CHAPTER XXXI. TAKING THE OFFENSIVE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 327, 22 December 1888, Page 6

CHAPTER XXXI. TAKING THE OFFENSIVE.

Loud O'Neil conducted the young Lady Nora along the road to the .patch of shrubbery in the shelter of which his horse was waiting. The lovers walked leisurely, having no fears that old Rough Fogarty would again attack them, or willingly encounter the risk of another pummelling from the hands of the young nobleman. They were right. The old ex-smuggler was too thoroughly humiliated and ' demoralised' to entertain a thought of attempting to recover his late caplive. Besides he was still stunned and bewildered ; his head was dizzy, and half of his ordinary strength had deserted him. In short, t he was in no condition to go to war with his recent conqueror. On arriving at the spot where his horse was secured, a new difficulty presented itself. How was the Lady Nora to ride without a lady's saddle ? The young girl solved the question for herself. ; , f / 1 can easily manage,' she said, cheer- , fully, seeing her lover's look of dismay. ' The horse is strong enough, and caji ! , easily carry double. I will ride behind you, Larry, and cling to you, so that to fall off would be impossible, ; _ Let .us try it.' They did try ifc, and the young 16rd;fchoughfc the .arrangement admirable "when, he felt the slender, clinging arm around his 'waist. He decided in his own mind that he could not have improved upon thisplah.if he had ,tried. „~ , Giving 'fein^ to his horse, they'rode oufe, upon fche r higKway, -^pursuing the road to

Kilkeel. Ao they rode ; slowly along, they talked in lovers' fashion. >. Presently, r ,when his, firsb br^nsporbs ati ,their r re-'u'nibn and at Nora's safety began to' .be succeeded by ,a calm" reflectiveness, , t his lordship said : , , ', • Ah, Nora, I never knew how I loved you till these perils overtook you ! J, sliall never dare to let you go'frortfme again. Michael Kildare has proved himself an unworthy guardian, and he must never assume authority over you' again: When I went to Dublin, in obedience to Alleen Mahon's summons, and went with her to Yew Cottage, and made my way to your little dark prison cell, I vowed within myself that this false kinsman of yours should never have you in his charge again. I can hardly believe that that little, soft-voiced, mild-eyed, deprecating man is the villain at heart he has' proved himself. I can 'hardly credit the fa'cfc that he shut y*ou up to compel you to marry the new earl.' ' He did worsethan that, Larry.' ' Worse, Nora".' ' Yes. He hired Mrs Fogarby's son to kill me !' Lord O'Neil uttered an exclamnticn of horror. . 'It is true, Tarry,' affirmed the Lady Nora, sorrowfully and gravely. uHe hired Tim Fogarby to convey me oub to sea, and puph me overboard, or throw me over, when I should fall asleep. And Fogarty would have obeyed him to the letter but that he fancied it would be a better speculation to keep me alive. Oh, Larry, you will hardly believe the baseness and tredchery of Michael ! And I loved him so, Larry ! I trusted him so !' ' But there must be some hideous, frightful mistake in all this !' cried Lord O'Neil, with a shudder. cMy darling, the plan you attribute to your kinsman is one of a foul and awful murder. And that little, soft, smiling, dapper man — he who has always seemed to love you so — could he deliberately plan to destroy your young life ? ' to kill you because you refused to marry ' the man he desired t It is incredible. ' Nora, Nora, darling, you have been deceived. It is impossible!' 1 Ah, no, Larry. I would give much to know it impossible. But it is true, as you ■ will acknowledge when you hear my story. Listen, Larry.' And with flashing eyes, cheeks flushing ledly in her just indignation and her horror, and in a voice impetuous and passionate with her terrible grief, the young Lady Nora told her sto;y. She began her recital by telling how she had returned to her guardian's house from a walk at nightfall, and bad gone into the library and the alcove adjoining ; ho»v the lawyer and the new earl had come in and talked privately ; how she had openly avowed her presence j how they were rendered desperate and frightened ; and she detailed the stirring interview that had followed, and which had ended in her transportation to Yew Cottage, and her imprisonment there in a dark cell. Then she related the circumstances attending Michael Kildare's visit to her, and how, in her hot indignation, she had declared to him all her knowledge of his baseness and hypocrisy. She concluded by narrating the incidents, fresh in the memory of the reader, of Tim Fogarty's night visit to her room, his pretended rescue of her, his flight with her to Black Rock, and from that point out upon the Channel ; detailing aL-o his revelations to her of his employer's baseness, and all that had followed, up to the moment of her lover's opportune appearance at Rough Fogarty's cabin. Lord O'Neil listened to this narrative breathlessly. And as the clear utterances fell on his hearing, his doubts of Michael Kildare's intended blood-guiltinecs gave place to a conviction of his utter baseness and wickedness. 