CHAPTER XXXIII. HOLDING A PARLEY.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 329, 29 December 1888, Page 6

CHAPTER XXXIII. HOLDING A PARLEY.

It was some twenty-four hours subsequent to the return of the Lady Nora to Kildare Castile. The draw-bridge was still up, and old Dennis, the bridge-keeper, sat in the shadow of his door-way, keeping vigilant watch upon the "road that led from the mainland to the island. The servants and tenants, determined to defend their young lady in her rights; had posted themselves; as sentinels at intervals along the shores, determined to permit no, hostile person to land upon the contested domain. The scene might bave been a reproduction of Borne incident of feudaFtimes, instead of an occurrence of to-day. About the'middle of the afternoon a carriage came swiftly along the mainland road, and drew up upon the opposite side of the steep Cut-off, while its astonished driver challenged old Dennis,! demanding to know why the draw-bridge was up, and how he was to drive over to the island. Old Dennis came out of his doorway, and stood upon his side of the bank, with half-a-dozen burly fellows ab his back. « Who comes there ?' he shouted with an air of authority. The question was answerod by the opening "of the carnage door, when the Lady Kathleen, the stop-sister of- the" young La<ty Nora, sprang out lightly, throwing back her vail. . Old Denis was profuse in his apologies. After a brief parley the Lady Kathleen re-entered% her carriage, the draw-bridge war fowerefe, and the vehicle was permitted to cross to the island. The draw- bridge was raised again, and lowered an hour or ho later to permit the cab to return to the mainland, after which it was drawn up for the night. The meeting between the two step-sisters was joyful, as may be imagined. The Lady Kathleen announced her intention of remaining at Kildare Castle until "she should be summoned to follow Bassantyne to the Continent. - Lord Tresham and the Lady Kathleen did not meet that evening. Contrary to the expectations of Nora and Lord O'Neil, nothing was heard that night of or from the new' earl, his 'mother,' 'pt Michael,Kildare. „.;_, The next morning the Lady Kateleen and Lord Tresham met each other in the breakfast parlour, a few minutes beforothe remaining members of ihe family m'ade'their appearance. The Lady Kathleen was standing m the great bay-window overhanging the sea, in the midst of the litllo greenery of potted plants and -hanging-baskets, when her defrauded lover came in. Both started ; both turned pale. Then Lord Tresham came forward and gave Lady Kathleen his hand, and their eyes met. How both had changed since the night ot that fatal marriage on the lonely Scottish shore! There were gray .threads showing plainly in Lord Tresham's hair, and beard, and lines had been graven under his eyes and at the corners of his mouth— lines wrought by care and sorrow, which no after joy would ever obliterate. And as for her, poor Lady Kathleen ! she was pale and thin and anxious, and her pure azure eyes, so rare in their deep, soft exquisite colouring, had a sorrowing, piteous expression that, went to Lord Tresham's heart, '.inflicting a pang like a knife wound. •We meet again, Kathleen— and thus !' said Lord Tresham, trying to" smile. ' Sorrow has left it 3 footprint upon your face, as on mine, .Kathleen. Where is the villain who has wrought us all this harm ?' 'He has fled.' •Fled?' * Yes. He has gone to the Continent/ or is on his way there,' replied the Lady Kathleen, withdrawing her trembling hand from Tresham's clasp. 'Heis a fugitive from justice, my lord.' Lord Tresbam looked amazed, but the Lady Kathleen was spared the pain of further explanations by the entrance of the Lady Nora, soon after followed by Lord "6'Neil. The little party still lingered at the breakfast table, Lord' Tresham and the Lady Kathleen silent and troubled, the Lady Nora buoyant in spirits, with a brave light glowin her snnny eyes, and a resolute smile on her scarlet mouth, and- Lord O'Neil smiling, yet grave, when old Shane entered hurriedly, announcing that a party on horseback had arrived on the opposite side on the Cufc-off, and were demanding to be allowad to cross to the island. ♦ There's only a "few of 'em, my lady,' explained old Shane', with considerable excitement. * But these few are strong. There's the old countess, acting as made as a March hare and the new earl, fuming and swearing, and Mr Michael Kildare, soft andpalar-'-ering,'and Mr Wedburn, the English lawyer, talking law, and Sir Kussel Ryan—' The Lady Nora caught at the name of Sir ;f; f Russel. •My guardian has arrrived ?' she said. I am anxious to see him. • And he is anxious to see your ladyship,' returned Shane, dryly. 