Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-12-27

some glances and signs, while her head wa
purposely held down and then they re
!, tired to whisper at the outward door
Fervently did she pray, although the
prayer involved an unchantable contradic
, ton, that, influenced by the hope of plum
der she had held ont, their resolves not to
lei her depart for the night mi ght be
changed. And perhaps her plan took
effect.
In short time they rejoined her; and
after few ordinary remarks. said, by the
way, that she might do we'll to " take a
start OF the road, sfore the coach, Just as
she was saying of it; and they wished
her safe to Dublin, anyhow; and they
hoped she would keep her promise, and
come see them on her way home again.
Without discovering any extraordinary
Joy at this concession, Peggy bid them a
steady and cordial goodbye; engaged her
bed for the next night; and it was not till
the very moment she was crossing the
murderous threshold that she feared her
face and futtered step might have given
intimation of the smothered emotions that
battled in her heart.
But again befriended by her extraordi-
1 nary presence of mind, she checked her
rising ecstasy, and trod with q sober and
wayfaring step down the dark, tangled and
miry lane. When fairly launched on the
| broad road her breast experienced great
relief yet still she kept her demure pace,
neither faltering, nor looking back nor
about her, nor Vet sure OF the policy of
rushing into the first cabin she might meet.
Her heart whispered that the people of the
! abominahle house might have noticed her
parting struggle, and, after little refec-
ton, would perhaps follow her and put her
| to another trial.
To her left, as she walked along, was
some rather high ground, falling down to
the road, little cultivated, and crowded
with furze and briers. A struggling path
ran through it, parallel to the road,
but at some distance, and, she believed,
led to the lone house in the "bo-
sheen" Her eye kept watching this path
every step she took. The moon shone full
upon it SO as to enable her to discern any
near object. Peggy. her head down, and
her regards not visibly occupied, soon
caught figure rapidly striding along the
path. through the clumps of furze and
briers. As it abruptly turned towards
gap in the road.feuce, some yards before
her, she could ascertain that this individ-
ual was closely muffied in the common
female Irish mantle, holding, as Irish
women often do, the ample hood gathered
round the face. 60 That's not woman's
STEP" thought Peggy, as the figure issued
through the gap; land now this will be
the sorest trial of all. .
And, with her suspicious, well might she
say so. The gigantic resolution OF her
heart, so long kept up, had j1at begun to
yield to an admitted sense of relief she
had Just permitted her mind to turn and
scken on the contemplation of the horrors
she had witnessed and escaped an oppor
tunity at last seemed created for In
diligence of the revision and weakness of
her woman's nature-and now again to call
back her unexcelled philosophy /; again to
rally herself again to arrest and fix the
melting resolution to steady the pulse
throb, tutor the breath. prepare the very
tones of her voice; this, indeed, was her
sorest trial But it was her greatest too /;
for Peggy, assisted little by the shadows
of night, came out of it still triumphant.
"God save you - began the person in
the cloak, in female voice. Peggy gave
the usual response with a calm tone. Are
YOU for travelip' far, a-roon: Z" continued
the newcomer. She said she was going to
Dublin. I'm goin' there myself, an We
mays well be on the road together"
with all my heart, Them" answered
Peggy, and they walked on side by side.
"You're not OF these parts, ma colleen, by
your tongue" resumed her companion.
Peggy assented. An how far did
you walk to-day, a-chorra?" "Not far;
not a step to-day only from house In
bosheen behind US few minutes ago.
"What house, good girl do you name
the slate house that stands all alone in the
middle O. the lane % Peggy believed that
was the very one. "Lord save us ! what
bad loock sent you there?" None that
l know of why ?" F" 1t has bad name.
as hear, among tue neighbors, and nd
be the last place myself nd face to for the
nights rest. "Well, a-roon, it's only
a Christian turn to spake of people as we
ind 'em /; l have nothing at all to say against
the house an may be it won't be long till
see it again." That's bould as
well as hearty of young girl like you.
Did you come across the woman o the
house!" q Yes, and met good treatment
from her; the good tey, and good dinner
everything of the best 6 But what kind
of bed did you get from her, a-hager :"
continued the catechist, speaking very low,
This threw her off her guard. She
shrieked, and broke from her companion,
who, as she ran, fast pursued her and the
persons real voice at last sounded IN her
ear. "Stop, Peggy Nowlan, or rue it l
know what you think OF the bed you got
now!"
The road suddenly turned in an angle;
Peggy shot round the turn as her pur-
euer Uajped IN her she heard the noise of
feet approaching in a quick tramp, and
guard of armed soldiers, headed by two
men in civil dress, and followed by post
| chase, met her eyes at a short distance
she cried out again and darted among the
soldiers one of them caught and held her
from falling, and she had only time to
say Lay hands on the murderer p when
nature at last failed, and Peggy's senses