ANCIENT IRISH COSTUMES

From Meyrick and Smith's "Costumes of the Inhabitants of the British Isles "

Costumes of the Druidical order.

MRS. HESTER SIGERSON.

1898.)

MRS. SIGERSON was the daughter of Amos Varian of Cork, and was born in that city. She came of a family devoted to literature and music, all thinkers and all thoroughly Irish in feeling. She married Dr. George Sigerson in 1861. From her girlhood she wrote poems and stories in various magazines and in the collections of Ralph Varian, The Harp of Erin,' etc. But most of her writing lies buried in the pages of The Boston Pilot, The Gael, Irish Fireside, etc. She published one novel, A Ruined Race,' with Messrs. Ward and Downey in 1889. Her death occurred in 1898.

6

A NIGHT IN FORTMANUS VILLAGE.

From A Ruined Race.'

It was night when Dan entered Fortmanus, and so intensely dark that, only he knew every stone, he would have found it hard to make his way home. A chill misty wind had arisen, which pierced his wretched clothing, causing him to shiver with cold as he went painfully on. But his heart was so full of love and hope that he hardly felt his physical sufferings. As he approached his door, and lifted the latch softly, the sweet smell of primroses greeted him. But, mechanically closing the door after him, he stood for a moment powerless.

The scene before him almost made his heart stand still. A tin sconce fastened to the wall held the solitary candle, and by its light, standing at the head of the bed, Father Mat, in a low and solemn voice, read the prayers for the dying.

Mary was kneeling at the priest's side. Up to this time she had remained in silent prayer, but on Dan's entrance she burst into a passion of sobs. Dan never uttered a word or groan, but, laying down his bundle, knelt at her side. The prayers were ended, but he never stirred, nor when Mary spoke to him did he seem to hear her. After a bit he began to droop forward, but her arms prevented his fall. He had swooned.

They laid him flat upon the floor, and Mary fell upon him in an agony of grief, fearing he was dead or dying.