LITERATURE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4505, 2 October 1882, Page 3

LITERATURE.

A SUBE SHOT: AN IRISH STORY OF THE PRESENT HOUR. (London Society.) (Continued.) Killavfl Houbo was too full of memories to bare joyoußDeie for the heartof Honora VFylde, Hor mother bad died hi it, and not so many year e ngo but that she could remember and still mios the loving presence which had shed light on the home life. Her father might be kind, but he could not bo sympathetic j and his remoteness from the little interest of a woman's life scarcely brought the warmth of reality into their intercourse. Above all, he stood apart from her in that matter of her faithful lovo. Oarolan, however, understood hor fully, and never looked at oalmness in the light of coldness ; and thus no shadow of misconception was 'allowed to cloud their rome« | what rare meetings. Ou the eve of the eviction j day he came over to Killavel House, and by Colonel Wyldo'B invitation remained to dinner* The elder gent lonian approved co much of the present activity of Hugh Carolan that he viewed him with a certain amount of interest, and was gracious accordingly. Honors dreesed early ; and she came down into the drawing-room, whero Hugh wb» standing beside a pleasantly-blazing woodfire. Honora laid a hand on Carolan'a arm, and tegan earnestly, "While we have a. moment togother I want to ask you something, dearest. You know tho family of the Murteghs? Tho man married lately tn the second _ time, and his wife was for year* a very faithful servant with ub here. I urge nothing, for I feel j ou will do what ie right and ju?t; but would it bo possible to be a little lenient with them tomorrow V* Hugh, met her pleading loots fondly, and stooped to | touch a silky ripple of hair on her temples, and put it a little further off her brow. " The power to act in a particular case of the kind kaa passed from i»o now, my love," he anwerod 5 " but why will not this fellow pay P I believe ho could if ho would. Am I harsh when others arc dishonest, dishonourable V* "No one can cay it," returnod Honora quickly ; " I pleaded only for the Murtagha because I belkved them poor and struggling 5 they live co wretchedly. But you must; know beat, and if there is a deception the choice of Buffering is their own." "Scarcely thoirs. They are compelled by ah evil influence. It is strange that a people so easily led should incline always to mischievous counsels ; that what is for their good and happiness never commends itself to their hearts. But wherever there is a clmnce of stir end turmoil they turn eagerly, though ifc should bo to break their own hoads in the fray." " Ycb," interposed Honora, "they don't know their true friends, nor thoir real interests. Peaco and industry are despised, I think. Oh, Hugh, I dread to-morrow I Ob* Btinacy or recklessness will lead every one asti-ay. Wo ono will regard or remember you. A single act of justice wi 1 efface years of kindness." " I don't want them to consider me, but themselves," said Hugh. Hugh was becoming quite strong in hie new views. Love works wondrous changes in men. A chance word let fall by Colonel Wjlde, while it moved him alternately with hope and fear, told him that by & successful effort he might claim Honom at once as his wife, or, failing in this, lose her for ever. The entrance of Colonel Wylde led the conversation back to more Eurface topics ; and Honora, wearing smiles only, showed herself the most charming of hostesses. The repast was served with &b elegance seldom followed noTf. When tho dessert was laid on the table Honora became awaro by a movement on tho part of Peter, the butler, emphasised by a glance towards herself, that thcro was & de* maud for her presence elsewhere, as soon as a withdrawal from the present sceno could be made. Peter was an old retainer of the family, nnd privileged accordingly. A moment or two later Honora stole away, leaving Oarolan rather disconsolate at hor rofußal of the walnuts whioh he had boon, promptly preparing for her. In tho hall Peter stood in an "attitude," a foot extended, a finger