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

to the brilliant draWlng-room, lean
ing on her fathers arm, empty-hanc,-
ed but he was not man to drop af-
ter firing one shot; and to Minnie s
surprise, he was as devoted as ever.
1t was an odd life the young girl
led after tlis evening. She was in
constant correspondence with Henry,
and held fast to her resolve to be
good; but while every letter spurred
her own to higher aims and new ef-
forts, every interview with Sir Ru-
dolph drew her back to the gay world
again.
Mr.. Godfrey Wood died, and his
son was appointed to Fairwater. For
one year he lad been absent, and
there was not heart in his congre-
gaticn but felt pang, as he appear
ed on the first Sunday after his return.
The pallid face, hollow eyes, and
weary droop Of the mouth told tale
ofillness and suffering that went to
every heart there. AS he proceeded,
the color came slowly back to his hol-
low cheeks and the fire to his eyes;
while his stirring words of exhorta-
ton told of a spirit uuluenccd by
physical suffering, n mind devoted to
one cause and one work.
With pitying eyes the congrega-
ton watched the dropping figure of
their beloved pastor as it daily grew
weaker; while over Mlnnie's bright
life pail seemed suddenly to fall.
Die. Everybody spoke Of his
death as a certain and not far-distant
event. Die Her friend, her coun-
selor, her gulae to every pure and
holy aspiration of her life She turn
ed sick over the possibility; and then,
sparng herself no maiden pang, she
read her own heart truly. He had
never spoken to her Of love, never
given her more tnan a friends inter
est; and she knew that, unasked and
unsousht, she had given the deform-
ed minister the love Sir Rudolph
Haines vainly sought to win.
Poor, dcformed and sickly, he had
won what her handsome suitor would
have given all his wealth to gain.
1t was late one summer afternoon,
and Minnie was dreaming away the
twilight in her own room when she
saw figure in deep mourning coming
slowly up the garden walk. 1t was
no new sight; for the old minlsters S
widow, Uenry's mother, was frequent
and welcome visitor at Mr.. Stokes
house. Everybody was out, and Min
ME escorted the old lady to hor own
room, took off her bonnet, found her
the easiest char and then sat down on
stool at her feet for a long chat
Mothcrless herself, the young girl was
very fond of Henry's only surviving
parent.
Minnie" said tho old lady, strok-
ing back the clustering curls, and
looking into the fair face raised to
hers, II have come to make a strange
request to-day. l want you to go
away to your Aunt James until after
you are married"
"Go away! Married." cried the as
tonished girl.
"You are engaged to Sir Rudolph
Haines, are you not? You will be his
wife soon p
"Never,"
II was mistaken, then. Still, I i'm
plore you, take your lovely face, for a
time, from Fairwater. Perhaps, after
a while-OL! Minnie, Minnie, spare
me my only son!'
"Tell me what YOU mean? Quick!
Tell me?"
"Do you not see how he loves you :?
DO you not see that he is dying of
hopeless love?'
"He never told me-
"No, no; how could he? lie, the
dwarfed, doformed, poor parson
while YOU
81, so unworthy of his noble heart,
his holy atfection!''
minnie, Minnie, do not mock mel"
and the aged hands grew tremulous.
"Mother!" she whispered may I
call you mother?"
"Well," said Mrs. Lovejoy, as she
took off her bonnet, II never expec-
ted to coo Henry Wood look "a he did