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Nora's Peril

Nora's Peril image
Parent Issue
Day
23
Month
February
Year
1883
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

UHAPTEK I. On the margin of a beauüful bay on the western eoast of Ireland stands a castellated building, the central portion of which dates frora the invasión of Strougbow, the remainder baving been added in the cour6C of successive centimes. Viewed from tho Bea the structure presente an imposing appearance, and conveys to the mind of the spectator ideas of tho feudal power and grandeur that, uo doubt, fonncrly attaehed to the aneient stronghold. The prospect looking scaward from the eastle is one of the finest in Ireland ; on the eoutheast and west the curyed shore of the bay cxtends nearly tliirty miles, terminatiue in 'abold headland, over which tha top of distant mountaius appear dimly visible; on the north coast the vast Atlantic wavcs heavetheir swclling bosoms towards the sky, the huil cf some distant vessel now appeariüg on thelr sumimts, and, as it were, sinkiug into the vast trougb of the se, then rising agaiuslowly, and becoming for a moment visible upon the topmost surface of the wave. At sunsêt the view wegtward across the expaus or waters present one of the most lovely scènes of nature; the sun throwing a lurid ray across tho bay, and lightiug np tiié western slopes of the distant mountains, while the eastern acclivities aro thrown into deep gloom, disappears for a short interval behind the intervening headland, and then apparently sets in the sea at its base, its glonous orb seeming to vauish gradually int-o au abvss, whilo the whole horizoc is illuminated with" the golden tinge oí its declining beams. At the rcar of the building arise everal rocky ernineuces covcred with a natural growth o! holly, hazel and arbutus, and separated by deep grosy elides of the greenest verdure; tlirough one oí these runs a brcok of clear water, which, after falling over numerous small cascades, discharges itseif iuto the sea a little northwarc of the castle; through another glen, for nearly flve miles, runs the winding roád by which it is approached from the public highway. The original fortalice, for sneu from its great Strength and extent it eertalnly must have been in the earliest eenturies of its existence, was erected on the extensive territories of the Desmonds, then tho most powerful of the Irlsh chieftains, and was wrested fromtheir grasp by the English iuvader, who granted it, with largo adjacent territory, to the family of De lftrgho, in whose possession itremainedat the date of this narrative. Deserted and in dcsolation as this aucient seat of the De Burghos appeared to be, there yet lingered alxiut its precinct traces of civillzed habitation. Shrubs not of indigenous origin, although nncultured and neglectcd, atteetcd the f act that at no distant period some persou of horticultural taste inhabitedthe castle; while winding walks, garden iiowers now grown wild, and disputing posseseion of the eoil with luxuriant wceds of everv class, and curiously contrivca grottos, adorned with ehells and stonee oí quaint formation, give proof oí íeminine refinement, and a study of the esquc not oomnion in days when lamlsenpc gardcning was in lts earlics"t infaney. My professional duties as an enginecr and geologist had Êometimes obliged me to visit this remoto district, and as it was distant more than forty miles from the nearest town, Ialways canie provideU with a week'a supply of necessaries, and oceupied au apartmeut which I had, with tho good will of tóe elderly cmtodimite. fitted up with the simplest f urnitnre required ior it oecasional oecupation. Six months had now elapsed eince iny last visit, and I had then lcft lier alono in her eolitary abode. The owner, Colonel De Burgho, ehe informed me, had not Tisited the castle for more than twcuty years, and had gono abroad, leaving her in charge. A small montbly stipend was remitted to her thruugh the parish priest, but ehe never oxpeeted, she said, to see her master again. My society relieved the monotony of her existenee, and ehe always expected to "hear toll" of him on the rrairrcnec of mv visite. I had formed the aequaintance of the agent of the eetate in Dnblin, but could never aneertain more from him than that the Colonel had lived abroad for many yjars, and had not Intimated any intention of returning; I was, therefore, unablc to gratify "Mary McGloneV loDglng for uews of her absent master. Faithful Mary McGlone, how many long evenings hare 'she and I gat upou the grass eward beneath the ivy-covered wall of the ter raee in front, of the castle, I Il6tening while ehe recouuted the ancient glorioa of the "old De Burghos," aa she fondly called them, and lamefitetl tlieir decudencc and the prolonged absence of the last of hi3 raee, for the Coloiiel had no sous, his wife having dieil young, leaving him the pareut oí two claüghters, who Mary had BtfVcr scen. It was mv custom, the massivc door of the entrance hall having msted on its Muges, to discharge my coureyanec at the end of the terrace, and carry my luggage to the door of Mary McGlone"8 apartment, which opencd upon it. What was my surprise, on arriving at the castle one eveniug iu the month of Juue, 186-, to hear the sound of a harp.sieord, aceompaniel by the deep toues of a beautiful contralto; I stopped, listened with rapt