the samo token, shure.it was mcsllf was thlnkin' av axln' Kitty Murphy—a nice little gersha, God bless her!—to accompany mo to tho next fair, Faix it's a stiffness in me Joints I'm feettin'— the Lord; betune us an' all harm!— for the want av that same danco." "And pray who is Miss Kitty Murphy, may I ask, Tim ? You know it is not wise for young boys to be running after the colleens In that fashion, Tim; thoy arc a dangerous set at best," said Hugh with a twinkle in his eye.

"Faith, an' mabbe you're.right, there, sor, an' I won't say agin it; for there is no knowin' what thrlcks an' divilment a man will be up to plnwv tho darllnts, Hut shuro, 'twas a lesson from your honour's own book 1 was allhcr takln'. Whai's goml [qp tho goose Is gond for ilio pnrtor. ihoy do annwerod Tim, tlHiiurelyi ,

: His master'/burst irlto'a hearty roar of laughter. \ "Brogan, you will bo the death of me one of, theso days. But you' haven't answered my question ? " "Begorra, I hbpo not, Mistlier Hugh. Shuro,'/! don't want anything to happen suddint loiko to, you, fur It's Icokin' forward to a high time, an' a dance at yer honour's own weddln' I a l "' My col.lu'en, Miss Kitty Murphy is the maid to Mks Fitzgerald up at tho Cast(e, sor." Hugh could hardly repress a smile at the man's iquto way. of fencing round a difficulty. "I seo; so on the strength of that you want a holiday ?" "Bedad, an' it's the anm<' I haven't the heart to be aftber axin" for roysilf. Yer honour is a foin« masthvr j entoirdy, so yo aro. Good luck to ye, an' a long life, sor." "But I warn you, Tim, if yvu wish to win that girl, it isn't much whisky you'd better have in her company. She is not the one to stand much nonsense judging from what I saw qJ her." "Nc'r a lie in it, yer honour. She will kape a man straight if ever a colleen did, an' it's miudiii* me p's an' q's I am whin wid her." At last Hugh was ready, a.i'l loft

for Killeen Castle, while his mother and Tim excused him* to tho squiro on tho ground that he had retired for the night with a bad attack of neuralgia. » t • •

Tho night of the ball at Killeen Castle lmd at length arrived; for days preceding the great, eve»t, cM was excitement and bustle at th« mansion. Tradesmen of ditl'erent descriptions, decorators, florists, caterers from the big hotels and restaurants near wcro tn be seen making their way about the onco silent house.

Poor Sir Geoffrey felt anything but at home during this confusion, and tried his best to avoid it by keeping to his own apartments, Evelyn, on the other hand, was overjoyed at the prospect of p. rca! boll, and full of tho pleasure and happiness she anticipated it would bring her,

Of fashionable life she knew nothing, so that botli its sweets n,hd bitters, its joys and sorrows, Us triumphs and failures were as a sealed book to her. With all the eager impetuosity of youth, Evelyn looked forward to hor first appearance into society, Her dress was a perfect'dream of beauty—one of those soft confections of lace and chifTori that give their wearers the apponr.ance of being swathed in beautiful fleecy;' clouds of whito mist which wfiiii'ct evaporate and disappear if touched.

Lady Lisle had indeed displayed good tasto in tho choosing of it, and tho return more than paid for her caro and trouble. My lady had her own reasons for this. Sho intended that her hophew's futuro wife should mako an impression on the county—tho ackno.wlw.lgod belle of the ball, and place, liy this means the chaperoning of such a beauty would assuro her own success in society; houses formerly religiously closed to her would gladly receive her as the future aunt of the heiress of Killeen. As to tho girl herself, sho was inexpressibly pleased with everything, Tho beauty of the ball room, with its rich hangings and gorgeous . decorations, the tall palms and garlands of liowers mid rich exotics which lined the beautiful hall were a revelation to her, \\'hile tho brilliancy of the numerous electric lights almost dazzled her vision,

The thought'~tll)at she, too, looked lovely, was a fitting figure for the grandeur around her, was pleasing to her mind, and a happy smile played about her mouth, a look of delight entered her eyes as she 1 beheld her reflection in a long mirror. "He. will be here—lie will see me. I am glad I look nice for his sake,"' she thought as a lovely blush rose to her check.

"You look splendid, Evelyn, dear: Norman will bo quite ;roud of you to-night. 0; co'.iikl' you will iwi'v.; ,vnur first dance for hi»\ as well as Hnv« hiin olhel's during I lie evttninjf'J" Then, without, giving thu girl ti;in> to reply, Lively Lisle hurried away to attend to some of Jicr numerous duties, little dreaming (hat the heightened colour of the girl was tw outcome of surprise itiid resentment, rather ihnn shyness and pleasure, at the suggestion her words implied. llotli Sir Geoffrey and Norman were loud in their praisos of Evelyn's appearance, and the latter congratulated her, declaring ho left quile honoured in being favoured with so many dances from her, who, lie felt assured would prove the belle of the evening.

The girl's graceful figure, and great beauty Imd never appealed to him so vividly lefore. Strange to say lie began contrasting her state! incss and grace with the wild, uncultured loveliness of Norah Clancy, nnd, needless, to say, tho poor, untutored flower suffered In consequence He could never, he told himself, introduce 'poor, simple N'orah to his own set as his wife, while he certainly might go further and fare worse than by choosing the girl beside him for the position. Norman had also the pleasing knowledge that by remaining ijear Kvelyn he became the envied of many of the men nround, nnd this, of course, piqued his vanity, making him more than usually attentive to her.

Evelyn, meanwhile, neither encouraged or repulsed his attentions. Ilnr thoughts were far from him and all her other partners. She was eagerly watching and wishing for the arrival of Hint well-known form., Anxiously her eyes turned upon eacly fresh arrival, for the spaces of her programme were becoming less every moment, awl if he did not come soon she would have scarcely one waltz for liitn.

At length, just as she was beginning to lose hope, the longed-for figure made its appearance at the door; another few minutes nnd. with bis easy swinging gait and graceful manner, the young Irishman had gained her side. The look of genuine delight and pleasure which entered Evelyn's eyes at the approach was not lost upon Norman Lisle, who for the last, few minutes had been seeking in vain to interest her, and it was with a pang of jealous anger, and a black scowl at tho newcomer, ho gavo up his position at her side, Ho would play second fiddle to no one, he told himself; and by way of consolation as ho walked away ho conjured up visions of how different things would bo if only, a certain little peasant girl were in tho shoos of Evelyn Fitzgerald^ Meantime tho bail had assumed" a much brighter aspect all round to Evelyn. Sho was In a very heaven 'of delight. Hugh had plainly told her In looks If not in words how very beautiful she looked. Ho. then was proud of her, and had sho not dressed to nleasc him alone ? To bo Continued.