The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-02-12

He was a man OF giant stature, |
straight and massive as tower, with |
snow white locks and pale-blue, piercing |
northern eyes. An expression OF hauteur |
redeemed his rough-hewn features from
vulgarity, and he had well-earned the
respect Of master and mates by his nauel-
cal skill and the scrupulous fuihllment
of his duties.
As Edgar Arden demanded the nature
Of the peril which threatened them, the
old man answered sternly:
"Many brave ship has laid her bones
at the foot OF yon black rock. Theres
current that runs like mill race 10 the
rock-it has got grip of our keel by
now. and we're but leaf in the storm"
Tho boding words struck heavily on
the hearts OF the men; eye sought eye
blankly; they were weary and faint
from the toll of the day.
But Arden's CHEEKY voice rang out
again.
awhile there's life there's hope" cried
he. any stout men know no rear,
and we're all brave swimmers. see an
inhabited fort on the rock, and II our
ship must go to pieces the people VIII
| doubtless be on the lookout for the poor
castaways"
The half-drowned sailors burst out
with rousing hurrah! Hope returned
when Arden spoke, his gallant spirit In
| fused itself into every breast
| But Kenmore turned away with look
of chill unbelief, and fixed his eyes upon
the isle, which was swiftly looming near
err. Gradually his stern features soft
ened, and his keen eye filled with gentle
emotion.
Farewell farewell !. unhappy Dun
raven" Edgar heard him muttering:
"I,ve seen the curse fall upon you, but
I'll never see it lifted. Farewell, fair
injured ladyl ye will tarry long for leal
Kenmore, as ye've tarried for deliver
unce; they will not come! Farewell to
you, proud Ooava, child OF sorrow! In
vain do your starry cen shine o'er the
lonely main, till q strong hand opens
your cage We Gamma win out! And what-
e'er comes to lady and child, | shanna
be there to see; for old Kenmore Will
come again no more! no more!"
Arden listened to this weird outburst
with indescribable amaze. o strange look
on his face 1t was not only that he
was astonished at the revelation OF a
passionately loyal nature in this unbend-
ing old salt, or at the pure and poetical
language which he used, enhanced as 1t
was by that plaintive, musical intona-
ton which is only to be heard north OF
Inverness.
He listened to the wild lament, and
watched the scant and bitter tears OF
, old age that started to the old mans
eyes; and in spite of the peril OF the
, moment, sudden fiery curiosity pos
|. sessed him; he felt as If he could not die
until he had fathomed this amazing
, mystery.
When Kenmore had ceased to SPEAK
and was sinking into mournfuf reverie,
Edgar abruptly addressed him,
"What do you know OF Sleat-na'
! Vrecken?"
!, Kenmore started and met his eye:
! sternly.
81 was born upon Sleat-na- Vrecken-
, ay. and it looks as II / wad cen die a.
its foot!" replied he.
"Than you know all about it?" sale
q the young captain, eagerly; "you know
: whether the tower upon its summit Il
not called .Dunrayen Tower eh?"
Kenmore's stern face grew fierce, nj
beetling brows met over his nashln;
ewes in sudden black scowl.
! aWho spake of Dunraven?" growle
he.
"Ah, / remember nowl" cried Edga
. in great agitation; "my lords chart o
= his domains-the little islet in til
- northern seas, / saw it in print, but
'. never heard it pronounced before, and tn
- name of the town was Dunraven!" Ill
- hurrying thoughts went on in silence
IL an incredible revelation was opening
him: he was stunned by it. He ha
= conned over the great chart OF Incl
canes possessions with the earl for II
, o structor: and there he had seen the tin
: islet Sleat-na- Vrecken crowned by Dur
N raven Tower.
!" "A wild place that" he had sait
:, laughingly; show do you pronounce 1t?
- And my lord had moodily passed 1t b
~ unpronounced, and his voice had sounde
u, unnatural when next he spoke, upon
~ far different subject.
- And now this Kenmore was lamentin
20 the fates of an injured lady who wou
- look in vain for her leal Kenmore, ar
- of proud Oolava, q child of sorroN
';s whose cage door would never be opent
a,s to set her free until some strong har
~ came from afar! And "Arden OF Inc
"a cape" thought of the beautiful brit
who had died abroad five years ag
inn to the utter spelling OF his kinsman
~ life; ana of Lord Inchcape's ia
~, daughter who was supposed to be st
on at her education on the Continent; al
90 90 it struck him like the lightning's fla
' that he had found them-that they we
-. in wonder Tower Of Dunraven!
90 "Tell me-" he said, imperiously, layi
80 his hand upon the pilots shoulder, Nv
IN dwells In Dunraven Tower?"
al Kenmore was mute; he gazed in t.
he young mans face with fierce curiosit
81 see the flag flying from the turre
an cried Edgar, $50 / know that memt
N. of the family is there. Who is 1t, ma
mic / command you to tell mel have
ZEN right to know"
bis Kenmore looked at the imperious you
III gentleman from head to foot, and
nd smile was grim as death.
mo aMaybe it's the lord himself,
,in, youchsafed to say at last.
mo! no! You know 1T IS not,
~ claimed Edgar. "Why should you !
ey- to deceive me?"
I'll aHonored SIR" quoth Kenmore, dry
~ aft We wad excuse the freedom v
liz submit that We had better be saying y
inr prayers, gin we a. gang to the oottt
10, ,ua than peering into matters that conc
and We not!"
he @That's all you know! / may hav
deem interest in this matter Come, o.
ted your stubborn mouth, and tell me VIII
the want to hear
the aMay my tongue rot in my stu6o
-om mouth before speak the words'"
try. claimed the old man fiercely.