"That's just like girls," he cried, indignantly. thing isn't nice they want to turn back."

"The minute a

'Oh, no, Dermot, no! I didn't want to come; and when you can't open the door, isn't it much better to go back to our beds?"

"No, it isn't; I wouldn't go back for anything, just when I've managed it all so well. Ah, there goes the key at last! Now we are all right. There must be a knack in opening this door; but I thought I'd find it."

"Oh, dear, how cold it is," cried Snowdrop, shivering. "Please let me go back, Dermot."

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'Well, I call that very unkind. To think of going on like that when I have taken so much trouble to amuse you! You can't think how hard it was to find the key, and then all the work I've had to open this old door. But do come on up to the top of the tower, Snow.

It will only be for a minute; so come along."

"Very well," said the child, meekly. "I don't like to be unkind. But, oh, Dermot, I wish you had not taken so much trouble for me; I do indeed."

“Oh, never mind that, old girl. If we see the stars and you look pleased I shan't mind the trouble. Come along."

"But, Dermot, suppose you shut the door fast and could not open it again? Think how terrible that would be. Oh, I am afraid."

"Well, there! I shan't shut it at all. I'll just leave it standing wide open, like that; so you need have no fear."

"But don't keep me long, Dermot, for I'm so cold," said Snowdrop, in an imploring voice. "Take me up quick, and let me come down again in a minute ;" and giving her hand to her cousin she let him lead her where he chose.

"That's right," he cried, with a laugh; "I thought you wouldn't turn coward at last ;" and he drew her out through the little doorway. The stair leading up to the top of the tower were narrow, winding, and very dark, for it was overshadowed by the walls and chimneypots of the Castle. Snowdrop did not answer, but clung to her cousin as they went up and up, shivering and coughing, through the cold night air. And at last, after much stumbling and many falls, they found themselves at the top of the wonderful tower, over which a glorious moon was shedding her brilliant light. They were now at a tremendous height from the ground, and as Snowdrop looked over the battlements she felt faint and giddy.

"Oh, Dermot," she cried, "I feel so frightened. I feel just as if I must fall over; I do indeed."

"But that's silly, Snowdrop. I think it is very jolly up here. Those fellows, Dick and Harry, love to come up, I can tell you; only we shan't let them come any more. Just guess what they did one day?"

"Oh, I couldn't, I couldn't" cried Snowdrop, drawing away from

the low wall and clinging to Dermot's arm. "I couldn't guess anything, I feel so frightened up here."

"Oh, you'd never guess, anyway, for it was such a queer thing. They actually lighted a fire here on the roof. It was awfully dangerous, and spoiled all the lead, and might have burnt the whole tower and

Oh, I wish they had, for then we could never have come up to perish with cold. Dermot, Dermot, do come down."

“Well, you are a goose; I wish you would cheer up a little. Just look at these big holes along the wall; wouldn't it be fine sport if there was a battle going on down there, and you and I were firing the cannons ?"

"Oh, no, no! I think that would be dreadful."

"That's because you are a girl. Uncle Tom loves battles, and so do I. He is a soldier, you know, and wears such a lovely uniform, all gold braid and things, when he is with his army He can tell lots of stories about castles being besieged, and men fighting, cannons roaring -shoot!-bang!-fire! Oh, they are splendid stories, and just make me long to see a battle."

Growing excited as he spoke, Dermot jumped about, and went so dangerously near the big holes, that Snowdrop was filled with terror.

"Dermot," she cried, passionately, "why did you bring me here? I will stay here no longer; I hate this place," and she stamped her little foot. "I am sure auntie would not like us to be here; I am going down this very minute."

"Oh, but, Snowdrop, I never showed you the stars, and I remember all their names now."

"I shan't look at them; I don't care what their names are, and I shan't stay," and turning her back upon her cousin she groped her way down the narrow stair.

"You may go by yourself, then," shouted Dermot. "I have come up here to look at the stars and think of their names, and I can do so without you. Babies of your age aren't one bit of good," and he marched off indignantly to the other side of the tower. "It was very stupid of her not to stay after all," he grumbled to himself. "I shall go down presently, just when I think she has had time to get into the nursery again. I don't seem to care about the stars, now that there's no one to tell their names to. I wonder if she's gone down yet."

But at this moment a wild shriek startled him, and he ran back to the top of the staircase.

"What is the matter? Did you hurt yourself?" he cried, as Snowdrop came stumbling up to him, her lips trembling, her face wild and white in the moonlight.

"Dermot," she gasped, "the door-the door
VOL. XII., No. 132.

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"Well, what about the door? isn't it standing wide open for you ?"

"No, no, no! It is-shut-fast! Locked-fast locked, I'm sure!" "Nonsense," he cried, pushing past her; "it has got blown back by the wind. I'll open it in a second. You're such a muff, Snow, that the least thing frightens you. I'm sure the door is just as I left it."

But the little girl was right, the door was shut and locked by some one in the house.

Dermot looked at his cousin in blank despair. What should they do? It was growing colder and colder every instant, and between cold and fright Snowdrop looked as though she should die.

"Knock hard;-shout, Dermot," she whispered. "I can't speak loud, for I am trembling so much," and she laid her head against the wall and wept.

"I dare not call, Snowdrop, for then everybody would know what I had done, and I would get such a punishment. Papa often told me not to come up here, even in daylight; and now-oh, dear! what shall I do ?" and Dermot also began to cry.

