ar father spoke to
me were sufficient to make me feel he was aware of the great change
about to take place. Let us hasten to him. Perhaps even now his spirit
is departing, and I would be at his side at that awful moment."

"Stay, Nora," said Sophy; "I do not believe in the banshee, or any other
being of the sort. I see no figure, and even did I, I should not be
convinced that it was a being of another world. I know that many
believe such things exist. Some think they are sent in kindness;
others, that they are rather evil spirits permitted to disturb the
parting hours of the dying; but that, at all events, I am sure is not
the case. Let us watch a short time longer. Depend upon it, we are
deceived in some way."

"Oh, no, no!" exclaimed Nora, pointing towards the nearest part of the
beach which was visible. "See that phantom figure moving across the
sands! Surely that must be the banshee! What else?"

"No, dear Nora, calm yourself," answered Sophy. "Do not you recognise
the figure of poor mad Kathleen? She must have uttered those cries as
she passed under the castle walls. She must have come to ask after the
Earl, and, as bad news flies fast, she has probably been told he is
sinking rapidly. So, as she has received many a kindness from the
family, she is giving vent to her grief in those wild, unearthly screams
and cries."

"You are right, Sophy," answered Nora, "but, for the moment, I could not
help believing in the existence of the wild phantom we have read of and
heard so often about in our younger days from the surrounding cottagers.
Yes, I see it is poor Kathleen. I trust my poor father has not heard
it, for, in his weak state, it might have a bad effect upon his nerves.
Yet he certainly does not believe in the existence of the banshee."

The poor girls had not long to watch before they were again summoned,
and this time it was to stand by the dying bed of the Earl. Holding the
hand of his daughter, which he gently pressed, he breathed his last,
with scarcely a sigh, and evidently without any pain or suffering. Mr
Jamieson, who had been summoned, stood by him. "He rests in peace," he
said; "he trusted in One all-powerful to save, though he made but little
profession of his faith."

Poor Nora was led from the death-bed of her father to her own room, but
it was long before she could find vent for her grief in tears. Her
cousin Sophy had long ceased to weep. Those who have suffered great
unha