The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1875-09-30

'hJ BFdllllB OI u DOhJ keel on u peD-
Dly shore, the surge of al ,mdulating
wave as it broke the monotony of silence
around, disturbed my dreams and par.
TALLY awoke me but the outline of
figure cutting the skyline of my vision
aroused my faculties and brought me to
my feet.
1 was greatly surprised in encounter
ing lady, lightly and gracefully dress
ed, tall, though it struck me somewhat
attenuated both in figure and feature,
with sweep of long, luxurious hair,
held by ribbon behind, that bound it
closely to her head, revealing the Phi
dian exactitude of its shape. Her bright
violet eyes were regarding me with a
half humorous, half curious expression,
while the whole face indicated that of
huntress who had secured or captured
her prey.
"Do you belong to Sir Williams
men 2" she demanded, somewhat impe-
riously.
Madam, 1 answered, with my best
court bow, 81 am attached to the Sew
enth."
"And you have been poaching on my
domain!" she replied archly, and with a
sweet smile.
"If you are the proprietor of the
small stream [ have followed up the
mountain, | am afraid I have killed O
goolly number of your trout"
"Show them to me-"
opened my creel and tossed the fish
over.
&C. You know, sir, the law made and
provided for unlicensed trespass of this
kind-contiscatio of the game and i'm
prisonment of the offender"
Her eyes sparkled so much, and she
was so much constrained to conceal her
mirth, that L, taking the initiative, doff-
ed my hat and told her l was quite ready
to be imprisoned if she was to be the
jailer.
"Spare all compliments, sir, for your
garri son bellies. do not want them or
you, but should like to deprive you
of the fish, as they would be quite an
addition to my stock of provisions that
[ am now taking to my starving peas
antry."
Z" L presume l am speaking, then, to
the heiress of Connemara. The fish,
Miss Martin, are at your service" And
l handed her the creel
{" 1t is not the first obligation l am
and thank you kindly. May L ask your
name ?"
l gave it. The heiress had some reco,-
lection of a formal introduction in Dub
lin, and We became more sociable and
agreeable as we chatted from one sub
ject to another ; but her mind invariably
reverted, could easily discern, to the
fearful scenes of which she was daily
witness, and which her efforts to allevl
ate had driven into such strange ex-
tremities.
drew forth d handsome silver sand
wich box, on one side of which were laid
refreshment, and on the other was a
couple of wine glasses of rich old Ma
deira, from a small travelling stock of
my own. The box was chased with
somo elaboration, to the design of
which, as, seated on the old tree togeth-
er, drew her attention, and then ex-
planned its contents. "Will you assist
me, Miss Martin, to break my fast-'tis
meager enough but let us break bread
together, if it be only to cement our ac-
qaintance."
A shudder, as with wistful look she
glanced at the delicate white bread,
passed over her frame, but the proud
lip curled, and a natural self-abnegation
was evident in the reply which declined
my offer.
1.-THE contents of the flask might save
ife-at least prolong it, she added,
somewhat bitterly.
closed the lid "Take it and do as
you wish. On some future occasion, in
happier times, l trust, will reclaim my
flask.
She took it and rose-her heightened
color alone indicated her pleasure. The
! glorious eyes were yelling mp in tears,
but all emotion was vigorously suppress
ed. She held forth her hand, which
took and PLACED to my lips.
May God bless you And so, az re-
rOir." She ran toward her boat, paust Il
a moment, and called me back. "Do you
know man III your troop named Ire
ton 2"
Certainly the best man we have. {"
Sir William has sometimes been
kind enough to send him to my manor
with provisions. Would you tell him,
from me, that if he will leave a basket
here inside the cove. shall find it and
he greatly obliged. shall be here again
the day after to morrow. Adieu." And
with kindly smile and wave of her
hand, she darted for her skiff, and with
a few, well-pulled strokes of her sculls,
had passed from my sight.
l turned to retrace my steps down the
mountain, minus creel, fish, and silver
flask, but endowed with a higher respect
for womanhood than ] had ever before
conceived.
Upon my return to quarters, l soon
discovered old Trennery had not forgot
ten me. had been made adjutant of
the detachment--an onerous and, i'll
these times, harrassing position. Vast
quantities of grain were pouring into
Ireland cargo after cargo of -four and
Indian meal were arriving in Galway
from the American relief committee, and
the distribution of it devolved upon the
military, who had TO escort it and vouch
for its delivery. All this entailed great
amount of work in our orderly-room
which ought to have belonged to the
quartermaster-g general.
1t is a common belief that the object
of lady's letter is to be found in the
postscript. L had some such revelation
in my mind when sent for Ireton, whe
was the regimental mystery.
We had good many privates in the
ranks | knew to be men of good birth,
and whose people were wealthy-even
the English patrician /; but Ireton was a
strange contradiction. The others all
drank and were constantly in hot water |;
Ireton was never convicted of minor
offense, and was the most exemplary
soldier in tha rapimant His narS0nol