The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-12-16
CHAPTER XIV.
FEMINA FURENS.

SOlOIci JONI HdU run Iltttc flSk Oh
being wrong In taking for granted that
the meeting at the C~arraghalin, mys-
tcriously robbed Of the chiefs from over
the seas. would dispense: either amid
h peals Of Homeric laughter that in
ireland greet q monster jest: or, in sad
der mood, cursing the detested Saxon
for one more added to the many wrongs
Of q downtrodden land.
Had Flavia scapeG. her courage and
enthusiasm might have supported the
spirits of the assemblage II kept 1t
together. But Uncle Ulick had not the
force to do this; much less had old
Timothy or Sir Donny.
Their views were more singular than
cheerful.
Every like" Sir Denny said, with a
fallen underlip. 1.-The old earth's opened
her mouth and swallowed them. She's
tired, small blame to her, with all the
heroics ~burdening her and tormenting
her"
"Whisht, mani" the other answered.
BE easy: you're forgetting ones q
bishop. Small chance OF the devil S
tackling him, and like enough the holy
water n all ready to his hand!'
Then I'm not knowing what 1t is"
the first pronounced. hopelcssly.
There you speak the TRUTH Sir
Donny." Tim Burke answered. rs it
they can be losing their way In the least
taste of fog there is, do you think?'
if-nd the young lady knowing the
path. SO that she'd be walking it blind
fold In the dark"
I'm fearing, then, 1t will be the gar
rison from Tralee,'' was Uncle Ulick's
contribution. THE saints be between
Tie n them, and grant we'll not be
seeing more Of them than W. like, and
sooner"
s..Amen to that same." replied old
Timothy Burke, with an uneasy look
behind him.
There was nothing comforting in
this. The messengers sent to learn
why the expected party did not arrive
q as little cheer to give, they could
learn nothing. An hour went by, a sec
n and a part of a third: messengers
departed and came, and presently
something like the truth got abroad.
Still the greater part of the assemblage,
with Irish patience, remained seated in
ranks on the slopes of the hills, the
women with their drugget shawls
drawn over their heads, the men with
their frieze coats hanging loose about
them.
Hut a time came, about high moor
when the acknowledgement the fog-be-
gan at last to pelt. Sir Denny was
gone. and old Tiia Burke. of Maamtras-
ma. They had slipped homeward, by
littic known tracks across the peat
Dogs: and, the spirit all gone out of
them. had turned their minds to oaths
knd alibis. They had been In trouble
before. and were taken to know; and
their departure sapped the O'Beirnes'
resolution. whose uneasy faces as they
talked together spread the contagion.
An hour after Sir Denny had slipped
away, the movement which might have
meant so much to 30 many was spent.
The slopes about Carraghalin had re-
turned to their wonted solitude: where
hundreds had sat a short hour before
the eagle lowered, the fox had turned
his head and scented the wind.
Doubtless in the minds Of some a
secret thankfulness that, after all, they
were not required to take the leap re-
aieved the disappointment. They were
well out of an ugly scrape. well clear
of the shadow of the gallows-always
supposinS that no infOrmer appeared.
1t might ever be the hand Of providence
that lac removed their leaders and
held them back. They might think
themselves happy to be quit of 1t for
the fright.
But there was one who found no such
consolation, to whom the issue was
pure loss, a shameful defeat, the end of
hopes. the defeat of prayers that he'd
never risen to heaven more purely than
that morning.
ylavia sat with her eyes on the dead
peat that numbered the hearth and In
g stupor of misery refused to be COM
forted. or her plans. of her devotion,
Of her lofty resolves. this was the re-