'He says : ' Tell the Lady' Nora that this absurd farce must proceed no further. * Tell her,' gays Sir Russell.c "' that I command her," as her -guardian, and in the name of the law she has outraged, to iower the draw-bridge, and yield the castle to its rightful owner.' ' ,'| The young Lady Nora's cheeks flushed • haughtily. 'I wish I could have an interview with Sir Russell, apart from those pretenders,' she said, ' but I suppose ife would be mo'- ' possible to' gain one. Once the drawbridge is lowered, my enemies would rush * ' across witn him; ' ' You can' talk with him, from your side "of. the Cut-off,., Nora,' suggested Lord / O'Neil. ' Let us make a 1 party and ride to 1 the bridge house, and hold a parley with these people.' ' This seeming to all the proper course, the Lady Nora ordered h6raea t& ber saddled and brought to the door. She then retired, with the Lady Kathleen, to don a Tiding costume. ' \ By the time the hofees were brought ' around, the ladies were ready; ■• ,„ , ( ' The* good chaplain, who sympathies were "'all with the Lady Nora, accompanied the "'party. The little calvacade swept' 4 down the , arched, encircling avenue towards the Cuboff, and a brisk ride soon brought 'them to tfie bridge-house. , Here were drawn up two parties, one on X each bank of the ' swift torrent. the 'Roland side were old Dennis and a , dozen

-'allies. On the mainland were, the Lridy Nora's guardians; ihe'Ehglish lawyer, and her ladyship's enemies. The Lady lST6Va> ' rode 'up to the- very-edge of the steep bank~of"the Cut-off, at the head 'of her little >! party, and halted at the briiik. Her face was bright;- glowing ami piquant, asm her happiest days. , .Her bright, keen eyes roamed over |he opposite group in Hearchingscrutiny. Old Shane's description of its members had been, accurate. _ > The countess in a draggled habit, a battered hat and general disarray, did look .like a mad woman, as she rode up'and down the steep bank, her restless, glittering eyes looking eagerly for some '- spot where She might attempt a mad leap. The new earl was furious with rage, and was crying dut in a loud, shrill voice that he would hsjve his* rights. Michael Kildare, soft and gentle and dapper as usual, was trying, !in vain, to soothe the excitement of his "noble client. Sir Russel and Mr tVodburn were talking together privately and a little apart. In reply to the Lady Nora's bow be inclined his head coldly, and then exclaimed, harshly : ' What is the- meaning of this wretched farce, Nora ? You voluutarily retiied fr6m Kildare Castle to give place to its rightful owner, and yet I find you here again, usurping Lord Kildare's rights, and creeping like a thief into his house while he 'is absent. Is this conduct becoming a lady Is it becoming a daughter of the house ! of Kildare ?' The Lady Nora's cheeks reddened. •You have heard but one side of the story,' she answered. 'These friends will testifiy to the justice of my cause. ' Sir Russel sneered. ' And what may their opinion in the c^se be worth ?' he cried, furiously. ' Your lover. Wild Larry, is a penniless fellow, who is ready for any excitement or sensation : and the Lady Kathleen must be| a fitting adviser, she who eloped with atid married a man — Satan knows who ! Your present course is illegal, indelicate, -and ■absurd. As your guardian, I command ybu to have that drawbridge lowered. 1 ' ' And as your ward, I utterly decline to have it lowered, responded the girl, ' unless you will' guaranteed come over alone.' » „ •Do you dictate terms to me ?' ejaculated Sir Russel, angrily. ' I will promise nothing|! When I come over Mr Michael Kildare and'the earl will cross with me,' ' Then you'll stay where you . are for the present, uniess you fall back on Dublin or England,' said the Lady Nora, coolly. ' This matter of the ownership of Point Kildare must be settled by the law.. 