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THE CATASTROPHE.
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not fail to be seen by anyone entering the room. We then hurried out, and up the lane to Joyce's.

As we drew near we were surprised to find a light in Joyce's window also. I got to the windward side of Dick, and shouted to him:—

"A light here also! there must be something strange going on." We hurried as fast as we could up to the house. As we drew close the door was opened, and through a momentary lull we heard the voice of Miss Joyce, Norah's aunt:—

"Is that you, Norah?"

"No!" I answered.

"Oh! is it you, Mr. Arthur? Thank God ye've come! I'm in such terror about Phelim an' Norah. They're both out in the shtorm, an' I'm nigh disthracted about them."

By this time we were in the house, and could hear each other speak, although not too well even here, for again the whole force of the gale struck the front of the house, and the noise was great.

"Where is Norah? Is she not here?"

"Oh no! God help us! Wirrastru! wirrastru!" The poor woman was in such a state of agitation and abject terror that it was with some difficulty we could learn from her enough to understand what had occurred. The suspense of trying to get her to speak intelligibly was agonizing, for now every moment was precious; but we could not do anything or make any effort whatever until we had learned all that had occurred. At last, how-