"Oh, how naughty it was to come up here, then. God doesn't love disobedient children, I know; mother always told me so."

"No; I'm afraid He doesn't. But, oh! I did so long to see the stars."

"And I did not care to see them at all. Oh, Dermot, it was wicked to bring me up here; and I was very silly to come. I am afraid God is angry with us, and will punish us. I feel so-so strange, so queer," and the little girl sank down upon the cold stones.

"I must get you in, I must get you in," cried Dermot, looking at his cousin in alarm. "I must get you in, or you will die. Oh, Snowdrop dear, try to keep well till the door is opened."

"Yes, I will try. Let us ask God to help us," and struggling to her knees the child clasped her hands, and raised her streaming eyes to the clear, starlit sky.

"Open the door! open the door! Please, please, let us in. Uncle Tom! papa, papa!" shouted Dermot, hammering on the door with all his strength.

But no answer came to his cry for aid. All seemed silent within and without the house, and terrified beyond measure, he at last gave up in despair, and falling on his knees beside Snowdrop, he implored God to help and deliver them.

CHAPTER VII.

UNCLE TOM TO THE RESCUE.

WHEN Captain Mason had finished his supper, he and Mr. O'Connor sat on at the table, smoking and talking. They had not seen each other for some weeks, and had so many things to talk about, that the time passed over very quickly.

At ten o'clock Mrs. O'Connor hurried away to give some directions to the servants, and, feeling tired and sleepy, did not return to the dining-room. She visited Dermot in his bed, kissed him, and blessed him, and then went on to look after her little girls. They were all fast asleep, looking rosy and well as they lay upon their pillows, and she retired to rest, feeling thankful and happy.

Meanwhile the gentlemen continued their conversation and cigars. "Have you anything particular to do to-morrow, Jim ?" asked Captain Mason, "or shall I have the pleasure of your company for a

ride ?"

"I am sorry to say you must go alone," answered Mr. O'Connor. "I am obliged to go off early to Dublin; I have particular business there to-morrow."

"Oh, that is a pity. But I suppose I must console myself with Dermot. I think I'll take the youngster for a day's fishing."

"Very well; but take care you do not upset the boat."

"Not likely; I'm too sure a hand for that."

I hope so. The young man will be as happy as a prince at the prospect of such a treat. But I think I must say 'Good-night,' Tom; I have to be up early in the morning; so I'll go to bed."

"So shall I. Why, I declare it's on the stroke of twelve. What a wonderful hour for the inmates of Kilteen! The servants will be giving you notice."

"Oh, I sent them to bed long ago. We are early birds about here, Tom, and firmly believe in the old saying:

"Yes, you are very simple in all your ways. Shall I put out this lamp ?"

"If you please."

And having lighted their bedroom candles the two gentlemen went softly up the stairs.

Dear, dear! What a strange thing. Someone must have left the tower door open," cried Mr. O'Connor, as he felt the sharp air blowing down through the house. "It is really astonishing how careless servants are. I gave that key to the gardener to-day, as he wanted

to see about something on the roof; he promised faithfully to put it back in my basket, and this is the way he keeps his promise."

"I will shut it for you," cried Captain Mason, and springing up the stair he shut the door, and putting the key in his pocket, ran down to his brother-in-law, who stood waiting for him below.

"It is a lovely night," he remarked; "I felt tempted to go up the tower and have a look out over the country. But I shall postpone my visit there till to-morrow; meanwhile, I shall keep the key."

"It is rather cold just at present for midnight visits to the tower," said Mr. O'Connor, shivering. "The wind is piercing still. But be sure you do not let that key lie about. Master Dermot has a great fancy for the tower, and I live in terror of him going up there alone. I have often thought of sealing up the door."

"That would be a pity. Surely Dermot would not go up if you forbade him."

"I hope not. But just think what a temptation it would have been for him to-night if he had found it lying open. He is but a child, remember, and children are not always obedient, I am sorry to say."

"No, unfortunately not. But don't be uneasy. I shan't give the young rascal a chance of finding the key; you may safely trust it to

me."

"Yes, I am quite sure of that. Good-night, Tom."

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Good-night, Jim," replied Captain Mason, and then the gentlemen entered their rooms and all was still and silent.

Now it so happened that Captain Mason was not fond of early hours, and liked to sit up late at night and read or write according as he felt inclined.

And knowing her brother's weakness, Mrs. O'Connor had ordered a fire to be lighted in his room. It looked bright and cheerful as he went in, candle in hand; so drawing over a cosy chair, he settled down to enjoy himself in his usual manner.

As he sat alone in the stillness of the night a strange sound fell upon his ear, and he started to his feet in astonishment.

"I thought I heard Dermot's voice," he murmured; "surely I must have been dreaming? No; there it is again," and throwing his book aside, he rushed out of the room. But in the corridor all was silent, and laughing at himself for his fears, he was about to return to his fire, when another wild cry came ringing through the house.

"It's the boy; it must be-and yet, surely, he's asleep," and running down the passage he entered Dermot's room and looked anxiously about. But the bed was empty, and the child was nowhere to be seen.

Up the corridor he went again, and knocking at the nursery door, he opened it a little and called out: "Nurse, nurse! where is Master Dermot ?"