Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1878-07-04


without conditions; he must remain
on his best behaviour; but the silly
fellow is so perverse.
4 do not understand how this cal,
affect me in The least, she replied. i
do not know even the names Of the
parties.
Miss O'Connor, pardon a mothers
anxiety-lo you not love Gerald
Knowton :?
Gerard . and if I do p inquired
the girl, deGantly.
DO you not see then, that n mar
riage with ponnlless girl would rum
his prospects and defeat our plan lol
his welfare 2
Lizzie was nettlod and indignant
What right had this worldly wise, bold
woman thus to intrude, desecratine
the purest, sweetest feeling she had
ever known; bnt pride--her ruling
pa:sjon-gained the mastery over he1
temoer, and controlling herself with
an effort, she coldly answered
Far be it from me, Mrs. Knowlton,
to interfere with your sons prospects,
lie did not even hint any such con
tingency when he urged me to be hi.
wife but | will never thrust myself
unweIcomcd into any family ; there
fore, my course is plan. shall leave
nv home Tomorrow and seek honor
able employment, and may God tor
i've you, Mrs. Knowlton, for the
shadow you have cast upon my young
life, she added bitterly.
The proud mother took her leave
without word, feeling ashamed, yet
secretly resulting at the success Of her
visit.
IT. the privacy Of her own room,
the pent up emotions in the soul oI
the poor girl, found vent in tears amt
sobs, and when becoming calmer, she
set herself to determine ways and
means.
Had Gerard deceived her" " No, she
was sure that he was too honorable
too fond to expose her to reproach on
insult-this was all his mothers do.
inps, and how fortunate that she had
bid him wait for y year at least. Now
he should find that she could be self.
sacrificing for his sake; she would not
be the barrier between him and for.
tune; but this calculating woman
was it possible that she could be his
mother. Never, never she eX'
claimed, could 1t hrow single tendrlI
of affection around so cold nature ?
She wonll leave home, sweet, sweet
home, eniearel to her as q birth place
by the loving ministrations Of lnduI
cent parents, now at rest forever; who
! would miss her now, for she could say
in the spirit of the sweet singer OF is
racl, Lover and friends have none.
Arriving shortly after at the grea
metropolis, Lizzie O'Connor Travelled
up and down its streets until weary
land answered advertisements not i
few.
At last after repeated disappont'
mcnts, she found one which exclto'
her curiosity. 1t read thus:
"A middle-a9ed woman, not quite
confirmed invalid, wishes us colnpan
ion, a well educated young girl t.
make the music Of her life. Romu
neration liberal.
Evidently an eccentric, she though
in search of a musician, who wishes
consoler, perhaps, or some merry spin
near her.
> She scarcely hoped to suit, yet &h
went to the aldle glven.
1t was a palatial residence--a yer.
paradise, Lizzie thought, as she wait
ed in company with a dozen or NOR
showily dressed applicants.
She ensconced herself in corne
} in desnonllent mood, but her tur>
came at last, and following a servan
up the broad stair, she was shown int
cozy apartment, which seemed t
her obseryant, critical eye to be per
| feet
A delightful odor Of spring violet
was perceptible. There were books
birds and flowers, bright sunshine
' pictures and brica brac IN orderl.
prolus:on, denoting the refined tast
r Of the owner; but the principal obJec
Of attraction was the occupant, a lad.
past the prime, pale and thin, yet PCS
sessIng sweetness OF countenanc
which irresistibly won the conhdenc
and respect OF the beholder.
Looking inquisitiHeIy and search
ingly into Lizzies blushing f,ce, sh
leaned back in her luxurious chair, a
if satisfied, then with an amused smIl
she said
| DO you imagine, my child, you ca