Year: 1878




The scene of my story is remote dis
trict in the county OF Donegal, the time
between forty and fifty years ago. A
lovely Summers day was just ending. the
last rays Of the sun gliding the distant
mountains and casting a crimson glow on
the lovely river. which wound with many
graceful turn through the fair valley.
almost cncirciing the homestead of Maui
rice Carroll, then with sudden curve
stretching away to the other side in the
direction OF the town of L, about halt
mile distant.


In front OF Mr.. Carroll's house was a
small lawn, which about half way down
became "a garden, rich in summer time
with bright flowers and graceful shrubs,
and terminated by IL small ornamental
gate, which opened upon the road to l.,


At the cute two persons were standing,
one OF them a tail, strongly built young
man with dark face, which was decid
edly handsome, notwithstanding the
fierce, reckless look upon it. BY dress
and bearing he seemed to occupy posi-
ton superior TO the ordinary farmer of
those davs, As did also his fair compan-
ion.


They stood IN earnest conversation for
soae time, evidently OF no pleasurable
kind for the girls face was flushed and
troubled rs she murmured some low
word in response to his apparently urgent
entrcaties.


" And this Is my answer, Mary


The words were spoken very tiercely,
and the tail figure OF the speaker shook
with suppressed passion. rs this all
am to receive for my years of weary wait
ing."


The look of pain dccpened on the girls
handsome face rs she replied, ~ can give
you no other answer, Mr.. Bassct, and Won
cannot in justice reproach me with keep
ing you waiting, as | never in my lie
gave you the slightest reason to imagine
that entertained any feeling OF regard
towards YOU


SAN! what may your objection he, Miss
Carroll" he replied, with sneer which
destroyed all the dark beauty of his face,
and made his companion shudder. us
not the son ofGerald Bassett good enough
to enter into the family of the Carrollsl
A few generations ago and the story
would be far different but now"


Hush. William Bassett," said the girl.
her face flushing deeply as she spoke.
al have not deserved this tsunt from you
As SAID before. | have never misled you
as to the state of my feelings. and l never
pretended to be anything better than n
simple country girl, the daughter of a
plain, hard working man. whose honest
industry it has pleased heaven to bless
with reasonable prosperity. l never
dreamed OF thinking of the son Of Gerald
Bassett, whose memory l respect and
honor, and-and, do not see why 1
should hesitate to tell you what must soon
be known to everybody. that cannot be
your wife, because have already prom
ised To be the wife of another. And now
permit me to pass. Mr.. BasSett, for the
evening is pretty far advanced, and
have still . good many things to see at-
ter"


"Promised to be the wife of another ~
exclaimed the man, the angry flush deep
ening on his face As he spoke. You are,
you must he, mocking me-"


Then, as she again attempted to pass
him. he went on


Yes, yeu shall pass, bu. not lust vet.
You shall not until you have told me the
name OF this rival;" then. as some sudden
recollection struck him, surely it is not
that pititul sneak, O'Hara. | have re-
marked you with him sometimes but. no,
your father would not permit his address
tor An instant"


MIR. O'Hara is no sneak" said the girl.
her beautiful eyes flashing as she spoke,
land l shall not stay to hear you insult