Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-04-29

rade failed her? No-a thousand times
no! So, with u tremendous effort, he
conquered his dread.
Mary, darlin'. is it you? he faltered.
1t is. league, dear; it is
An what is it, Mary, that's keepin'
you frae your rest? Sure you had the
priest, an he gave you the visticum?'
The voice be knew so well answered
in accents that pierced his heart.
There's nae rest for me. l flew up to
the gate of heaven, but wouldna be let
in, au' I'm fiyin' about the world in the
cold an the rain, or lyin' aback O thOn
thCrn bush. Think on me, league, in
the night time when you ones is COM
Portable by the ireside, an pity me an
help me for the sake of We'sr old friend>
ship
Help your cried the poor man, sure
I'd gle my hearts blood to help you; but
how is it to be done? An why wad you
no be let into heaven, good livin' wo+
man like yOu?'
'Ill tell you, league replied the spec
tel; that's what Fm here to tell you. It's
true that went about my duty regular,
and knelt wi the congregation in the
chapel Sunday after Sunday, an was
respected for a good livin' woman, but
in all my lifetime L never prayed. My
lips would be movin', but my thoughts
would be far away. When L was a
young girl Id be thinBin' of my sweet
heart or nay dress or the dance at the
fair; when | was married woman Id
be frettin' about the childer, thinkiD'
are O. them would fall into the ire or
another would be drowned in the well
when l was out, an when l was old
there was frets an anxieties still; but,
anyway, in all them years L never pray>
ed, so Gamma be let in
Mary, Mary, poor soull What is it 1
can do for yep
Listen, league. Go to his reverence,
Father Dan, an pay aim to offer up two
masses for my sinful soul; but the mon+
ey-'
The money, Mary? It's here. touch
ing bis pocket, aye, if it was twiste as
much-it's here. But how will l know
that the masses is accepted, an that
yell be let into heavenY
The figure began to fade away, and the
voice was fainter.
If am forgiven, the night after the
second mass is said for me I'll come
to you in the form of white bird, an
I'll stand in the window. at the foot of
your bed, an sing you beautiful hymn
before fly away to heaven
The voice died away softly, and, just
as they reached the fax mill the figure
Weary though league was
that night, he went straight to the priest
after supper and told him the strange
tale. Father Dan took the money and
promised to say the masses, encouraging
league to hope that all would be well
with Mary.
Come back an tell me if she appears
to you again. said be.
Some days later he had second visit
from league.
We'll, my good man. he began. did
you get any word from that poor soul?'
4 did, your reverence-I did,
And how is it with her now?'
Thanks be to your reverence an the
Lord, she's gotto her rest nowl 1t was
in the night time, an Was lyin' on my
bed, the blessed rosary il nv hands, pray
in constant, when / hrar0 the futteIin'
o. wings at the vince ", an then beau
tiful hymn, like ane o trem hymns that
IS sung in the chanel II Easter Day, was
sung, an so l knowed Mary was going |
to beaven.'
Did she speak. Teague?'
'Feen a word. The hymn sounded |
fainter an fainter, till it was like a wee
gentle sough o wind "ff the Lough, an
was conient in my mind to think that
Mary was at rest
The flax mill OF the Mulroy road was
the scene of ant thtr gh,'stly appearance. |
The reader must transport himself in |
across the ferry opposite |
the mill to the farms living beneath the
hills, from whence there was good |
view of league and Mary's house and
The wild range of mountains behind it. |
Rose Dillon was the prettiest girl in |
The whole country. and she had many |
admirers among the rich farmers any
one of whom would have pleased her pa
rents better than the suitOr she chose. |
James Majilton was a handsome young |
man, but he was not rich-he had only |
the flax mill and poor small farm and |
three cows. How yexatious it was that |
Rose should set her affections on him, |
when she could have been mistress of |
slated house and fourteen cows
Father Dan was eDtreated to use his |
influence, and he did say word or two,
the advantages of Mike
and Sam, Teddy and John. But it was
all to no purpose. Rose blushed and
persisted in clinging to James.
Put your commands on her, your Rev
erence; she wilma go against the church,
said her father.
No, no; that is not to be DONE replied
the priest. James is good boy-he pays
his dues regular, an is diligent at his
duty, an obedieDt to hischurch. He de-
serl es good wife. Let Rose have him.
After that opposition ceased,of course.
and day was fixed for the wedding.
Plenty of corned beef and cabbage, ba-
con and eggs, tea and whisky we're pro-
vided; tive fddlers were engagd; the
neighbors were invited to the feast; and
all going merry as marriage bell, when
James was suddenly taken i'll. The priest
was sent for, and then messenger went
across the ferry to summon Rose Alasl
here was no time to say farewell. james
was unconscious when Rose reached his
bedside. To describe her wild grief
would be impossible. Hanging over the
corpse, she let her tears fall upon his
placid face, unheeding the grave reproofs
IF the women.
i l. A. n |