River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-01-04
GLENN ALLEN.
A Tale ofthe Hated Saxon in County
Wicklow.


ing skies and narrowed the already mar
row horizon; veil of moisture robed
the meadows and dulled the CHATTER up
the uneven country road, ofthe approach
of small band of mounted dragons.
"Haltw
Twas stern, sonorous vo;ce-a voice
that would make you lift your eyes
quickly and instinctively to scan the
owner. 1t proceeded from stern, firm,
but handsome lips. 1t was enforced by the
keen glitter of q pair of dark gray pierre
ang eyes; by the majesty of a free COM
mandlng form and by an air of native
power entirely unassumed.
The party drew up before one of those
petty cottages that have 81 ma tural ly
sprung up in the beautiful wilds of
wicklow. a rustic gate stood half-open
and revealed a small and tastefully laid
out garden with neatly kept walks, invit-
ing the pressure of the intruders foot.
A porch, half-buried in woodbine, low
Windows draped in soft folds of white
lace Through which the eye might trace
faint impression of a pleasant interior
these metthe gaze of Capt. Inward as
he pushed wide the garden gate and
strobe within. The slow, irregular notes
of q harp, as though the player, follow
lng vague fancy, wandered aimlessly
over the chords, arrested for moment
the advance of the dragon. With
sudden impulse he turned backward to
his men, and merely saying, "Wait my
return" he moved with measured steps
to the porch and knocked.
Twas strange that in the fewmoments
between his summons and the appear
ance of a white-headed domestic the
image ola sweet face he had seen and
loved in another land should present it.
self so fOrcibly to his Imagination; and
stranger still that, as he lifted his ewes
from that glance into his own hidden
heart, he could almost swear the face
looked at him for an instant from the
diamond windows near. Slig htly moved,
ne saluted the porter by requesting to
speak with the master of the house, at
the same time gently insinuating he
would bear him company, as his bus
mess was too ur.ent to admit of even
the delay of waiting the gentleman's
permission.
''Deed, then, Pm afeared he'll be mad
enough with me for letting you come in
unlimited, | may say" said the old man;
A'but come along and niyer welcome
you," he continued under his teeth,
@'you Saxon hound. See, sir, here's a
gentleman soldier was in such hurry
to see you he wouldn't wait for me to
bring in his name"
Seated IN an armchair, reading or
pretending to read, by cheerful fire,
che person addressed looked up, laid
down his book, deliberately wiped his
glasses aud, resuming them surveyed his
visitor.
mine is an errand much to my dis
taste, sir" the dragon began. MY
intrusion would be objectionable, but
that a stern duty brings me here, and |
have no choice but to obey"
The occupant of the arm chair made
an effort to speak; but, though his lips
moved, no sound escaped them. He
was very elderly man and very deli
cate-looking, with a nervous, twitching,
closing and unclosing of tn. hand hold
iug the spectacles He mot;Oned the
4ragoon to a seat and looked in his face
again interrogatively.
Captain Howard was less and less
pleased with his mission. He was
naughty man, but with good and noble
heart, straight-faced in outward GOODNESS
tinued: 1.-THE government having had
information that in this house is con-
cealed a notorious rebel for whose cap
ture a large reward is offered, | am de-
puted to search the premises and as
certain the correctness of the lniorma-
ilQlA- AS Il 10y al man va ShlS ASHtAA- ~
to render all due assistance in the inves-
tigation."
The old gentleman, rising in a stately
manner, signifed his willingness, and
nd formality. He was an Englishman
by birth, and did not consider himself
bound in any ungenerous crusade when
he offered his services to the govern
ment for the. purpose OF
queiling, the Irish insurrection.
But taking the field and playing a po
liceman are two different things. At
least SO Capt. Howard considered, and
twas with modification he found
that the role of dragon cap
tain in Ireland was at the time more
than half police exercise. Registering
an inward VOW to resign his commission
mt the first opportunity, the captain re-
turned to the object of his mission.
''This place is it not called Glen Allen?"
The old gentleman motioned assent.
Unfolding a document, the captain con
with Il strange repugnance TO the per-
formance of the duty, Captain Howard
ordered from the doorway half his men
to surround the house and arrest any one
attempting to escape; the remainder to
entt the house and await his orders.
While the search progressed he stood
with arms fooled and gloomy brows, FOL
lowing mechanically from room to room.
Suddenly his gaze fastened on a picture
an oil paint ng of brOwn-ringleted
girl, with soft, hazel eyes, childlike in
their candor and innocence, and sweet,
red lips, occupying the place of honor
over the the mantel shelf. 1t was the
fJce that had haunted him for a twelve
month, the face of girl that he had met
in London society, had followed inetfect
ually and had loved unreasonably. Ii
was face he had suddenly los sight
of. and sought in vain until now. He
learned from the old man that it WAS
the picture "ofa relative" at present
staying with him. With unconcealed
anxiety the captain requested to be al
lowed to see the original of the picture,
and the old gentleman, humoring his
visitors strange fancy, left the room and
returned presently with q young lady
whose extreme pallor was heightened by
her dress of deep mourning and the
melancholy of her soft hazel eyes. At
sight of the stranger a faint blush dyed
her cheek,-Capt Howard, much agitated
advanced, and. taking her hand eagerly,
convinced himself by her recognition
that his fair London acquaintance stood
before him.
How came it lost sight OF you so
entirely after that brief Lond on carni-
val" he said, 'and how is 1t l find You
here in this convulsed country this
solitude"
"For the first question 1 can answer
Il ere is nothing more common than
for casual acquaintance, in strange
country, to meet, part, lose sight of each
other. unless some powerful incentive
remained urging Il pursuance of the ac-
ouaiutance. To the second l could an
ever, this is my native land-th Sc are
nv native hills, what place more meet
for nv residence?" she spoke half con-
temptuously, / If de family.
And your brother. the dark-eyed,
Ouixotic boy. Great God! "he mUttered,
s'it cannot be-"
A deadly pallor spread over the girls
face: she rised herself proudly. 10 her
full height and demanded. well, sir
what cannot BET"