The suburban citizen., 1901-01-12

/
ly, however, magical change came
over him, for Una having regalned her
consciousness voice fell upon his ear
as sweetly clear as the enhancing
strains of his own harp. Again the
rose-like blush mantled her cheek,
while in her eyes of blue sparkled com
bined love, gratitude and joy.
From that hour Dermot was an al
tered man. His mind was ever
haunted by his own graceless form.
Morning, noon and night he sought the
shade Of the woodland dells and
glades, where legends had told him the
all-potent Leprechaun was to be found.
His face was haggard, his neglected
hair hung matted on his back; a fear.
full light flashed from his sunken eyes
Una's love for her preserver grew
more devoted as his wretchedness in.
creased. Yet the poor harper, mlstak-
ing her affection for mockery, as he
gaZed upon her fair face, would some
times strike his breast as If seized
with a sudden pang and rush from her
presence like a maniac, vending his
way to the thicket and the dell in
quest of the kind fairy by whose pow
er his uncouth form was to be ex-
changed for one of perfect beauty.
1t was a beautiful summer evening
that fell on Killlney, but DermOt, who
found himself alone on the hillside,
felt sensations very different from
those which might result from the
beauty of the scene. Before he had
reached the base of the mountain the
sun had long since been hidden from
his eyes, so that he was left almost
in utter darkness The struggling
light of the moon, however, suddenly
revealed to him a strange spectacle.
1t was the figure of a dwarfsh Great
ure, attired in scarlet from top TO toe,
seated on a moss.covered stone, with
In the shadow of what appeared to be
a species of tower. The little fellow
seemed to be busily employed In ham
mering away upon the sole Of tiny
brogan.
by all that's Fortunate" muttered
DermOt, "Tve tracked him at last--its
the Leprechaun himself" Trembling
with awe and bewilderment he eau
tiously groped his way to the enchant
ed spot Meanwhile the fairy, who
happened to be in a pleasant mood,
trelled a roundelay Of merry verses,
marking the time upon the sole Of the
shoe. But to his dismay an exclama-
tlon Of delight from an unexpected
quarter brought his song to an abrupt
| conclusion. For Dermot, having adj
vanced softly on tiptoe deXterously
whipped the little shoemaker from of
his bench and held him up triumphant
ly between his forehnger and thumb
as he cried exultlpgly:
"Ha, Ia, you're mine, mine at last
1 have you tight, my little man."
you're right you have" replied the
captured sprite. "Stll, it might be
better for yoursel- if you'd let me
loose, Mr.. Dermot O'Reagan."
do you know meT
"0f course, my man. You're mad
with love"
Imp" cried Dermot, you have the
power, l am told, to bestow beauty
and wealth upon me-"
"And suppose have. Why should
waste my precious gifts on a creature
like your
THAT l may win the heart of fair
Una Mcbride"
"a modest request, indeed" said the
sprite "And what is to be my reward
for such favor?"
Whatever you ask" replied Der
mot. my very life if you desire It,"
"Well Dermot, Ill not deny you,
for nothing would please me better
than to befrlend musical genius, and
l know there's not a harper fit to COM
pete with you in the four provinces,
but reflect a moment before you make
a rash bargain. Remember that fairy
gifts are things that good men fear"
II fear nothing but the loss OF Una's
love-" cried Dermot Keep me no
longer in suspense. Strike this vile
blemish from my back, give me form
fit to grace the noblest knight and
riches that I may feel myself worthy
to claim Una for my wife"
"'Tls DONE" said the sprite.
you are now changed in form and
face and here fix your gaze upon the
worlds master-gold yellow gold. 1t
is yours. 1t will buy you all-all but
the pure love Of a woman's heart. Co.
now, without delay to Una, and should
she consent TO be your bride when she
sees the knghtly plume waving on
your brow, call to mind my warning
her heart will prove as fckle as her
face is fair-but should she reject you