Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1902-01-09
CHAPTER VII.

Until the day broke Mick went on,
Keeping the track, which was, here
n there, more distinct. Then. sud
denly, he paused, and, putting his ear
to the ground, listened a moment.
There are horsemen coming ne
said. We'll just wait and see who
they are before we wish them the top
o h mornin'. Come up here, nv dar-
llnts,' and, turning the pony's head
straight up the side of the hill we were
travelling, we quilted the track. and.
plunging through deep heather, reach
ed a point some distance above the
track.
Thanks be for the mist" he NUT
tered.
Just as they came below us. we
heard the foremost draw rein and call
to another who followed to pause.
They can't have got much bevond
this" he continued. as his comrade
comrade came up, and we all knew the
ears voice. "If it wasn't for this
cursed fog, we should see them"
Tha he certainly would, for we stood
together but a hundred yards or so
above his head.
1t is just a wild goose chase"
groWled his companion. 81 tell We.
man, 1 must go back, or the vessel
will go without me-"
You can't now, without me-" said
the earl. 1--WE must find them, for I
have sent the boys in every direction.
How are they to get so far. afoot?
Iheyll be crOuching under a bush. or
stuck In a bog, unless they have got
ponies. and SO reach Killala. Then I'll
ave them safe. The brat is my cou-
Shiny ward, and the girl I'll say is
my wife-as 1 mean her to be-"
Why. what will Kitty Fenigan a
to that?' sneered O'Br1en.
Hang Kitty Feniganr'
oh! hang her, by all means if YOU
like, but you'll have to reckon with
her, some day. She's got her lines
safe enough. Well. now, I'm going
back"
You'll be bogged"'
We'll, I'm 0 going to Killala- T
don't want to be seen there, and. more
over, don't van to be pestered with
the brat without the girl; that isn't
in the bond" I
So, after some more grumhline
OBrien agreed to accompany the earl
they put spurs to their horses.
and we heard the thud OF their hoofs
along the road.
Margaret had not spoken since we
heard those evil mems converse. but
ner head was bowed, as if with shame.
md her soft lips set in a curve of
lard resolve, and 1 knew her heart
vas full of bitterness.
So we went, till mounting the crest
If a hill, We suddenly came in view
II the town, lying on the slope, by
he entrance of a bay or estuary.
What is that house yonder?"
tsked of Mick, noting a building of
iOme size backed with woods. now
BEAUTIFUL with fresh spring tints of /!
7oung leaves.
Sure, thai is the bishops house "
aid Mick, your English bishop. I'm
naningr!'
THE bishops house." 1 repeated.
md then a sudden inspiration seized |
ne. The bishops house! whyI was he
lot. our father in Fod! was he not
'ound to help and protect US? Yes.
here was the refuge I had been lone-t
ng for and praying for, while we
ramped over that weary way, won
Iering whom we should find to pro-
ect us in u sore need.
'Mick:" I said, well go there"
So Mick took us to the gate of the
ishop's house, and then leaving rs
18th many thanks on our part. went
o the town with his pony, whistling
arelessly; was he not on b~usinesse
we went up the broad walk to
house.
Then came a hush, and presently a
ound of footsteps and voices and the
tapping of doors, and almost immedi-
tely, down a broad, oaken staircase
n n side of the hall, there descend
an elderly lady, dressed In black