-: Vou. XXVIL FRANCIS 8S. STREET, £RANCOIS S, SMITH, t Proprietors. aN SN te as | y eco i) “Ubi aT) eT Pn \\ <4 N N \ ~ Author of “THE PATRIOT SPY OF BRANDY WINE,” “THE BROKEN DAGGER,” etc. COWAN, (“O’Gonner’s Child” was commenced last week. Ask any News Agent for‘No. 45, and you will get the £rs¢ chapters.) , CHAPTER Y. THE COMPACT OF BLOOD—THE DOVE AND THE FALCON. ‘But now comes the revulsion which must attend every vietory, however glorious. -The exultiig people hurry anxiously down from their points of observation to where the last level rays of the sun are glittering insad splendor off cloven helm and shat- tered corsiet, and lighting, with the glow of life, the rigid features of the dead, The conquering bands, returning from the pursuit, chiatnt a wild hymn ‘of victory, and the beat of drums ar the bldre of trumpets sound triumphantly over the Us, ; _, But neither drum-beat, trumpet-blast, nor triumph song can smother the sharp cry of recognition and the loud wail of women for the dead, ; : -Many.a warlike chorister who hears it ceases singing, ahd, looking to the ranks right and left, feels his stout heart throb as” he misses the face of some comrade who wil-never more bear ax or spear... _ si te But the triumphal shouts peal forth again, and they sweep gallantly on— ‘ “For some must weep while some rejoice, + eg Soruns the world away.” ing O'Connor and the princes of the blood, still mount- ‘stood before the barbican.to receive the toparchs and fs who were returning at the head of their victorious forces. — As each body of stern warriors passed by the royal group, the pike heads flashed like jets of flame as they were raised and lowered in salute, and the waving ban- ners flapped with a sound like the wings of eagles. A party of four horsemen, spurring rapidly across the plain, attracted special attention, and, on close approach, proved to be composed of Lord Edward Bruce, Sir Con- noclit Moran and their esquires. ; All gazed at the gallant stranger with that deep interest and admiration which bravery ever wins from the hearts of the brave; and the fiery Desmond, impulsive 1n friend- ship as in fight, spurred forward and met him with ex- tended hand. ‘ “Welcome, noble Scot!’ he exclaimed, ‘‘welcome to the country of the O’Connors. We cannot think so prompt a friend could ever be a foe.” ; Bruce looked at Desmond’s bloody gauntlet, and at his own, which was also drippiag red. ; “Thanks for thy. Kindly welcome, prince,’’ he said. “But, by the mass, this is stern iriend-making!”’ — “Lay it there!’? cried Desmond binuffily, seizing the other’s hand, . “It is a warrior’s greeting!”’ “So beitP’ said the Scot, returning the iron grasp. “et the friendship of Desmond O’Connor and Edward Bruce be cemented by the blood of their common foe—the Saxon!” As the words which made compact between the two princes were uttered, the surrounding warriors, by com- mon impulse, burst into a deafening cheer, and clashed their arms until the castle walls rang again. : “Royal father,’ said Desmond as he and Bruce reined in before the king, *‘secure the jewel of this warrior’s friendship... He standsalone among us, yet doubts us net as did yon dastard Saxon at his army’s head.’ “‘Welcome to ourcastie, noble Bruce!’’ said the king. “We are proud to call thee guest. The tale of thy prowess has journeyed thither before thee, but, by the sacred staff, we little deemed we’should see its-first proof striking for the honor of the green flag of Erin. But hold, my tord, thou art wounded! Hol! call the leech. Bruce had doffed his plumed velvet cap in answer to the king’s salutation, and the bright blood flowed fast fiom a wound in his head, the extent of which was hid- den by the thick, clustering, black hair. : “Nay, your majesty,’* he said, with asmile, “it is not worth heed—a mere nothing—a cat-scratch to put me in mind that velvet courting-bonnets like this were never made to turn off Norman axes.”’ He held up the cap, and the light shone through a cut in the crown. “By Saint Andrew!’’ he said, with one of his soldierly laughs, “it might ’a been a scratch that had put good stop to all my usurping and marauding, as the Englishman styles it, but for the stout arm of my gallant friend, the Knight of the Falcon, here!’ He turned to where Connocht Moran rode behind them, for they were now in the courtyard, and the king and princes also gazed at the favorite, with words and looks of affection. The ‘young warrior seemed faint and exhausted; his face showed a pallid hue beneath the shadow of his morion plumes. On noticing the attention bestowed up- on.him, his cheek flushed slightly, but the color fled an instant afterward, and a ghastly paleness took its place. The suspicions of the English general had stung the pride of the O’Conners in the most tender part, and the manly trustfulness evinced by Bruce drew forth their hearts toward him in all their Irish generosity. King and prince, father and son, vied with each other to do {iii honor, and the mingling of his name with the plaudits of the soldiers proved that the feeling had com- municated itselfto the lowest. What though they had been told that he orossed the sea to take their country from them and usurp their throne? Sucii thoughts must not interfere with their hospitality—he was a confiding uest.. Had he notfought in their ranks, barely armed, n defense of their honor,.and dyed his hands gory red in the blood of their insulting oppressors ? Obsequious equeries assisted them to alight, and the daltins, or horseboys, hurried away the weary animals, The closeness of the conflict had gathered every inmate of the castle to the casements and balconies, and the por- tals below were thronged.- This prevented the removal of the signs of strife, so desirable before entering the pres- ence of ladies. The king took the hand of Bruce and led him up the steps between the bowing crewds, and into the spacious vestibule where the princess and her attendants were ner- vously binding the arm of her brother Conrad, a mere stripling, who had fleshed his maiden sword and received his-first woand in the late fight. After’a few words of inquiry and approbation to the juyeriiie hero, who was undergoing the binding process with the dignity of a statue, the King turned to Bruce, and said: “My noble guest, I place before thee the pride of my heart—O'Gonuor’s Child.” Bruce bowed very low, as he said: “J lave already honored mysetf by bending before the Princess of Brin and the Queen of Beauty.’”’ Eya had thrown her.arms around the king’s neck and gazed past Sir Edward Bruce in a strange, Startled man- NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 23, 1872. having to await the signal of assembly to call him to the royal banquet, the Knight strolled out on the ramparts to enjoy the evening air. A wildly beautiful scene met his gaze as he leaned upon the parapet. The moon was yet invisible, but not a cloud dimmed the lustrous, blue-black sky, and the stars, “‘the bright and aS blazonry of God,’’ shed a soft radiance on the earth. . At intervals in the far darkness twinkled the lights of the mountain sheelings and cottages, where joy or sorrow held abode. Joy for the safe return of loved ones, or wild grief for the brave who should return no more. Nearer, upon the scene of the late conflict, flickered the camp-lights, while hither and thither, flaring weirdly upon the gloom, passed the torches borne by the bearers of the dead, or the holy men who hurried to give the last consolations of religion to the dying. A soft night breeze wafted up to the spectator aM the strange comminglement of sounds inseparable from such ascene. The bustle of preparationin the castie—the iron tramp of sehtinels—the hilarious bursts ef the soldiers in the guard-room and the camp—the first near at hand and harsh—the last mellowed by the distance—the murmur- ing mingling of the voices of prayer, entreaty, and recog- nition from the battle-field—the tones of a plaintive dirge from the monastery; and fitfully and sadly stealing over the wild valley came the sob-broken wila-ulla from the cottages. Strange and tumultuous were the thoughts that this picturesque scene raised in the mind of Sir Edward Bruce, Of how this people had been maligned by their English oppressors as barbarians, and looked down upon by his own countrymen as devoid of the spirit of independence and umfitted for self-government. How his own opinions hed changed in the very short time he had been among them. He had noted all the characteristics of what had been and still might be a happy land. Rich in varied scenery, blessed with unbounded fertili- ty, inhabited by a.brave and generous people, whose proudest boast was hospitality—surpassing her neighbors in resources, equaling themin arts, and excelling them in learning and song, why Should not Erin be blest and her children happy? Alas! the foot of the spoiler had stained her green plains, and the cunning stranger had scattered the seeds of dis- oy wee Ae WN YS ¥ ‘No eavesdropper, my Lord Bruce,’’ said a rapid voice, in which he thought he detected suppressed tones of an- ger, “but one who is fond to know why hinting words applying to the princess of this house are bandied about within its walls?’ Bruce had never heard the voice before, and, in the faint starlight could only dimly discern the outline of a tall, slim figure that seemed to wear a white scarf. ‘Sir!’ he said, “I know not who thou art. What meanest thou? These words points not to me.” “Ha! Do they not?’ cried the other. ‘Was not the fanciful phrase you uttered but now when I stumbled upon you framed for the Princess Eva ?”’ “Sir, I tell thee thou art overbold, whoever thou art!’’ cried Bruce, with rising anger. “TI am one to whom the name of the princess is sacred, and I will not have squires whisper it in the hearing of menials, or knights cry it aloud at night upon the battle- ments.”” “Now, by Heaven, man!’ cried Bruce, grasping his sword hilt, “I grieve that night shadows hide the face of @ man-who dare thus address a Bruce. Away! Lest anger Overcome me and i forget I am a guest!”’ “By my word, ’tis that that saves thee!’* the other cried. ‘My Lord of Bruce, when the honor of these walls protect thee not, we shall meet where no night shadows are, and the sunlight shall show thee the face of the ‘man’ who dares dare thee, or any man that breathes!’’ “Brave words!’ cried Bruce, with boiling blood. “Brave words from a listener in the dark—a rampart skulker!”’ : The other uttered an angry cry, and a weapon flashed in the starlight, while a pair of bright eyes gleamed like those of an infurate mountain wolf. “By the ghost of my. mother!’ cried the stranger. “Thou temptest me to an evil deed—to stain with blood the house of hospitality!” Bruce sprang to his guard for the expected blow, but at the instant the sound of numerous bugles burst with startling suddenness upon the night, resounding through the courts and corridors below, echoing back from every angle of the battlements, and ringing tremblingly up the gray wallsof the keep, far above where Bruce and his strange challenger stood with suspended weapons, en tableau. Seven times the bugies sounded—the signal of assembly to the feast. : \ N WO \) Ad AS Vy Ss \ RNR RANEY om ner, as if unknowing of his presence; but now, with an inarticulate cry, she released her hold upon her father, and, gliding between them, fled toward the entrance. The king and the knight turned ia astonishment to find a cause for this strange act. The evening light showed them beyond the arch young Connocht Moran in the act of dismounting. His face was deathly pale and distorted by pain and his eyes were glaring glassily. Even as he endeavored to throw his leg oyer the saddle, his head dropped, the shield, slipping from his nervetess arm, struck on the stones with a clang, and he fell backward into the arms of his squire, the blood pouring from beneath his corslet and through the shells of his cuisses. A woman’s shriek rang through the darkening hall, and they saw the golden hair of Eva O’Connor floating toward the spot. i “Pardon me, your majesty!’? said Bruce hurriedly. “Yon gallant knight has given his life for mine.’ ‘*] will bear thee company,” said the king, leaning on his arm and muttering as they turned toward the portal. “Strange—strange—that—Kva Bruce looked up, and saw that a cloud of displeasure darkened the royal face, The esquires were bearing the insensible form of Con- nocht Moran through a postern at the foot of one of the towers, and the Princess Eva was re-ascending the steps with her attendants, her face nearly hidden by her shin- ing tresses. Her father stepped to.one side and spoke to her, and she looked up at him with a half-frightened, half smiling gaze. “She thought it one of her brothers,’ soliloquized Bruce, in whose head thoughts of the king’s words and manner ran. “The royal dove loves the falcon !’ said a low voice in his ear. He turned and saw Malise MacCallum, and, close beside him, the handsome face and glittering eyes of the stripling, Conrad O'Connor. CHAPTER VI. THE NIGHT ‘AFTER THE BATTLE—THE CHALLENGE IN THE DARK. Night closed oyer palace and plain, and all was clatter and confusion preparing for the feast of triumph to the victorious chiefs. Each had betaken himself to his apartment to remove the blood and grime of the late encounter and lay aside his armor for garments befitting a royal festival. Bruce was visited in his chamber by the surgeon of the palace, and his wound pronounced slight and dressed. The doctor informed him that Connocht Moran was suf- fering from an ugly spear thrust in the shoulder, that the loss of blood had been very great, but the wound was not necessarily mortal. Bruce declared. his intention of paying an immediate visit'to his gallant preserver, but the physicion begged him fo postpone if, as the patient was, af the present, feverish and delirious, and all excitement was to be avoid- ed. The Knight agreed to be guided hy his wishes, and the man of skill departed. Malise MacCailtrm assisted his master to dress; and, sension. The blare of the bugle had drowned the melody of the harp, and the thunder of the war-drum succeeded the throbbing ofthe tabor. Bruce was beyond the age of extreme susceptibility, and his heart, trained from early yearsin scenes of turmoil and battle, was steeled against the shafts of beauty’s eye. Yet, strangely enough, through all his thoughts he found the image of Eva O'Connor flashing like a butterfly. Did he think of the beauty of the land—she appeared as the personification of Erin; did music or poetry enter his thoughts—she flitted past with bright smile and waving hair the perfect embodiment of both! did he dwell for a moment on the generous hospitality of peasant and prince —her white jeweled hand was first extended in weleome to the stranger; and think of love—with such an angel! Then her frightened shriek at the fall of Moran and the dark frown on her father's face crossed his vision, and the words of Malise came invotuntarily to his lips: “The royal dove loves the falcon.’ And immediately following came the sad look and fore- boding words of the gray-haired seneschal: ‘Alas! for their young hearts! Evil betide the time they think of love!’ The curiosity of Malise had been aroused in regard to the antecedents of Connocht Moran, and, through his in- quiries Bruce learned, that the young warrior was des- cended from one of the toparchs, or petty princes, whose territory had been seized and partitioned by the invading English. The prince had died in defense of his birthright. His son, then yery young, was adopted into the royal family of O'Connor as a page, and ail was done that gen- erosity and delicacy could do to make the youth forget his dependent state and deprivation of inheritance and kin. He and the princes were reared together like brothers, and shared in the chivalric system of education which, at brow time, prepared the youth for the dignity of Knight- 100d. From the age of seven to fourteen these young aspirants were called valets or pages; and to the ladies of the castle was intrusted the honorable task of instructing them in the rudiments of religion and devotion to the female sex, inculcating principles of love, honor and bravery. In order that the young students might practice in seme degree the instructions they received it was cus- tomary foreach youth to select some young, accomplished one virtuous lady at whose feet he could display his gal- antry. So it was that the Princess Eva O’Connor became ata very early age, the queén of beauty, in the assertion of whose supremacy over all other queens of beauty, what- ever, the doughty Sir Connocht Moran, aged ten, had pledged his knightly word to do battle against the world, What wonder that the docile page of fourteen and the courtly squire of nineteen, should develope into the fer- vent knight of twenty-one? So thought Bruce, and invol- untarily he repeated audibly: “The royal dove loves the falcon.” He had not heard the approach of steps, but was startled by an angry exclamation and the shock of some person Striking against him in the darkness. “Who goes there?’ he exclaimed, extending his left hand, and instinctively grasping his dirk. Suddenly the stranger lowered his weapon, and turned away. “Not here!’ he cried. ‘Not here. We shall meet again, my lord! Pray Heaven it be soon!’ “Stay! Who art thou?’ cried Bruce. “Thine equal!’ “Hal” exclaimed Bruce, springing toward the figure, which had receded a few steps. ‘‘Thy name? By’r mother, 1’ll know thy name!’? “My namel’’? exclaimed the other, turning suddenly and speaking ina thrilling tone. ‘Thou shalt know it. It isa sound from the far past—it hides not in echoless caves—but goes forth upon the winds—it is—O’CONNOR!”’ Bruce gave a start of surprise, for, as if the name had been a word of magic might, a bright blaze shot up from the pinnacle of the castle tower, and almost instantane- ously from every mountain-top leaped living flames, like reflections of the first in many mirrors, and away, as far as the eye could reach, flitting, flitting, sprang the lights, darting up as if the subterranean fires had burst the earth’s crust in hundreds of volcanoes, The jubilee-fires of the O’Connors. Bruce started in astonishment at the form now visible before him in the light of the flaming cresset on the keep. Who was his challenger ? Not the fierce Desmond O’Connor, as he had at first imagined on hearing the name. No; before him stood the slight, immature form of the boy-warrior, Prince Conrad. He was dressed in a richly-embroidered tunic with short sleeves, which left the white arms bare from near the shoulders, showing the bandaging on his wounded arm. A crimson mantie flowed from his shoulders, a jaunty cap, with a single eagle feather, was set on one side of his wealth of black locks, and what Bruce had mistaken for a white scarf, proved to be asling for the support ef his wounded arm. This now hung loose, for he nad torn his arm from its support, and the freshly- started blood was staining the ligatures. He had no arms but an ornamented hanger or skeen, the empty scabbard of which was suspended at his side by a silken leash, for he still held the naked weapon in his hand. Bruce