The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-02-16

| His face was haggard, his neglected
hair hung matted On his back; 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. mistak-
ing her affection for mockery, as he
gaZed upon her fair face, would some
times strike his breast as If seized
with 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 q beautiful summer evening
that fell on kidney, 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 strange spectacle.
1t was the figure of a dwarfish Great.
ure, attired In scarlet from top to toe,
seated on a moss-covered stone, with
in the shadow of what appeared to be
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, "I've tracked him at last-it's
the Leprechaun himself" Trembling
| with awe and bewilderment he eau
tiously CROPPED his way to the enchant-
ed spot. Meanwhile the fairy, who
happened to be in a pleasant mood,
trolled roundelay of merry verses,
marking the time upon the sole of the
shoe. But to his dismay an eXclama-
ton 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 off
his bench and held him up triumphant
Iy between his forefinger and thumb
as he cried eXultingly:
"Ha, ha, you're mine, mine at last.
I have you tight, my little man."
you're right you have" replied the
captured sprite. ''Still, it might be
better for yourself IL you'd let me
loose, Mr.. Dermot O'Reagan."
do you know me?"
"Of 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 l have. Why should I
waste my precious gifts on a creature
like your"
"That 1 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, I'll not deny you,
for nothing would please me better
than to befriend musical genius, and
I know there's not a harper fit to COM
pete with you in the four provinces,
but reflect a moment before you make
rash bargain. Remember that fairy
gifts are things that good men fear"
81 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
it to grace the 'noblest knight and
riches that may feel myself worthy
to claim Una for my wife"
"'Tis 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. Go,
now. without delay to Una, and should
she consent TO be your bride when she
sees the knightly plume waving on
your brow, call to mind my warning
her heart will prove as tickle as her
face is fair-but should she reject you.
meet me here again tomorrow night
when the moon rises" Thus saying
the fairy shoemaker plunged into the
thicket and was soon lost to view.
Dermot's sudden transformation, in
stead of Fastening the fulfillment of
his souls dearest wish. proved to be
his greatest stumbling block. Una was
so utterly astounded at the daring In
truder, as she termed him, when he
spoke of marriage that she disdain-
fully ordered him to go about his bust
ness, little dreaming that in the per-
son of the courtly knight her words of
scorn We're addressed to her own Der
mot And no wonder, for his own
form, feature. all were so marvelously
changed that a single glance at his
mirror convinced him of the difficulty
he would find in attempting to prove
his identity. His vows Of affection
and fidelity, uttered with a volubility
in strange contrast with his former
bashful hesitancy, were thrown away
upon the indignant Una.
"Begonc. STRIP cried the astonished
girl 81 deem 1t no knightly part that
va should bend your knee and speak
soft accents of constancy and truth.