'My poor Nora !' he said, tenderly and compassionately. ' This has been a 'fearful experience for you, whose life till this new Earl of Kildare came was bright and joyous ! And you met all these perils alone ! That was hardest of all.' ' I did not meet them alone, Larry,' replied the girl, in a low, reverent voice ' I never felt alone when I was out with my enemy on the waters. He who guards the helpless and the innocent was with me, and I wm not afraid.' The young lord took one of the little hands from its close clasp on his coat and raised it gently and reverently to his lips. ' The conversation you overheard in the lawyer's library must have been of great importance,' said The O'Neil after a biief niiencc, ' since it would drive Michael Kildare to plans of murder.' 'It was of gravest importance. He told the new earl that he, Hedinond Kildare, was earl only by Michael's sufferance. He told him that there was a flaw in hie claims, which, if it were known, would cast him back into his former obscurity, and give back bo me my old wealth and honours.' ' Can this be possible ?' he asked. llt is. Redmond Kildare has, in truth, no legal claim to Point Kildare, nor to the family titles. ' ' Then why does Michael support his claims ?' ' Perhaps because he is paid for it ; perhaps for some deeper reason. There is some mystery in Michael's conduct which I cannot fathom. All I know is that he has rirked everything on the chances of Redmond's success, and that be would sacrifice me because he fears I make his favourite trouble.' ' Then Redmond is not really the earl ?' 1 No. he is not,' the girl answered gravely. 1 And you are lawfully the heiress of Kildare, Nora ?' questioned the young lord. • Yes, Larry.' ' Since this is the case,' said Lord O'Neil, ' and these two men have banded together against you, and Michael Kildare has tried to destroy your life, you are not safe, Nora. Even in the care of Sir Russel Ryan you would not be safe. These two Kildares are dangerous enemies, and the sturdy old Sir Russel will not be able to ,defend you from them. He will have no conception of their baseness, their wiliness, their intrigues. He is an intimate friend of Michael Kildare's, who is his lawyer in Ireland, and one word from Michael Kildare will outweigh a hundred from you. My darling, you are in a position of the utmost "peril.' ' I know it,' said the Lady Nora, quietly. 1 Then what is to be done ?' asked the young'lord, turning in his saddle so as> to partially face her. "You are still a minor, and asaucii are subjecb to your guardians. One of these is villainous, and seeks your life ; the other is the confiding friend of the first, and would believe nothing against him. Nora, never in your life did you' need a friend and protector as you need one now. Let me take you over to the Scottish ahpre, where we can be married by good old Mr Cowan. Onco my wife, Michael Kildaro'a authority over you will coaoe. Once my wife, Nora, mavourneen, you, will bo eafo. I will watch over you clay and night. I will defend you with my life. Say yes, Nora—' say yes.' , , t He looked ab her wibh eager, passionate eyes, his noble face all aglow.' It was hard for Nora to refuse a .pleading like this, bub all her insbincjts^revolted, against a stolen marriage. "^ > , 'No, /Larry,' she answered, smiling sof ■' rowfully. >tlt,:cannofc*'be; ' When I marr,y, you, I musb^snot do so clandestinely. shall be marHed in my own chapel ab.Poinbj Kildare,. byJhylowh d,gav old chaplain, atfd. f~* * * "\. ■* if V' N * "*"* „

with my household and tenantry around me.' ' But, Noia, when can this be ? Your guardians wilYtake you 'away— to Dublin— ,to England f, W'e.s.hall.be^sdparated— peri 1 haps for ever! But if * you" werd'to marry me, we wduld £o'to- Glen "O'Neil and defy your enemies — , . ' , '■>' The place for the. tiady, of Kildare is at Kilclare !', said the girl>,' impetuously. \ 'I ' have ; thought out my course .while I VaS shut 'up' id i old Rough's cab|h. lam going 'now, first of all, 't6' Piint Kildare. 1 ' The new earl, or pretended earl, is ' still in Dublin—' ' But his mother is at the castle !' * True, but I do not fear, her.. ( 'I ( am going iiqmV, an'd shall resume^p'os^essio'nVpf my rights,, I shall telegraph'to 'Sirlßussel and to Ka'thteen 'to come .to mel And^" will stand" a\'s*iege at Kildare Castle 'b'ef ore I will retire from it and give place to the new claim int.' If he' wants Kildare now, he must win ii through' a recourse to the law!' Lord O'Neil looked admiringly into the spirited young face. How brave the girl was ! ' Perhaps you are right, ' Nora,' he said. 