The free South. (Beaufort, S.C.) 1863-1864, May 16, 1863, Image 4
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11 * NORA BOflE?
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^ It ^icafl^fc^^inter evening, and rCjjt f&me down the
fsnow, fl| k
* fc A0? keenly o'er the wide -heath (he fitter wind did 1
'blow." ' + *' V- 1
*# TJiere^fras snow enough to jpottle the tempestuous i
dAness, bnt ft yteiled into rain ere it had broken the
Wack monotony of the ground. On all the dreamt up'
, %md ?f Dia ir?ah(^i Hoor tbi'r^ was neither bitmap ! <
:' hafrtitbu-Aitinse hor tree. fine giuiutf stone pillar, a
? soltfiy "monument f'nnkao^il -times, was aft that ki
rose -u^on the bare expanse to brs#W tha^flsh of'thg
W* aHd the swe^pj^ir curt*ntf dftfc againft and j
fotr over it 11kg the waters of a hhitdlong river. pie
fnjly shelter, obtainable within sight was ibaj afforded by
* * Jfa ^base,. and tome seemingly belghd .travelisr', or '
* - ?? *?
Jj, houseless outcast. nati laKen^iis^prou-aiuu; jwiucic ^
V' ws^V Ut& foot ft figure wrkppdd and gathered up^ the I
?fiflgfelds our lqng piantie. bm so motionless that, save for
oc^hsional fttftyvment of tbc head to east a gllhce
f ^ to&UMhieldiugside intdthe stormy weather beyond,
- fdr, alas 1 it wjis a female foAo,N-icigbt havd been (,
^ opposed either nambed into insau>ibiKtjr by the cold,
qg Eist asleep. The worm continued; she.li^>taher
^ ? effortless posiffoi# hei*hend sudk n pom her bosom,- *
4 and the dark matUle tlrawn so close around Jaer^ihlt'^
# hewflgn^ was scwocl^fclistiagufKnnble from ^^nrk
'-jroun(f%here she sat. A most forlorn half hour had
^ jweed tfbd oo other hnpian being had appeared upon
The watcher had stuik her heaS low# and ,
* lower, afllkhml drawn herself closer and closer ?*the;:
rugged shclCT^w foe gale had- now* swrtfcd into a
, storm, that ravc^oVer th# bleak (Jcsert till ye^ow" tufts '
of the last years grass, and bushy wisps \>f straw antfj
rollft before it in a whinin^drifV fcat etgulv
ted theariving ftamult of the sky. At length, upon the
faintly marked pathway that crossed jSe moor within a
stone's throw of the pillar, there emerge? frpin ^ie^
darkness a sinsflp-horseman?his cloak, and the mane
' of the strong animate rode, stWRnii:i;^ptra!ght out into
the blast, si^d hi^jmck and sljbnbWs crusted white, *
with *#ow.* J^c tbsw up from the gallop at wfcich he
lud approach#, and as he slowly rq^e past the sfllt
jieecribed, caM ronnd au anxious "but disappointed
'glance, then turning froiu#e^ors%* track, directed his i
course ornmie opeia^noor, anc^fwicc made the whf^
circuit of tfre pillar before he ai IdW rod<| up to, it and
dkmount^l. It was onl^as he leaped tp^e-rro nnd j
that be at length observed the pysence ofthe othajv%
v 41 Ha, my trnesM^1 he exclaimed irfa roicasof jojfal
* Borprise, as he j?st his reir,##ef ttth^tt>$ of tb% gcey .i
m intone, "I feared this wild,"weather haS ruantd,onr
Asking?it fa^3^pn a cold trj-sfcg-flace for rou, -Ni^
ra, and 1 ha^p kept you waiting, bnt I 'could not eotps
SMraer, aid vitml did^ome, I could not* $ee"yoir (or |
this Winding a^Vl?Hafe yon brought child r *|
0 There wa^o anr*er; haiBtooped nod drew the cloak
from her We, ' H^Jori,%^aken! bow eafl'yoa sleep (
on such a u thie? Tia I, $ora-rou& you?ari?"
Ji^p '
" Oh^M&yd,""reflied a /eelje'yoice. ithe beimmb- )
ed beinfesrol^frrui her etupdr?"dh'RlehanT a? j
j*d com< .'aat? ^thought I #vras doorapcl to-die at I. <
thMfoot <^cSolc: atone. Ood?ai^l my own Chilled"' ,
- hqt??cCKlrd| what I hare, this night suffered foa
taA-aR?, . * ' ?*' * . I'
jhhtr s^ppQf#^* . I .
