Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-21

the matter very seriously. Mauce
could not blame her father, and did
not like the idea herself of going tc
Harry without proper portion tc
contribute toward their joint partner.
ship in domestic life.
Never mind, Harry said the
handsome girl Ellen will soon be
married. | have pretty good reason
for knowing.
'Ah, but then your father says he
wants time to pick up marriage
portion for you, and that will take
him three or four years perhaps.
That is a good while, is it not
Harry ? said Maude, just blushing a
little for fear that it sounded forward
and bold.
Its ages!' said the Young fellow
Think Of waiting three years-why
we shall be old folks by that time
Not quite so bad as that, said
Maude.
I'm sure my hair will be gray by
that time !!
Nonsense, Harry, Now you are
joking
1 was never more in earnest in my
life, said he, AS he stole kiss from
her pretty lips, and ran away, SO as
not to bear her chile him for his bold
ness.
'Maule,' said her father, coming
into the house from the barn, I wish
YOU would ride the sorrel mare to
Easton and get this 500 bill changed
at the bank. The workmen have got
done with the roofing Of the barn, and
| want to paw hem Oft to night.
Very well, father. Let John put
the side saddle on, and | will be
ready in five minutes.
The sorrel mare Was brough: up to
the door, and Maude was soon on her
way, at al easy hand-gallop towards
Easton. She had an excellent seat,
and was good horsewoman. AS she
knew this we'll, she would not have
objected to have Harry see her just
now, but he had gone a few moments
before in an oppo2te direction.
When MAude got into Ea3ton she
rode directly to the bank, but was
unfortunate enough to find it was al
ready closed. After few moment s
thought she resolved to try and get
the note changed at the grocer's, or
at some Of the other stores, and went
Immediately to do so. Fate seemed
against her, for no one had snail
change enough to accommodate Miss
Henderson
At one Of the stores where she
stopped very gentlemanly- looking
pe son took out his Iocketbook and
said lie thought he could change it
for her, and she handed him the bill,
bu. he returned It, saying, after all,
he had not so much small change
lie seemed to regret this, however,
and even followed Maule to the door
and assisted her to rcmount her
horse.
She was forced to give up her err
rand, as she did not like to run about
among strangers asking them to
change Eer bill, especially as no one
seemed able to do so. She, therefore,
turned her horses head once more
toward home. Scarce y hnd she
passed the outskirts of the town when
she was overtaken by the stranger
who had spoken with her in the last
store, and who at first thought he
could change her bill. lie was mount
ed upon a fne-looking bay horse, and
saluted her respectfully as she came
alongside.
Did you get your bill changed ?
he asked.
No; small bills seemed scarce, she
replied.
DO you live near h,re?'
"A bout five miles Oft.
Quite a ride.
Oh, we don't mlnd hve miles IN
the country.
You are an excellent rider.
1 have ridden since | was six years
old, but my sister Ellen is a better
rider than | am, she said.
You are generous to admit it, Saiu
the stranger.
Why, tits the only truth, she an
swered frankly.
After they had passed over about
two miles they came to a very lonely
piece Of road, quite removed from any
dwelling houses. Still, as the stran-
ger appeared so gentemanly and had
addressed her so politely, she had not
the least suspicion of any evil iaten.
tion on his part.
Presently he said suddenly, I will
thank you for that bill.
What? she said, half smiling.
please give me that BILL.
What do you mean ? asked Maude.
Just what | say + he replied, sud
denly.
1 shall do no such thing, shs firm
ly ans sered.
l am sorry to draw pistol upon
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