Murphy's Cove was a charming little semicircular bay which ran rather deeply into the land. The sand here was of that silvery sheen which,

ion of shells, as well as very rare seaweeds, which she had carefully dried. Her mother had shown her how to ma

very fast into a woman. She had all an Irish girl's high spirits; but she had, added to these, a peculiarly warm and sensitive heart. When those she loved were happy

glances at him when she thought he was not looking. The Squire, however, seemed cheerful enough, plodding ov

f early in the evening to see the nearest tailor. It was not likely that this individual could make a fitting suit for the young heir to O'Shanaghgan; but the boy

nd Terence forgot all about Nora's words on the previous evening. He was to start in two days'

you. Of course you are a little rough colt; but you could be trained

she thought, "and she is absol

thick serge petticoats, short jackets, and little tight-fitting caps on their heads. There was always a breeze blowing round that extreme corner of the Atlantic. Never did the finest summer day find the waves calm there. Nora and Biddy had been accustomed to these waves since their earliest girlhood, and were not

just behind the moon? I hope my lady moon is not going to hide

ave is dar

n sends its shafts when it is at the full; it is there the Banshee will meet us, if we are to see her at all. T

he Banshee so ba

e frightened

No. Not of ou

you see a spirit, and come face

" said

and sound, you will be quite safe to live for ten more years. They say nothing can send you out of the world; not sickness, nor accidents, nor fire, nor water; but the second year you are liable to an acciden

y well as yo

at my turned-up nose." Here Biddy presse

ry racy," an

ied Biddy. "I believe I got it so

ried Nora. "I know wha

t? You would be proud enou

descent of my own," an

of myself in it. You come and look in too, Nora. Now, then, we can see ourselves. Oh, holy poker! it's cruel the difference between us. Here's my forehead low and bumpy, and my little nose, scarcely any of it, and what there is turned right up to the sky; an

rew her arms round her fri

coming up. It has been so precious hot all day that I sho

are in the cave would b

g ever fright

could frighten me; but there are

me. I should

t a secret-won

ver blaze out anything you told

fraid of pain

ep and not so much as wink; and I mind that time when you t

t ask me any more. Here are the boys; we'll jump into the boat and be off. Why, it is half-past ten, a

ds," said Biddy. "I wond

pend another night here, and I shall lose my chance. I am

next moment a four-oared gig swiftly turned the little

running forward,

stood upright and mo

Neil?" sa

and a low forehead. A more bull-dog and ferocious-looking individual it would be hard to find. Biddy, however, knew him; he was Neil's father-Andy Neil, as he was called. He was known

tiff row, it is just as wel

ndishing one of his oars in a threatening way. "There's a storm coming on, and I want to be

the horizon, lighting up the thick

little fear as her friend, but even she did not contempla

l looked gr

kaping me waiting after the botheration of comin

r the boat could not quite reach the shore. The waves reached h

a rough towel, began to dry her feet. Both girls put

their favor, and they went at a rapid rate. The man did not speak at all, and his face was in complete shadow. Nora breathe

come," she mutter

stern. The two girls had

n oar, Andy?" s

, mi

of oars and help

ra took her place, and soon they were going at greater speed than ever. She w

half-hour they reached the

reeted them as they came close. Andy bent

y now. Now, then, I'll take one pull; pu

t found themselves in complete darkness. The boat bobbed up and down on the restless water, and just at that

we're safe," said Mike, with a little sob. "I

is perfectly awful being in a c

ay aisy. Faix, it's the Almighty is having

d now, and the boat swaye

ing any farth

Oh, for goodness' sake, Nor

He struck a match, applied it to the candle, and the next moment

y. "The storm won't last long. It's well we

in a terrified tone, "that th

was more like that of a wild beast than a man. Nora looked full at him. The candle lit up her pale face; her dark-blue eyes were full of courage; a lock of her black hair had got loos

n we not go farther into the cave? Time is flying." She took her watch fr

Do you want to get the gleam of moonlight in the crack

" sai

uiet; you'll reac

Andy," called out Biddy. "Oh, wh

and then the worst of the stor

tes. After the flash had passed, the darkness which followed was so intense that the light of the dim candle could scarcely be seen. Presently the rain thundered down upon the bare rock above wi

his oars. "You had best stay quiet, missies; just sit

hold the cand

you are

itement; she had never felt a keener pleasure in her life. If only she might see

und corners and avoiding many dangers.

aid, "we can't go

"We have not reached the c

he boat hasn't water

l wade there. How f

n't be so mad as to go

a scrap afrai

o your knees; you dare

the tide is goin

tranded here as like as not. These are bad rocks when the tide is low; we m

it in a quarter of

sprung out of the boat into the water

d fall in that awful darkness, and we'll never

straight on, holding your candle and avoiding the rocks to your left, and you'll

ndle had gone out. Just at that instant she heard, or fancied she heard, a splash behind her in the water. There was nothing for it now but to go forward. She resolved not to be terrified. Perhaps it was a water-rat; perhaps it was the Banshee. Her heart beat high; still she had no fear. She was going to plead for her father. What girl would be terrified with such a cause in view? She walked slowly and carefully on, and at last the fresher air wa

your home in the rock and give me a word of comfort. A dark time is near, and we implore your help.

ehind her, and the next instant the startled

. Faix, now, I want to say something to you. I have come here for the purpose. There

that?"

." He indicated with a motion of his thumb the dist

know you have foll

There's the little lad Mike will look after

ant to see t

le. No one will ever know; they'll think you has fallen and got drowned without no help from me. Yes, I'll do it-yes, I will-unless you promises that Squire O'Shanaghgan shan't evict me. If I go out, why, you goes out first. Now, you'll do it; you'll swear that you'll do it? You'll leave no stone unturned. You'll get 'em to le

ghtened; you wouldn't do

? You think that

I am sure you are

shouldn'

o bad, not to an innocent

ving, and why should they turn us out of our bit of a cabin? Swear yo

never!" she added, tears, not of fright, but of pity,

into that water, and you'll never be heard of again unless you promises. I'll go back; they none of 'em will know I fol

what am I

myself or have my tongue cut out, and may the Holy Mother cast me from her presence for

"I am not afraid. I'll do my very, very bes

ked at her

er you pushed me into that pool, I would rather sink and die, than take an awful vow

s the courage; but now if I let yez

'll do

somebody's eyes, you'll go out of the world. But

it the candle. Then, Andy going in front of Nora, they both