The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-12-10
(Chapter VIII continued. J


My prosecutions had ceased, my days
had almost forgotten my Cousins exis-
tence, when news was brought to me
that he had returned from &. long visit to
Dublin. little nervous, and anxious
TO ascertain il was forgiven, contrived
to drive past the inn where he resided,
and to catch a glimpse OF him face to
face His manner relieved all my fears
He seemed light hearted and merry. and
thought to myself HE is cured, and l
sha1st be troubled any more
That evening Mr.. Langford called upon
mo, and referring incidentally TO the fact
of my COUSINS return, again asked me to
become his wife.
'tYou know my decision | REPLIED
land really. your renewal of the subject
is q little monotonous''
s*Why do you still refuse to marry me?''
he asked, fixing those sad eyes of his
upon me. Do you hate me SO Inuch?'
's1f I hated you,' I replied, II would
not receive you hege;'' then laughingly
added, 81 really believe that my cousin
savage as he is loves me better than you
~'Why do you say that?'' he asked
Z" Well, he is thorough at any rate. He
does not hang after my heels and fetch
and carry. He is like one of the old
knights, who loved desperately and tried
to seize by force what he could not win
by favour AT any rate he is romantic!'i
1t was foolish speech, as the issue
proved.
Two days afterwards 7 drove into West
port and cashed a cheque at the bank
then, as the afternoon was fine. 1 deter
mined to drive over to Baliycroy, dine
with an old friend of mine, Mrs. Bourne,
and return home next morning / appre-
hended no danger, and had almost forgot
ten that had an enemy in the world.
The sun was low down in the western
sky when, leaving behind us the village
of Mulrany, we drove along the desolate
road which winds through the mountains
on Mayo, following the long arm or es-
tuary of the sea. beyond which rise other
mountains eliminating in the highest
peak of the. Island OF Achill. To our
right the mountains rose precipitously
into granite peaks, which shone clear and
distinct in the rosy light Not a sound
disturbed the solitude, save now and
again the cry of a sea-gull or the faint
"honk-honk' Of the wild goose winging
high up in the air.
Never had my heart felt lighter and
more fun Of peace.
Mile after mills we drove through the
solitude, and not one human being passed
us on the road. At last we cana in sight
OF the old bridge near Balyyeeny.
through which the river flows, emptying
itsaN into the salt estuary.
It's lonesome spot. your la0yship, %
said the driver turning to me and touch
Ing his hat. 1t was here that the boys
laid in wait for Lord Sligo's agent.
WHAT happened?' l asked, smiling.
We'll, sure they waited under the
bridge two nights and days. and Mr..
Smith, the agent, didn't come, and on
the third night, when he did come, they
were drunk as lords, and though they
fired at the car devil ha'porth of harrun1
carae of it; but the horse galloped off
with Mr., Smith and the driver, and
young Mr. Smith, q boy of seventeen,
jumped of wild his little small pea-rifie
and shot one of the men in the back just
as he was running over the brow OF the
hiu."
''Awae he killed?''
"Olane, and there he lay on his face
gripping his gun till DR.. Croley came
and found him, and afterwards young
hlr. Smith had to lave the country for
fear of his own life
SO saying, he whipped up the horses
and approached the bridge at rapid
trot.
BY this time it was almost dark, the
sun had gone down behind the mountains
Of Achill, and the shadows of night were
closing In on every side.
Suddenly without the slightest warn
ing, just as we were about to cross the
bridge, the figure CT man dashed from
the roadside and seized the horses, which
reeled back, almcsG oveTthrowlng the
Car. AT the same moment three other
laan, with klaokened faces, appeared at
my side, and before could utter 2 cry for
help l SAW the driver fall frorn his seat to
the ground and felt myself seized and
lifted from the car. 1 struggled and
screamed. but hand was placed over
my mouth and q rough voice cried
"Hould your paace'
Then, [ suppose, 1 must have tainted
away.
When 1 recovered my senEes could see
nothing. Some dark substance was flung
around my head and face almost suffo-
eating me, and was being borne along,
knew not whittier, in Il mans arms.
struggled wildly, tore the wrappings
aways and shrieked aloud. As did SO 1
saw the blackened faces OF several men.
The next moment my head and face were
again covered, and NY voice was smoth-
cred in thick folds.
''Keep silence, my lady!' said voice
eve don't want to harm you, hut wen
have to do II II Won ara not aisyi''
In spite of this warning l tried again
to call for help, bat it was in vain. Ter
rified and Mortified beyond measure
again sWGoned away.
On recovering d second time l found
myself still blindfolded, with lay hands
tightly bound. Then, listening intently
heard q sound like the splashing of oars,
and I realized in q moment that / was
lying in y boat of some sort and rocking
upon the wafer.
Suddenly the aouId cease d. voice