Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-26

~ O'Clock the wind had risen
~ to the force of a hurricane.
The last of the withered leaves
of the trees in the drive had fallen
and the bare branches were beating
together like bundles of rods. The
sea was louder than ever, and the bell
on ST. Mary's Rock, a mile away from
under the surging of the waves.
Sometimes the clashing of the rain
against the window panes was like
the wash of pillows over the port
holes OF a ship at sea.
PITY the poor folk with their fire
works." said Father Dan.
They'll eat their suppers for all
that" said my father.
1t was now dark, but my father
would not allow the lamps to be light
ed There was therefore no light In
his gaunt room except a sullen glow
from the fire of peat and logs. Some
times, in a momentary lull of the
storm, an intermittent moan would
come from the room above, followed
by a duh hum of voices.
A Clash of Wills
Guess 1t can't be long now" my
father would say
praise the Lord" Father Dan would
answer.
BY the storm was at Its height
The roaring of the wind in the wide
chimney was as loud as thunder
Save for this the thunderous noise Of
the sea served to drown all sounds on
the land Nevertheless. in the midst
Of the clamor a loud rapping was
heard at the front door one Of the
maidservants would have answered it,
but my father called her back and,
taking up a lantern, went TO the door
himself. As quietly as he could for
the rush Of wind without, he opened
it, and pulling 1t after him. he step
ped into the porch.
A man.in livery was there on horse
back, with another sadded horse be-
side him. He was drenched through
but steaming with sweat as il he had
ridden long and hard. Shouting above
the roar OF the storm, he said:
Doctor Conrad is here, is hep
, "He is what of TT" said my father
Tell him he's wanted and must
come away with me at once"
"Who says he must?'
Lord Raa His Lordship is dan
gerously ill., He wishes to see the
doctor Immediately"
think my father must then have
gone through a moment Of fierce con-
nict between his desire to keep the
old Lord alive and his hope of the
Immediate birth of his offspring. But
his choice was quickly made"
Tel the Lord" he cried, that a
woman is here in childbirth, and until
she delivers the doctor can not come
to him"
But I've brought horse, and the
doctor is to go back with me"
GIVE the Lord my message and say
1t is Daniel O'Neill who sends It,"
But his Lordship is dying and un-
less the doctor is there to tap him, he
may not live till morning"
Unless the doctor is here to de-
liver my wife, my child may be dead
before midnight"
What is the birth of your child to
the death Of his Lordship?' cried the
man, but, before the words were web
out OF his mouth, my father, in his
great strength, had laid hold of the
reins and swung both horse and rider
round about
Get yourself to the other side OF
my gate, or III fling you into the
road he cried; and then, returning to
the porch. he re-entered the house
and clashed the door behind him
Father Dan used to say that for
some moments more the groom from
Castle Raa could he heard shouting
the name Of the doctor to the lighted
windows Of my mothers room. But
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