Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1876-01-07

SGOOU IN lue WlluOW, Slo Wo1o Pl0au.
ing with him to rellnquish the part
he had chosen. But he was obsti-
nate; the character would keep him
at her side, and he determined to
take it.
At last all were provided, and the
rehearsals and dresses were the main
business of all the little folks who
were counted in Mrs. Clara Lovejoy's
circle of friends.
The birthday party was a complete
success. Never had Minnie looked
loyelier than when she knelt over the
expiring breast, whose false head and
shaggy coated figure her tender little
heart longcd to hide from the curious
eyes looking at them. As is often the
case, the names of the performers
clung to them; and for many weeks
Minnie's heart swelled painfully at
bearing Henry called Beauty's Beast
but at last the tableaux and names
faded away in new interests among
the young folks of Fairwater.
Years glided by, and Henry Wood
was ordained. He had followed in
his fathers footsteps; and Fairwater
was waiting to hear his first sermon
before he left them for the home and
duties to which he had been appoint
ed.
Minnie, an hciress and a belle,
beautiful beyond even the promise OF
her childhood, was most anxious to
hear the first effort Of her old friend.
Years Of study and humble seeking
for the will of the Master he had cho-
sen. had set their seal upon the pure,
spiritual face Of the young clergymen;
and, AS he stood up to face the friends
of his life, there was a hushcd awe
went around tho church. TIE full
white robes and hood concealed the
misshappen figure, and only the fair
face spoke to them Of the boy they had
watched grow from childhood to
youthful manhood.
Slowly they dispersed, each won
dering at the eloquence and pIety OF
the young devotee; and the next day
Henry Wood went ont from amongst
them on his Masters service.
In one of the largest houses in Fair
water, Minnie Stok kes sat, reading a
love letter. Her rich beauty was full
ly developed, and every decoration
wealth could give was at her com
mand. From the jeweled band that
held her clustering curls to the daln-
ty slipper that covered her tiny foot,
her dress was exquisite and COSTLY
She had been dressing for large
party when the letter was brought to
her. With it was a bouquet, which
she was inplored to carry, if the an
swer to the suit was favorable one.
She was offered all that had constl-
tuted her world Her suitor had
wealth, talent and manly beauty; he
adored her, could match her worldly
position, and give her home as lux
urious as the one she had lived in from
childhood.
II wonder if care for Lim," she
said, letting the letter lie open before
her. 81 have not thought much of
love. My life has been useless and
aimless; and now when I was think
ing l might be better-when Henry
had made me think-here is new
life of ease and luxury offered me. |
wonder if l care enough for Sir Ru-
dolph Haines to BE- his wife? He is
very handsome, very devoted; and
every winter, when I have been at
Aunt James, he has made the time
pass very pleasantly. l did not
think he would follow me here to my
quiet country home. | am very hap
py; l was going to try to be very good
and somehow this letter perplexes
me.
You will see that she was not very
much in love with the writer, yet lie
had been very pleasant companion
in her gay London winters.
II am to carry this bouquet, if l
love him. she mused.
For nearly an hour she sat over the
letter thinking deeply; then she rose,
took the bouquet in her hand, and de-
thrust the flowers into the
fire, much to her maids 8 consterna.