attention. The fair songstress suddenly ceased, but continued to draw from the harpsicord, the soft throbbing chords which, on that charming instrument, eem llke distant music borne across the waters, as if tho thoughts of the performer were far away in dreamland, communing with the spirit ot melody, for that from such invisible source must emanate the enchanting improvisation8 with which some accomplishsd musicians delight their amliences, I cauuot have a doubt. Suddenly tho music ceased; I etood eome moments hesitating whether I should proeccd or retrace my foot6tep8. It was evident that the long-wished-for owner had returned to tho home of his ancestora, and motives of delicacy forbade me to Intrnde as au uubidden and, perhaps, unwelcome guest ; but I had dismiseed my conveyance, night was approaehing. and Hiere was uo other shelter to bo obtained without walking sevoral miles. I at leustli decided upon F.eeing my old friend Mary MeGlone, and being guided by her advice; I therefore proceeded to her hospltable domleilc. where I found her, as usual busied with her domestic dutiee. She, to my great relief, expressed herself overjoyed to stro me, and said that I would now be no longer her but the Colonel's guest, and that he had desired her, shoulil I arrive in his absence, to make me welcome, and invite me to remain ai long as suitcd my convonience. "Although," saiil flie. "the Colonel bas been 8O many vears in foreigii part, liis heart is trish still. Neither he nor hie forefathers ever shut tlie door against a 6tranger ; and, indeed, I have told him bo much about your visits here that he does not look upon you a sueh, and lonce, 83 ho savs, to renew hls aequaintance with you ; and, oh sir ! but the voung ladies are born beauties; tho eldeet Is dark, like her father, and the youngest is fair, as her mother was ; and they are aa good as they are beautiful; but I will teil the Colonel that you havo arrived." Going out upon the terrace, I was awaiting Mary's return, when I saw approaehing from lts other extremity a mtddle-aged gentleman of military bearing, and two ladies. On my advancIng to meet them Colonel De Burgho, holding out his hand, said - "We are delighted Mr. Mcrvyn, to have the pleaiurc of your company ; allow me to introduce my daughtorts- this ir, Xorah, and this Kathleen." Thus hospitably welcomed, I expressed my sense of his great kindness to a stranger, and cxplaiucd that I had for ome years taken tho libërty of paying an annual visit to lm worthy representativo, Mary McGloae, of whose carefulness and iidclity I expressed a high opinión. "Yes," eaid Colonel De Bnrgho, "Mary is one of that class of faithful domestica now only to be found in rural districts, and attached tö old families, in which they have been brougbt up. I havo 6eeu several of her class in the south of Franco, and aleo in Italy, but few or none in Englaud; contact with Londou and ' Parisian servante has effaced thosc kindly ings which once existed between the hcads of 1 families and their dependents, 1nd formed one j of the charms of country resideuce íq England. i All this is changed now ; servants object to long engagemente, partieularly fcmales, whoee minds are now entirely occupied, not with their duties, but with fashions in dress, chances of g matrimony, and public amusements ; and they t eem to have formed an opinión that those ï jecte ai e beet attaiued by frequent chango, of ' service. In passing through London, I wlshed t to engage an attendant for my daughters, and, 1 at my request, one of my tradosmen direeted several applicants to caü'at my hotel; their f qulrements and expectatlons, however, werc so ' ridiculous that. T failed to form any engagement, o At length, one morning when I was out, a young person ealled ; my valct in my absence, had an interview witli her, and tinding her testimoniáis good, and tbat slie was satlsfled witli the waues offcred, made an appoiutment to meetmeon tlic followiug moralDg. She left, but m a few moments retnrned. and said,- ''Your master and young ladies are in London now, but wlicre is hts family resldence!" '¦In Ireland, miss.' Ue replied. "Irelaud ! the idea of mv going to Ireland ! Why, mv good man, did yóu not teil me this at onceï You' vc been deceiving me, and wasting my time. Ireland indeed !'" And off she went ingreat mdignation. "Mj daugtitere, howevcr, rejoiccd that they did not import a 6ervant of thid class, as they have found i.n intelligent maiden here, a niece of M ary's.who they are cducating as their attendant. "But," contlnucd he, "I have all this time been forgettlng my duties as a 'jost; you have tra veled ïar and must need refnshment; diuner will be served 11 half ¦au-our. We dinc early, and thus, if the evenings are line, have time for a salí on the bay, or a utroll through the woode, afterwards."' "Thankf, Colonel,"I replied; "nothlngeould be more delightful, and from my former experience I thiuk thero wil! be a glorious suneet this evening. We diuéd in an apartment with Windows opening on tho terrace, and I ob3erved that Norah cast mauy a longiuglook over the boundIes3 occan. Uurlng dinuer our conversation turned upon the antiquity of the oastle, and the beauty of lts viduity, eomparcd with the black dcsolation of the country surrounding. Colonel De Durgho iuformed me thnt he had retuincd to his hou. e about a month previously, having landed at Cork, and liired a email