Cursed! Blood of the Donnellys by Keith Ross Leckie

Author:Keith Ross Leckie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Novel, Donnelly family, Lucan, Ontario, History, 19th century
ISBN: 9781771622400
Publisher: Douglas and McIntyre (2013) Ltd.
Published: 2019-09-27T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

Johannah came to Jim in the barn late that night with a candle and stood waiting at their appointed time. Jim left his hiding place when he was convinced she was not followed. Fitzhenry’s men had gone home for the night. They embraced, then sat on a bench in the tack room with a small lantern for light, holding hands. It struck Jim in that thin light how Johannah had aged in the last year and how it was because of him. He had done this to her. She seemed rough and drawn from lack of sleep, a weariness that broke his heart, though it was plain to see her inner strength and beauty remained undiminished.

“Father Connolly is supportive,” she said, getting down to business. “He promised that you’ll get a fair trial. He’s on our side. People think you’ll maybe only spend a couple of years in jail or even be found not guilty. Some even say that Pat Farrell was a troublemaker and land stealer. You ran a fine race, Jim,” she looked at him with pride and affection. “But you can’t go on like this. I can’t go on like this.”

Jim knew this was true. He could not take another winter outside the house.

“I was such a fool, Johannah.”

“Yes, you were. But we’ll make it right.”

He embraced her and they kissed and at her bidding, they moved to the soft hay and with great care around her prominent belly, they made love to seal their decision.

It was late spring when Bob Whalen walked into the Lucan police station accompanied by Jim Donnelly, in the women’s clothing that he had worn to get there without being arrested. Chief Constable Fitzhenry saw him and laughed out loud.

“Donnelly! You crazed bastard. The lady of the fields. You’re under arrest!”

“I know this, Fitzhenry. That’s why I’m here. Just get on with it. And pay the man his money.”

“What money?”

“The reward for Whalen here. Four hundred dollars. He captured me.”

Whalen and Jim had worked out the deal. Bob would keep two hundred dollars for his efforts and Jim would pocket the other two hundred to pay for a defence lawyer. They didn’t like the way Fitzhenry laughed out loud again.

“Now wait a minute, Fitzhenry,” Bob said. “That’s the deal. Four hundred dollars reward.”

Fitzhenry looked at Whalen, a short, ruddy-faced man.

“Or what? You’re going to take him home again?” Any humour left Fitzhenry’s eyes. “There will be no reward, Bob. He gave himself up, sure as a pussy’s a cat. Now fuck off before I arrest you too, for contempt of court!”

Fitzhenry took Jim Donnelly down the hall to the cells and that was that.

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