Her v j J, half inarticulate fronJhveaknp, were al- ' j
most iuatolible fijom the.riolcncd of thl wind} bat tljeir. j
fldntaMs made her wretsbed plight Ifeftlctemlj undpr-, ^
Nora<lear,n said, ber companion, bendhfg 1 '
over hd^nd ex^enO^1 his $Ioah%etween ber an# the (
blast, wMe be l^ed her t<f risey-'^'ou will perish, (
Norn, if yAa Mt longer here," he saii MI have a pUnon
for yon bemo^ay mddle;Ve can oe In Bjpngher be- t
'^H^ana^'her :"^Sa>xclakned shall wd Dot t
^rat go to^tobeg chapel f? - - # j I
A . ** Ytfc-mflt" heoeplied hastilt ^"herUiuly we shall?I .
.had forgotten.T^ . . . *f
^ fr"Oh, Richard," she taking his*hand, "you/ *4
. would not,-you %rely would not decievepieV % * J
^ *Ho > lire ? to'Hbrsathe !g he ^exclaimed * bh^Sh| f
# IttyTiWljilgnaiTaffedf on*4n which bd ?fykc was too ! 1
pibl^pt to be rod :-?>lbnt IWrn," he added quickly j- "
and etgsr whisper, ' hare you broughi^be | '
chair / m *<. ?. " ' , A <
e "Alasfpoor mfahf" she rep}^4 ^bcTfer hfew in,nyr t
i. -armd T wmtid find I wnre freeajf the sine of brinz- !
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i hiJ^DUt thy biter nijjht^-gal^\ $tby," ?he pas- ' '
A ^ouatel^adde^Addroa^Bg U|T covered and apnfrently i c
4.Vgcfbig burtpena^' I have stolen Mm to-ntgnt from , (
1 J^^ii^Iawfnljpotl^ M*" * J^'fuAflrtlier ( 1
Tpriqy Qi*V* Oh, HicSwxL fbjT? wo ?ot wtiadio hia? c
* -vArif we afletha happy couple that you pdfclgy th!V
SlBtatie theft aHhlltnakc na?" '
V "We win, v&wiIl,?Kura-, but wast? do more Hum, j '
^ #se and let usgo." He aided her to rise alowiy and
pahn MI?. unci pladng hie arm round her waist,- eupport- .
4 her, while sl*>e$ajffto l*p the infant otoeer, h/W x
,?w^Hnf fnddenlr .she started, and drew in her 1
hnutbwith the<fhick ?obofteirifled alarm. "What is 1
, Ihe matter r cried her supporter. t 1
^ "(>4 a^tbiiig -I h<Jpe, I trust in God, nothfn<r,"*he
tiirhin^onvnlslvely, and trepnhiinir. ejswith a ^
? f ^hakiug aad tarried Tinnd sho undid the wrappers in* c
' ' * dMch tbe infant If*: but when she had bare^'rtfc nhefT). ?
and onor pressed her cheek to its face, and tapr. hand to J
its littlest, ebe/ell from his arifis to the irrAutra, with
^yejgbf^y, an<yaiii^i.% }, '
iVWhat is the laeaoins of all this pv the .man, M ?
4 voice' ofroujrl^jirti^tfcri'e surt re^tioi ^ he stooped
?low*> an^rniseri her on*hls knee. Iler \pad snnk .ba^lf11 *
u?on Mi,arm, and the child raged from her^alkxed ?in- *
t ^>race. )legrasped it rdtt^lfly j^ k fcir, betftdo^viTknd *
, *jpL\cd npon lte- alii) fentpre*. ami laughed. Jorrihfafc?
# fc 44 Ah lia!"he imitte^d, 4> hereto a ?p?edy ctpeufhrna- ;
, lion, hio m?v deed for p!otkng and planing mow v? i;
>v ^jo monguedl for coafcnig fifflfcptieting the am^tlopg ?
