Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-13
XVIII.

Early on the morning that followed the
storm Clodagh stepped from the hall door
of Orristown As she stood on the gravel
ed pathway in the clear, strong daylight
she looked like one who has fought some
terrible battle in the watches of the night
and who has been worsted in the encounter.
She was pale and fragile, with Irlgnt-
ened query in her eyes, as though sne hao
propounded some enormous question TO
which fate had as yet made no answer.
For a time she stood in a helpless attitude,
looking toward the green hill crowned with
sparsely foliaged trees that fronted the
house; then. seeming to take some vague
resolution, she walked slowly forward To-
ward the avenue, pausing where the gray
eled pathway joined the fields.
| There was a curious look upon the iano
and sea that morning, as though po.h Mtre
lying exhausted by the tumult of the n1ght.
All around beneath the avenue trees lay
twigs and short splintered branches, 10
which the limp leaves, whipped to untlmeiy
death by the vehemence of the storm, sun
hung Across the bay, as far as Caring
more the sea lay like sleeping tiger that
has prowled and harried through the DARK
hours of night and now lies at rest.
wonderful pearly blue was upon the waters
long, ripping lines spread from headlano
to headland, like family penciled shadows,
out massed in a dark fringe along the
curve of yellow strand was ridge OF
packed seaweed that held within its meshes
a thousand evidences of the strife that had
been, in twists of straw, pieces or broken
cork and long, black chunks OF driftwood
She stood for an indefinite space looking
at this significant dark line standing out
against the smoothness of the sand until,
half-unconsciously, her attention was at
tracted by sound that made itself audible
from the direction of the gate, growing In
volume as it advanced-the swish, swish OF
bare feet on soft ground. She turned from
the vision of the sleeping sea to behold a
small peasant child in torn dress and dirty
apron speeding up the drive.
The child neared her, then swerved away
as ii in fear and continued her flight to-
ward the house.
A sudden impulse seized Clodagh.
Come here" she called. Where are
you goirg?
For an instant the child looked too fright
ened to speak, then her lips parted.
"Misther Asshlin-beyant at Carrlgmore!
she said inarticuately. and, turning, she
fled onward to the house.
Clodagh stood still for a moment, then
she also turned and recrossed the graveled
pathway.
She walked forward, scarcely feeling the
ground beneath her feet. Her heart beat
fast; cold premonition ran through her.
chilling her blood. Something about to
happen. The inertia that lay upon her
mind was to be shattered Something was
about to happen.
AS she reached the hall door she
the child vanish into the stable yard by
the small, Iatched door in the great wooden
gate. and Mick, escaped from confine
ment, come careering toward her. But for
once she TOOK no need or the dog S mani
festations; scarcely even noticing that he
followed her, she passed into the hall and
from thence to the dining room. There she
stood for a long time misunderstanding
intently. At last the sound she instructive
ly waited for reached her-the sound of
low, wailing cry. With a frightened gesture
she put her hands over her face; then let
them drop to the back of a chair that
stood beside the center table.
She stood holding weakly to this chair,
her limbs trembling, her face white, while
the wailing sound drew nearer, growing
more spasmodic as it approached. At last
the door was thrust wide open and Hannah
burst into the room, her face blanched,
tears streaming from her eyes. her whole
air demoralized.
Miss Clodagh, Masther Larry" she NUT
tered, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Larry"
Clodagh held to the back of the chair.
what is it?''
Gone! Drowned"
Clodagh swayed little.
"Drowned she echoed in a faint voice
HE niver went home at all last night.
And today mornin' they found the little
boat capszed beyant at the head. Ga, God
help the poor mother, WhatH the poor
woman do at all?'
"Drowned,'' Clodagh said again. Drown
ed Larry drownedn
Hannah stepped forward, as though she
expected her to fall; but she motioned her
away.
How did it happen?" she asked, in a
vague, thin voice.
Twas the storm! Sure, twas the
Storm
But Larry was the best sailor in Carrig-
morev'
She said the words involuntarily, but as
l.E@ H.. 49,