vessel to brlug him round the coast; that his arrival was not knowu in the count.y, and I had ' been, as yet, his only visit-or. "And, indeed,'1 said he, "mv nearest nelghbor resides at twenty miles distance; that is rathcr too f ar for visiting, and until I repair and furnish a few rooms in thw delapldated abodc, I foar I must deny myself and daughters the pleasure of female eöeiety. You I am aware,though not a eo'.dier, belong to a kindred profession, and have been accuitomed to campaigning; you will, I kuow, t-xcuee the somewhat rough bivouac wo havo to offer you." I assured my kind host that my qnarterswero all that I could wish, and, etepping ou tho terrace, he observed - "This is an evening for a sail ; I will have the boat broueut round the point, where she lies in i small natural harbor, and we can embark at tho old jetty bolow tho caetle." And turniug to his datighter", he said, "Bringyour harpand ?uitar, my deare; Mr. Mervvn, ] am enru, is fond nf inimip_" In a few minutes wc were afloat In a well-ape pointed and capaoious boat provided with comL f ortable seats for'ard. Mv host, haring desired f the boatman to await hts "return, we sUoved off, r and werc soon sailing west ward bef ore a f resh 0 though geutle breeze. 1 "ir. Mervyn," 6aidmy host. "I bave always e found that it detracts very mueh irom the pleas5 ure of a short boating excursión to have boat9 men on board; all free conversaron is impos5 6ib!e before such auditors; they misnnderstand j much that is said, and retail it with thcir own 1 commentaries, laying the foundation among f their class of the most absurd storiesregardinj - the mode of life and eouvcrsation of thcir su B periors. A I am an experienced sailor I can dispense with their services, and will liold th sheet and sjeer, if you will kindij keep a look out fthcad."" Aa the ueare.'t objects ahead were the beau tiful forms of bis lovely daughters, I said, wit] the greatest siucerity, that ï should have mucl pleasure in complyiug with his wisher.. Norah and Kathleen were seated in the bow and I, on the peat oppsite, enjoyed the pros peet exeecding. To open the eonversation I remarked- "This boat., am 6ure, was not built or (lttei on this coast." "No," caiti my host, ';I purchased her ready fltted out at Southampton. and brought her with me to Cork, whence ehé was towed here My daughters and I have been so necustome to sail about on the Mediterranean, that I knew we could not get on here without our favorite pastime; M'e have enjoyed a sail almost every evening since we arrivcd." Our conversation then became general, Norah and Kathleen vymg with their father in deecribing in giowing colors the beauty of the secnery on the Italia coast, and their frequect excursions into the interior. "And yet," sald they. "there is so much to interest and cm ploy us here that we have never enjoyed ourselves more t han since we arrived at home." "Nora, my love," eaid Colanel DeBurgho, we shall be almost bccalmod for a few minutes, let ns have a song." Norah took her harp, - one of those small harps which, I think, are peculiar to Ireland,- and having attuned its strings, sang in the "me deep contralto 1 had overheard on my arrival, and with a pathos and expreszon indeseribablc, the following 6ong: - "Speediug fleetly o'er the ocean Sails the bark tbat bears my love; VVaft him, wind, my souls devotion, Guard him, angels, with thy love; Fleetly speeding, guard my iove. Though the boundless sea, dividing. Rolls between us, dearest love O'er its bosom swiftly gliding, Hither, hither, comes my lóve. Hither, hither, come iny lovo. See, oh see ! the good ship's ncaring, lier white wing epreads, like Noah's dove; My home the ark wherc hé, endeared, Shall ret, awearied,- oh mv love ! Reet, awearied,- oh, mylove." The last notes of the refrain floated war eean-ard down the brceze, followed by thebeautitul Hnd exprcssive glance of" the fair songstresi, and methought I heard a gentle slgh aceompany thom to their vlshcd-for destination. My host broke the silence by saying, 'Thank you, mv dear, it i a very bcantifnl BOrjg." 'Mr. Mtrvyn," said Katbleen. "Marv tellg us yon are musical, and speaks in raptures of your vlolin playing; I wish we had asked you to bring Totir instrument this evenins,- wc ehall not forget to do so next time. Bui yn 8tng, too, we are told; wlll yotí favor us wlih a song' l'oseeseing a goori barttone roiee and a natural taste for music, I had cultivated the divine art with rauch assiduity as my mail opportumtics allowcd; I at once, thereforc, complied with Kathlecn's requeet bv Binglne one of our nationa! melódico, iu which fair "NoraCreina" figörcd very jmiraluently, in a style that ellcited vcry liattiTing eneomiums from mv midli-ncc. Theguitar was then produccd, on whieh Kathleen played charming accoinpaniments while she and Nora sang, at intervals, beautiful notturnos, barcarolles, and Sicilian dueta during whieh performano mv host put the boat'B head ehoreward, and wê shortly laudcd after enjoying tho niwl. delightfnl veninc had ever spent. Alighteupper followcd. enlivened by plav ful sallies between Marv and her "childcr" as sho familiarly calltd the sieter. The Colonel and I lighted eigars and walked on the terrace until darkness warnud ns that it -rs time to retire for the night. TO HE COX IrN D EI.

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Subjects
Ann Arbor Courier
Old News