* fool after Ijiis. Ha. ha, Sjj Rjghajd ^ferton, I wjah to* y
toy!<' ' ? v * /' y ' * f
i * cfitstfousnesa wap now &tucni WT ? ^ w^tch- j k
?d girfc^Jk?|ved a deep ?i"h, t% M
her fore heap iTOrse, tha baby -too! grAcioim
4iot^f^hat is vhls!?Richard, R'ch^td, w"hirc ana I??is ^
*& the ErehoiK* pillar??and thcjufeot?to be?oh! is j
^cso^Mthejj!"*- 1 |3* j b
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T^E FREE SOUTH, SAT
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"Nui^cd 1" related Morton, # * voice <#iilsaiWued
triumph, ' he is minted to death, 1 thinlf." ? '
' .No, no, no," she exclaimed, frantically teiriDg away
the kcrchi^ fron\her bosom, and snatching the motion-,
less frdfn tb^ground, where it had fiilea llko a
clod ont of the hands of the exnlting^ilhan, to press tt
ineffectually against hqr chilled and terrified heart, j
"Oh! no, no, ho is not de^?he fe not dead"-*he (
cried, for I ?m the most accursed, of women aafj^
startinjftt) her feet, she'riishccl wildly into, the ator m 1
i*he storm caught her lfk/a withered leaf ia aat1 jrnBi
apil n^n the wings of the, wind, anrtrin the fre?Zy of
Uesjiair,,she flitted hafbre her astonished purjrcTt for
Morton had followed on the. instant: yet although he
ran svyjftly," hnjfellecl "by anger and apprvher.sion, he !
had left lyfth horse and piHar far ontofr.ght, before he
overtook, and atjengifa asrested her. V Touch me not, j
Richard!" eh; bxj!|?ned, "touch nk not, for i am a
wretch that would pollute thSflrngmn. Ch, <iod!
seta the storm to sweep mqto the rirer. cr Its enow to
bury me where I etand, for J have ta!::u the life of
that djfioecut babe, and am not CVto Rve i"
Amidhsr flaP'!o?at% lftSiatttatk/as, hie j#)iC?r,Cf AIM
toe was hardlyteard; 1ratwhettbe?'ir.r!j eR*1. flpoaV j
choked Mr utteruuee, if fi: i Vr as life,
hank e^b^j&ted m hi* arymt, uOejs? r: * V as com-,
plaints, adfl bear the. is dor. ; i,. ione;
bnt'^fitm to me, and, even as iria, I i .. v.:<tf how
to make it better for us both?do yotr Kcx. > :;?i I *ey
tc&oo, Nora'Bovle?" P _
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Itiflhard, Ifictafdgdo you know whatd have donef
be soobediu reply. -A
. "I'll tell you what," cried^p aternly, 'ijou have done .
me Vtter service* hum you Cvfpr^d before?you have
done the very thing J wanted."
" Aly brain, is bewildered and barniq?n she said,
' and I hardly comprehend what you.would tell me.'
Service, did you Sy * Alas Mean do you no service,
Kiefcard. I would to Gottf were dead!" *
"I did not as<you\o do mpre service," eried he?"I
told you. of had doge enough rdroady. The stealing
c*Uheir heir, i tell you, ftas of no use without thte; and
this would have been done eooner or later. Why, what
a eimplfton you weie, t# think thalflwtmtd" encceed to
these "estate*. till ajur/had been shown fluiv the next
Lfir was dead! I wt* jesting w it hero u when I said thatf
(would rearlnpi in France." , ,
Conscidhicess of eoifletlynf dsaaifu^y shiftil in her
companion seemed Jo have been gredbfclly flfcbing Itself
upon the reluctant mind of the miserable grl; she tad j
Shrunk partially from bis embr*eaitb? flrsf lfcinhtfusplcioQ.twwnow
she sprang Mp hie side With the. energy
of entire herror, * s ' '
' ? Jesting jeet^ag'.* she exclaimed jam prom[ee
that you wotdd Aarry uie-ch 1 bleated Virgia J ysi
lhatjesfting aleur^ *
lArverse fed provolciag foel," CrlVtJ fatferaaljv !
tad grasped 1?r bj the arnu^^lafe jbu reproach me
with a falsehood when tbc guilt of #nurder te ?fl^etyt
awn soul T> What would you & r oa!d |ou nnh !nJo
I v.iy Mc rtonts r ham be: with her dead <#1<f In your
artge, ar.d toll her that#you had come io be haajgedM
Would y<^i go madLend Jto the ttmpeaj iiere, tf!l J
p/,1, ?fnL- mrum tVi* Anm,nnn wart haenms like What TOU I
tr***m ?_
pgrn \ , -.. ? ? - ?
