The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-03-18

"We're engaged to be married, sir,
she replied, blushing and dropping her
eyes; "but, poor as l am, I'd never
marry one who was so bad as to be an
informer.
"Ah, and so that's the kind Of girl
you are? Well, you'll have to postpone
your wedding-maybe for ten years.
He folded his arms and smiled grimly
as he said this
"She uttered great cry, for she
knew what these ominous words meant
Then she fell on her knees on the floor
and sobbed piteously. Stolid as he was,
he eyed her half pityingly.
"You said you had something to tell
me" he said. "Give over and let me
hear it. "
"Well, it's this" she replied, rising
defiantly - "that il you don't show
mercy to Jack Darcy his mad brother
will is sworn to have blood, and that'll
be today. He's sworn on the Bible to
kill the lord lieutenant--he's in place
where he can do it--and when he hears
that there's no chance for Jack he'll
shoot him. He was niver in his sinses,
sir, and the sight of the ould mother dy-
ing has made him mad out and out"
The officer started He stepped back
pace and looked at the girl sternly.
Her gaze met his unfalteringly There
was truth in her tear dimmed eyes.
"You are fooling me" he said stern
". "Do you think I'm a child to be
frightened at this old woman's story?"
"As God is looking at me, ," she cried
passionately, It's the gospel truth!
Now, I've warned you, and you know
what to do, "
81 cannot do it," he replied after a
pause my duty is TO keep my prison.
er. Now, go away"
She turned a despairing glance upon
his face. She saw he meant what he
said. All the dogged policeman's spirit
was written on his face.
"Well, I've one card left yet" she
said. "pll force my way somehow into
the lord lieutenant's presence and tell
him of his danger He'll surely grant
me Jack Darcy's liberty for saving his
own life. And while I'm at it I'll just
let him know what you and that villain
Talbot have just concocted between you.
/ overheard every word Of it"
"You shan't stir step out of this,
you jadep' he cried furiously. "You're
prisonerp'
He made a stride toward the girl to
seize her.
"Hold Oft Go back, on your lifer'
she retortod. "Another step, and I'll
blow you sky highI Seel Your internal
machinep
She had plucked the bomb from her
basket and held it ready to drop on the
hearthstone.
His face blanched instantly. Impul.
sively he retreated totteringly toward
the screen.
"Don't, for Gods sakel" he jerked
out. ~ give in Jack Darcy will be out
in an hour if you swear not to tell what
you know"
81 do swear it, so help me God, il
you keep your word, she replied. "But
I'll keep the bomb to prevent mischief. "
In moment she was gone. The chief
sank helplessly into a chair, great cold
USuuS VI I'lSpiibtipii SNohuihB Oh hi1
brow.
While this brief drama was being en-
acted the lord lieutenant and his lady
had been receiving their visitors.
Lady Montagu and her escort wors
of the party. She had been presented al
court, and therefore needed no formal
introduction now. Major Lascelles was
there by right as one of the viceroy's
aids Her Iadyship knew many Of the
party and was soon the center of bril
| liant circle.
Her beauty made her conspicuous
even in company Of women many o.
whom were famous for their graces
The lord lieutenant himself paid hel
marked attention, much to the chagrir
of Major Lascelles.
The clock struck 10. 1t was time fo
the vice regal party to appear on the bal
cony, according to immemorial usage.
ooh, I have lost my Shamrock crieC
Lady Montagu as the party moved for
ward. "Oh, what shall do for th'
dear little fiower?"
''If you will accept mine. you will
honor me by wearing it,, said the vice