The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-05-27

to sleep in"
ooh, I'll put him in the red room,
Rosie answered calmly. $50 Pm to
Lady Starewell. Not so bad for Rosi
Macdermott. Don't you fear, papa. r
have Sir Rupert if he asks me-"
Il thought you were sensible cir
I'm glad to find that you look at tn
matter from a reasonable point of view
Kiss me, my dear. II l am rather eros,
it's for your good. There's no fear bu
Sir Rupertll have you-iA fact, he sal
as much to me-"
Every Irish family of any antiquit
has a ghost, and those of particular,
ancient descent have bansbee." TIL
Macdermotts had both, the ghost 70
many years combining himself in tn
ruins, the banshee never troubling tn,
slumbers of any one, dead or alive, as ia
as could be ascertained. But still the,
belonged to the place, and were treatet
with due consideration when their name
were mentioned. Rosie took great prid,
in telling strangers of both, describing th'
tall, white-haired man, clad in a long
gray mantle, who used to stand on tkC
battlement of the round tower which
forms the ruins of old Castlegar, and gazt
at the calm deep waters of the Shannon
below. That old man, seventeen hun
dred and twenty-five years ago-ht
wasn't old then-fung stranger knight
from the east country (who came to woo
his lady-love) from the top of the tower
and threw after him n great bag of gold
and jewels, wherewith he sought to pur.
ohoca from hnr fathar MA,,o Roy -
daughter af Maccosgrave Dhuo, lord OF
COolafynn, and the promised bride OF
Ulic More Macdermott.
No stranger had ever attempted to wed
into the family from that time, but the
ghost took up his station on the battle
ments of the tower, and mourned over
the sad event, on more than one occasion
actually preventing the hated union by
personal interposition. Father Roche,
the priest, firmly believed in these old
stories of Castlegar, and so did Hugh
Macdermott. But when Sir Rupert
Starewell was told of them, he pooh
poohed the idea, and, looking from the
drawing-room window, declared it a
matter of impossibility for any ghost to
stand on the top of that tower" the
more especially, Miss Macdermott, as
you assure me there are no stairs, or any
other means of getting up" he added.
"That's matter on which you can
satisfy yourself, Sir Rupert. Well walk
down tomorrow, and row over, and
examine the place thoroughly. / confess
I'm no great believer in ghosts, but
when you actually see one it looks
wicked to doubt them," Rosie answered
very gravely.
"When / see one dare say shall be-
lieve. Until then I claim the right of
my unbelief; and 1 confess,
Miss Macdermott, don't like the idea.
Ghosts are uncomfortable sort of things
to have in the family" the baronet said.
ooh in Ireland we like them, Sir
Rupert; but suppose it's because we're
used to them, and all the real old
families have them. You can't think
how sorry l should be if the ghost de-
parted from. Castlegar," Miss Rosie
answered.
A week passed, and Sir Rupert and
Rosie got on splendidly. They visited
and explored the ruins together; walked
and rode and boated; and the stern,
stately Englishman, while he was learn
ing to love the heiress of the Macder-
motts, was also becoming slightly in awe
of her. 1t was not nearly so easy mat
ter as he fancied to go up and say,
Miss Macdermott, / am willing to
marry you. I am Sir Rupert Starewell,
and have five thousand year." Still
they got on admirably, and her father
was cOngratulating himself on the success
Of his plans. Barry Martin was as COM
pletely forgotten as if he had never ap-
peared on the scene, or been the first
lover and loved of Rosie. Another week
passed away, and one morning at break
fast the squire and Sir Rupert both
looked as if they had spent a very restless
night, but Rosie was as fresh, and charm
ing, and lovely as ever. Her dreams had
been pleasant.
It was arranged that they, Rosie and
the baronet, were to lunch at Craig Hall,
he home of the Bodkins, charming
place, about seven miles further up the
river; but when Rosie rang to order
the carriage, her father begged of her not
10 go; and, strange to say, Sir Rupert
the resolution; 80, in much
Blu CODSCllltu w bbsty ab
nome, but proposed row on the river,
which amusement was violently opposed
also, and again Rosie good-naturedly
rave in.
That evening Father Roche dined at
Jastlegar, and at few minutes before
,welve o'clock he said goodnight. to his
lost, and started for home. Old Roger
opened the door, and both looked across
n the direction of the ruins. 1t was q
lear moonlight night, and there, on the
ound tower, clearly and distinctly stood
Jlic More, "the old man in gray"
father Roche blessed himself, and, re-
urned to the edrawing-room, accompanied
~ Roger, who was white and trembling.
The priest sat down and wiped his face.
It's no use, Hugh. l can't 60 home
o-night. / saw Ulic More on the tower,
nd for all the bishops in Rome I would
lot pass Kilkeevin."
You do not really mean to say you
aw the ghost, Father Roche W Rosie
aid in dismay--" the old man on the
Ower?'
GAS plainly as / see you now, my
lear" the priest answered, shaking his
lead. Roger saw him too, 80 that there
an be no mistake. You must give me
bed, Hugh-anywhere in the inhabited
egion."
Nothing could persuade Father Roche
o pass Kilkeevin, the family burying-
lace of the Macdermotts and so he stayed |
t Castlegar all night. On the next
norning there were three grave and
aggard faces at the break kfast-table, and |
t was very evident that the gentlemen
ad passed sleepless night. But Rosie
vas still quite unconscious, and chatted |
$ gaily as usual; and though all the day
ir Rupert was strangely gloomy and
distracted, she did not appear to notice
!. That night, little before twelve, he
ook up his station at the study window,
nd waited patiently for half an hour,
ut no ghost appeared; though the next
,orning old Roger said Considine had
zen him going toward Kilkeevin; and
9th Sir Rupert and Hugh Macdermott
,okea like ghosts themselves. Even
.osie seemed cut Of spirits and nervous,
MI ybap ouoatiouad eho laughed and