upraised significantly, and his eyes fixed eagerly on the advancing figure of his young mistress. " Well, Petor, what is it P " caked fionora quietly. For »U leply tho man turned the handlo oi' an adjacent door, and Honora, entering a small morning-room, found a lamp burning on [tho table, and an unexpected occupant of tho apartmoufc. A woman in a dark- blue cloak and with v littlo handkorchief merely tied over her hnir was sobbiDg Utterly as sho dropped a curteoy and put a corner of her skirt to her ejes. " Oh, mijß, dear ! I know you'd soo me," she murmured ; " I've but a minute to stay. Lute, ho doesn't fcnow I've vovm, an' he'd bo loth to let me, but I oan'h wait till the grip coinos onus;" find Eose Murtagh, in view of the desolation of her home, broke ano«r into woopintj. " Oh, Bopo, is it you P " said Misa Wjlcio kindly 5 "lam inoro sorry than I can toll you about tho trouble I hear of. Bub Bureiy your husbind will bo wise and reasonable ? " If e will think of you and the children morn tlmn of tho strangers who are advising him co badly. It is only honest to pay what is dun ; you would not liko others to cheat you." "But if ho can't, Mise Honor, darlint ? Times is bud the year 5 a heifer died on us from the Mack-leg ; au' the pig which wr laid eueh store by took a turn on asuddint, an' wo lmd to kill her afore she fattened. We lost h good throo or four pound by the same cow." " I\osw," intorposed tho young ludy, " I cm'fc speuk to Mr Carolan again for you, for I must toll you I had already dono co. I hnd not forgotten you when 1 learned of this eviction business. Bub he couldn't deal differently with you from othei'B 5 you muct see that for your* self. How much do you owe?" "Orer twenty pounds, Miss Honor; an' Luko oaya ho wo.it frve it— lie hasn't got it, I mane. I've sc/iped up fivo poun' of me own from, the eciliog of egfts and butter-milk, but no lew than tho whole will bo took the morrow." "If I thought you roally wanted tho money, that; to help you vow would be for your Jator good,! would try what I could do nvraelf," said Eimora; "but if there io any "unfair dealing," uud flio fiiod hor eyes on Iho woman, " if. would bo neithor right for me to aid in i', no? will you prosper from tho net. You nil but lulmittcd that your hurband could pay, if ho would. Is thio so, Robo ? " " JN T o, no, mho ; rion't think it ; novor heed on (u.nhf. 1 lms faid. I'm suro wo'ro hh poor as poor can be. I never sees a poiiny tbut I doeen't cathor up inreelf. Oh, tnies dear! but, you're the good lady! I knew you'd tako' thought on us. It's not begging I'd ba, I'm fure, bat only a lond, till tho harvest ii its." " I'll tell you what I will do, 11)60," broke in Honora $ "you shall have ft fivypcund noloto add to your own saving.', nnd I feel certain your huoband can muko up thoromuihder. It will bo hotter to have an nir.ull 11 debt us possible to repay ; yon will bo hII tho freer for the future." Ab eho sp:.kn Mis* WyJilo wont towards her davonpor!, which a'.ood in tbo window of the room, unl'cknd it, and, taking out tho Bum of raouoy she had promiFcd, put it into Riso'n hand. Without waiting for thanks, clvi bade hor g-/od nigh 1 ", then, parceiving thut tho woman wui in hart.*, nnd not wishing, for lior own part, that, Vor father or Hugh Curolan ehuuKl bc.-Mirio nwire of tho interview. 'i'ho in.rr,u:R of tho eviction day rose fair nnd rlmi'Mes." cvor tiio lunde of Foxmount. Tto biulr'r «?an e'-r^nglhened in his duly by tho prepei co of the stipendiary magistrate, a r,ub-i!is-ec'.cr witli a dozan of tho const'ibulary, and n ri-.r-ll detachment of military. In ovcrv caai' v.loro (he writ had beon acrrcd, thp (Viniml for tho arrears of rent was lnudo arciv, find, vrben refused, forcible posnot'.ion was taken of tho holding, and a ecizuro fiffrutcd of nil t!i« chattels or slock o» "(hj jreKiiiTs. Tn a very few inskancos pa: t piymcT.t. wns tendered of tho amount duo, uccording to MlO tennut'e own viow of right and renfon. But no compromise was postiblo ftt •hi* fiual stnfio of proceedings. One of tho last, homoßtcHds to bo vieilod wftß lliftt oi tho