Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1878-04-11

OF course she thought MIN very nne
young man.
oh how glad am every ore ad-
mires him so.
Something very significant in the
speakers tone caused Alice to raise
her dark eyes questioningly to her
companions face.
Julia blushed and laughed, and an
swered the look by holding up her
shapely hand. On its fore6nger
cleaned large solitaire
Poor Alice she bore her agony
bravely until alone, and then in her
outburst Of passionate anguish, she
realized the depth of her love for one
whom she must tear from her heart.
TIE next day Julia left for her
own home, and things went along
quietly again. Miss Grey's sharp
eyes noticed the change in her young
companion, and sLrewdly suspected
the cause.
One day she asked Roland to come
ND to her room as she wished to talk
to him little while.
Roland Hall was the son Of an old
schoolmate and when years before he
had been left an orphan, Miss Grey
la taken him into her lonely home,
and he had growr up to look upon
her with the affection a son yields to
d dearly-loved mother
Roland the old lady began, when
they were alone, you know how
much have thought of Julia-how,
years ago, while she was yet little,
winning girl, l set my heart upon you
two marrying when you grew upF
A dark flush rose to the young
mans s cheek as be assented to her
words.
We'll, Roland,' she continued, i
have noticed for some time back, or
thought l noticed, that those plans
conceived in my romantic old brain
wera a;r-castles after all. | have
thought | saw an expression in your
eyes, my boy, when they looked upon
another girl, very different to that
with which they ever looked upon
Julia, and I vas glad, for as Julia
has matured | miss in her those noble
womanly qualities | would like to
see in my dear Rollands wife, yet, if
Julia is your choice, | will never say
another word Roland started to his
feet and c!asping the old lsdy's hand
in voice trembling with suppressed
emotion, exclaimed
My dear friend - my more than
mother-you have seen rightly, l dc
love your gentle companlou-whc
could know her but to love her
But l knew your plans for Julia and
myself, and | feared to give you pain
But here he paused suddenly.
But what, Roland ?
4 do not think Alice loves me.
thought at one time | could win hel
sweet affections; but of late she is
changed. She avoids me-
The keen eyes soitened as they
rested on the young mans ingenious
features, and Miss Grey softly said
Ask her, Roland. Faint hear
never won fair lady, and never de
served to, either.
And so it was that when Alice
stole away one afternoon to her favor
ite nook-a little vine wreathed ar
Dor in the garden-Roland found he
there.
As he entered, Alice rose to go
but he detained her, while in ardent
impetnous words he flooded he
heart with the bliss of knowing he
secret love need be a secret no long
er. Timidly Alice raised her blorlou
eyes-and read his face. Then sh
falteringly whispered Julia.
Julia And wha, of her? All
did you think I loved her?' VIII,
we were never more than friends
neverl and then The young lips rae
in the new r-to be- forgotten first kis
OF love.
The next letter Alice received from
home contained news which made he
| feel sadly. Beechwood, their dea
old home, had been sold.
, Allie, wrote Josie, we do no
know who is the purchaser; but who
ever it is he is having it fitted up il
t princely style Then with favorabl
reports of the mothers health ant
many questions about the new broth
> er, the letter closed.
or course Alice had to 60 home t.
! make her preparations for her mar