Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1876-11-09

about ten o'clock, looking up from
her sewing, Jennie beheld a pallid
face at the window, staring at her in
tently.
Something jumped into her throat,
and she could not stir or speak. But
then the face went away, and pres
emily the door opened, and Mark
came into the shop.
Didn't know me p he said, ad-
vancing and leaning across the coun-
ter. II hope you are not frightened,
Jennie. 1t was thoughtless Of me;
but l just wanted a peep at fireside
comfort, happiness fear | have
missed, eh /? You did look so cozy
and content sitting there, and Id
give something handsome to have a
pretty wife waiting at the hearth for
me and, really, you mustn't mind
my caves dropping, Jennie, will
you?'
There was something mournful in
his looks, voice and words that
touched her deeply; and this was the
more noticeable from the fact that fer
once he Was entirely sober.
Yes, Mark, you frightened nle ter
ribly but it's gone now. Why don t
you do better you know what |
mean-and | ain sure you will not
find it hard to get the pretty wife and
the domestic happiness both
He shook his head.
"'roo late. I've missed my tip. |
doat blame anybody, though-only
YOU know. Joe is due pretty soon
now, isn't he He glanced at the
clock and nodded, and then said: we
felt tired and cold all evening, and
lonesome. | don't believe | ever
knew myself to be so lonely before;
and he laughed in melancholy way
tiddling at the same time with the
scales on the counter. And | de-
clare, he went on, glancing aronnd
oddly, this is such u pretty scene
that tit makes my heart ache.
Jennie, to think that | have no share
in it. The pleasant glow Of the
chimney corner tor Joe, and the cold
and snow for Mark Such is fate,
and a fellow oughtn't to complain,
ought be -
Jennie never felt SO uncomfortable
in her life. She vas not afraid OF
him any longer, bat she wished he
would go,-stlll he stood there, talk
ing in some melancholy strain, and at
length came the shrIl scream Of TIE
eaglne's whistle outside, and then
very soon after, entered Joe, smoky
and begrimmed, but all smiles and
good humor
-Four minutes late," said Mark,
glancing at the clock.
YES, my fireman was taken sick
at the cut above" said Joe, after
kissing his wife, as usual, land |
made the run from the last station
alone. don't know what I'm to do
-unless-bv Jove, just thought Of
it can get you to go on with me,
Mark.
The company mightn't like it,"
said Mark, with strange depressed
smile.
"In case like this there is no
choice. can't keep my train here
all night, and | cant go out without
ID fireman. Come, I'll take the re-
sponsibility, and make it worth your
while"
Jennie looked uneasy. Mark NAL
don rubbed his hands together in a
feeble, imbecle sort Of way, heslta-
ting
"lhe company didn't treat me
right,' he replied but that WASH t
your fault, Joe. Well, III help you
out. | always do friendly turn
when / can"
Good There's the express now,
ad led Joe, as the whistle No. 70
sounded, and the trai went thunder
ing by. Lets get aboard at once
| must make up for lost time
Yer. well II! just get my coat
and be on the engine in two min
utes y and Mark Maldon hurried
out.
"Good-by, Jennie" id Joe, II
must be off"
"Joe," she hesitated, Il half wish
you were not going to take that
man.
Joe started.
"Why q
II don't know. l don't feel salts
fed"
"Pshaw. Jennie! Mark never
harmed any one but himself, and be
couldn't harm me II he wanted to. ]
guess ! rup the engine don't ] little
girl p
"Please, don't take him."
And keep my train standing here
all night. and be discharged to-mor-
row morning? Nonsense ! | must
clear the track darling. You forget
that there's another express yet. You
don't want collision do you? Good
by, Jennie.
Take care Of yourself. Joe,' she
sai1 varv nala and trouhled and al