ection where the body was
found, and that he was armed with a gun. Another, that in about an
hour afterwards he had heard a shot, but supposed it was some person
coursing, and that the report was just where the body was found, and
where Owen had been seen proceeding to. His only cow having been seized
by Daly, a threat that he was heard uttering, and his absence from home,
was duly commented on; and finally, he was committed to prison to
abide his trial at the Ennis Assizes. While all this was going
forward, Ellen's emotions were most agonizing. She stared wildly at
the magistrate and the two witnesses; and as the evidence was proceeded
with, she sometimes hastily put back her hair, as if she thought she was
under the influence of a dream. But when his final committal was made
out, and her mind glanced rapidly at the concurrent testimony, and the
danger of Owen, she rushed forward, and flinging her arms round him,
wildly exclaimed--

"They shan't part us--they shan't tear us asunder! No, no, Owen, I will
go wid you to preson! Oh, is id come to this wid us?--You to be dhragged
from home, accused of murdher--and I--I--Father of marcies, keep me in
my sinses--I'm goin' mad--wild, wild mad!"

"Ellen!" said Owen, gently unwinding her arms, and kissing her forehead,
while a scalding tear fell from his eye on her cheek--"Ellen, asthore
machree! don't be overcome. There's a good girl, dhry yer eyes. That
God that knows I'm guiltless, 'ill bring me safe through all. May his
blessin' be on you, my poor colleen, till we meet agin! You know you
can come an' see me. Heaven purtect you, Ellen, alanna!--Heaven purtect
you!"

When he was finally removed, she seemed to lose all power, and but
for the arm of a bystander would have fallen to the ground. It was not
without assistance that she was at length enabled to reach her cabin.

It is strange how man's feelings and powers are swayed by outward
circumstances, and how his pride and strength may be entirely overcome
by disheartening appearances! So it was with Owen: although constantly
visited in prison by his faithful wife--although conscious of his
own innocence--and although daily receiving assurances of hope from a
numerous circle of friends--yet still his spirit drooped; the gloom of
imprisonment, the idea of danger, the ignominy of public execution and
all the horrors of innocent conviction, gradually wore away his mental
strength; and when the assize time approached, he was b