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


wear his figure was tail and well knit his
carriage manly and free. His fair face was
sunny with the look of youth. joyous with
the hope Of pleasure, and handsome in viz
tue Of his race. The thirteenth Earl of Ros-
Meath. he was the last of an ancient and
noble line. famous in the annals of history
Cor the bravery Of their deeds. and notable
IN the chronicles Of courts for the gracious
ness Of their manners.
All day the sky had been covered by gray
and threatening clouds. the atmosphere sun
less. heavy and damp, the air silent save
for the cry of wild fowl. and the sharp re-
mort OF a gun. Around and about for many
= mile stretching black and level TO the
dark horizon lay the moors. desOlate and
drear. No sight of man or mans habltation.
or scarce "A trace of civilization, was TO be
seen: herds Of goats and flocks of sheep
alone indicating that the land was not
wholly deserted.
But the scene had no power to damp the
Fpirits or lessen the ardOr of Lord Rosneath.
whose youth and spirits were proof against
Impressions before which more sensitive
and less Juvenile mind might have quailed
Moreover, being a stranger to the lands
which owned him as their lord, the place
had all the attraction of novelty; for, until
a week previously. he had literally never
set foot in the country of his birth. from
which he derived two-thirds OF his income
II happened that but month after his en-
trance into this world. his father was found
on the moors one wild and drenehing Decem-
her night stark dead. bullet in his heart
Rv whom the deed was done, or for what
end. was never known, and mystery dark as
the hour that saw him die settled over the
tragedy, nor did time bring revelations. So
soon as she was able TO travel. the young
widowed countess left Ballyculagh for Eng
land. where her only child was reared
And never since had she visited Ireland
until now that her boy had almost reached
his eighteenth year, when his guardians sug-
gested it would be well for him to visit the
home OF his ancestors and make acquain-
lance with his tenants Accordingly Lady
Rosneath and her son returned 10 the scene
which for her held "reminiscences of pain and
tragedy. For the present they were alone IN
Ballvcullagh castle, but before the first week
AZ September a goodly number of guests
were expected, for whom preparations were
already afoot.
On this August afternoon. when Lord Ros-
meath was returning from the moors where
ne had been shooting all day, he was ac-
companied by a lad but a couple Of years
older than himself named Andy Carly, to
whom he had taken fancy. Two OF the
young earl's favorite dogs. Nero and Pluto.
ran by their masters side as he walked
along the bleak-looking road, uneven, mud
DIV. full of ruts and lined by bitches. which
skirted the moors and led to the castle.
Though he had walked for over an hour
he had encountered neither man, woman
nor child, until. rounding a corner. he and
his companion suddenly caught sight of a
figure half crouching. half resting against
the ditch at the left-hand side, and sheltered
by a blackthorn bush, AS Andy Carty's eyes
fell upon this form he stopped abruptly,
and laid one hand on Lord ROsneaths arm,
as if to prevent his progress. Then looking
quickly round him, as if seeking some
means of escape. he suddenly sprang on the
ditch TO his right, where he beckoned his
companion to follow him, saying: Come
this way, me lord
''Why?" asked Rosneath, looking at him
IN surprise.
'Sure it's the shortest way to the castle"
II doubt that. Andy; besides, there's no
path. and we may get landed in bog. Why
not keep to the rOad?'
Andy lowered his voice. as he replied,
''For fear it's spakin' to her you'd be. me
lord
Speaking to whomT' asked Rosneath.
still more amazed.
The witch of Rallycullagh. Sure there
she is afore your lordship."
What, a real, live witch!" exclaimed the
lad I'll be delighted to make her ac-
quaintance"
Andy jumped down from the ditch and
came to his masters side his face white
and his dark eyes shining with earnestness
An IS it goin' to speak to her you'd be?''
he asked.
Certainly"
Don't, me lord, don't. / tell you she's
not right. She never goes to mass or meet
round"
her" replied Rosneath.
But L tell you. me lord, you oughtn't
TO go near her." exclaimed Andy, with
touch of pathos in his anxiety. You, least
of ALL" he added in lower tone
How is that?"
Sure can't tell you: but take me ad-
vice. No harm can happen if we lave her
alone altogether" Andy urged with still
greater force.
Nonsense, Andy How can she harm
me. and why should she?"
That's best known to herself. me lord
Come away"
The lord of Rosneath laughed at his serv-
ants anxiety. and stepped forward with a
light heart and a smiling face. his dogs by
his side, not pausing until he came in front
OF the crouched dgure half hid in the shell
ter Of the blackthorn bush. Then looking
he saw a oman of tall stature, wasted to
attenuation narrow-chested, and stopped:
her yellow face long, gaunt. and haggard,
with many a line and wrinkle; her lips
thin, hard and cruel; her great grey eyes
luminous with the light of power and the
glare OF madness: far-seeing. weird In ex-
preston. startling. Iron-grey hair hung in
matted locks around her head. which was
halI-concealed by the hood of a cloak color
less from age and threadbare from wear.
Her long bony arms were uncovered. the
II5Ht hand clutched a crutch stick, whilst
the leIt was pressed TO her breast Seen be-
meath the bleak and trouble sky. sheltered
py the 0oughs of a blackthorn. with a
background OF desOlate moors stretching
into grey space, she looked a desoIate and
Uncanny figure
Andy. who had hesitated n annroacb
stood at some distance from his master.