OH hthat I ^era-:?/>b! woujdto G<^ that I' were!"
he exclaft^R, with ^fresh bnast.of puesionate weeprS?J
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f * Well, h*V 41C*lm ; ie caln^ 1 entreet
. on now, anc
lie act hie^Ack doggedly again? t theplwt. and attain
Ircw her to hia side, ntperj, under the .sfidte/ of hi* ,
iloak, he said^p a strQn* whiajper?^
"Yon An savins both f?you'*^11, tfoha. 60 down
# Mount Xor^m I wil^ Wl 'yyi safc tp th? doot,
>teal in as yon cam^mt. Dry the wetJfreiA'jlje child* ,
lair, apd the marks of the Mill from hh> mghu^jem aqd
ay him as yon found him, m hie cradle. The draught '
$m gave the nuree securqe you from Interruption. .
Then, go to your own bed; bur yon py^at l^iag your ,
vet clot Mb J* to* djy, ^nd throw ^uijr^Koea Into tye riyek
mt of yotr wj^dow. Thejj^lJ all sjy in tin morning j
hat the chikfclien a natural death overnight. Come "
-for alllt once, a^he win the ^ad claiped
ler hanuprioser oyer ber.f>reast,%he*| th'e 'tnflht Atfll
ky, amlgfltb a*deep aifo fluttedn/iiftpiratioiihl^l made
1 ftoti Ai bf a??enUln tlft dfrecttou of the house?"Qpme,
hbre is a good gii% J)id } not say well, Nora ? TVhy,
'on are a woman of spirit "pftee nil. I waa wrong to
tuarrei w^th ytu. This wawjao jfcplt oP yorirt^ Yo?
Ould not tell "hoWfedKty wgldhe; never blame yot|?. /
elf theh. , I??siy hoaow*! will taarry 700 yet, If /btj
wty do tMa thin^wellbut why da you not Ifwc, 1
ferar 4.
"Make haste, make haste," In a.voice of fbreed and 1
rtmulous calmness, waa all the reply the made. 1
" v? kiutSaRriBa" he anurered: " the'edbaer It
i done the.better. Bat, I eqpm* take you with me to
Nor*; you *rc awar# of (bat Yo* must etaj to .J
ivoWaUfjicfeB?. And. murk m?v-b? not J
uorning to take the alarm ? and whan you have frtpbfc
? It albng with the rest" ';
tut let us not pollute onr pages with the mhmtite pf j
leBherste villiany^-hifh, iji the pauses ?1' the wind, he
esfted ujt to pour iiuoJhe /?*rs of Nora' ifcylfe, till they
tad jlfc5sed^he farthest ak^rta ofthadedlnUtgmooa, $nd
vere arrfted beneath an arch of tosdh* siul.^enfleaa '
Ir.mchea. Through thlg.the blast ^rjeked so iptd a*t<f
hrilly, that neither hcat&tbe<jthe^tlll ,tl\pr stood hftore
aq antique tfnd exteipre buiklingwt its ftftb -r end;
'Otow, Nora.", whisjjereH^torton. as they.aflygnced 1
D a low floor jn HJV^UlUlfiy ivic*f v ay, leiuy.iirei r^~.
bava told too; I^JwM s>e yon,to-morrow,' tin th.cn. :
;ive mrt lets*"-?, , J /
Bnt-shet^ad hurried in thronjb the unfastened pc?
era, and ho hearrllbe bo!tv*hoot and the chidna Call on
i? inside era the^unhallowe^ words # had pa*?fd hi*
j*- .* i. ; * *
'"She aannot jflean plaji me fldi?," ke mnttrted; '
ahe cannot do but V* I? TUVc desired." hbe has no a
boice. Yet I^rill net trust hef., i/wiTl rouud^UJ Hft i
tiadotr, and see to itiijwelff' a | r'#. * * '
So aayine bu turned from thfc doqr. a?d dived into the '
lick ahrumkry that skirted the cotot-yard irt frynt 1
Mount McrtoiF lipase was* built on the pfecipitocs I
ank of a tfcgrent thai ponfkd jthe collected waters its <
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JORDAN, "MAY 16; 1863; , ________
AS ^ 1 H1
r,T . ? ; - course
o the Shannofc,' sometimes in a tinj^casAdi '<
that was /hardly visible, tdckftng dftwiv the fase.of h*
BteeP f j^anrif 1, and somelSmdA^is on this occasing id; a'
thu# jorij^ \yuter-:all that iliolrthe trees upon its side*,
an?. diyve the beaten tlood in a tujaultuoase repulse far
?" rer its level baftks beyond_ Ths repr^ walU gf,the^'
ouilding rose almost from* tha Verge of ths forl^atrd/
i any lejfee tliat their regntor jJouuda;ion(ha<J left, *ae 4
i inaccessible except from'beldw. ?
