The Legend Of Old Silfax

: The Underground City

Six months after these events, the marriage, so strangely interrupted,

was finally celebrated in St. Giles's chapel, and the young couple, who

still wore mourning garments, returned to the cottage. James Starr

and Simon Ford, henceforth free from the anxieties which had so long

distressed them, joyously presided over the entertainment which followed

the ceremony, and prolonged it to the following day.



On
his memorable occasion, Jack Ryan, in his favorite character of

piper, and in all the glory of full dress, blew up his chanter, and

astonished the company by the unheard of achievement of playing,

singing, and dancing all at once.



It is needless to say that Harry and Nell were happy. These loving

hearts, after the trials they had gone through found in their union the

happiness they deserved.



As to Simon Ford, the ex-overman of New Aberfoyle, he began to talk of

celebrating his golden wedding, after fifty years of marriage with good

old Madge, who liked the idea immensely herself.



"And after that, why not golden wedding number two?"



"You would like a couple of fifties, would you, Mr. Simon?" said Jack

Ryan.



"All right, my boy," replied the overman quietly, "I see nothing against

it in this fine climate of ours, and living far from the luxury and

intemperance of the outer world."



Will the dwellers in Coal Town ever be called to witness this second

ceremony? Time will show. Certainly the strange bird of old Silfax

seemed destined to attain a wonderful longevity. The Harfang continued

to haunt the gloomy recesses of the cave. After the old man's death,

Nell had attempted to keep the owl, but in a very few days he flew away.

He evidently disliked human society as much as his master had done, and,

besides that, he appeared to have a particular spite against Harry. The

jealous bird seemed to remember and hate him for having carried off Nell

from the deep abyss, notwithstanding all he could do to prevent him.

Still, at long intervals, Nell would see the creature hovering above

Loch Malcolm.



Could he possibly be watching for his friend of yore? Did he strive to

pierce, with keen eye, the depths which had engulfed his master?



The history of the Harfang became legendary, and furnished Jack Ryan

with many a tale and song. Thanks to him, the story of old Silfax and

his bird will long be preserved, and handed down to future generations

of the Scottish peasantry.



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