Delaware weekly Republican., 1884-07-31
IN, : = 4 - - =

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seem TO be familiar with the name"
"The Union would indeed be un
grateful TO one of Its bravest defenders
did 1t not. occasionally, through th
medium OF the press, grant BIN IL
tribute of praise" She was looking a
him now and smiling as only eyes ant
lips like hers could smile.
"You should by all means be Irish, ;
said the General, not being proo
against this subtle fiattery. +" You cal
compliment 30 we'll"
81 have not lost all my nationa
traits then 1t seems, though / had be
gun to think the dark waves of the
Atlantic must have swept them ava,
forever when they engulfed the form,
Of my parents and left me a stranger
In a strange land"
"You are not an American 2" said
the General, in surprise.
Not native born but ten years
residence here has pretty we'll natural
ized me, and obliterated my fondnest
for the green isle of my BIRTH"
:" II the story is not too painful ]
should like to hear something of your
parents death" said the General, seiz.
ing his opportunity of ascertainine
more of the life of this girl who had SO
strangely interested him.
"There is very little to tell" said
Miss Leroy slowly, leaning her head
thoughtfully on her hand and gazing
out abstractedly into space. In the
first place, you must know my father
was the younger son of an old but i'm.
poverished Irish family in the north of
Ireland, who were better known by the
battered, silver relies Of past greatness,
on their sideboard, than by an abnn-
lance of silver coin in their pockets.
While on n visit TO an old school-mate
he met and loved, with true Irish ardor,
lovely girl who was governess in his
friends family. They were married
and my father, who had always found
his profession of medicine barely
productive of his own support, soon
found 1t totally inadequate for the
maintenance of three. When L was
ten years Of age, and poverty was abso-
lutely staring us in the face, my parents
resolved to emigrate to this wonderful
country, TO better, If possible, their
fortunes. Accordingly they embxrkai
on vessel called the North Star, and
an unlucky star she proved to MS, for
when within hundred miles of the
American port she was overtaken by a
violent storm and made total wreck,
very few of the passengers escaping
with their lives, and among the victims
lost forever in the cold, dark depths of
the mad sea was my beautiful mother,
and the kindest father q child could
ever have.
At the misery and horror of that
terrible night, when they were torn
from my childish grasp, shall never
forget though live for 4 century Do
You know, there are times when I feel
q positive hatred toward the ocean.
1t stretches away there 80 fair. and
smiling and beautiful looking asthough
IL could harm nanght In creation. But
know just how treacherous and re.
morseless 1t can be when the winds
excite 1t, and when sitting alone / hear
it beat and surge or the shore, and
think that somewhere far down in its
hidden caves the bones of my loved
ones are bleaching, feel mad desire
to push back the waves and cav
: Peace, be still, to quiet forever their
restless etb and flow."
There was something strangely pa
thetic In the mournful cadence of the |
speakers voice. The General was
touched. Poor, little GIRL" he said |
laying his hand caressingly |
for an instant on the midnight waves |
Of her hair, yours is sad story"
" Some strange Interpolation of Pro
vidence saved me, a poor, helpless lit |
tie waif, and raised up friends for me
In the shape of kind Clergyman and
his wife, who had been travelling COM
panions with me on the ill-starred ship
and who were among the few survi-
vors. They had always noticed me on
shipboard and seemed fond of me-
they had no children and 80 they took
ne to their own home and educated
ne. Mr.. Durham's death occurred a
'ew years after and Aunt Silence, al
'hough but little blessed with this
world's goods, still kept me with her.
Now, however, by my own exertions, /
I'm able to provide for both her and
myself and pay back in part some of
he kindness she has ever shown to
me-"
What these exertIons were she did not
ay, and the General felt delicacy in
questioning her further.
There was long interval of silence,
Turing which Miss Leroy's gaze was
Ittentively fastened ON something in
ront OF her.
General" she said presently, "turn
'our eyes toward Congress Hall. There
$ a man standing on the piazza there
Who has been intently watching you
or the last ten minutes. Do you know
i'm ?'' nait
The General looked in the direction
indicated and saw short, thick set
nan, with DARK, nervous countenanoe,
Who was clad In a suit of light grey, ,
nd who stood leaning on HIS caue.
His face is a striking one and Is
ertainly strangely familiar, yet do
ot think know him." he returned,
fer prolonged look, during which ,