could not repress his admiration of the gallant bearing and fine face of the wounded boy—a face almost feminine in its pale beauty—and the anger raised by the daring words. lately spoken softened into a mixed feeling of wonder and amusement at the fiery nature which could harbor in such a gentile form. He was about to expostulate with him on his mistaken hotheadedness, when the impulsive boy drove his hanger into its seabbard with a ringing sound, and waving his hand haughtily stalked away into the gloom. CHAPTER VII. THE, BANQUET—THE IMPEACHMENT—THE ARREST. Soon, along the corridors, which rang to the notes of a triumphal mareh, passed bowing ushers, leading prince and prelate, stately knight and lovely lady to the royal banquet hat. The esquires of the guests were ranged in two lines near Three Dollars Per Year. TERMS Two Copies Five Dollars, the door of the hall, and the procession passed betweem them. Each esquire, ashis lord appeared), detached him- self from the line, and led him to-the seat opposite which: the royal herald had already suspended his: sitield in the order of his dignity. Around the walls were: hung the banners of the chiefs, aye the royal standard shone over the canopy of the 1rone. The light of naany lamps flashed off the burnished shieids, and cause@ the lofty, ornamented ceiling to glitter like a clear sky in a frosty night. The balconies. were filled with white-robed choristers and harpers, contrasting with the grim guard of honor ranged back of the throne and state chairs below.. A great flourish of trumpets and drums:announced the approach of the royal family, and every guest arose, The purple curtains at the head of the hall were @rawn to either side, and the white-haired chamberlain ushered in the king, with the princess hanging like a wondrous jewel upon his arm. . He was followed by several ecciesiastieal dignitaries: under guidance of the chaplain of*the palace, Behind these came the Princes Desmond and. Brazil, ut Bruce, to whom had been allotted a place near tieyal seats, looked in vain for his challenger—the Prince Conrad. ‘The whole was closed in by a brilliant throng of gentie- men in waiting and ladies of honor, who ranged them- selves in a semi-circle behind the throne, One loud shout of welcome rang through the hall, caus- ing the arched roof to resound, and wafting the old ban- ners gallantly. The march ceased, and the harp and choir, led by the bard Malachi, burst forth in.a martial hymn, that moved every heart. Now resounded the alarm, the warlike summons and. the cheers of answering hosts, rushing forward to fight for fatherland, then the signal of onslaught, the charge; the flerce-ringing battle-cry, the elash of arms, the thun- der shock, the yell of defiance, the ery of agony, the pierc- ing shriek of terror, and the wild shout of victory, rending the air like a thunder-clap, and dying-away-—away—away in far pursuit of the fying foeman, until it sank into a hol- low moan, like the painful voice of the dying, and anom came wailing mournfully back and hung. sobbing om the air in a solemn requiem for the dead. Great was the effect upon the. compan .. On every face was visible the elation of the advance, the enthusiasm of the conflict, the pride of victory, and the softening of sorrow. There was but one in that bright assemblage on whiose- ear the music fell without effect. This was the Princess Eva. As she took her seat her eyes involuntarily ran down the bright row of bucklers and colors on the wall, andi her | cheek flushed as it fell upon the falcon shield, which hung in its accustomed place, with the green and gold pennon above it. She glanced along the Jine of knights, but her expectation was disappointed—his place was empty. The voices of welcome and the gallant forms, bent in homage to her state and beauty, were a mockery to her; her heart was with the wounded warrior on the couch of pain. The music that thrilled all others feil idly on her ear; his heart bounded not to the martial measure, and among the swords that flashed aloft at the minstrel’s will his was not seen. The moan of the dying seemed to be trembling down from his apartment, and the chant for. the dead fell shud- deringly on her heart, for it seemed as though the solemn sounds told of is flight beyond the reach of earthly love or earthly glory. As she turned her eyes away from the vacant place of Connocht Moran, they rested upon the unoccupied seat of her brother—Conrad. A strange and unaccountable pre- sentiment of evil fell upon her, anu a mys, * vision of che. ety lover and brother, in deadly siruggle, arose before er. : She turned away to dispel the faney and met the stern of her father fastened inquiringly upom her pallid ace. The music and the succeeding plaudits have ceased, the words of benediction have been pronounced, and the cornas are brimming up for the grace-cup, The king’s cup-bearer is passing the goblet to the royal hand, and a page kneels before the princess offering 220? a6 ina golden. chalice. : In the pause of preparation, before the master of revels: announces the pledge, the sound of quick, diglt steps is: heard, and Prince Conrad is seen advaneing up the hall. His mantle is wafting behind him by the rapidity of his motion, and his beautiful face, almost as beautiful as his sister’s, and seemingly made to be the wbode of smiles, is. darkened by anger. Almost at the same instant, but with a noiseless tread, another form appears in the hall, and by the Same en- trance, but it advances by the opposite aisle, andthe heart of Eva O’Connor quails as she gazes upon it. . It is the form of Connocht Moran. His is not the garb for such high festival. His gait is quick, but unsteady, his face is haggard, his long, black locks are disheveled, and his eyes shine with an unnatural luster. : “Jesu! mercy!’ trembled on thelipof the princess. “Ts it but his sprite I see, or have they quarreied and come hither for appeal ?’” Connocht Moran, to the wonder ofall, passed his own place at the table, ane approached to the foot of the dais in a wild, unconscious manner. He made a deep obei- sance to the king, and, catching the chalice from the hand of the page, knelt gracefully at the feet of the prigcess, and offered the cup with a strange, pleading smile. ‘My peerless mistress,’’ he said, ‘I return to my duty as of yore, and to the honorable right of defying the world in thy behalf.’ The words were scarcely uttered ere the boy prince sprang across and dashed the cup from his hands. With a loud cry Moran started from his knee and rushed to- ward his assailant. ‘Advance, guardl’’ thundered the king. traitorous madmen both!’ A portion of the guard advanced, but Desmond had already laid his heavy hand on Connocht Moran’s shoul- der, and the impetuous Conrad was struggling in the arms of his brother, Brazil. The company, amazed at this strange scene, sat still and speechless. The Princess Eva grasped the arms of her chair and sat rigidly erect, like a frozen corpse. Her face was as white as snow, and the ice-like jewels of her diadem glittered cruelly and cold. “Speak, sirs! What means this daring outrage %’ ex- claimed the king, turning his fierce gaze from one to the other, ‘You, Sir Connocht Moran. are our lonored knight—nay, almost our child—why do you thus assail our dignity? You, Conrad O’Connor,’’ he continued, ve- hemently, not awaiting an answer, ‘‘have you forgotten that you are in the presence of your king—nay, worse— Jorget your father?” Prince Conrad disengaged himself from his brother’s grasp, and bent his knee (o the ground. “My king—my FATHER,”’ he said, ‘‘when I forget thee as either, may Heaven forget me. But did the mother that bore me teach me the glory of our house that Islould see it sullied ?”’ “What dost thou mean ?”’ “Look upon this honored knight,’ said the youth, wav- ing his hand toward Moran, who stood with glassy eyes and hectic cheek gazing mournfully on the terrified white face of the princess, and apparently unconscious of all else. ‘He is almost thy son—almost my brother—he has ridden with the barons by thy standard when I have been forbid; now his pride has grown lofty, and he would set the mark of his foot upon the eseutcheon of O’Connor!”’ A low murmur of astonishment ran a~ronnd tiie hall, and every eye was turned upon the impeached favorite. Desmond O’Connor took his hand from the young war- rior’s shoulder and stepped back, gazing at them inquir- ingly. The king’s face grew dark as night,his bearded lips were tightly compressed, and his dark eyes blazed angrily. Connocht Moran stood as if petrified. With scarcely a pause Conrad sprang to his feet and continued yehemently, pointing to the sunburst that shone in royal banner above the throne: “Shall the hawk mate with the eagle? plume his flight to strike the sun ?”’ Oonnocht Moran, whose lips had been moving inar- ticulately, started suddenly around at the word ‘‘falcon,” and, waving his arms high above his head, cried ina voice that made the oak roof ring: ‘“‘A Moran! Ho! Strike for the falcon! Forward!’ ‘You hear the boid-tongued traitor!’ cried Conrad. “Silence!” thundered the king, the storm of anger which had threatened bursting forth in full force. “Ig this a hostelry, ora barrack, to hold such brawis? Guards, seize that presuinptnoas traitor!’ “Traitor? cried Moran, as the spearman closed around him, ‘Who dares to call me traitor?” “My liege,” said the gray-haired surgeon, liurrying for- ward, and bending before the king, ‘Sir Connooht is de- “Secure these Shall the falcon _& light, graceful Canopy, carved of Irisit: wood. 2 lirions. He has escaped my care. Ie knows not what he does,” “Away with him instantly!’ exclaimed the king, way- ing them toward the door. The young knight smiled bitterly, bowed his head low, and was led from the hall by the guard. Desmond O'Connor's face had fora moment refiected the anger of his father’s, but, as the fact of Moran's deli- rium became ¢@yident to hit, ail the eeepc ede ever extended by rishi ee to those suffering Ghder mental eclipse, Sprang from his generoms heart toward his foster brother and fellow warrior, He pressed the young man’s hand warmly and whispered to the physi) clan: ie The guard will give him to thy care. See “Follow him, that he recover,” “b The king turned to Prince Conrad with darkened brow. «For thee, rash boy,’ he said Severely, *fwho so far for- geist thyself as to quarrel with @ mindless man, and mar the festive hour With “braw!s and accusations, go to thy apartments and let us see thee not till we Command thy presence!” The face of the youth flushed crimson but not a word passed his lips. He pressed his hand on his heart and bowed his head to the King, then turning away, he left the hall with proud step and glistening eyes, The princess had not removed her gaze from the spot. where Connocht Moran had disappeared, when the bright crimson mantle of Conrad fluttered through the entrauce and disappeared algo. The presentiment of a short time before rushed ow her with double force, aud she dropped her face upon her arm aud subbed aloud: “They lave gonc—I shall never see them more!"’ CHAPTER VU. THE BOWER OF BEAUTY—LOVE'S ANXIETY. After iis unexpected interruption the entertainment palled, for every mind was too busy trying to fathom the inysterious occurrence, to give much thought.to pleasure. A cloud hung over the whole royal party; and the Princess Eva, after having graced the first dance as the partner of Bruce,’ retired under piea of indisposition. Bluckness lowered upon the brow of the king, aa the Princes Brazil and Desmond Were stern and silent, A! asign from the master of festivities the harpers and choristers burst forthin fall cliant. But the attentive rap- ture that the skill of the ‘bard Malachi was wont to call forth from the chiefs and retainers was now wanting. A signiess, voiceless communication like that which pre- sedes the re-entrance of a jury, had gone forth througnh- out the assembly. This was the startling knowledge that the ‘Knight of fhe Falcon loved the Princess Eva—and was belovell again. The music disregarded, and many an inquiring and furtive @iah Cust toward a person seated close to the royal : He was a warrior of large and powerful frame. His herculean shoulders were surmounted by a very large héad, with a great mass of bright, golden-red hair, and a@'beard of the same hue: a face with something of rugged grandeur, and eyes that gleamed like lance- heads in the sun. Instéad of the usual saffron tunic his dress was black, thrown open at the neck, and relieved by a crimson scarf tittt crossed: his breast, and by his baldrie of polished steel, This was Roderick O'Donnell, called Rory Ruadh, or Red Roderick. He was a warrior of note and tanist of Tyrowen, that is, he was prince-eleet of that country, for aecording to the old system of