Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-08-23

40. .s- . r.. .la ....-...
Rathdown with the Scotch laird from the
Hebrldes was circulated throughout the
country. Kennedy was dismissed.
3 Lucy, although she had attained the
object of her desires. appeared uneasy
and troubled; Macdonald. when by her
side, was fond, tender and attentive, but
never animated, ardent or impassioned;
secure now of his happiness. he calmly
relied on it; and being persuaded that.
his affection could not be questioned, he
no longer made the slightest attempt to
prove It. Alas, what a contradiction IS
the human heart! Lucy wished now to
find IN Allan what she had recoiled from
in Robert; she called to mind the un-
bounded, declarations of her first lover,
and comparing them with the quiet DEM
onstratiohs OF Attachment shown by her
future husband. she sighed mournfully.
In vain she tried to console herself by
saving that Macdonald in his heart loved
her as much as Robert did; and that, be-
meath his apparent coldness. no less
warmth of passion might be concealed;
no reasoning could mitigate her sorrow.
She doubted not that If circumstance
should arse which would cause his de.
voted love to break forth, Allan would
seize it eagerly. But what love is that
whose nature is only to manifest itself
on extraordinary occasions. and as it
were sword in hand. where vanity itself
is the chiefmotive that prompts it. Such
an attachment in this world gives day
of recompense for a whole lie of dlsap-
pointment.
Lucy Rathdown, according to her Gus
tom. was riding one morning on the
banks of the Dargle; she was followed
only by a servant on horseback. Allan
was engaged at the castle in making
preparations for the wedding. Lucy
aliohted from her horse and ascended
the rock OF the torrent; she loved this
high platform. from whence, contem-
plating the depths OF the chasms open
ing at her feet. she beheld wild and
sublime picture displayed before her.
She recalled to mind the Banshee. and
more than once said to herself in low
tone: ....-...
my life at present Is. perhaps, like
this platform, anging over an abyss!
Her future husband had promised to
fetch her from this spot but time slip
ped away. and Allan, came not.
sHe never hurries himself said she !;
oh, If had not told RobertH II -a-
Her reyerie was Interrupted by the
noise of q mans hasty footsteps She
raised her head, and looked. Robert
Kennedy was advancing toward her.
pray do not fly from me- said Mac
donald's rival, seeing her about to de-
part; Il know all hope tor me is gone; l
will not annoy you with my griet. you
will soon be the Scotchman's wife. All
he does not alarm you with the trans
ports Of his passion; he offers you little
attentions instead of affection. and gal
lantry instead of love. 1t matters not,
he has been preferred to p,e; he then
slust be right and wrong;l have no
reason to complain ..-,....... l--s.
Robert had one OF those fine open
countenances, in which are portrayed
the generous sentiments of noble
heart. His department and his look
displayed the fire Of courage and en-
thusiasm. Lucy could not prevent her
self from regarding him with a sensa-
ton of vague and melancholy regret. .
.HencefOrth,' continued he, L will
cherish no more illusions, no more
visions. no more love for woman. I will
be calm as ought to have been to
please you; but my coldness will not be
the repose of insensibility. for that Is
not my nature it will be that of despair.
I loved with impassioned truth. OF
rather with holy and enthusiastic ad'
oration which, once banished from the
hoart, l.avas, -ioolins -tl,nra t,ut n
settled atheism. 1 will not weep. Lucy,
for the burning eye of despair sheds nc
tears; but you will know my end.
trust. You will then understand how
much l loved you; you will then COM
pare mine with Allan's love, and you
| will then be the one to weep. Pardon
me, it have again alarmed YOU
mo, Robert replied the young girl
much moved; mo, know not why, but
you no longer alarm me-
You know not why Lucy, but l know
You now recall to mind the ardent
words OF passion; they no longer seen
terrible to you, you long for them you
love them !; but you would fain heal
them from other lips than mlne-fron
those OF Allan Macdonald. He will nevel
utter them, and that will be my revenge.
The Banshee, the first and principal o
Irish superstitions, has variety o
forms and customs. At one time she ii
an old woman, dressed in black witt
fieshless and llvid features; at another
she is white phantom, with pale bu
youthful countenancs. Her garments
are sometimes of the color which pre-
dominates in the armorial bearings o
the house to which she is attached. Re
Gently, when the castle of Thames wat
destroyed by fire, the Banshee OF th'
O'Neill family was beheld on the princi
pal towers, and short time before 1t tel
she displayed all the signs of the mos
unbounded despair. The McCarthys
the Sullivans. the O'Reardons and othe
ancient families, at this day impoverish
ed or extinct, have each had their Ban
shee. atIr
The betrothed maiden wept. .Ea
oh, do not weep yeti said Robert. Il
is too soon now to shed tears; wait oil
these gloomy shores until Macdonald
becomes your husband
Leave me-your words kill me- re
piled Lncy. sy.
Sho extended her hand to him in tokel
OF farewell. Robert bent his head re
specttully, raised her hand to his lips
and withdrew. ...............
Allan had seen the kiss from dis
tance, but had not heard the precsdin.
dialogue. He approached her with
gloomy air. .t..... D. -.gf
IF he could but be made jealous
thought the heiress. and then, address
ing Macdonald, she said:
How love the spot
The bridegroom, at first astonished
soon regained his habitual calmness
close observer, he had OWNED Lucy
intention, and it was evident that sh
would not have addressed to HIM thi
triumphant exclamation ifher conscienc
seriously reproached her. lie, therefore
replied with smile: .
Il can easily fancy that this spot de
lights you; 80 full as it Is OF poetry ant
Imagination -.f
Lucy and Allan once more mounte,
their horses. Feeling indignant and an
noyed, Lucy remained silent.
The hour fixed for the wedding ha,
struck, and the heiress of Rathdown re
paired to the parish church. Her dres
and her beauty were equally dazzling
The language of Macdonald, inspired b,