Morton decided the stoep and'wocJded barft till Ma
arrived at water's edge,, whicji waa'nhw risen t so'
high, that in sojirie places-there w$s barely foopng be- '
iwee? ft and the overhlnglnj precipice. Hie jagge<H
aid confused missel a of rocla that usual If obstructed the* .
I course ofche;bowling brool^vog n(*r oivercd by a'deep
river that pqflrtd, $/rtftit weight OfjpaYers from banfc'
tobauk, uninterrupted save be/% and there where.a sal*
let gargle told that some o\?cha^lnf branch or tested ,
root was strrfc^lingjnefleejaaltf wjlb 'ito'fwift ,OppreaBor.
fivery stock and stSue, from pre spfo -where he^
stood to the wjpdow of Nora l&owif-alaiM
i too well kpowtt to Richard Morton: yet he pm?cd and
->?" ? ?1 A-SftiYt* kwnMt .*r>A
OUUUWtTCli nucn UC IWaM Rt wv IU1IUUJ -uu
black precipice above him: and at thf swelling innjidation
tt his feet. Bound upon whatever errani of ein,
he might have clambered up the ragged pathway before, 1
fertile hud had never trembled as itgraaped branch or
tendril, and hia knee Wl ever been firm, aljove the narroweat
footing^bq^hiiiher it wap the .increased dan- "
gbr'of the ascent on such a night, or the tremendeue
coneciousneM of what that perilous aacfct wae undertakefl
foa, that now immanned Mm.' he 4ood in nc^ve* j'
k^s trepidation* Ma band Mid dpftn the firstnold had
to take, add hia footjjlacedlA fts fljst slip np the. sbgr ;
face of the |rag, motionless, tilf ?nd|epjy aj^rong light
flashed snfcesafrely fromrtbe threetoop-fole s of the hall,
ancfafcc'r disappearing for ,a" momenf streamed, again
with* atrotg ai^l steady*lustre from the wall-known
window of fthr pawmonr. started frotp "^i^'tranc^- and
flnag himself to the next ledge at a bound; thence '
toiling upward, no^gawinging from br^yh to branch'
now elealtajnjffroaj cnu? to crag,* sometimes hanglint1
frdm the one hand, ,90m etim$a frqm fhe other, painting
and e-:bajat^l^oAt length gained the' projection baa I
neath Nora* windcAr, He Caught thcpilL and railing*
himselfslowly,Rooked into the a^artmen!. "A hght .
burned oft thetwi; Sautle-pied, and^a lUriIre tvae.,
gathering' into^Uma below. w<3? Welf" ^hfa'
Boyle, and befoCehel', <\Typed1a blihkefit, lajthe liecoloored
bofefofthe frozen dad? ' i *
Vlora^" yied Morton *1n a'fltfong whimper, " what
areyondoiagr Yon will rate all) rat hfcpln hie cri-?'
dle^aoJgctt^bei*' * ,i* ' i i; r
She raised hgr head with' Intrant shefldi^. MTO?
lian, Idef>yut"#hee{ea/ipd berft dowjtUBO?it k
waskvtbafetheHttiinmb* with bpth haadi, * ?1;
* Villain j jlllain mjppatA Morton-"arc yog trad P
do yoa kno^'wh^t yon eaji open the'window, ?&d 2'
wfllBhowjronarhahicbdonjfrtt* 1 fj- >'
Her ten? hilt, pbiteaing wUb'r^a, hal fallen dova*
dishevelled over bet hands ebe'threjr Jmek hef head- to ,
part !t on bar brow, fuB bindif# jbe wet lo^a*behind;
and, as with unconscious violence, 4je .drew ?ic dark I
and glosay bapfe till the water etreamed from thnfr
"hard knot, capt one *gTance of'exulting ^bhojrffice a!
the window, and again cried, 41 Vidian, I defy ^et!
babf U not diai lit * W
w 44It is a lie!"'criecWforton,TytioVslv,hfcC*hisheart !
misgavf hin>aa bettered the wards'! and ttmchanee Of i
feeing Jill by that unfoacseen possibility, smotiapon his I
soul *rcth sickeninfe itaddennepa^ 44 No, no, Nora," he TjSrfed,
t44 you are tfectived.. It cannot Jge.- Thfe^idyisJ?
