The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1868-02-22

preparation; laughter and harp heard in the
womens chambers fronting SOUTH where the great
moaned and shook gnang their giant branches against the
rude walls as the heavy gusts of the increasing swept
p ana lied across the surrounding of mountain and
pain lamenting Naught heard in the halls but the
muered words of the slaves without the chink and
rattle OF the warriors passed and fo the noise
OF the battle seeds mpatently paving the pavement
to be gone, mingng with the storm.
The evening had already thckened night above the
last lines of the winding the stormy clouds had dis
appeared inland beneath the drifts of whered leaves swept
along the lonely roads and rainy torrent beds the tempest
uos air. and the last level gimmer had sunk in the west
when the king accompanied by his chieains issued from
the druds chamber and prang upon his horse warrior
In the vanguard blew mighty blast whose echoes resounded
along the and woods and the squadron prancing
through the broad gateway began dee along the oak
skrted road into the dark valley King Conchob who had
been engaged with of his retainer the
last to quit the yard and his bore him
through the gate he surprised female figure
stopping his passage 1t not until the torch borne by
hurrying slave cleaned the pae anxious face her fair
hair floating in the wind her bue fearful eyes raised to his
countenance, that he recognized his young daughter
Feilimia.
"How is this said the king bending and laying his hand
her head "What troublefor your face, my daughter
sad-brings you from your chamber night
in the west whittier going accompany my chiefs to
battle?'
"Notso father said the girl in broken voice. "Iwould
know whittier thou hast thy friend the chiean Cairbre
Niafear Is it to Oretin of Albin from whom know you
desire to obtain in the war %
"It is so said Conchobar, impatienty He is tonight
the SEAS pursuing his northward."
Alas the wild time p exclaimed the maiden shudderng
she thought of her lovers barque tossed the of
How will he retur fail
Before moon has rounded he will be here again." said
the king, smiling.
81 had dream last night dear father" murmrred Fell
ima-a terrible dream dear father boding trouble him
and me-"
"Away child cried the king deal with mems spears
not dreams Away and consult Sgruta, my druid Adeu
my dear daughter, adeu" and waving his arms, smiling
tendery Conchobar purred his horse and joining his hose
forward in gaop through the dark valley which
crescent moon, struggling amid thick vapors, gmmered
family The winds blew the clouds few the clash of
and rampng of steeds died away the moaning of the
storm.
Meanwhile Feilma had mounted the stair of the beacon
tower and entered chamber in which aged sat
pouring manuscript written SKINS whose pages
covered with mystic symbols by the light of pine
torch fixed in the walan aged man, robed in blue, with
beard of and eyes of spectral light like spirit of
winter Sgruta for the druid magician received his
gentle visitor in affectionae and calm, and laying
his bony hand her head she kne to him. listened
her for moments, both speaking in whispers.
"And what this DREAM" he said at length, (which
you think bodies such disaster your mutual love? Tell
it me-"
~ thought, said the girl in clear melancholy voice.
"that it the evening which my lover Carbre and
parted the place the same the chamber in the southern
town. just however, as embracing me- he about
breathe farewell strange face watching through
the dusky Window womans face beautiful but fierce and
strange.
Her eyes rested lovingly him-now hatefully on
me- 1t was but moment when, raising her hand in the
air. she made mystic sign, and uering the word Paraua
she vanished"
"Paravap murmured Sgruta, waving his hand the
maidens head, if to avert evil influence "We
know that sound it is the spell word of the witch Sorca"