tanistry the successor of a ruler was chosen during his lifetime. Roderick was a firm ally of the O'Gonnors, and had long spent his watlike breath in sighs for the love of the Prin- cess Eya, dat, though her fatuer and brothers approved his Suit, the BaHant Rory found no favor in the eyes of the royal maiden. Still it was a foregone conclusion that sooner 6r ‘there would be an alliance between them, for in those days such things were arranged by the paren- tal will alone—the wishes of the father were paramount, and son and daughter obeyed the dictates of filial duty rather thau those of their own hearts, This was the reason why so many looks were bent in the direction of Red Roderick, and this was the reason that fe chafed under the scrutiny that he could not help’ but eel. He sat, eayoring with great effort to hide his feel- ings, chéwing the ends of his mustache, ana playing viciously wit e ornamented hilt of his dagger; but it Wis a velcano kept in check by a fraii crust ofsnow, and suddenly ih the very midst of one of the grandest bursts of music, he sprang to his feet with flushed cheek, and addressed the king. ' . ‘The words were unh‘ard by the audience in the swell of the chorus, but ‘they had reacted the ear of the king, | for he started-and gazed at Red Roderick with an ex- merce in which surprise and displeasure were blended, it the next*moment he bent his head witha haughty motion of assent.’ The tall warrior bent low over the al hand extended to him, and bowing to Brazil and Desmond, strode majestically from the presence. ‘The astonistitient and conjecture aroused by this inci- dent were cut short by the Abrupt ceasing of the Chant and the eet the reliring march, that told of the close of the feastion4 6 98 Some of the guests retired to their apartments, others to their tents among the troops, others again strolled apon the ramparts to view the night, or out into the plain to see the rough, hearty enjoyment of the soldiery. Among these latter were Bruce and his squire Malise, and they were joined beyond the barbican by Prince Desmond, with an apology for the ill-fate of their festival and the apparent neglect of their Scottish guest. “The moon was rising slowly, like a great brazen shield, above the eastern forests, and Casting her mellow, mourn- falrays athwart the ing camping grounds as ene four, for ee 0 nor was attended by a page, strayed out among th oking torches. - We will eave them to pursue their way to one of those Strange mg¢ points which fate prepares for good or evil, while ascend the palace staircase and visit the apart the Princess Eva. : Pas ae h a small ante-chiamber, lighted by ‘a suspended * en cresset, we open a tieavy door of com- munication and view a scene of beauty beyond. It is an apartment not spacieus, but appearing to be so from the far-stretching perspective of the rich tapestries that adorn the walls. Some of these are very ancient, while some are bright in the gloss of recent creation; and were Wrought by te beauteous hands of Eya O'Connor | herself. Tie ‘furniture of the room had all the elegance and “lightness permissible by the heavy manner of the time. ‘Iwo ornamented lamps hung from the ceiling, and shed a fivod'of mellow light over the bright colors of picture hhiigings and the figures in the Iris rugs upon thie floor. At one side was 2 bel with snowy linen and coverlets of rich ee goo and crimson. Tie curtains, that Jooked like the light cloud-drift of a summer sky, Were upheld by a spear proceeding from the month ofa ‘ séulpi ard Tidn’s head high up in the wall, and descended over the bed in the shape of a marquee ‘tent. “A large gilt harp stood at the bed-side, and a clarshech, ‘oP Sihaller instruaient of the harp kind, lay upon a table af the open window, with the first rays of the risiug noun glinting off its inlaid pearl. in the transverse wall, beyond the head of the bed, was a smal niche or shrine, with crimson velvet sare and Within, lighted by three wax candles ina candelabra of copper- gilt, was a figure of the Virgin in silver aud gold. Here khelt' the Princess Eva O'Connor, with clasped hands aad eyes upraised to the image of the saint. So deeply was she absorbed in her devotions that she heard n light, repeated rapping on the panel, and saw not the door swiug open or the person who stood upon the threshold. ; {TO BE CONTIXUZD,]} ———->e . REMARKABLE DREAMS. ———- e Dream Relating to English Criminal Hfistery. - Tt was a beautifal night in the English summer. . With- ina London mansion a gentleman had retired to bed at his usiial hour, but was for some time affected with great restiessness. From his window he looked up.at the bright array of countless stars, aid a soft breeze floated into the room. Still the gentleman could not sleep, He was an office. of the government, holding the positicn. of Uuder- Secretary of State, and a man of the most regular habits, “Well—well,”? he murmured, tossing impatiently. from side to side of the bed, “this is very strauge. Iam usually a good sleeper, but to night I cannot close. my eyes, My conscience is Clean—and yet here Lam, like bad Macbeth, denied my sleep.” He lay for a moment with his eyes wide open, and then, as if for & mere change and occupation for his thoughts, repeated Shakespeare’s lines on sivep. Still he tossed, and he heard the clocks of the city strike one o'clock and then two.in the morning, “lve half a mind,” he exclaimed, “to get up and go down to the Home Office. Evidently some inischievious angel or devi; does not intend that I shall get any rest eres Tired nature, however, began to sink under these pro- longed sufferings, and, as is often the case, sleep came suddenly, If was light, unrefreshing, and of short dura- tion. The sleeper turned and twisted his body, he threw his arms about, and occasionally he muttered a few words: °; Home Office—desk—life or death—iwake up—wake up. He now sprang bolt uprightin the bed, and rubbed his eyes, -Af the same moment the clock struck. “Why,"? le said, “it is only three o'clock. I heard two, and so have slept but a short time. But I’ve had adream. lsaw a fizure of some kind before me, which said: ‘Wake up, wake up! Go tothe Home Office! Quick—it is life or Geuth? Its face looked a piteous appeal to me, I cannot relieve my mind of the impression. I don’t know what ail this means, but ll dress and go to the office,’ In x short time he went forth into the street, and