as cold as a stone.* You will b^hange^rffrr
i/yon-fodh. *4Nora!" for sh%di<?pot eeeraTo^ear l4
* '? * M- - ?!.! W.. f-.ll f? iV, ? y,,at,/l '*
mm, D I1QIU?? U1U1 1ICI l?U lUC luiaiuv, ?i4Vi W/Ustautly
chafing with b<M^ her hands,?"Nora! give it
3p and save* yonpelf. at him irroie cradle. I will
purry will, by ait that is sacred, if yon do! I j
will make yen iariy hlorton, by Heaven I will,'before ; 1
lo-njg^vm^ng,.if|onlgiv<eit up.?jJ?or?; wretch 1 ; i
hear me, I win no* ^ trifl*4Tv*1tb./Oi>en mea^ndowJ i
drl will lyeak it in," and he shdok the sUfhndieo'na" tarioujgy,
but she he^jdbimjioLaJ " " j
"O^ blessed mother, if ever I prawS^tp vgfl with a,' l
pare hetrij^inake t^y haqjllw*rtn jrew.^sh'e crjjd, fou 1
the lijid purple w;uj j^lrea^y^etigiaj^ upon the little. I
limbs, "ftoy^lea^ b&byl"^he sobbed tflttf tmratikg^' j
tears of j^y, ''afcy^^miiy^ShBtat totiv^eT* Oh' 1
o]8b yo&rblae c|wijai^apj^^'-b1. JLjm Idflrtcr j 1
With one breath ! ?Oh, gfajpuj &6a?f bitthee 1 his W
tffB are opening!" aud she feT. by-t^e reanimate* in- t
fantfa aide, wppning again; bat from the tjcees of ]
fbeltags, ??h bow different from those which had elricke* i
tfer down, a eonacioua and despairing sinner at the fcot ?
qf the cold stone on Dirranah? Mnwt <
fcNora Ecjle returned slowly, and painfully to con- I
riouanesa.. The images of lif^e bright dawniTig Ja the 1
tfies ofjthe little one, and of the savhp 'soorl ihif hn<j \
a- 1 tkmifah tA tfeft 'hlfflciL vll-' t
gKUW upuu un wpyju Wjp^ -.J?,-r.
lfin?wT?Ai?9{r^rk1tyope'ai^)eUea, still floated belpre1 l
b6r copfd*dj?pse^ ?ut she rems?bered 'rcn'sh-gdi*- t
Mp$ly/ wsi n^ftOng, Whiln^, .dWi, > 1
jtiffpng thf long trf?^f-8 on Her yck. Oh, blessed tq,uch! i
it Was the littla hioxlwith fts soft, bat-y fln^ersVplayiAs ! t
mMi her tfirls 1 'ShrwyTd hats <3aspd0 the fecorerol i
trea?frc to her he|rt, put r ;tur?lm? recdlfftiqfLoitae 1
Hjong ah* had ^oneihim frete*4d berf tfnd Che could ' <
'jaly^ft and L'a?e trtth an-awfhl ^pd revrfeiyijk wonder ]
up^n the miracle of Hern's kindness fluit'l.ijr, j
aid srnlliag in the raw genial Jlaw of 'lie bright Anurtl# (
b^orf-btr. UJ fa . ' '
rShe t*iU thafihness of h^ heart had almost )
overcome t)er one^moft, but tears at'came^tfiig. I 1
gliug up with the ftnpriaoned -pnsf?on,,tad pouffcf h i ^
forth' in. long and relieving weeping. #ot her 'iiniar- ?
tjjmed* heart had hardly expan^ agaiu within her-( 1
bosom, when- the thoughts of h^r o\v* injuries, degi&cb- t f
tion and abandonment, and the dreadful reflection that j i
111 had beeu eifihired for th*sake*6f such a manias Mor- | '
ion, canib crowdii^l otf Her souj. and Choked thj ieHev- j J
iig un? dt their #oi*ce. Sho-cofercd her face v\ hh her 1
baud*? naV to hi?e from tfa| inuoeeiU Ijjping be- |
for? ber, and it mts? not till she bad kneft hi lonp and ^
fervent fwaylr that 0e dared tjJength to loflk upon oc 'i
l^ch him.* ^ last she arose, and ?itin? k4tg>ne ftmid 5
;*es:^Jifted lrcr a^et burdcp agabi, and $>re ?in*>vith '
. v ' : 9*
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taf.* e / . J
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steps tbkt seemW, nnstdR^ as th^ were, to tread 6a
fir, to jjmmapty cade the bedside of the still sleeping
Auvajtwfihfpi&ced Mm softly In his little nest, and 1
stojp'tl ihe'do^h-^rerfrned?kisaed him?he UnghefL
'and stretchfhg-oju hif tiny wins, wound them around
h^Tiedk*. /?OhKbfc-ss#d batty,?iet ma,away," she nn-1
consciously whi?^redva? sift* strove flatly t^ dfe^n^iire
hci*sdf, battle wreathed tfc playfuj embrace still ttoser
'and ,cloA?. 'She heard a ^oo^,opeo euddenh|\'and a
footstep on tlfc lobby : *t^fc herswn name calM at the
door AC he~ chamber in a voic^fof fearful alarm?the ? (
voice ti Lady Mw*y,.foaei,cM),om het eiQk-ljed by some,
new culamltyi . bora's flrM impulse Wa? to *go, to cast
; bcreeif at her leet, to' cohass* afl, and to implore her j, .
