The Storyteller

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LI, Issue 32, 30 July 1924, Page 3

The Storyteller

(By C. J. Kiokham.) m

Knoeknagow OB The Homes of Tipperary

CHAPTER LNllL—(Continued.) "I know now," said Edmund, ''of whom the ( Coulin ' reminded you." "Yes, and I have some faint notion of what you were driving at," returned Arthur. "But who is she?" Before he could answer, Edmund felt a little hand glide into his, and turning round, he caught his sister Grace in his arms. —"' Father Carroll looked on, rubbing his hands in silence, and congratulating himself upon the success of his part of the plot, -when Mrs. Hayes came in and whispered some words to him. He went to the white-haired old gentleman, who, buried in the high-backed arm-chair, seemed to be quite unconscious of what was going on around him, and started as if from a dream when the priest addressed him. "Tell the servant to come in," said Father Carroll. Mrs. Hayes withdrew, and a liveried functionary immediately appeared, looking so solemn and dignified that Grace asked Mary in a whisper, was he the bishop. "Did I not tell you that I could not see that person?" said the old gentleman. "Yes, sir," returned the dignified personage, with a slight bow, and turning his toes more out, "but when I saw he was determined to come over after you I thought it right to come and tell you." But the dignified functionary said nothing of the half-crown in the pocket of his plush breeches. "You may as well see him," said Father Carroll. "Very well," returned the old man, with a helpless sigh, as if he were quite incapable of thinking for himself. The servant retired; and when the door was again opened, the ladies were startled to see Mr. Beresford Pender rush in and fling himself upon his knees. "Mercy, mercy, Sir Garrett!" he blubbered. "Don't transport me." "I have nothing to do with it; you must see my lawyer," returned Sir Garrett Butler, trying to push back his chair, which was already against the wall. "I'll be transported, I'll be transported— ! whoo! boo!" And Mr. Beresford Pender burst into a hideous howl. "I can do nothing. I have allowed myself to be deceived too long," said the baronet more firmly. "I fear I have much to answer for, for all the wrong that has been done in my name." " 'Tis forgery, 'tis forgery," cried Beresford, looking one after another into the faces around him. "Mercy, Miss Butler, mercy!" he blubbered, dragging himself across the room on his knees, causing the young lady to take refuge behind a chair, as he was about prostrating himself at her feet. "'Tis all my father's fault; 'tis all my father's fault," he whined, dragging himself back again to where the baronet sat; "I'm innocent, I'm innocent, Sir Garrett. Ooh! hoo! whoo!" "Do you see the face at the window?" Grace asked in a whisper. "Who can it be?" "Perhaps some one who has been attracted by all this roaring," returned Mary. '"'Tis a woman's face." "Yes; and she has contrived to convert her nose into a. badly baked pancake against the glass—oh, my goodness, the window is broken!" Grace exclaimed, as the face vanished, and the broken glass fell upon the floor. But Mr. Pender's howls for mercy prevented any one else from noticing the accident. - " "I think you had better withdraw," Father Carroll suggested, "or stand up at least." But it was no use. Beresford howled and blubbered, till there was nothing for it but to eject him by force. Edmund and Arthur advanced for that purpose, but both shrank in disgust from touching the grovelling creature, and Tom Doherty was called in.