The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-30
By FITZGERALD NIOLLOY.


What is that?" he inquired
That your father married his English
wife for her gold
You insolent old hag" the lad said, re-
sentfully.
But she couldn't buy his love. for twas
given to another, nor she couldn't purtect
mis- heart, for twas pierced by a bullet"
The lad redeemed with sudden anger and
modification.
If you were a man / would thrust your
lies down your throat" he said, but being
a withered old bag"
Not so Uithered nor so ould but that
thirty years ago / could gain a lovers
heart" she responded, her words followed
by hooking laugh.
The lad understood the insinuation. you
old beldame,' he began, in a tone of scorn,
as he drew back from her.
Have care" my young man." she an
swered, baleful light kindling in her eyes,
have care Or"
She raised her stick in a threatening ges-
ture, and as she did SO Nero fiercely sprang
upon her and seized her by the arm In a
second his master had him by the
throat and flung him to the ground, where
he struck him with his open hand upon the
head. The dog looked at him with re-
proachfui eyes and turned away
i hope you're not hurt" Rosneath said
to the woman, who stood unshaken,. calm
and collected during the scene.
For answer she held out her arm, on
which was spot of blood.
I'm awfully sorry. Can 1 do anything
for you?" he said
Neither YOU nor yours can do anything
for me- she replied bitterly.
He thrust one hand into his pocket, and
before she was aware of his action he had
given her some gold and silver. But the in
slant she saw the coins she Strengthened
herself and flung them at his feet
Il want nothin' from you save what
can have" she exclaimed in voice that
almost rose to shrek, whilst her form,
trembling from anger, seemed to increase
in size as she stood before him, furious and
menacing.
Lord Roseneath turned away and was
Joined by Andy.
IT'S sorry L am that you angered her,
me lord he said. mo good will come of
ii, fear"
Il didn't intend to vex her. She's a wick
ed old hag.'
THE whole country round has found that
out years ago. It's afraid of her the people
are, an the farmers lave butter and cream
at her door that she may save the cattle
from plague an when they kill pig it's
a ham they send her; an it's money others
give her that they may purtect themselves
and their crops from harm. but not one
would anger her for kings ransom"
That's what have DONE" said the lord
of Roseneath.
May God forfend you," answered Andy
solemnly.
AT that instant a shrill sound of laughter,
close akin TO a shrek. fell upon their ears
and made them turn. a faint wind was
stirring the blackthorn bush, and through
its boughs were seen the blood-red bars of
light lying low in the westward sky, but
beneath figure was visible. The witch
of Ballycullagh had disappeared.
That evening, after dinner, Lord Ros-
meath and his mother planned many amuse-
ments for their expected guests. The lad,
for obvious reasons, made no mention to
her of what had passed between himself
and the witch, and during the night the
scene held no place in his thoughts. They
retired soon after eleven had rung from the
turret in the great northern tower, and be-
fore midnight the castle was dark and
silent within and without.
The clouds had drifted into a dense mass,
the atmosphere was heavy and sitting, not
a tree stirred, not a sound was heard to
break the solemn hush, and Lady Rosneath,
weary and depressed, from what cause she
knew not, lay restless and sleepless in her
bed. She heard the clock ring out the
hours of twelve, one and two, and then fell
into sleep from which she was reused by
cry. followed by the appealing words,
Help! Help! Murder! Murder! Help!
1t was the voice of her son ringing
through the darkness. and the horror which
fell upon her gave her strength. In a Sec
ond she had crossed the corridor which
divided their apartments, and flung wide his
bedroom door, All was darkness, nor was
there a sound save for the quick painting of
one who struggled for breath.
'Richard," she cried out in a voice laden
with terror Richard, what has happened?
Where are you, my son? For Gods sake
speak,"
No answer came through the throbbing
darkness but outside she heard the foot
steps and voices of the servants, who next
instant entered with lights that showed her
son standing in the far corner, his face
scared like one who has seen some terrible
sight a haunted look in his eyes. Lady
ROsneath ran forward and flung her arms
around him.
Richard, my son, what has happened?"
she gasped.
As one just Weakened he glanced at the
frightened face beside his own and then at
the group of disheveled servants, his eyes
finally searching the room as if for some
thing he dreaded.
81 thought 1 was being strangled'' he
muttered; 'strangled By hand whose grip
was iron"
His mother shuddered, then looked at his
throat, on which there was no sign of vio-
lence.
a nightmare she said.
ut was more than that" he answered.
81 shall not be satisfied until the room is
searched
The fright that had come upon him in
the darkness had not yet subsidized; he was
unwilling to believe that imagination could
so strangely simulate reality. Though his
bedroom was carefully examined, no hidden
intruder was brought TO light nor was any
thing disturbed from the order it had pre-
scented when he retired.
You see," his mother remarked, you
have merely suffered from bad dream"
Yes. mother; but it was very real
to me-"
..rut you are convinced it was night