The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-06-22
From tho Catholic World
ALL-HALLOW EVE /;
OR. THE TEST OF FUIURITY.
CHATTER XXiN.

tContinued)
Tom Murdock, seeing that his hopes by fair
means were completely at an end, and that
matters were likely to progress in another
quarter at rate which made it advisable not
to let the leading horse get too far ahead, de-
ternned to make rush to the front, no mat.
ter whether he went the wrong side of y post
or not-let that be settled after.
He had left home, and left a report behind
him. which he took care to have industriousiy
circulated, that he had gone to Armagh, and
was about to be married to "a young lady j"
with large fortune, aud that he would visit
the metropolis, Fermanagh, and perhaps Sligo,
before he returned. But he did not go further
than an obscure public in small vii
lage in the lower part of the county of Cavan.
There lie met the materials for carrying ont
his plan. The object Of it was shortly this
to carry away Wnny Cavana by force, and
behind the village adverted to. Hero he was
to have an old buckle-beggar at hand to marry
them the moment Winny's spirit was broken
as the report went, wandered about the coun-
try in green spectacles aud n short, black
coat, always ready and willing to perform
such job; doubly willing and ready for this
particular one from the reward which Tom
had promised him.
It was now the end of June. The weather
had been dry for some time. aud the nights
were clear and mild the stars shown brightly,
and the early dawn would soon present
heavy dew hanging on tho bushes and the
grass. The moon was on the wane; but at a
late hour Of the night it was conspicuous in
the heavens, adding a stronger light to that
given by the Clearness of the sky and the
brilliancy of the stars.
Rsthcash and Rathcashmore were sunk in
still repose; and if silence could bo echoed, it
was echoed by the stiffness of the mountains
behind Shapvilla and beyond them. Tho in
habitants of the whole district had long since
retired to rest, aud now lay buried in sleep,
some Of them in confused dreams of pleasure
and deligh..
The angel of the dawn was scarcely yet
awake, or he might have heard the sound of
ing along the road toward the lane turning up
to Rathoash ho.se, about two hours before
DAY; and he must have seen map with a
dark mask mounted on another muflfed horse
at little distance from tho cart.
Presently Tom Murdock-there is no use in
stimulating mystery whore none exists took
charge Of the horse and cart to prevent them,
the house. Ay. there is Bully -dhu's deep bark,
and they are already at the door.
That dog he'll betray us, boys, said one
Of the men.
"Td blow his brains out if this pistol was
loaded said another; and wanted Tom to
give me a cartridge"
"He wouldn't let any one load but himself.
and he was right; shot would DO twiste as
bad as the dog; beside, he's in the back y ard,
and cannot get out. Never heed him. but to
work as fast as possible
81, old Ned Cayana and winny heard not only
the dog, bnt the voices. Winnys heart fore
told the whole thing in moment, and she
braced her nerves for the scene.
The door wac now smashed in, and the three
on his trousers; and as he was throwing his
coat over his head to get his arms into the
sleeves he was seized, and ere you could count
ten he was .pinioned, with his arms behind
handkerchief tied across his mouth. Thus
rendered perfectly powerless, lie was thrown
PACK upon the bed, and the room, door locked.
heard the crash of the door, aud dressed him
sell IN less than no time" let Bully -dhu out
Of the yard, and brought him to the front
door, in at which he rushed like tiger. But
Jamesy Doyle did not sc in. That was not his
game; but he peeped in at the window. No
light had been struck, 80 he could mako moth
ing OF the state Of affairs inside, except from
make no mistake as to the object of this at
tack. He could not tell whether Tom Muir.
dock was in the house or not, but he did not
near his voice One man said, Come, now,
ne quick, Larry the sooner we're off with her
the better"
Jamesy waited for no more; he turned to
the lane as the shortest way, but at a glance
horseback on the road outside; and turning
again he darted off across tho fields as fast as
his legs could carry him.
Buliy;dhu, having gained access to the
mouse, showed no disposition to compromise
me matter. 10 quarter !" was his cry, as he
new at the nearest man to him, and Selling
MN by the throat, brought him to the ground
eVaSHS Nuelo III spite OF MS struggles, |
ne held him fast with silent, deadly erip' |
he had learned this much, at least, bv his |
day. -e"'
Careless of their companions strait. who
they thought ought to be able to defend him.
self. the other two fellows-and powerful fell
lows thoy were-proceeded to the bedroom to /
their left; they had locked tho door to their
right, leaving poor old Ned tied and insensibie
on the bed Winny was now dressed and met |
tom ut the door. N --'s'
Are you come to commit murder?, abe
cried' as they stopped her in the doorway: "or
have you done it already Let me to nv fa-
hers ROOM" i"
The sorra harm on him, miss, nor the sorra
take the hair Of his head we'L hurt no mere
nor your own. Come, put on your bonnet am
AoaE; an come along wild us /; them's our ord
You have u master, then. Where is beY
There IS Tom Murdock IL knew Tom Murder
'HyT -'e'' 10 NO.
COme, come; no talk; but on wild your
'onneS and ciQnk at wanst." .
Never nor shall ever leave this horsa
Heept torn from 1t by the worst brutal force ,
v here is your master, i say : Is he afraid NJ
he rope himself which lie wou1d thu ~
ouDd your necksH PN' ,
Come, come, on wild your bonnet an, c,oaL
=, be the powers, we'll take you away as ynn 6
~ Ivhnra Ss ro,n |