pftrdco^ butiHeftanft of that confession seemed #o
%eaJfaUhat she stood Irresolute ^nfusiontflVher
Ajswoman e&tcmr Jgdy^iajtoc was ghastly '
pale, ae^vefl from men4J8flpft4t^m agitation. ?v>
^ora, are you Jjicre?' Jme tk?*$abyty;n unwell? T<q,
no, you need^jpt'lift htn.aow* but call the eemuts, .
clair Hem, top 1 eua' a^C4? she said, as fix* .
Sank exhausted to a leat Jtpxi uazed at her iu wild
confusion. *'Leave theinthntwit^rfife, Nora," couti#ued
Lady Morton. *ijQicI go<koute the servant*, for I an
terrifi ed almost to dteih. Ther^ is some one drowninjr
in the riaer 1*. Mori ottered one piecing scream, and
ruehed toward* the window. "Yon cannot hear it r
here, Nora," s^d thfcJgdy, "the cry C?map'?from under xthe
black crag. Oh, f?od protect me from ever hearing \
such a sound again
Nora clas^feffhhr hand* tljrh^ifer hej breast snfv- ' i
pne$a the^gonyof ri^int despair, and rushed from tho \
i^oci. Ift-r critt nllffed *th? liouse^bid; and in a
slo* #me yvtntg wewfthrpngjngtrom the front with
xopeS&nd lJnterin a^pl scMiralflin^ down the deep bonk
to th(rwatc?qndpe.? jjpr*>-as JJjc first at the riven? ?
tek. 'All wa* ^he'jAoaniig of tl?ft wind, and the ^nllf n.
riyh of water^ light**" she cried, "bring 4
Jrfther lights, for it i* heret|>*t tkl pathway crosses the > 4
bty f canhot find it? V ,/t * ' ., ,
g'Ah nAg," okil old Vtttx Dtly, the butler, as he e^ ?
gainedhwylde'wiQf AllBght-of his lantern,^" the
pathway fc si.\1bet nbder wider by tftls ^ theman [s not
In Ireland thafjihre alfcsnphii." '
SudvhsrJy laay Alofjonv voice wa^ "heard from hec,
wipdoir ab^v^ahd there was something wildly earnest ?
.fiylnvor th^ir head* upon the
wiara^ Ho?l outfjMmr lantern fttniiea over the ^ater. < *
1 see aomfOting in tiid^ftd of the rtoer." |
* W* plcCman bjnf oyer. 8& tdtflspt with his arm ex- ?t
tended. . *
'' o" Farther wfa idl ugj^ukPfeeaf of the ladyV
Huitr ' '
I toflhot itedf farflafc n*&dy,n StidJJaly.
.''Oiv* ?e tb^ight,>"tfe Nw% FM took th*lauhM*ha?4
ap^W> mfta of loose robbisbl
Vonf? gr??i, a*d ?fcatieted in Home'oplauid
ethly. eame mhng down lh? river, ffe cast it with a
fc.-m nam! oathe jorieT*h||lrtkrQ sank
thrcagh th J&m Wl^Tklflfc ? almost
lewl \^ith .tilK^/'bO^ ^^'Mroa^er !>##?& or!
flrbier te^turei-i^o^,#^ ru-i^arwij^d ^farther /
fecenV and, ffo&hring .^.from^iitt vjpy verge <f Ujfr
atream. it tinted^ '
atoond, that sndwed thtfnakad r?c^s wijh their waving ,., - .
crowiiof wooden *n4|fef brown, twfctedf -?
torrent ^between, like tho-bfck of a great serpent, writh- *
inqandihiehiiA down the gleqp ^JWisnppeared behind,
the blafck trfoau^ ft bre4#H&f>s taipen.sc'they 1 isteded'.
f6t wyfrdfa iInI. nret came a hp
sqpnrUnjj shril^ thkiyhey cou]J? distinfnish
the e.v<fcplitions,,# * ?
