Page 184 - The snake's pass

172 ! the snake's pass. —
he had gone to Knocknacar, and had seen a great
change in the bog, which was already settling down
into a more solid form. I simply told him I had been
to Galway to do some banking and other business. It
was some consolation to me in the midst of my own
unhappiness to know that I was furthering the happiness
of my friend
On the third day from this Mr. Caicy was to be over
with the deed, and the following day the sale was to be
completed, I having arranged with the bank to transfer on
that day the purchase money for the sale to the account
of Mr. Murdock. The two first days I spent mainly
on Knocknacar, going over each day ostensibly to look
at the progress made in draining the bog, but in reality
in the vain hope of seeing my unknown. Each time I
went, my feet turned naturally to the hill-top ; but on
each visit I felt only a renewal of my sorrow and dis-
appointment. I walked on each occasion to and from
the hill, and on the second day—which was Sunday
went in the morning and sat on the top many hours,
in the hope that some time during the day, it being a
holiday, she might be able to find her way there once
again
When I got to the top, the chapel bells were ring-
ing in all the parishes below me to the west, and very
sweetly and peacefully the sounds came through the
bright crisp September air. And in some degree the
sound brought peace to my soul, for there is so large
a power in even the aspirations and the efforts of men