The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-08-09


marvel that q maiden, known and esteemed
by the family of worthy Major Hewitson
should not only have sought to cheat GU
vigilance by crossing the river privately il
a boat, but should have done SO in the com
pany OF man whom myself can testify
to having been chief of some repute il
the army of the Irish enemy, having crossed
swords with him at the battle Of Knock
naclashy,' as think they call it in thei,
barbarous language, where he fought q
needs must own it) with valor worthy OF
a better cause"
Major ormiston turned, gravely but
kindly to Nellie.
al fear me much" he said, .'that YOU
have been but ill-advised in all this bust
ness, Why not have presented yourself
has brought you hither will bear investiga
| ton and why, more than all the rest, have
you come attended by a person whose very
company must needs render you suspect
yourself.
80 sir.'' said Nellie, weeping sadly, as
she began to fear that even Henrietta's re-
commentator to mercy might, perhaps,
avail herlittle 81 we had not the passw ord,
without which we never should have been
permitted to enter Dublin by the bridge I:
! and our errand is, alas! of such nature,
that every moment lost is of deep and sad
importance"
Oar Grand, Ormiston thoughtfullv
repeated. This errand, then, is not en-
tIreiy your own,>>but is in some way or
other Interesting also to the man by whom
Master Holdfast tells me>Sou are accom-
panied"
He should have said "a gentlcman,'''
Nellie answered, with slight rebuking en-
phasis on the latter word-..a gentleman
who. ut his own great trouble and. fear
| Ine, risk, has enabled me to accomplish
this journey; in which, however, he has
no other interest than such as any kind and
noble heart might feel in the sorrows and
perils of an unprotected girl
Where is he-this other prisoner p Or
mission asked, turning for information to
the corporal.
- In the Gate house, sir, where we have
him safe under lock and key for he was
no prisoner to be left at large like this silly
maiden, who begged so hard to be allowed
to see the rd-deputy 60 by, that found
it not in my heart to deny her SO small a
favor; for the doing Of which trust have
not incurred the displeasure either of your
honor OF of his highness the Lord Henry,
Certainly not, honest Holdfast You
have acted both well and mercifully in all
this business. And now lead the way to
the Gate-house, and trouble not your wits
about this young maiden. myself will be
her surety that she attempt not to escape"
He offered his hand very respectfully to
Nellie as he finished speaking, and she
suffered him to lead her in silence toward
the bridge. AS they entered the Gate:
her hand and glided from his side to that
of Roger.
Ormiston instantly recognized the latter
as the dispossessed owner of the Rath,"
and an officer, besides, of some standing in
the recently disbanded army of the Irish, |
Courteously saluting him, therefore, he in
formed him that he had been deputed by
the lord-deputy to inquire into the nature !
of the business which had brought him to |
Dublin, adding an earnest hope on his own
part that it might prove to be in no ways
political affairs.
That, most assnredly, it is not said
Roger. pleased and touched by the young
officers manner, and satisfied by Hen
riettas letter, which Ormston still held in
his hand, that he was addressing the per-
son for whom it had been intended. "My
business is one which solely concerns this
fact, so nearly that, if you cannot aid her,
as Mistress Hewitson half hinted that YOU
could, trust, at all events, you will give
me as much of my liberty for this one day
as may enable me to do so myself. l, too,
am soldier and an officer, Major Ormiston,
and you may trust me that VIII not abuse
your favor
- Sir said Nellie -implorinalx- YOU
have not read the letter-if you would but
read the letter, Mistress IIewitson half
that you would help me -
Thus called upon, Ormiston ran his ewes
over IIenrietta's letter, which, concluding
It TO be on matters merely personal 20 him
sell, he had been reserving to- more M
'atc. ;ln'1. fhercfoTc. n0YC S3'TsfaStOry ne ,
'usal.
Nellie watched him anyiouslv as he read
N, and with a spaSm of anguish at her
,eart, She saw that, rs he gradually took in ,
ne nature of its contents. his first look of ,
'"ger JOY disappeared, and was succeeded
~ one OF deep and tender pity pity which ,
made itself felt i'll the very accents of his !
.oicc, as he exclaimed:
&c Young Mistress Ncttcrville., Good God :
And never even dream of the relation
hip Alas that you should have come so {
ar, only to find sorrow and disappointment ,
y The end"