'And until tfie law awards it to Redmond Kildare I shall remain in possession. ♦But.the proofs are clear enough that Redmond Kildare is the rightful ownef,' said Sir Russel. , ' Having once resigned In Lord Kildare's favour, you are commitirtg s folly, and wor^e, in thus returning.' ' - \ 'My dear guardian, I wish I could explained this matter to you .fully !' ex.claimed the young heiress. ' This map, .Remond Kildare, is not the • rightful owner ' of.the paatle and estates. His prdOfs lo^k, well enough,- and may convince a jury, but I assure you, Sir .Russell, .on my hondr, that I. overheard Micheal I£ildare tell Reclmond Kildaro fha'tf, there was a, flag in Red: mortd's claims— a flag known only to Micheal — and in virtue of this flag Redmond Kildareohas neither moral nor legal right to these estates or to the title.' . Sirßussell looked astonished, and glariced at the little Dublin lawyer. The latter rode forward toward the baronet, with an expression of mingled grief md surprise, as it seemed, on his soft, smooth, gentle face. ' I—lI — I am surprised,' he said, in a bewildered sort of way, ' Nora, you must have been dreaming. I never made such a remark — never ! How could I, when it is so false ?' ' Hypocrite !' said the Lady Nora, contemptuously. ' You know I speak the truth. You know that you carried me from your house to a miserable prison at Clondalkin. You know that you hired the man Fojrarty to Kill me — ' The little lawyer held up his hands in horror. Sir Russel Ryan cried out impatiently, angrily. ' Nora, cease such base accusations !' he commanded. ' Can you' expect us to believe such falsehoods ? I have known Michael Kildare all my life. He is one of the gentlest, the kindest and softesthearted of men. He :bribe a man to kill you ! This is of a piece with your melodramatic action of pulling up the drawbridge. Murder is gone out of .date. The accusation puts your first assertion at its ja&t value !' ' It is true, Sir Russel,' said Lord O'Neil, impetuously. 'I saw this prison of Nora ' 3 at Clondalkin. I rescued the Lady Nora from the wretched cabin of Rough Fogarty on the Down coast. Every word she has said I will vouch for.' ' Perhaps you overheard Michael Kildare plotting to kill his young kinswoman ?' sneered the baronet. 'No— ' 'I thought not. Michael Kildare has shed tears on the way to this place, tears of love and pity for this misguidsd Nora. He attempt to kill the girl he loves so strongly ! The idea is more than preposterous." ' Yet I assure j j ou, Sir Russel,' eaid Lord O'Neil, with stern emphasis, ' that this ' preposterous ' assertion is true ! Find the man Fogarty and compel him to tell you the truth.' Again the little Dublin lawyer held up his hands in seemingly righteous horror. lltis a conspiracy against me !' hegasped. ' Fogarty, the nephew of my housekeeper, a harmless, inoffensive fellow, is over at Dunloy, where I bade him await our return. Send for him, Sir Russel. Question him, and clear my skirts of this dreadful stain my poor misguided Nora has stact upon them.' * Nonsense !' cried Sir Russel. ' Nora's false ascusations fall to the ground of themselves. I,knowyou too well, my dear fellow, to believe you capable of planning a foul murder. And besides, what reason conld the basest man have conceived for the murder of Nora? My poor Nora !' ( he added sternly, fixing his gazeon the young girl, ' you should ha /c devised a more skilful story 'than this, if you 'desired to injure your kinsman.' ' Decidedly ! said Mr Wedburn. Her ladyship shows a poverty of invention.' t ' All this is wandering from the main point,' cried the new earl. ' I want to get over on the island. I have engaged my hew household, but I was obliged to leave the persons behind, as we started in such a hurry. ' They must come on to ; inorrow- I don't want, any trouble if I can help it, but I can't have these people,' he added, _ insolently, ' living in my castle, and keeping me out- of my own, as well as putting me to the"greatest inconvenience !' ' You are right,- my lord,' said Sir Russell 'iftora, again I command you, lower the 'drawbridge !' ■ ( , v/ *>", 'And again I refuse !' said the Lady 'Nora. *' AB*yoi\~dbtf bt mj*. word" and insult me and my friends," we will not^rolong this interview. If. the new earl' wants' redress, let him apply to the law. I believe' there is nothing else J; f q* say. Good morjn•ing 1' , . ' "., She bowe,d haughtily and retreated from the bank; her friends retiring'with Her into