'We will carry your plan into effect. We will summ6ri ; tp >,us Sir' Russel .Ryan and the Lady Kathleen. Loi'd'Tresliam is at Glen O'Neil, gloomy, dispirited, despairing. He shall come to Paint Kildare as assistant guai'd The new earl shall not be permitted to again .set foot in the castle until the law confirms, his claims !' ' Which it wijl no doubt do !' declared the young Lady Nora. ' Sir Rus&el and Mr Wedburn could not perceive this hidden flaw in Redmond Kildare' s claims, and the revelation of what 1 overheard in Michael Kildare's library will gq for nothing in a court of law. My only hope is that these conspirators may in some way betray themselvos. At any rate,' she added, setting her scarlet lips together resolutely, ' Redmond Kildare will find a sudden obstacle in his path. He must tight his way.' ' The lovers discussed Noi'a's plan at full ' length, deciding 1 upon carrying it into effect. They rode on slowly through t'n3 night and the darkness. It was nearly midnight when they arrived at Kilkeel, which was already wrapped in silence and gloom. They rode slowly through the little town, taking the road to Rosstrcvor. After leaving Kilkeel, fearing that their mode of travelling was fatiguing to the Lady Nora, the young lord dismounted, seated his charge in his saddle, and walked at her side with his> hand upon the bridle of her horse. It was thus they continued their journey, the girl's splendid face drooping toward the noble, glowing one uplifted to her, and her shy, sweet voice responding now and then to his passionate utterances. The eight miles to Rosstrevor weie coin pleted by two o'clock of the chilly October morning, even at the rate of progress the young couple made. The Lady Nora was averse to going to an hotel at that hour, and after some deliberation, the wandeiers decided to go on to Jonesboro, from which place they proceeded to Dundalk. They arrived at a seaport town after daybreak, tired and worn. Lord O'Neil conducted Nora to the railway station, and then returned his horso to it& owner. Ho presently returned to his betrothed, with the announcement that a little eating-house in the neighborhood was open, and that he had ordered a breakfast to be made ready at once. The young couple proceeded to the eat-ing-house, a neat, small place, where they were attended by a brisk waiter in a long white apron, and where was served to them a hot breakfast of chops and tea and toast, the best fcfi'at the house afforded at that hour. Breakfast over, the lovers returned to the station, and leaving Lady Nont in a waiting-room, Lord O'Neil telegraphed to Sir R»esel Ryan that he had found the Lady of Kildare, and that she was now on her way to Kildare Castle. He begged Sir Russel to come to his ward at once. to This message despatched, The O'Nei! despatched one to the Lady Kathleen Bassantyne at Ballyconnor, via Wicklow, requesting her to come to the Lady Nora at Kildare immediately. His lordship then returned to his charge, detailing what he had done. ' Did you telegraph to Lord Tresham f asked Nora, 'No, it would have done no good. I received Alleen's me-sageby thcmerest chance but such a thing might not occur again in years. Glen O'Neal is beyond tho reach of telegraphic messages. It would take a message a day or two to find Castle Ruin. But I have tome expectation of meeting Lord Tresham at the Dunloy station. He has a habit of riding over there almost daily.' After an hour or more of waiting, the lovers proceeded on their joui-ney to Dunloy, by way of Belfast, going by the mail train. They had a first-class compartment of the railway coach bo themselves, and the time passed swiftly. They were astonished at last when the guard opened their door, announcing their arrival at Dunloy. On alighting at tho station, the first person the young couple encountered was Lord Tresham. He was looking stern, silent and gloomy. He had aged greatly during the past few weeks. His restless, haggard eyes, however, brightened as their gaze rested upon the new arrivals, and he hurried toward Nora and Lord O'Neil with outstretched hands. 'Thank God, Larry!' lie ejaculated. ' You have found Lady Nora ! I have been a prey to the wildest fears concerning her. Alleen Mahon arrived last night, and was met at the station by her father, who took her on to Point Kildare. She told me a frightful story— ' J Which was all true, Tresham/ interposed Lord O'Neil.' 'We arc now on our way to Kildare. Come. with us.' Lord Tresham absented, and Lord O'Neil hastened to procure a carriage, in which the three pioceeded toward Point Kildare. The Lady Nora's story was told to Lord Tresham, Who prpved 'liimself the most sympathetic of friends and listeners, fie cordially approved of Nora's resolution to take possession of Kildare Castle, and hold it until compelled to relinquish it. '1 have sent for Kathleen to come to me,' said Nora. * I shall need her, and no doubb sh© will gladly leave her husband for a few weeks, or even longer.' * 'He will not come here with her ?' askod Tresham* growing <pale. 4 1 think not. He is a strange, moody 'man, and 'shrinks from other people. He may rl^use to allow Katilileen to come, but she will not «heed his commands. Poor Kathleen ! Tied to a man she loathes, what a sad destiny is hers !' *• Lord Tresham averted his head, making ' no reply. Tho journey to Point Kildare was perJ'orraod in good time, and the party arrived j at>Kildare,Cut-ofly just as the first glow of eungob, began to glorify the sky. Thd carriage rolled over- the draw -bridge and came ,to",a*jh*alt as old Dennis, the 1 bridge-keeper, .came, hobbling out of hie , gate-hquae .to , meet jifc,,; according to his anbion.tousb ( om. «;' ,"->, C , ,., , I - JJDhe,,,!L*ady Nora /put out her bright, .' ■ piquant laco^rgm^hetjcarfiage window. , -

