Page:Irish assassin, or, The misfortunes of the family of O'Donnel (3).pdf/21

 wrapping her in a coverlid he carried her out upon the lawn. There did he return thanks to God for her escape. The people of the village alarmed at the sight, rushed to the hill to givo them assistance, and amongst the foremost came Murphy. To see the situation of Maria was enough for him; he hastily conveyed her to his humble cabin, where he consigned her to the care of his wife.

Scarcely was a letter sent off to Arthur when the angel of death threw the shadow of his wings over the cabin of Murphy, and the eyes of the gentle, the murdered Maria, were closed in eternal darkness.

When Farrell's grief was somewhat abated he arose from the bed and exclaimed, "Farewell, my Maria, thou that wert the solace of my age, farewell!

On the third morning after the decease of the angelic Maria, the villagers were assembled on the green opposite poor Murphy's cabin, and on their faces dwelt the sentiments of pity and regret. In the bedroom of the cabin was placed the coffin of Maria, and beside it knelt the unfortunate Farrell. It was then carried out upon the green, where half a dozen young women dressed in black supported it, whilst as many more walked two and two before, and the like number behind.

They entered the church, and the ceremony commenced. A calm resignation was apparent in the countenance of Farrell. The service had proceeded a considerable way, and the corpse was made ready to be laid in the earth, when suddenly the folden doors of the church flew open, and a young man rushed vehemently in, exclaiming, "Where is my Maria ? I will see her once more! I come to die with thee my love! Stand off ye inhuman wretches and give me way!" He then broke through the crowd, and seeing the coffin started some paces backwards. “Help me, she is murdered! my gentle love is murdered!" He became speechless with agony. It was with the utmost difficulty he was torn from it; but at length having liberated