*'I^e it mfcAafcn^* Xi h 1 man' Haiseaoghf*
uppfl a branch, fail tijt Vate/ br?tft over him. Dfe
bfcpc?and fKCfrt or&tithe curfent. The light , *
i^Jncu^*? ifclSckersTiu hisfStee., Merciful Heaven! it *
is fliy ccmsdftjicllardP * .
"While Felf^DalydStlned to tl^se wfrile which came- V
fitftilly o%his shu^lering earn 'ftam a^Ve, he also hear#'
ajow V<jjce by hia sldejgay, "God have marcy on my
will!" miasaf the sAme instant beheld Nora l^>yle ? * *
plungedbrvrard intoi.th^streanE Heyeeized her dress,
and 3^041^1 fit ^jsittanen.* "The river struggled hard
to hold its lSfev.antfdreiAim after tifl he stood to his*
taiejgjju tho^lqod. Anther step wpnld bjyt preciplta- *
tgdi^tjgto an IrresisttM^w eight of water'Jicyond, fof
gey Stood wxm ft\vr&aiigftflf bankVovercd flxiht* * t \
&eam > butltaely hetf/^vetl, mid botfc*ssf<?5lW^ 1
tan Ut^rrfbejUht UjfynL They drew them ou^ upon. *
the bank, tiw |ld weak as an infant; the wretched \
jirl qnlte htseosib^. They ^orc her to the house, they"
Aid her in warm Wankrtlf the? chaffed, ant! at length
rotvAB *n?ri *r?n aa she had revived t???Tnrtirre-J Infant
m honr before; but when at length she opened bei
tfea, alas! thftairas modawnjng of intelligence there.
>hc raved all nQlft fn utter djUrlum. I^fdy Morton sat,
jj her bedside, Jhtenij^ (a jiojpor and amazement to
rfl revelations ot her ^Btlnes>. r'irst she gathered
hat ^jer chfld'|?d#bcot^elPT:ed our. she could not find
or ^haUiqAasc: ther^ehe heard thawfcsfiul been fas
he miseruiikib^ng exposed iy itatdyaud had she n<>t
ifld hlnj ?vpu then brcatcirjfaT^P-ruoung iu her own *
tiros, she j^oiUd have ruft to his cradlq to satisfy herself
b^it notA^han;:eling. -But-hcf fear and mnaze- ?
aent tUrntJUtd^horfor ahpodt insupportable when afp
ingth flora's Involuntary epp Asion ffedoaed her sedn
ttr's motive iimaki^ thai tffcfttjieepaditlon^f their .
jtom!s? marrfipo^thd that boifor \^s again lot" iu .
tratitnde ind v. under. q>h$Vshfe h^ajif ihfexcltfAuttions
it w ild iK-iight v.lUi A-Jijjlf Nora a$ed Over the '
<cefle of her jhild's ?nd,' finally^ the. left ,
tor befls!de4t4daybaeak.4f#hi out tyitik :ftln<ded cmo:ions
of joy Im&orrow? . r < v :
* Nyith the ianfc<i light of d.wu.^h^flotfieatics jvere
irstn by therivsr 4<\t. It* flhfhnkeiMvatcrs now yiddd
thu% a psthway*to^bo spo; whore the body of "iior:, ,
:oc iujfl been ttiiL at -night. f<ody tnve ""as none
xtyou the bramhtthat hadjrrestad it there still remain-' A
'(14 piece of cfotn, flutteringfover the turbid
<tream; whicn now flowed many feat below that Wst
unl only rAinant that was eves "discovered of the mhs rahto
man. ilje- frr?r9et>wis*Tynnd dehd. laired in a
norths, near thcrpillar, firth* and brittle broken. He #
iad*bnr?t ftom his coRflhamlnt' and foundered in the
ItormA Reason returned to' N'ora Boyle, but life tea*
'ast dearthsg. /Ur kinswoman had given her fell forjijeneaa,
and til seat Utes of the church had been ao.junistered.
* "VVilt tfcw, too, forgiye me, dear child t"
the said to the baby on its mother's, breqgt. The l>oy
tretched out his anus, she clhsped im with a feeble
'mwracc, and bre.itfced her last in a blessing on Ins bps.
r ' .?
X .. . - * /. *