San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-03-03
CHAPTER XIV.

rible news, ma amp says old Timothy, trot'
ting into the breakfastroom at Moyne the
following morning, his face pale with excite
ment.
you alarm me, Ryan, what is it"' says
Miss Priscilla, laying down her fork.
''Oh, it's beyant everything, ma'am! Oh,
the blackguards O. the world! 1t was last
night, miss, it happened. The ould Squire,
there, below, was sittin' in his library, as
paceable as We place, ma'am, when they
fired bullet at him, an shot him, an
wounded Misther Brian-No, be the pow
ers, b'lave Pm wrong; they kilt Misther
Brian an wounded the Squire; an there's
the greatest commotion We liver see down
below, miss"
For one awful moment Monica thinks she
Is going to faint. A mist rises between her
and Timothy's face; his voice sounds far
away, in the next county as it were, and
then ceases altogether. Then sharp sting
Of pain rushing through her veins rouses
her, and sends the blood back with tu-
multuous haste to cheek and neck and brow.
The pain is short but effective, and is indeed,
nothing more than pinch of pronounced
type, administered by the watchful Kit,
with promptitude very creditable to her.
HE is exaggerating," says the astute Kit,
in subdued whisper apparently addressed
to her plate. Don't believe him; take cour-
age; and, at all events, remember their eyes
are upon your Her tone is great with
mystery and kindly encouragement More
revived by it than even by the pinch, Moni-
ca takes heart of grace, and listens with
maddening impotence for what is yet to
come. CHANGING at Miss Priscilla, she can
see that her aunt is as pale as death, and
that her hands are trembling excessively.
Miss Penelope is looking with anxiety at
her, whilst trying to elicit the truth from
Ryan.
'Collect yourself, Ryan" she says, severe
ly. "Who was killedY'
mo one outright, Pm tould, miss-but-"
'Then who is wounded?'
THE bullet went right through them,
miss"
Through both! But that is impossible. L
Timothy; all this is most important, and
upset about it. Through whom did the bull
let go?'
1.-THE Guild Squire an his nephew, miss"
Through their bodies?" cries Miss Pene-
lope, throwing up hope and both her hands
at the same time.
mo, ma'am, just between them, as it
might be between you an Miss Priscilla
now" He illustrates the real truth as he
says this.
"Bless me, mani sure they weren't touch
ed at all So" says Miss Penelope.
mo more they were, miss. Sorra bit,
praise be"
Then why did you say they were killed?'
says Terence, Indignantly, who has been
stricken dumb by the appalling fate of his
dear Desmond.
AN sure how much nearer could they be
to it? What saved thin, but maybe the
hitch Of a chair? Oh! wirrasthrue this dayv'
says old Ryan, beginning to cry.
'Timothy, sit down directly. Terence,
get him glass of whisky" says Miss Pene-
lope. Now, don't excite yourself, Timothy;
you know 1t is very bad for you at your age.
Take time, now. Collect yourselfP
Have the assassins been discoveredP'
asks Miss Priscilla, in trembling tone.
mo, miss. But I'm tould the polls is very
eager afther 'em."
"Was nobody hurt, Timothy?"
mo one, ma'am."
Here Monica feeling the relief greater
than she can support, gives wayto dry but
perfectly audible sob.
Don't be afeared, miss, DEAR" says old
Ryan, with heartfelt but most ill-judged
sympathy; ''the young gentleman is all
right Not a single scratch on him, they
say; so you needn't be cryin' about him,
honey"
miss Monica is in no wise anxious about
Mr.. Brian Desmond" says Miss Priscilla,
recovering from her nervousness with as
much haste as though she had been subject
ed to an electric shock. "She is only dis
tressed-as l ANDY these lawleSs proceed
ings."
IAN we hear they're bOycotted, too,
ma'am," says old Ryan, still oppressed with
news that must be worked off. John Bile
man, the baker in the village they always
dealt wild, has been forbidden to give 'em
another loaf, and the butcher is threatened
if ne gives em joint, an the ClOnbree BUTCH
er has been telegraphed to also, miss, an
there's the world an all to pay!
do you mean that they are going to treat
him as they did Mr.. Bence JOnes! says
Miss Penelope, Indignantly.
''Troth, believe so, ma'am."
evil Mr. Brian have to milk the cOwS?'
says Terence, at which astounding thought
both he and Kit break into merry lau Inter
until checked by Monica's reproach!ul gaze.
How can they laugh when Brian may be
StdTping7
Fax, it's awful, miss; an, the ould man
to be wantin' for things nOw,-he that allus
KEEP fine table, to spake truth of him, and
liked his bit an sup amazin', small blame to
him. I'm thinkin' It's hungry enough he'll
be now for the future, the crathur! Oh,
wirra! wirrar' says Timothy, sympathetic
ally, as he SHAMELESS toward the door.
When he is gone, Miss Priscilla turns up
on Terence and Kit.
II must say, think your mirth at such
time unseemly," she says. II am glad Mon
lea takes no part in it. Terence, did you go