strolled ainost aimlessly in the direction of the Home Office. A strange and irresistible influence drew him in that diree- tion, but atthe same time he would not admit even to limisell that he was following anything more than the force of daily habit. Reaching the building, he went di- rectly to his ‘private room. His eyes turned to his desk, and the only thing he noticed was a memorandum book, Which rather unaccountably was Open. Glanciug at the page, he read aloud these words: ’ ‘A reprieve to be sent to cuiners, ordered for execution at York.” He was at once seized with a nervous uneasiness. pcr ee © in regard to those condemned criminals, T lave done my part of the work, but how dol know that this reprieve as gone to York? It should have gone in the usual rou- tine of the office, but I do not know it as afact. Really, I begin to think this night’s business means.somethings At ail events I'll go to the house of the chighlerk, and set ny mind at rest.’ = ‘eae He hurried away. His steps were now quicker, and he Was Mow thoroughly absorbed in ee Rousing hpthe chief clerk, lie was informed by thi the respite had been sent. to the chief clerk of the wliose business it was'to forwardit to York, “Then let us go at once to his house, in Chancery amd see about it.” k * They started off. The morning was now advan ’ and the under-secretary began to feel t there st certainly be acon wrong. Keeping his thought himself, he devoted himselfto hastening his compan Reaching the house of the chief clerk of the Crown, found him in the act of stepping into his gig for a.c¢ tr holiday, ‘Did you send the reprieve to the coiners at York ?”* demanded the under-secretary almost breathlessly. The chief clerk turned pale, and replied: : “Great Heaven, can it be possible! ~I have forgotten it, and left it locked up in my desk!’ The excitement created on all parties by this revelation was very great. , “This is terrible,’ cried the under-secretary. “Nothing but a fleet express Can Save the lives of these men.” ‘ “T hope that it may be ordered,’ said the chief clerk of the Crown. “You have my authority for it. See that the respite is: sent off without the delay of an instant.’ Thus instructed, the chief clerk drove awaytin his gig. “Taken altogether,” said the under-secretary to his companion, as they moved away, “this affair is most mysterious and impressive. ~ If the lives of these-men are saved, it will be through the meanusof a dream, which forced me from my bed’ last night to the Home Office, where my attention was arrested by the entry in my memorandum-book in regard to this reprieve. I wili re- late all the circumstances to you, and from this hour I shail believe in the influence of dreams,’’ The sequel may be soon fold.. Preparations for the ex- ecution of the criminals were made, and, as an expected reprieve did not arrive, it was announced to them that the hour of death was at hand. By this.time the reprieve Was on its way by express. The time was short, and the slightest delay or accident would prevent the distance being Overcome before the execulion. The criminals were led from the prison, and were now in the act of mounting the cart to convey them to the scene of the last act. At this moment the express arrived, and the cry went up: ; ‘A reprieve—a reprieve!”’ When the singular facts in the case became publicly known they caused # most profound impression: through- out the whole country, and led to such investigations that the men had their sentence commuted to imprison- ment for life. (The Dramatic Copyright of this Slory is secured by the 4 Author.) . Buffalo Bill’s © bak A SRT all! By Ned Buniline. Lei 2 i) {“Buffalo Bill's Last Victory”? was commenced in No. : Nos. can be-obtained from any News Agent in the U (OH APTER XL. eS tenant, the gallant Lawsen, though younger.in ser took to the work naturally. The first essential to a guod troop was theirs, They had good horses, well seen to, and in fine order. Next, they had good men, well dis- ciplined, who liked their officers, and consequently were ready to endure hardship and extra duty without a mur- mur. oN ; No company, then, was better prepared than “B," of the Third, to make a big record when it had a chance. Pushing on at night as well as by day, taking only such time to feed and rest as was actually needful, even Steve Hathaway, an old “Overlander,” used to going through if the stock went under, was satisfied with the progress made, ; On the third day out th had news from Buffalo Bill, for the scouts he had sént Pack met them, and now the order to ‘‘hurry up’? did no! ire to be repeated. With the almost certainty of an Indian fight before them, the men snuffed the breeze a8 eld war-horses snuff the smoke BP ie pena Th aking @ route W from (Naget Nee Hathaway eighotd thi rode on. ~ A ¢ The course now lay directly over the rat re in full view. A Sig halt ab poorer grass, gave the animals and men a brief rest, and then the marel was resumed, not to be broken by any aes dinary circumstance until the hills and good water reached, ‘ c ae This occurred after a night-long ride, just at day and the two hunter-scouts, riding ahead, had | luck tocomeon a band of elk iu the mouth of. which opened first be them. 2 eM Three of these were down before they couid: get o1 shot, So meat was plentiful when they made their mori ing halt. Grass was good, too, so both menu and iiors lad a noble chance to recuperate, : The two scouts, after a short rést, faking the course meant to travel from Steve haway tind Buffalo Bil, and to carry t was near at hand, if they could his party. BRE buat Captain Meinhold, before tir smoke signal, which he wout ‘would aid his tmovyements—sigi when and where Buffalo Bill was” ing, &c. ee A halt of about three hours gave men.andyanimals suf- ficient rest and feeding time to be quite ready for another rapid onward move. : It was now deemed best’ to skirt the base of the hills until the trail was found, as it might have been found, indeed, had they struck the hills furthers north, but it would have been the old trail of days before, Hathaway became more eager as they went on, for he felt confident that Buffalo Bill would have the prudence to wait, and therefore that they wou!d soon joiu hint, and his own good faith be proved. For no matter how hard a man has been, if he has any chance to redeem his past or better his life, he will almost always seize it eagerly attd improve upon 1f, About noon they came upon the trail, where Bill and his party had come into the hills. Capt. Meinhold asked Steve liow lung it was since Bill had passed ? s “The trailis cold. The night dew has fallen on ii!’