Motion Picture Story Magazine (Aug 1911-Jan 1912)

24 THE MOTION PICTURE STORY MAGAZINE diers entered. Consternation held the women guests spellbound, while the gentlemen drew their swords to resent the intrusion into Miss Chute 's castle. Kyrle Daly attempted to restore calm, but just then Hardress was brought into the hall a prisoner. His friends crowded about him, assuring him of their belief in his innocence. Then Corrigan, he of the vengeful heart, took up the word. "I will lay before you, sir, the deposition upon which the warrant issues against the prisoner. Here is the confession of Danny Mann, taken at his deathbed. Bring in that woman," he called. Sheelah was led in between two soldiers. 1 ' The deponent, being on his deathbed," continued Corrigan, "in the presence of Sheelah Mann and Thomas O'Brien, parish priest of Kenmare, deposed and said " He looked up to greet Father Tom. ' ' Oh, you are come in time, sir ! " "I hope I am," said Father Tom. "We may have to call your evidence," said Mr. Corrigan. ' ' I have brought it with me, ' ' calmly answered the priest. "Deposed and said," continued Corrigan, "that he, deponent, killed Eily O'Connor ; that said Eily O'Connor was the wife of Hardress Cregan, and stood in the way of his marriage with Miss Anne Chute. Deponent offered to put away the girl, and his master employed him to do so. ' ' "Sheelah, did Danny confess this crime?" asked Magistrate 0 'Moore, who was one of the wedding guests. "Divil a word!" snapped Sheelah. " It 's a lie from beginning to end ! ' ' "Father Tom will scarcely say as much," unctuously remarked Corrigan, turning to the priest. "Did Danny Mann confess this in your presence ? ' ' "I decline to answer that question." "Aha ! you must ; the law will compel you ! ' ' "I'd like to see the law that can unseal the lips of a priest!" replied Father Tom, firmly. ' ' So much for your two witnesses ! ' ' called out Anne, who was beside herself with rage and indignation. "We have abundant proof," continued Corrigan, unabashed; "Danny isn't dead yet. Deponent agreed with Cregan that if the deed was to be done, he, Cregan, should give his glove as a token. ' ' Hardress spoke up. ' ' I confess what he has read is true. Danny did make the offer, but I repelled the horrible proposition." "But you gave him the glove?" insisted Corrigan. "Never! By my immortal soul, never ! ' ' "But I— I did!" cried Mrs. Cregan, "I — your wretched mother! I am guilty ! Remove those bonds from his hands and put them here on mine ! ' ' " 'Tis false! Mother, you did not know his purpose! You could not!" ' ' I will not say anything that takes the welcome guilt from off me!" declared the devoted mother. A new voice now projected itself into the scene. It belonged to the ne'er-do-well, Myles na Coppaleen, and, as usual, he had something of interest to say. After confessing the shooting of Danny, he begged leave to introduce a witness to the drowning of Eily O'Connor, and gave a sign toward the door. To the amazement of all, Eily entered, and Corrigan wilted in the face of the neatly arranged coup. Sensation succeeded sensation. Hardress clasped the Colleen Bawn to his heart and acclaimed her his wife before the delighted and admiring guests. Then Mrs. Cregan drew her from Hardress' arms, begged her forgiveness and offered her a mother's love. Next Anne, at the height of the excitement, bewailed the fact that she had been left husbandless. A host of admirers stepped forward, but she beckoned Kyrle to her side and promised him the speedy reward that his constancy merited. "Dear heart," said Hardress, turning to Eily, i ' I know now that I could not have lived without you. I dont