Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-04-25
GLEN ALLEN.
A Tale Of the Hated snxOn in County
Wicklow,


wicklow.
heavy mist hung gloomiy above the
peaks of the Wicklow mountains a damp
chilliness pervaded the atmosphere piles OF
sulen clouds lowered from the frowning skies
and narrowed the already narrow horizon a
veil Of moisture robed the meadows and dull
cd the clatter, up the uneven country road of
the approach of small band of mounted
dragons.
"Halt!"
Twas stern, sonorous voice-a voice that
would make you lift your eyes quickly and in
stnctively to scan the owner 1t proceeded
from stern firm, but handsome, lips. It was
enforced by the keen glitter OF pair of dark
gray, piercing eyes, by the majesty of a free,
commanding form, and by an air of native
power entirely unassumed.
The party drew up before one of those pret-
ty cottages that have so naturally sprung up
in the beautiful wilds of Wicklow. A rustic
gate stood half open, revealing q small and
tastefully laid out garden with neatly kept
walks, inviting the pressure Of the intruder's
foot. A porch, half buried in woodbine, low
windows draped in soft folds of white lace,
through which the eye might trace faint i'm
preston Of pleasant interior-these met the
gaze of Captain Howard as he pushed wide
the garden gate and strobe in. The slow, ir-
regular notes of harp, as though the player,
following vague fancy, wandered aimlessly
over the chords arrested for q moment the
advance Of the dragoon. With sudden i'm
pulse he turned backward to his men, and
merely saying "Wait till my return" he NOV
ed with measured steps TO the porch and
knocked.
1t was strange that in the few moments be-
tween his summons and the appearance of a
white headed domestic, the image Of sweet
fana he had M - I,.l
should present itself so forcibly to his imag.
nation; and stranger STILL that, as he lifted
his eyes from that glance into his own hidden
heart, he could almost swear the face looked
at him for an instant from the diamond -paned
window near. Slightly moved, he sauted the
porter by requesting to speak with the master
OF the house, at the same time gently insinu.
ating he would bear him company, as his
business was too urgent to admit of even the
delay of waiting for the gentlemsn's permis-
sion.
"'Deed, then, I'm afesred he'll be mad
enough with me for letting you come in un-
invited, may say" said the old man "but
come along-and never welcome you," he
continued under his breath, you Saxon
hound. See, sir, here's gentleman soldier
was in such hurry to see you he wouldn't
wait for me to bring in his name"
Seated in an arm. chair, reading or pretend
ing to read, by cheerful fire, the person ad-
dressed looked up, laid down his book, delib-
erately wiped his glasses, and, resuming them,
surveyed his visitor.
"Mlne is an errand much to my distaste,
sir, the dragon began. My intrusion would
be objectionable, only that stern duty brings
me here, and have no choice but to obey"
The occupant of the arm chair made an ef-
fort to speak, but, though his lips moved, no
sound escaped them. He was an elderly man
and very delicate-looking, with q nervous,
twitching, closing and unclosing of the hand
holding the spectacles. He motioned the
dragon to seat, and looked in his face again
interrogatively.
Captain Howard was Less and less pleased
with his mission. He was a naughty man,
but with a good and noble heart, straight
laced in outward GOODNESS and formality. He
was an Englishman by birth, and did not con-
slider himself bound on any ungenerous cru
sade when he offered his services to the gov
ernment for the purpose of quelling the Irish
insurrecton.
But taking the field and playing policeman
are two different thngs-at least, so Captain
Howard considered and it was with morti6-
cation he found that the role of dragoon cap
tain in Ireland was at that time more than
half police exercise. Registering an inward
VOW to resign his commission at the first op-
portunity, the captain returned to the object
of his mission.
''This place, is II not called Glen Allen2"
The old gentleman motioned assent.
Unfolding document the captain contin-
ued
The government having had information
that in this house is concealed a notorious
rebel for whose capture a large reward is Of
fered, am deputed to search the premises
and ascertain the correctness of the informa-
ton"
The old gentleman, rising in a stately man
ner, sgnihed his willingness, and with a strange
repugnanoe to the performance of the duty,
Captain Howard ordered from the doorway
half his men TO surround the house and ar
rest any one attempting to escape, the re.
maindor to enter the house and await his or
ders.
While the search progressed he stood with
arms folded and gloomy brows or followed
mechanically from room TO room. Suddenly
his gaze fastened on a picture-an oil paint
ing-of brown-ringleted girl with soft, ha.
eel eyes, ohildlike in their candor and inno-
cenoe, and sweet red lips, occupying the place
of honor over the mantel shelf. II was the
face that had haunted him for a twelvemOnth
tho face OF girl whom he had met in Lon.
don society, had followed Intellectually, aud
had loved unreasonably 1t was face he had
uuhhohl1 ioob hlBuN oii hhh houBuN III VAIN
til now. He learned from the old man that
it was the picture of a relative at present stay
ing with Lin. With unoonccaled anxiety the
captain requested to be allowed to SEQ tho ori-
ginal of the portrait, and the old gentleman
humoring his visitors strange fancy, left the
room and returned presently with young
lady whose extreme pallor was heightened by
her dress of deep mourning and the melan-
choly Of her soft Lazol eyes. At sight of the
stranger a faint blush dyed her cheek. Cap
tain Howard, much agitated, advanced, and,
taking her hand eagerly, convinced himself
by her recognition that his fair London ao-
quaintance stood before him.
"How came it lost sight of you 30 entire
ly after that brief London carnival, he said,
''and how is it find you here in this con-
Vulsed country-in this solitude 2"
For the first question can answer, there