Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1921-07-28

She had never seen her fathers pic
ture, and her mother had given her
tIe impression that their last days to-
gether had not been happy. She had
always felt that it was better not ia
inquire too closely into her fathers
life.
She was as bOnny a lass as ever
the old world prOduced-lithe, with a
body like that of boy, strong and
pleasant of face, with q haunting beau
ty In the eyes, q majesty of the neck
and chin, and carriage which had
made Michael Clones call her queen.
She saw Dyck only as a happy, wild
son of the hilltop To her he was
man of mettle and worth, irresponsi-
BILE because he had been given no re-
spOnsibility. He was a country gentle
man of Ireland, with all the interest
and peril of the life of a country
gentleman.
'Yes, We ought to go to Dublin,
mother. We could help him, perhaps"
Sheila insisted.
The mother shook her head mourn
fully.
"My child, we could do him no good
at all-nOne whatever. Besides, can't
afford to visit Dublin now. It's an
expensive journey, and the repairs
we've been doing here have run me
close. My dear, our best place is here.
OF one thing I'm sure-if Dyck Cal
hOun killed Erris Boyne, Boyne de-
served it. OF one thing I'm certain
beyond all else-it was no murder.
Mr.. Calhoun wasn't a man to murder
| any one. l don't believe"-her voice
became passionate-"he committed the
murder, and l don't believe he will be
hanged"
The girl looked at her mother with
unveiled surprise. "Oh, dearest, dear
estr' she said. 81 believe you do care
for him. Is it because he has no
mother, and you have no son?'
1T may be so, beloved"
With impulse Sheila swept her arms
around her mothers neck and drew the
fine head to her breast.
At that moment they heard the clat-
ter of hoofs, and presently they saw
a horse and rider pass the window.
ITS a government messenger moth
err" Sheila said.
AS Sheila said, it was a government
messenger bearing a packet to Mrs.
| Llyn-a letter from her brother in
America, whom she had not seen for
many years.
The brother, Bryan Llyn, had gone
| out there as young man before the
Revolutionary war. He had prospered,
taking sides against England in the
war, and became a man Of Importance
in the schemes of the new republican
| government. Only occasionally had
letters come from him to his sister,
and for nearly eleven years she had
not had single word from him.
Sheila watched her mother reading,
and saw that great emotion possessed
her, though the girl could not know
the cause. Presently, however, Mrs.
Llyn, who had read the letter from
her brother, made a joyful eXclama-
ton.
what is it, mother dear?" Sheila
asked eagerly. Tell mel"
The mother made a passionate ges-
ture of establishment and joy; then
she leaned back in her chair and
closed her eyes, with the letter-which
was closely written, in old-fashioned
punctiliouSness-in her hands.
"Oh, my dear, my dear' she said.
How strange 1t all is! Your Uncle
Bryan is immensely rich. He has no
children and no family; his health is
failing"
She seemed able to get no further.
"Well, what is it, mother" asked
Sheila again.
For an instant Mrs. Llyn hesitated;
then she put the letter into Sheila' $
hands.
'Read it, my child" she said. ITS
for you as much as for me-indeed.
more for you than for me-"