The Lincoln County herald., 1870-10-06

"You don't call that old, I hope" she
said, the bright little epitome Of woman,
whose face looked like frost bitten red
aud white apple. II mean to live twenty
years more, the Lord willing"
After this I gathered in my very heart
of hearts the darling little old Irish wo.
man, and she and had many talks to.
gether.
But, about "my lady" "That was
he, portrait" Molly said, pointing to .
picture from out Of which looked two
melting, dark orbs.
"Was she as handsome as that?"
"a great deal hsndsomer. AZ much
handsomer as ould Sligo Castle was nicer
than this ould rackrent. All ! that was a
place with miles and miles around, he.
lougiu' to it. There she was born the
day l was but fifteen. There was great
bon6res. and all the peasantry out in their
best, for my lord had been married fifteen
years, and never expected un heiress
She was bonny baby, and I've q slip Of
hers, embroidered by some great lady,
up stairs. That child was near and dear
to me aye, indeed, we're she, for Id the
nursing Of her and grew up wild her, like,
and there was nothing but happiness and
plenty till the insurrection, that maybe
ye've heard of in history. She was
twenty one, then, and there was awful
fighting the first night.
at was q room like this that they
brought the wounded to. Among them
was my lady's cousin, lord Sligo hand.
some young British colonel quartered 10
the town. And. Of course, my lady and
me took to nursing them. What therc
was remarkable about the colonel could
never see, but she seemed to care much
for his comfort.
g! he young lord and the Enelishman
were both carried to the great west cham
ber; one was put ut the end and the
other opposite. My young lord got so
that he could walk long before tho colo
mel left his bed, and his coal black eyes
were fastened upon my lady whenever she
spoke to the other l can tell you. BY
and by the colonel began to get better,
and by this time noticed my lady 8
cheek redeemed when he spoke to her.
could see, little by little, my lady had
changed, and 1 knew, without hard
guessing, Whist was the matter. As for
young lord Sligo, it's cross enough he
grew. l was frightened, sometimes, at
the black looks he cast upon the colonel,
who was always happy aud cheerful. !
didn't wonder my lady liked him, as
knew him better, even the servants liked
him, wonderful.
well, l was busting the little room
next my ladys library, one day. One
could hear whatever was said 10 the next
rom, and mado it . point Of conscience
always to see that 1t was empty but, as
was at work, the old lord came in the
other room with his nephew.
"Well, says my lord, what is it now,
Harry? What about Etta?'
"Ah ? it was the mention Of my lady &
name, held me.
"Just this; was tho reply; you
have given my cousin to me, but this
English colonel has stolen her heart
from its righfnl keeper
Nonsense, said the old lord angrily
don't you know my daughter better than
that? Lord Sligo's heircss marry 4
beggarr +
"'She does love him, my lord, per-
sisted his nephew, and when it is toe
late. perhaps, you will be convinced
"Then knew tho old lord was in pas
sion, for he got up and caught his heavy
walking stick. and every step he took he'd
give thump with the cane and mutter
so the next thing heard was the dool
shut to, and the old lord rang the bell,
suppose, for bis confidential servant cam,
in and orders were given to fetch the lady
Eta as soon as possible. l waited, oil
in q tremble, you may be sure, till my
sweet mistress came.
"'Sit down, daughter, said my lord.
"Poor child he'd nivcr been harsh Il
her, and l trembled at the sound Of hi'
voice.
Gotta, have never told you for.
mally, says he, but I'm intending younl
Sligo to marry you
"How still it was! thought they,
hear the beat Of my heart mebby.
Eyes, papa, a. last sho said, quietly
i suppose SO.
"'He loves you, child!
$50 he has told me, she said, in
lower voice.
"'Apd Of course you love him. He
noble, rich aud handsome how could
be othwise2 ?
"But it is otherwise, father, said shs
in faint voice.
"Whatl you presume to choose 70
yourself? You 90 contrary to my wishes
be cried, 10 an awful voice. II tell 20
you must love lord Sligo; I have set m
heart upon it. Go and mike your PREF
srations, for, by Jove, you shall MARI
him
II mover saw . man who know 90 lit
bow to behave when his temper was ul
"She didn't answer. l only heard th
door shut, and l knew she had gop'