A story somewhat similar to the above was related to us, in which the apparition seems certainly to have been sent with a definite purpose.  Two maiden ladies, whom we shall call Miss A. X. and Miss B. Y., lived together for a good many years.  As one would naturally expect, they were close friends, and had the most intimate relations with each other, both being extremely religious women.  In process of time Miss B. Y. died, and after death Miss A. X. formed the impression, for some unknown reason, that all was not well with her friend—­that, in fact, her soul was not at rest.  This thought caused her great uneasiness and trouble of mind.  One day she was sitting in her armchair thinking over this, and crying bitterly.  Suddenly she saw in front of her a brilliant light, in the midst of which was her friend’s face, easily recognisable, but transfigured, and wearing a most beatific expression.  She rushed towards it with her arms outstretched, crying, “Oh!  B., why have you come?” At this the apparition faded away, but ever after Miss A. N. was perfectly tranquil in mind with respect to her friend’s salvation.

This group may be brought to a conclusion by a story sent by Mr. T. MacFadden.  It is not a personal experience, but happened to his father, and in an accompanying letter he states that he often heard the latter describe the incidents related therein, and that he certainly saw the ghost.

“The island of Inishinny, which is the scene of this story, is one of the most picturesque islands on the Donegal coast.  With the islands of Gola and Inismaan it forms a perfectly natural harbour and safe anchorage for ships during storms.  About Christmas some forty or fifty years ago a small sailing-ship put into Gola Roads (as this anchorage is called) during a prolonged storm, and the captain and two men had to obtain provisions from Bunbeg, as, owing to their being detained so long, their supply was almost exhausted.  They had previously visited the island on several occasions, and made themselves at home with the people from the mainland who were temporarily resident upon it.

“The old bar at its best was never very safe for navigation, and this evening it was in its element, as with every storm it presented one boiling, seething mass of foam.  The inhabitants of the island saw the frail small boat from the ship securely inside the bar, and prophesied some dire calamity should the captain and the two sailors venture to return to the ship that night.  But the captain and his companions, having secured sufficient provisions, decided (as far as I can remember the story), even in spite of the entreaties of those on shore, to return to the ship.  The storm was increasing, and what with their scanty knowledge of the intricacies of the channel, and the darkness of the night, certain it was the next morning their craft was found washed ashore on the island, and the body of the captain was discovered by the first man who made the round of the shore looking for logs of timber, or other useful articles washed ashore from wrecks.  The bodies of the two sailors were never recovered, and word was sent immediately to the captain’s wife in Derry, who came in a few days and gave directions for the disposal of her husband’s corpse.