the edge of the avenue, where they came to a k a i b 3w - v ,, -*« ,^.* .«■ i **4. 'j.j.' Sir Russell and his party retired to a little-distance f com th"e"Oii;bjoff,.and fitgaged in an' animated discussion. • It is impossible.td leap the stream !' said' the baronet. *If it were' possiblef'lN^ould do so.' 'If we could get into the castil© by strat. agem,' suggested the new earl, ''we should be in possession ; and possession, you lawyers say, is everything.' • • ' A good idea,' said Mr Welburn. ' Once in the castle, your lordship could make your own terms with^the Lady Nora.' •We must enter the ' casble !' cried * Sir Russel. * This misguided girl must not bo suffered to make her honoured name a scandal to the whole kingdom. I fear her mind is astray, or that O'Neil has won her over to some conspiracy. He does not want to let slip &o rich a prize as point ICildaro. Did, you notice how eager he was to corroborate Nora's testimony? We .must not suffer this great scandal. If we could get into the castle I would take the girl under my guardianship again, and remove her to England.' 'We must get in !' exolaimed Redmond Kildare, I have a plan, j Let, us pretend t6 give up the mattes, and leave it for the law to settle. Then let us pretend to return to Dunloy. But once out of sight of Point Kildare, we could go to Glenarm or Gushendall or Ballycastle and procure boats. VVe could return in. these to-night and effect a landing.' • I have a better idea,' interposed Michael Kildare. 'If we retire, as his lordshsp says, those on the island will relax their vigilance, • and we can easily land this very morning in broad daylight. The woods on the north side of the island will screen our approach, and once on the island we can creep up to the castle under cover of the rocks. It will be easy then to get into the casble.' ' But the boata ?' ' Ah, yes, the boats. One will be enough. And that we can easily get. There's a fisherman livinjr on the mainland, in a lonely spot a mile or so beyond the north end of the island. We can hire his boat. Let us mcct 1 stratfe^y with strategy. Do you not say so V The baronet, Mr Wedburn and Redmond Kildare acceded to this plun. The countess, who had listened eagerly and in silence, added her approval. Michael Kildare and Sir Ruesel then rode back to the brink ot the Cut-off. The Lady Nora and Lord O'Neil came out upon the opposite side, to hear the conclusion the young girl's guardians had arrived at. 'We retire,' said the baronet, grimly. • The Lady Nora bids Lord Kildare to have recourse to'thelaw~ and he will "obey her. One word as to myself. Do 1' understand your ladyship as defying my authority as to your guardian, and refusing to go with me to England ?' • I cannot leave Kifdare,' replied the Lady Nora. ' But, Sir' Russel, I do not defy your authority. I honour and esteem you. You know papa Wished me to~rema!in at Point Kildare, and'l must/ stayhere until |I am legelly ejected. But 'l shall be glkd to see you here alone, Sir Russell, at any time. Perhaps, in a ' prifate ' interview 'with y6u, I might, # convince you of the 'truth and justice of what I have^olleged.' Sir Russell waved his hand 1 impatiently. i 'Hold yourself prepared for a legal eject- ! tnent,' 'he said. * And remember the law i gives me a parent's control over you, which control I shall claim, unless you have a new guardian appointed, which I am perfectly willing you should 96/ He withdrew from the bank and galloped along the highway, and his companions followed him. They took the road to Dunloy. Convinced of the genuineuess of their retreat, the Lady Nora and her friends returned to the castle. Once well b,eyond all view from Point Kildare, ,the little Dublin lawyer turned into a cross-road, and led the way up the coast toward the^fiaberman's hut he had mentioned, „ , . 'We have dorie^ t^P'! he said., „' We have thrown .Nora and her friends, off their guard, and wejCan easily effect a landing on the island. "We shall soon' reverse the order of things, and have matters our own way.' I The little party galloped on, convinced i they were about to outgeneral their opponents. ; k Ah ! if they had but been able to read the future !