66 "They've been lookin' after Simon," said a fourth. "Bad as he is, a body couldn't see him burnt.' "God knows frizzlin' would be too good for him all the same. Save ye, Misther Paul! This is a terrible night we have." "Very strange and terrible," said Paul. "But there is something more awful still, up at the house. Simon Finistou has been murdered." "Murdered!" A hum of horror rose and sank into silence. There was an extraordinary look on every face. "God knows he desarved it!" cried a woman fiercely, breaking the silence. "Oh, ay!" said a man, "but some wan be to done it on him." "That's the point," said the farmer, solemnly, with a sombre look at Paul. "Thou shalt not kill." joy there had always been a feverishness fires that the shepherds has for ever goin' and uncertainty which had not suggested night and day!" suggested a third. Oh, peace nor any well-grounded happiness. murther! here's Misther Paul and Miss Now, there was a quiet look of strength in May hersel'." his face-an expression of resolved content in his eyes, as if he would say: "Come what may, I will weather this storm;" for he already saw it coming, though May did not as yet. She thought of nothing at the moment but the wondrous change in Paul; and joy, mingled with awe, filled up all her consciousness, leaving no room for anticipation of things to come. Paul was restored to her, or rather given to her newly. As she clung to his arm, and he led her from the spot, she felt him to be at last possessed of that power, strong and fine, on which she could repose, by which he should govern himself and others without hindrance of doubt or fear. What her faith had discerned latent in him, hidden by the overshadowing of some mystery inscrutable, she now beheld manifested to her senses. Truly and indeed she had got matter for joy. Hitherto she had been the strongerhad battled for him and protected him as the man might protect the woman. Now, the God-given strength and dignity of man had appeared and asserted its superiority over her own; and, with a sigh brimful of bliss, the woman fell back into her place. Paul led her away, wi her face to the fields and the cool river. He wanted to bring her home as quickly as possible, so that he might return and have Simon's body carried decently from the house before the flames should get round the walls. As they hurried along they saw numbers of people running from all sides, attracted by the strange spectacle of the burning woods; all the early risers in the neighbourhood having been attracted from their homes by so extraordinary a sight. They were talking and gesticulating as they ran, suggesting causes for the phenomenon, and giving vent to their amazement. "Oh, good Lord !" cried a woman, "the divil himsel' must ha' whisked a spark out o' hell wid him by mistake when he was night-walkin' as usual in the woods!" "Whisht wid your blatherin'," said a stout farmer. "The heat o' the weather's jist enough for to do it. A flash o' fork lightnin' when the branches is that dhry!" "A wheen o' sparkles from yon cursed Some of the people looked askance at the young couple, and others gazed away from them with grief and embarrassment in their faces. Paul quickly saw the signs of the storm that was coming upon him, and his greatest desire was to see May safely at home. "I must take this lady home, my men," he said to them, "and then I will return to you. Will you hurry on and remove the body before the flames get up to the walls? There is not a moment to lose." "Ay, ay!" they said, assenting, and moved slowly on. There was a heavy doubt on their minds, and Paul knew it. "Till wan o' them be murdered by a kinsman of his own," muttered the farmer to himself. "I did not think Paul Finiston had it in him." แ Oh ye coward!" cried a woman who caught or divined his words. "Oh ye illminded man!" "I didn't say nothin',' "said the man. "It's the law's affair, not mine." Now ready, price 58. 6d., bound in green cloth, OF THE NEW SERIES OF ALL THE YEAR ROUND. The Right of Translating Articles from ALL THE YEAR ROUND is reserved by the Authors. Published at the Office, 26, Wellington St., Strand, Printed by C. WHITING, Beaufort House, Duke St, Lincoln's Inn Fielda. |