Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-03-08
MORA'S PERIL.
CHAPTER III.

his early attendance.
In the afternoon the Colonel aud / continued
our walk through the demcsne occasionally sit
ting down 10 rest upon the trunk OF some fallen
tree, or moss-covered stone on the margin of
the river: selecting points commanding beauti-
ful views Of the stream aud glen, through
which Il took Its devious course. The water In
the pools was as clear as crystal, and we could
sec the lively trout In great numbersdisporting
In their pellucid depths.
Seating himself under the shade Of a venera-
BILE oak, my host requested me 10 take seat at
his side; he then said
''Yon have now, Mr.. Mervyn, become almost
member OF my family; and living, as 1 hope
we shall do, upon the most familiar and conf
dental terms, think II right 10 mention that
my daughter Norah has, Of late, become an Oh
ject OF great solcitude "a me. During visit
10 Genoa last summer We formed the acQuaint-
ance Of an Italian nobeman, Count Albano, a
Young man 0f handsome person and pleasing
address. lie Is the owner of a beautiful yacht,
the fastest sailer in the Mediterranean, and
which generally lay at anchor in small bay
formed by the prOmontory OF Porto Elmo, with
In gunshot OF Al ancient castle, somewhat re-
sembling mine In extent and ruinous condition.
We visited II several times during our stay at
(ienoa, sailing thither in his yacht when the
wind served; or driving a!or.y tie beautiful
shores Of the gulf. A very small portion OF
the castle was habitable, and our friend Inform
Ell me that his family resided In one OF the
Grecian islands, and had not visited Porto Elmo
for many years.
continental society,"" he continued, sis such
that IL is impossible ~ satisfy oneself as TO the
antecedents OF all the ccquaintances one forms.
We met Count Albano In the best society in
Genoa, and also at Civita Vecchie, Naples, and
other places on the coast, and as We moved
along II during oar tour; and, In fact, II the
Counts yacht had been fitted up, us such yes
sells usually are, we probably should have
spent more time az sea than on land; but, al
though over one hundred tons burden, she had
only one small cabin for the owner, and seemed
10 have been designed for his exclusive enjoy
ment The Count ami his yacht occasionally
disappeared for few days, but he always re-
turned and renewed his assiduous attentions
10 Norah. It's impossible 10 deny that he is
an attractive person, and equally impossible TO
overlook the fact, which now regret, that she
was allowed 10 spend more time In his society
than, perhaps, was prudent on my part; the
result is that she became deeply attached TO
him, and on his proposing al engagement,
and acQuainting me Of their mutual affection,
| thought II my duty % speak frankly my SEN
uments ! told him that was about % return
10 Ireland and that, although ! would
prefer that my daughter should not
marry In foreign country, yet II he
could satisfy me that his fortune was sufficient
ly ample to justify my approval OF his union
with Norah / would endcavor to overcome any
scruples Of that nature. He assured Inc that,
although not wealthy, his income was such as
enabled him 10 aspire 10 her hand, of which he
would give me ample proof; aud we parted
with the understanding that a year should
clapse before the marriage would take place,
and that he was To visit US here this summer
In fact said my host, ~ expect TO see his
Yacht, the 'Gulnare,' anchor in the bay AT any
moment, "a Norah wrote TO inform him of our
arrival, and Of the difficulty Of approach by
hnd.n
thanked Colonel De Burgho for the conf
dence he had shown by making this communi-
cation TO me; and, although my heart beat
quickly during lts recital, and ! felt a jealous
pang of disappointment at finding that Norah's
affections were preoccupied, /, hypocrite that /
was, calmly expressed hope that nothing
would occur 10 prevent the realization OF her
anticipated happiness
ave must never reckon over confidently In
these matters, MerSyn,n he replied. II am
bound TO return the Counts hospitality; but
certainly will not consent to take him "a my
son-in-law unless he gives me ample evidence
of his ability TO support my darling Norah in
the rank in society L. which she belongs. The
British consul at Iivorno is an old friend Of
mine, and shall require that the promised
proofs shall be pronounced satisfactory by him;
In the meantime, have made You acquainted
with the present pO tion or matters. and we
must await the den uement with patience. OF
one thing am ASST red-\orah Is a dutiful and
affectionate daughter, and has promised me that
she will never marry Count AIbano without my
consent.
Here was feeble CLEAN of hope for Inc, and
! resolved TO keep guard upon my feelings,
but at the came time 10 watch closely the pro-
ceedings of nv rival, who, | felt convinced,
would turn out villain Of the deepest aye.
How true toe proverb
'"rrines. light az cir,
Are, 10 the Jealous confirmation strong
AS proof Of holy writ"
L.. 1u.tl.
the satisfaction and triumph should feel in dc
tecting aud exposing this, | felt certain, vile
imposter, who had dared to aspire TO the hand
of my beautiful Norah. never fort moment
thought OF the pain and sorrow she would nat
urally suffer; and vowed 10 subject his every
action to such a microscopic scrutiny as would
infallibly pierce through the mystery surround
ing his character and real position.
Colonel De Burgho arose from his scat and
we continued our walk. observed that the
extensive plantations had been entirely neglect
ed, and that they contained a vast quantity of
valuable timber which should be at once re-
moved for the sake of those selected to renal !.
Yes" said he ~ quite agree with you the
only prudent thing my father ever did, although
not done with view TO profit, but for the en-
enlargement OF game, was to plant great por.
ton OF this demesne, and |, during the entire
famine years, authorized my agent TO eXpend
the entire rental In additional planting In order
20 give employment TO the starving population.
ired acres of marketable timber; but the diff
aculty Is to get 1t TO market"
pointed out that as he contemplated con.
siderable outlay upon the castle
and estate the most profitable mode
Of transport would be to purchase two small
coasting vessels, and to cut and convey the tim
Der 20 the waters edge, ready for shipment &c
Cork and other ports where there was good
demand; the vessels bringing back the foreign
timber, states, etc, required for his purposes
Land carriage for either being quite imprac
tcable; this suggestion Col. DE Burgho al
once approved.
In discussing matters connected with the In
teresting science OF wood-craft, We arrived al
the castle In good time for our afternoon meal
and spent another delightful evening, as be
fore, In sailing on the bay.
The weather had hitherto been mild ant
calm. This frequently happens In summer OF
the west coast of Ireland, and Is apparentl,
vouchsafed as n compensation for the drear,
days of storm and fog that prevail through thu
winter months A week had elapsed since my
arrival, during which my intimacy with m,
hosts beautiful daughter Increased daily. Col
De Burgho and occupied the greater part o
our time In inspecting the grounds and estate
and In devlsng plans for their improvement
my professional skill and practical knowledg
Of the country here came TO his assistance. III
had been a keen observer OF the most improved
modes Of agriculture In Italy and the south 0
France, and many of his suggestions wer
admirable, but required for their successful
adoption the mechanical knowledge with whicl
was 40 conversant. We agreed that the wise
course would be TO sketch the whole campaign
the colonel ALWAYS used military terms whel
relevant--and carry out the subsequent move
msnts" when II was complete. BETTER" b