Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1860-08-10

anee 60 some painful secret OF which they
alone have been witness. The sole means of
entering the fortress is by bridge, of about
fifteen inches in width, which spans with a
single arch the dreadfai abyss beneath, and
being unprotected wholly on either side, re.
quires steady head and foot to enable you
to cross it though the idea of faliisgis far
worse than the actpal danger of doing So
followed out of the rock on which the castle
is built, and Immediately beneath it, is
cavern of vast dimensions and the heaiing
surge re-echoes with laundering mohotony
through its lofty recesses.
If you have courage to cross the bridge,
on reaching the other side, you are conducted
to the right, into circular apartment called
Mayas Tower, and are desired to remark
how carefully it is swept.
"Who undertakes that Office ~ you ask.
"Ao living being" is the answer. EVERY
night this prison-like chamber is swept like
ballroom, and yet no one enters it."
"Who, then, keeps it in order 2"
"Maya, the Sweeper of Dunluce, and the
banshee of the MacqpillaiRs, the ancient
lords of Dunluce"
In the fifteenth century, Slava according
to the old legend connected with the spot,)
young grl OF segenteen, was the only daugh-
ter of the Lord of Dunluce. Gentle and
charitable, she rose at day-break. and went
forth daily to relieve the wants of her fathers
poor dependents.
"Look at her y said the shepherds, as they
saw her pass along, "she is as bright as the
Spring sun, aad fairer than the morning
STAR"
But, alas handsome cavalier had met
her several times in her walks. He had
even spoken to her. Who was he? Mava
had not discovered; she only knew him by
the name OF he. When she saw bark glide
slowly and secretly under the castle-walls-
she felt her heart beat.
at is he - she said. When, at eve.
distant voice was heard In the eias--"It is
he !" she said-"He ~ That word was all
There is but one he in woman's life.
The secret other love was soon revealed to
the Lord of Dunluce.
Macquillain, the proudest of chiefs, was
the harshest of fathers. He vowed the year
! should not pass without her being married to
the son of one of his powerful neighbors. 81
will die first" thought the young girl, and
anticipating, as it were, the sacrifice of her
life, she began 10 prepare her shroud. Hap
piness could no longer be hers, since she
could now be nothing to him.
Her father, one day, finding her sewing a
white robe, asked her gaily;
"Is that bridal dress p
"No, my father" answered she, sit is a
| shroud for my tomb'
!. "a shroud We shall see that"
''Yes, father, you shall see it,
These words were uttered in Q prophetic
tone. Macquillain seemed troubled by them
Unfortunately Mava had no longer mother
to defend her against her father. The Lord
of the castle shaken in his determination, for
an instant, persisted in it more firmly than
ever. Convinced that he had exhausted all
means of persuasion with his daughter, he
tried what severity would effect.
The poor child, condemned henceforward
to see no living thing, was shut up in one Of
the towers of Dunluce. Her food was thrust
| in through an opening in the wall she her.
self was obliged to make her bed and sweep
her chamber. She had nothing near her but
the walls of her prison--no hope, save the
tomb; no support, bit prayer. Mava re.
signed to her fate, took her broom every eve
ming and swept her chamber in silence.
"You are to say but one word" cried
Macquillain, one day from without, "and |
will restore you to liberty Promise to wed
the noble chief, whom have destined to be
your husband"
| Mava made no answer
"Speak child. What is your resolution p
ITO sweep my chamber
"For how long?"
"For ever p
"Another dismal prophccyr replied Mac
quillain. "You think to frighteu me with
your sybiline tone, but you will not sue
ceed. Are you still making your shroud ?"
at is finished you shall see it,"
The lord of the castle began now to feel
remorse; he was convinced that nothing
would shake Mavas determination. Either
| he must yield, or she must die. Paternal
love was not extinct in his heart; fear re-
vived the fame of his affection. He bad but
this one child could he make up his mind
to lose her but the pride of the castellan
spoke as loudly as the affection of the sire.
To yield to his daughter, to confess him self
conquered, and to retract his sentence, would
be an objectionable weakness. He would be
I laughed at everywhere. Gould ho subject
himself to such an indignity?
| Macquillain had obtained exact informa-
/ tion respecting Mava's lover Reginald was
Of noble birth, bra7e, and wel-conducted !;
wealth alone was wanting. Enough. The
castalan's resolution was taken. He would
not yield to his daughter-he would not re-
woke his decision; but he would save bis
child.
One day. Mava, alone in her turret, hold
ing her fatal broom, with her head leaning on
the handle of this instrument of toll, was
shedding bitter tears On a sudden she
heard the well-known sound of music of
harp through the bars of her window; the
sounds came from Gsherman's skiff which
lay along side the shore That morning she
had seen her father leave the castle with an
escort Of soldiers. Armed cap-a-pie, he was
doubtless gone on some expedition and would
not return for several DAYS.
Mava began anew to hope.
THAT boat is his" said she; "ke comes
and shall escape from this my prison by
his means, and for him.
Alas the sea began TO swell the Wind to
whistle mcnacingly, and peals of thunder
rumbled from the darkening shades which
were sweeping in fast IRON the ocean, almost
drowning the sweet and clear chords Of the
uninstral in The hoat which had hecome the