Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-30

had an eye to blast what he looked upon.
and feathers to his beard. instead of hair,
it was you who laughed with scorn, and put
shame in me that had never laughed like
wise. And it was your word that on Christ
mas day no fiends or unnatural powers could
prevail against Christians who were after
taking the blessed sacrament before sunrise.
And it was your own word that you would
come with me and go the length Of the oak
wood and the hollow. And why should you
be saying now that dispute with you?'
A lull had fallen upon the STORM The
monk laughed. but made no answer. This
was rot 10 Turloghs liking.
You say you gave me warming he de-
clared. putting his foot forward to rise.
And it is my reply that cannot remember
it. 1 have in my memory only your prom
Use that If l saw malignant sights they
should do me no harm. And l have seen
you drive that terrible dog away with the
ease. I have no complaint to make. only
do rot know what you mean by your words
about 4 warming.
The monk looked down at him. a mirth-
less smile playing on his shaven lips.
You forget, then, my warning that If an
OMahony met on a Christmas day a
chieftain of another sect sworn in blood
feud against him and his people, it would
be very bad-oh. very bad, indeed. for him.
ooh, then, 1 have some memory of what
you are saying" returned Turlogh. in
thought Those were your words. but
they took no root in my mind. For our
man-witch here-and-"
and now it is of another natter called
out the monk, with a ring as of metal on
metal in his voice. On the instant, as Tur
logh bent his knee to rise, the monk drove
the spear into his right shoulder and
thrust him fiercely backward. prone to the
earth. The young mans legs were twisted
under him. and the monks sandaled foot
crushed upon his breast The thought of
resistance died in his brain, for his arms
lay limp. and he could not bring n hand to
touch the spear.
enticei here to defy" he said. The spear
head in his shoulder seemed to scorch his
flesh, but his thoughts We're the clearer for
the anguish of it. He watched the stubbled
jowl Of the monk, and looked to See beard
of feathers sprout upon it.
II would not be wishing you to die in
error" said the other. gazing with meas
ured wrath downward upon him. Il made
you to take the blessed sacrament this day,
that your soul might not perish, and | will
not suffer you to go out of the world like a
fool. in ignorance of why you are put away.
l am no witch or man enchanted. l am no
devil. l monk. I am Fineen. son of
Spellan, and Christmas day. one year
ago, I saw your father cleave my fathers
skull with battleaX. while he lay hurt in
his own bawn. and put the fire to Ballyfan-
isk. and drive our men over the cliff into
the sea, and lay the shame of unclean
beasts upon our women. And that is why
1 have come to keep this next Christmas
day with you, Turlogh. son of Fineen, and
that is why you will be saying your pray
ers now"
Turiogh looked hard at him and remem-
bered much. II was not one of the raid
he said, but l would not be blaming you
If you had come fairly to fight me and take
my life. My father was a strong man, and
he put his foot on the ODwyers. and