® he said. “He must be along way ahead, if he has not haliea to wait for us, He ison a trail almost as fresh as hisdiwn. And a bigger crowd, twice over. If he and-all with him are wiped out, itis his fauif. He should have waited for us, for [ told him Pd guide you straight to his trail, and I’ve done it!”’ “Halt. There are smoke signals rising!” said the eap- ‘tain. ‘They must be from the scouts who left us! Yes— three, quick smokes; at intervals of time in which one can count a liundred! That means that a fight is goiug on. But there is no long, steady smoke of ten minutes’ dura- tion, to show that Buffalo Bill is there! They must haye forgotten, or else misunderstood me, Ah, there is another snlvuke—another and another, but they are further off). “Aud not made by them or their friends!’ said Steve Hathaway. ‘Those last smokes come from the vicinity of Nick’s Cavern!’ oath “What or who is there?’ asked Captain Meinhola. | | “A gang of Cut-throats and thieves, sir—the offscourings of humanity. They’ve seen these smokes, and they think they are signals from some Of their own class... They'll be moving down to help them too—and who ever is fighting, if they fight Buffalg Bill, will never get help from worse men than they are. They would risk their hair any time to get his, or to wipe out anything else that is decent!’ “Then we will move on. If there is a fight going on, the sooner we get toit the better.” And the captain at once put his command to g trot. CHAPTER XLIL Lottie and Susie had been now three days in the power of the Ute chief, and so far, though closely watched and guarded, they had not been treated rudely. He seemeil io have complete control over his braves, and as, alter baud after band joined him in answer to scouts sent out or- signal smokes, he soon had avery large party, «this seemed remarkable, ; tohncrw For discipline in an Indian tribe is to be'as much ex- pected as it isin @ new-recruited regiment of voiunteers, where every private.feels as big as his captain, and some- times bigger, having no responsibility to settle him down. But how long kind treatment would last the poor girls did not know, for the chief and his brother often spoke of ans as their wives to be, when, this war-tramp was ended. For how, with his force augmented, the Wasatch chief Was bold in his avyowal to go back and take the trail of the Snakes who had fought Eggaro, and to kill and scalp overs one.) . Ly ‘ When he got within sight of the plains, upon a trallthat ‘ ne brave scout left, arrange ‘a plan of Sa ictetan i ten which would tell nd, if he was fight- Yes } jufalo Se Crown, ‘y i ae Weare strong LAST VICTORY; DovVE-EYE, THE LODGE QUEEN. io O@ane Captain Meinhold was an ol campaigner, and serve p PA hed F BW hat! those Snake Indians?’ asked Overton. “We niust, or stop.to hunt—for our rations are 0 nt,» said theofficer,, ene t = Ke ES + VMe at can’t go withont eating t pe ay a). oughtin’t to come on the plaius!” said Ttathayw , as he bux a 4 ae Aimost boundiesa| exis’ Fae’ plains, Withono Water except some half-stagnant, ow: and then ina buffalo wallow, and it- a ry route for men and. horses, But toward t Oats ue of the hills onee more greeted their eyes, and when at last’ the eful evening air, so cool and pleasant came, the hills} sunse$ by some poor water, and yet |§ Warriors can fight. Will find us soou enough!’ where, Indians were indeed there, uppareutly well-mmounted and armed. | nt ‘The keemeyes of the-chief had detected at the instant he saw 1th ey Were ofhis tribe; and-he knew S person that} that the Suakes t suré to keep Ule war-pith until ude ue the death of their braves had been aver nov ea big fight,” for 2usbands.” | i — mora now chose four braves, and ¢ them strict sto guard the young girls and to W LO farm to to them, bat ig Keep them. safe ulthe fight was he posted outhe sideof the hill ha iff, down which asmall stream wound its silvery crystal beauty. ey mM thence they could look over all the plains below, and the coming fight would be decided before their eyes. Perhaps there was, without his Knowing it, a drop of aucient chivalric blood in the yeins of the Ute chief, Hence his claim to the title of King of the Wasatch, and his desire to. do battle before the eyes of the beautiful girl whom he had destined to Share his throne or lodge- robes. t The girls, guarded by braves who did not understand their language or appeared notto, spoke to each other freely as the Indians in column began to descend the hills, deploying farthes, down, as they were discovered by the Snakes, ea “ILour horses-‘had - been left we might escape now,” said Lottie, whose mind was ever busy studying how to get aWady from heretaptors. The'wily cliief tid had all the horses taken out of reach of both the captives and his enemies except only those re his ~warriors rodeas they went down to ght. * +f e ‘ : The Hght soon ‘began. The Utes forming a scattered line as they went nearer to where the Snakes were massed to receivethem, Closed but little more when with- in rife shot, but adopted the usual plan of circling around at a gallop and. picking off an. enemy at every chance. The Snakes soon met this maneuver by extending their lines and charging here and there till the melee became so. universal that the girls, now anxious. witnesses to the batule, could hardly tell oue band from the other, or Know which was victorious. q, All that they could see was bands of mounted Indians whirling here and there, striking and firing in terrible confusion, clouds of dust ue at times ag they rode over some dry and sterile piece of ground. d The young braves who guarded them, in spite of the nature of the fight, stood stolid and calm at the posts as- signed them in front of the girls, for the rear was a wall ol solidrock, and itseemed as if to them it mattered, not NO the. figut went so far as the expression of their faces spoke. erotic would have questioned them if she could, for she thought that their experienced eyeongnit tell which side | Was So far victorious, butshe could not speak their Jan- ae “But have you his receipt and certificate that it is tid Marmora., “We will not leave a single Snake dog gone?’ inquired the under-secrctary, __