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


guage. He thought to move her, and
never before listened to such strong ex-
pessions. Ideas before unheard of and
incomprehsnsible to her were Tor the
first time presented to her mind. and she
shrsnk in terror from them. The excess
OF his passion chilled her. ''
Tie entrance Of her father interrupted
the conversation; he stepped toward
her and appeared prey to the most
fearful agitation. HSlf-articulated words
fell from his lips; his look was haggard;
his limbs no longer supported him. and
hs sank exhausted on chair.
"Luy," he exclaimed. 1.-THE Ban
shee!'' .f... ..'...'- a..5 p
A deadly pallor overspread the coun-
tenancs Of the heiress; she had COM
prehenied the fatal news.
"Whst! the Banshee?" ."7-
"H;.s appeared" ..--)
''Is it possible-and when?"
"Jus. now" --F- l-.-- 4....;..
"Whsre, my father?" ..g...
''In the great tower. You know the
window? Well, I have seen her with
my own eyes and by the light Of the
moon" - s.'1 -n7'-a - f.......-
"The Banshee!-great heaven!" ''. ..
"She herself! As usual she wore her
fatal white robe, or rather her winding
sheet Her long reddish locks doated
over her shoulders; she wrung her hands
with every appearance of despair. l
heard her lamentable cries; it IS death
death that she announces" H"'--.
Lucy stood motionless. g. g. -..,
my daughter" continued the lord
of the castle, ga tomb Is about to be
opened here. God grant it may be
minep o.. ... 4 -
What was the cause of this alarm and
CONSERVATION in Rathdown Castle2 The
mystery may be thus explained. The
Banshee in ireland ls an evil-boding
guardian spirit attached to the destiny
OF the ancient uUusoo OF tho Kingdom
Each noble family has its Banshee to
watch over it. As long as happiness
abides with the beings she protects, she
is invisible and dumb; but as soon as .
misfortune. calamity, or death is
about to befall them, the Banshee ap-
pears weeping. A shrowd is wrapped
around her. She pours forth her des-
pair in plalntive groans, and catastro-
phe Is the certain result.
Lucy on the following morning was
by the side of her beloved father. She
had passed the whole night prey to
the most poignant anguish. Was she
about to become an orphanP Or was
she herself doomed to perish2
"My father" said the young girl, s.the
Banshee may perhaps have appeared
only to warn us from the great danger.
The calamity with which she msnaces
us may not perhaps be death. Such q
case has occasionally happened, has it
not?"
"Seldom. Lucy. seldom!"
81 would fain in this moment of peril
acquaint you with every secret of my
heart. The young Irishman whom you
have received within these walls, Rob-
ert Kennedy"
Proceed s=.
He alarms me-" ....
'.Is it possible?" But he adores thee,
my child. He cherishes but one desire,
that of devoting his life to thee. Rob-
ert is young, wealthy and handsome" +"
Would you have chosen him for my
husband?"
He appears worthy Of thee. Would
thou reject him?" ..-
"Yes, my father; his heart Is noble, l
am aware, but his character is violent.
He loves me, cannot doubt it; but with
frenzied passion"
| Then he displeases theem -"
"No. my father. feel myself on the
contrary attracted toward him; but there
is at the same TINA something in him
from which recoll. He fascinates, and
vet terrifies me. I have reflected, and
l will not wed him. ....
"Stlll, dearest child, am more anx-
1ous than ever that thou shouldst marry.
A warning has been given, and 1 would
not die without securing thy future posi-
ton in life. Has thy heart made no
choicep"
| II think moi, my father. Nevertheless,
among the young lords who have come
hlther to visit the banks Of the Dargle
and the cascade of Powerscourt, have
remarken Allan Macdonald"
"Thc Scot from the Hebrides! In
truth l know he is at this momont IN
Powerscourt Castle with friend Of his
family. Allan Macdonald is certainly
the handsomest OF Caledonla's sons. His
reputation is blameless. his fortune large,
his name illustrious, and we're he to ask
thy hand" .....
"My father, he has already done so.''
"What? You have met, them"
Frequently, on the banks of the Oar.
gle. You know how fond am of riding
over our mountains; one morning, when
l was on the rocky platform which over
hangs the torrent, l found Allan Mac.
donald there"
"And there he told thee he loved thee
in ardent and glowing language"
mo; with gentle and tender looks.
Allan is q contrast to Robert. He does
not give vent to his love IN passionate
expressions he restrains it. One would
say that his heart beat slowly, but its
pulsations may on that account be the
stronger. Roberts heart beats far toe
| quickly; the least violent is the safest. u
docs he propose asking thy hand in
marriage!'
II conclude So"
"Has he declared as much?"
mo. my father.''
| who, then, has told thee?'
His silence. Allan Macdonald has an
eloquent countenance Beside, the hea,
can often comprehend without the aid
OF words; the eye listens as we'll us the
ear. So. my father, though l have moi
positively heard it, yet feel that have
understood it.
We will see. Lucy; will watt
These words were scarcely uttered
when servant opening the door an
nounced Allan Macdonald.
In Il lew days tho news OF the ap