The Irish standard., 1888-07-14

Being Few Romantic Chapters
From the Life Of q County
Editor.
By JOHN q. KUsIoK,
GHrHoR or WAFER RR0wNIIEID, !" t.EfEI1m
LAKEMAN,' BANKER OF BEDFORD"
AND OTHER SroHtE&
kospyrsghted, 1883, By kh< A. NJ Re'legg Nsss.
paper CoEapany1

aV9pyvl9Hke0S 4o0es w Wv a. ~. AAessSvv ~se'~7
paper CoEnpanyl
The country was JnlcKly ssuued, anc Jo1
the first hour or two of his night ride he
heard the low murmur Of voices In and
about the farm-housas. At one the weary
plow-man sat on the front porch smoking
his evening pipe; at another pair OF lovers
were cooling upon the lawn; at third two
or three noisy children were playing prison
house, their shouts and laughter making the
weary traveller glad
20 D.. s:..es: the hum Of voices and scenes e
life died away. As night still more closely
enwrept the eartn in her sable mantle
quiet repose fell over the scene and all be-
came silence The farmer had cooled his
feet and was sleeping sweetly; the ploW-
mar had smoked his pipe and retired; the
lovers had separated with parting kiss,
and the merry childish voices were hushed
in slu1nber.
Only occasionally was he aroused from
his gloomy reveries by a restless dog run
ming out into the road to bark at the passing
stranger. Then he plunged into great
forest-coverod valley, and the boot OF owls
aud screams Of night birds grated upon his
nerves, causing him to shudder.
Having only forty-1uile ride before him,
daylight, Allen allowed his horse to jog
along quite leisurely, while his mind dwelt
upon the strange events of the last few
weeks, terminating in this enao5t extra
ordinary journey. How was he to account
fer his strange absence, and would he be
able 10 keep this visit asecret from the tall,
dark strangers Somehow he felt that that
tall, dark man, giving his name as K. Y. T.,
was bis enemy, and if he had been pursued he
was one Of the pursuers.
All night, over lonesome roads, through
dark forests and along silent lanes the
young editor continued his journey. When
morning dawned he was in sight of the VIII
Aage 'vhere he was directed to stay
He went to small hotel, where be gave
his horse into the care Of the landlord,
ordering the horse to be groomed and fed
and that break Fast be prepared for himself.
He slept most Of She forenoon, but at two
o'clock rose, and SITTER hearty dinner
called for his horse.
(Which way are you goin'2" the landlord
ssked.
"Bacl, honae~-up ths river" he answered.
ssDid We come from up the river?"
eyes, sir"
"Been out tradin'?''
sNo, sir. went to y town below here On
so,ue business, and T am now ON my way
back
Glad to escape SO inQuisllive {. man as the
landlord was liable to prove, Allen paid his
bill and mourning his horse galloped away
iu the direction of Turlcys Point,
Il no went straight ahead he would reach
sac Point long before night, which he did
net wish to DO, 81, coming Il, I. thick forest,
NE rode some distance into it, and there
sYaited until the sin had gone down and taa
sha{les,. OF twilight had begun 10 deepen,
xvhen he again resumed his journey.
allen was almost worn out with his long
VIDE at such unreasonable hours, and was
very glad when rs found himself once more
In the vicinity OF Tu,ley's Point It was
still early and not wishing to BIO seen by any
cns, ne rode around the village, entering the
Gid deserted turnpike sone distance above
IL. Here 1t was SC dark that he could scarce
See ,tn object three PAGES before him, but
he managed to find the path, and took the
horse to the very spot where he had found
Miua. and tied hin. to she same tree.
Hanger was ever; q lew moments ulore
soilsome journey.
Allen reached the turnpike, aud had just
stepped ont of the narrow path into it.,
when tall dark form sprang upon him.
Before he could make az effort to resist, he
was seized by the shoulders and hurled to
TIE earth. 4 hand clutched his throat and
sharp bright blade glittered in the star
Sight above him, while Voice almost sti.
fled with hate, Kissed in his ear.
IL T1ia NY, dnc.ni