* Dennis !' she softly. _ , The haggard old man rushed towards her w|th. a cry of joy. ' , 'My lady ! my lady !' he ejaculated. 'It 'Yes, it is I, Dennis,' said the girl, extending her little hand through" 'the carriage window. ( I am, come homo, good Dennis.' l < The bridge-keeper 5 caught her hand in his, kissing it with wild fervour. These simple retainers of the Lady of Kildare had an ardent love and admiration for their lovely, little lady, and more than one of them would /have' laid down his life to benefit her. , ,1 . t .] ' Old Dennis was almost' wild with excite-, ,ment. , ,J r , , J 'Thank Hqavei^ this day!' he cried. 4 Our lady will have her rights again. The new earl is a vilyan, as I said he was. My lady,' he,. added, 'pausing abruptly in a' gathering terror,' 'io is not to marry the earl you've .gome V , , ' No, no", Dennis. Is the earl here'?' ' He's in "Dublin, my lady, but is expected back with Mr Michael Kildare.' ' And the new countess, Dennis ?' ' She is at the castle, bad luck, till her. There's not' a soul on the island but hates 'her. She's gone out riding now with two attindants, and is over s'umewhere on the mainland. She's the ould scratch and, all, my lady, and it's we that think she ain't got all the craziness out of her yet.' ' She's on the mainland ?' said the. Lady Nora, quickly. 'Ah ! And' Mahon ? Ts he still on the island ?' • Yes, my lady ; but the now earl has discharged him, and is going to bring- a new steward and servants up from Dublin. And Mr Michael's coming to teach the new steward his duties. And Mr Mahon and the chaplain and the servants and I are all to leave to-morrow. And its ejectments they are going to serve on the tinants — ' 4 Not just yet !' cried the Lady Nora, her sunny eyes., flashing. ' Lord Kildare must prove his rights in tho courts. And till the judges award him Kildare, he must not set foot on this soil. Nor must his mother. You hear, Dennis ? We will stand a siege first, as my ancestors did in the old feudal times. Up with the draw-bridge, Dennis. We have found a use for the stout old relic at last ! Op with' the draw-brdge, and let no one land on the island !' The old man's face kindled. He was all excitement and joy. 4 Aye, aye, my lady !' he exclaimed. 1 The new countess can't cross till here ; and the Cut-ofF is swelled with the autumn rains, and the water is fairly a b'ilin' in it, so that there'll be no way to get over without they [go 'round,' he added, perpeforatimg a ' bull' in his earnestness. * They'll have to land from the sea side, if they land at all.' He hurried to call assistance, and to draw up the ponderous old bridge. When she had seen that great feat performed, the Lady Nora gave the order that the carriage should proceed towards the castle. Long before the new arrivals had threaded the long, tree-arched avenue, and arrived at their destination, old Dennis and his assistant had done Iheir best to spread over the island the glad news of the Lady Nora's home-coming. And when the carriage) drew up before the great doors of the castle the Lady Nora was greeted witn an ovation that brougrht the tears to her eyes. The chaplain, Mr Mahon, many of the tenants, all the family servants, including Mrs Kelly, the housekeeper, Alleen Mahon and old Shane, were there to x-eceive her. The chapel bell rang out a merry peal, and all the children of servants and tenantry, lately released from their small schoolhouse, made the air ring with their shouts. It was a joyful hour for the late fugitive. 'I believe I have done well to act thu* boldly,' she said, as she sprang lightly out on the steps .and shook hands with her devoted friends. ' And if everything ends triumphantly for my enemies, I shall feel I have done the best I coiild to keep that which is rightfully mine.' The ovation was in full progress, when old -Dennis's assistant came running toward the groups on the castle lawn and steps, crying out : ' The countess has come to the Cut-off, and she acted like a madwoman when she found the bridge up and old Dennis refused to let her cross. She rode up and down, as if to swim across. And aL last, when she found my lady had come and taken possession, she lifted up her fist and cursed a curse. And then she rode off, saying she'd eroto Dunloy and telegraph for her son. And the two servants went with her.' 1 That is as well,' said the young Lady of Kildare, her face bright as sunshine. ' We'll take the sorrow when it comes. Now let us taste the joy. Throw Che casfcle doors wide open, Mrs Kelly. Come in all of you, my triends. ' She swept up the steps, leaning on the arm of The O'Neil, and with Lord Tresham following her.