Murtaphs. Tho tennmont eoomod doeertod, for h hush seldom fell on its precincts when tho four noisy children were in poesoepion of waking froedom. " Thcy'ro cut and run here," said a stout-looking man who heeded tho procession j •' well, it giroa us lesß work an' worry. Wo walk in as another walks out." Novorthclc.'H, on roming nearer, tho half-door only was ?cmi to be up, and thcro was a sound of craekh'ng sticks on the hearth. At this moment a pair of nyes, deep lined as blue-bolls, pcopci oul from behind a wooden ecreon thut shut oft tho elooping chamber. Ihey wore those of little Kilty, :inr] curiosity, in wh.'t'Ji thnro vr.s no ndmizniro of four, epoko in thoir brij;iit Rlor.ee. "A kid!" cried niori) thftii ono voice j "a young 111 left on leaeo ! Hcro'B a find for a needy man !" Kilty omergrd uo«r more fully on the scene. " Wlint yous nil want P" the s»id, and a little itardy foot., Innoocnt of «ho« or iloeling, wm f»t deflanHy

forwards. She had on' a clean bib for a marvel, and her cheeks were so aggressively rosy it was quite plain that the application of a rough towel and water had contributed to thecarmino. " You go 'long," sho added, aa tho process-servot's step was on the threshold ; "taint yor house j we'vo got nothin' for you ; not a ha'porth fur beggars." Every ono laughed, except the leader of tho party himself, who had suffered a little too much on previous missions to be in tho humour for banter. " It's not askin', but takin', we aro just now, ye young imp," ha said, and proceeded forthwith to seat himself on a rush* bottomed ohair which stood pronnnent-y in the foreground. Kitty clenched a plump fist and shook it at him. " Yer a bold bad man," she cried ; " it's a good walloping ye want, an' I've just a mind to give it t.i o." "Go it, my bird,'' broke in one of the followora with a grin; "yertho broth of a girl j it's yor da ought to bo proud o 1 ye." v An' so ho ia. But hod ouff iriry one of youß, were he here this minute." "An' w'hero is ho off to, Miaa Vixen?" asked the bailiff coolly. "Where you'll not cotoh him. But if ye lavo a fing-orr on me, yell ootch it yerstslvos ;" and the small figure took ugain a combativo posture. " Well, tbi- is a ruin turn, to leavo a child in it," began ono of the constables ; but ah fcbis jnnoture tbora w»9 a movement behind tho rough acrecu, »nd a woman's head showed itself facing Me intruders, "i.uko Murtagh'a out," os(.'l*iujed his wife quicMy j *• it' it's htm ye wnnr, jo muit mnruh after him, en' ouii of thi*. Bo can't be in two placea at onet, an' whatever's jer call to himeolf, thero'a no oauao in hfo that yo should go a-bullyiu' his litllo da'ghter." Thera was v xoar of mirth at this. "Ttat'sa good one, it ia ! She's a match for the wholo on us ! It'B herealf that give 3 tlio tongue !" " Come now." intorpoeed the bailiff, '' lol'b have no talk, misaos : you know what we'ro come for, an' if you can send us off, do ; if not, I'm afeard it's your room we must ax for, n,t your compnny." To the surprise of every one, Boso Murtagh steppedboldly forwards at tho words, put har hand inoide a littlo checketl handkerOhief, which was crossed on hor breiufc, and drew out a roll of notes. She threw it down on a table besido tho bailiff, with an air which would have been goorn in ono of mure lofty bearing, and which ov«n hero called forth a sort of cheer from more than one among tho force. The notes ■wore unfolded ivnd counted ; there wnn ono for £5, white and crisp in appearance, the others, of a, lower mark in overy Boneo of the word, wore £1 notes, well worn, and dirfy, but numbered fifteen, end bora the improßfl of the Ulster Banking Company. Insido one the romaining balanco of tho amount of rent duo— nine and sixpence— wa3 tightly wrapped up. The bailiff, who held in this instance the joint offices of uuder-sherift and agent, produced hi« ink-horn and papers, Bignod a receipt, and pushed it iowardi the woman. "You're a quicker hand Rt thiDgs than your good man," he sad shortly ; "be does well to loave you in possession ;" and then, with a " good- morning," he ro3o. (To be continued.)