Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-12-24
CiRROLLTOy, OHIO,--DECEMBER II, 1871.


he looked at her--she was deadly pale. He was
about to ask her if she was III, but she mu,ioned
him TO be silent.
4 long. melancholy wall broke on her ear
Again and again twas repeated, and Elinor look.
cd, and saw gigantic female figure, (apparenI-
ly hoaung round the caslle) habiled in white,
wclnging her hands, and tearing her long, yellow
halr. Again she sounded her mournul dlrge,
aud disappeared. But she did not suddenly be-
come invisible. She melted slowly and gradu-
ally away, her cry becoming fainter and fainter,
tl II ceased, when she was no longer seen.
"What is il love! Arc you Sicki" hastily de.
mandcd Pcrcival.
''THE BANsHEE," gasped out EIinor. Ii was
all she could utter. For some momeuts PEREZ.
val was silent. He knew the old superstition,
of the fairy which belonged TO each noble lami-
y, and which appeared before The death Of any
Of that race; and he himself was partly q be.
lever in this species Of being, as ii was well
known that his own lamiIy had one. At last he
spoke.
"Elinor. you we'll know that the Earl is old,
and We have looked for this. Ii will cause US
many u bitter tear and heavy sigh, but at one
time or another, and that time not far Distant he
must have left US. Cheer up, therefore, my El.
inor."
81 will try" she replied; "but Percival do
not mention this 10 my father, pray you, for
he is Old and superslilious aud this will depress
him."
81 will nOldcarcst, if such be your wish; now
good night Forget what has happened, and be
Yourself. Good night"
! Elinor's spirits were very low the next morn.
ing. and Percival, to divert her, proposed hunt.
The Earl gladly consented, and Elinor passive.
y agreed. After some preparation, she de.
sccnded 10 where the horses were waiting. She
wore dark-grcen velvet habit; black velvet
hat ooped up with an emerald. and adorned with
pIumcs Of green and white feathers, and little
whip, the handle of which was set with emer
aids. With one glance at her horse all her
sadness vanished. Assisted by the groom, she
sprung lightly on the saddle, aud all being ready
dashed off. The object of the pursuit was fine
stag. So exciting was tho sport, that Elnor's
mrthful laugh often mingled with the deep bay.
ing of the hounds, the cries of the huntsmen,
and the deep tones of the bugle. The hounds
were now looSened from the leash, and the hor-
SEES becoming excited in the chase, dashed mad.
" on. Enor gave the rein to her steed, aud
dropping herwhip sounded few gay notes on
silver bugle at her waist. The stag pressed hard
by the hound, leOpod high wall; all the horses
followed. Over hedges. bitches, fences and
walls went the stag; the hounds aud huntsmen
following, till ut last the pack ian down their
prey, which was weary with its excrlonS. El-
nor Fastening to be first al the spot, set her horse
TO a mad galIop.
GLOW beautiful she is, said Pcrcival O'Nci
TO the Earl, as they rcincdn their horses, blown
and covered with foam. "I.ook ut her now; her
hair flying, her eyes sparkling, and her checks
glowing"
"Aye, indeed. she is beautiful" answered the
Earl; "but is there not something dangerous in
that mad, wild cantcr!" .
He bent over his horses neck for moment,
10 adjust the saddle PercivaI assisted him. At
that moment, loud shout from the huntSmen
made them raise their heads; and they behcld
EIinor's horse plunge and stumble, hinging her
over its head. They galloped to her assistance
wildly. Percval was the first 10 raise her up.
There was dark stream Of blood flowing from
her temple. A sharp flint which she fell upon
had inflicted a deep wound. Her face was be-
coming pale, and her lips livid.
"My child! my child" cried the Earl.
"Last night she saw "he Bonshee!" said
Percival, looking up with ghastly smile.
docs her heart beat!" cricdthe Earl learlully.
"Alas, mol"
In the midst of her bcauty--her youth--and
her happiness--she was dead.
]