Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1878-06-06
he knew all about it.

clasped hands before the wide opened
door of the old fashioned oven, built
by the side OF the old fashioned chin
ney, and which extended a sort of
hump backed excrescence out into the
lilac bushes Of the back garden when
Mr.. Waller came in with a nice string
OF speckled trout depending from his
foretinger.
lie Penserosa 7 said he highly
Pardon me, Patty, hut why are
you so grave?
She looked up so suddenly at him.
My thimble !! said she. 1T has
rolled down into the oven-my little
gold tumble! !!
and can't you reach it?
NO.
1T is impossible where lalv's be-
hest spurs one on, said Mr.. Waller
gaiIantIy. Stand aside one second,
penserosa.
And he sprapg valiantly into the
yawning, dark depth of the old brick
oven.
1t was decidedly warm, for the fires
had Just been out it was decidedly
dark but no sooner had ne entered
than Patty,a brilliant inspiration light
ening her heart and face alike, swung
the massive IRON door to, fastening it
with sturdy bolt.
'lIeIloN shouted Mr.. Waller, what
are yon doing thcr, Patty ?
i IN shutting tie door, breathless~
ly responded Patty.
But | cant find your thimbIe in
this Egyptian Darkness
i don t want my thimble.
Patty-Miss F0rquAar-what do
you mean?
4 mean to have those letters back,
announced Patty.
DO you want to roast me alive in
this Black Hole o! Calcutta Of a
place. . gasped Mr.. Waller.
i don't think | care much whether
you roast or not, answered Patty de-
IIberateIy.
1 shall shout Tor help.
Shout away, said Patty, With a.
laugh. 'Dorcas is hanging out clothes
by the river, and mother has soue to
the village. DO shout.
Patty impIoringly.
No reply.
Miss EArQuharr still more implor-
inglv.
Well2
Am | to be prisoner here for
life q
Until YOU give me those LETTERS
i cant, groanel Waller, I haven't
got them with me.
But You can tell NE whore they
are, suppose p rejci ed Patty.
The oven VAS hot AID dark SEN
saIlon akin to sulioco;ion Stole over
Mr. Waller.
Let me out, said he, grinding his
teeth, and Iii give EN- to You.
That won't do, retorted Patty. 4
must have them before you come Out
or not at ALL.
Impossible
Nothing is impossible where a la
dy's behest spurs one on, mlmlckcd
malicious Patty.
Mr. Walter uttered an ejaculation
which was certainly not u prryct.
4 cant stand this broillng hole
he shouted. In the little summer
house nnler the loose board Of the
table, Quick, or shall be stiNed to
death.
And Patty flew off as if ler tiny
feet were garnished with wings.
In the little summer house, under
the loose board of the table, lay the
two lettere as Mr.. Waller had said,
wrapped in oil silk and tied with a
yellow cigar ribbon. Catching them
up, she hurriedly tore them open.
/ knew it wasn't Dear Stuart !.
she exclaimed, mocIiugIy, and then
tearing them into a shower Of nlnltes-
mlal pieces, she flung them to the
summer wind.
Half minute later, Waller crum-
ped as to linen, frowsy as : o hair, and
streaming with rerspiration, crept
out of his sultry cell. Patty courte-
sled low to greet his egress.
Walk out, coward and liar, said
she.
Mr.. Waller made no reply. What
could he have said ?
He left the Farquhar cottage that
evening. He said that he had re-
celved Il telegram. Perhaps he had ;
but Patty had her doubts on the sub
Ject. At all events he disappeared,
and Patty Farquhar breath I'd freely
again.
Morrison Newton came back in
October and Patty married him.
But she never told any one, not even
her husband, Of the episode Of the old
brick OVER and the two love letters.
Conversation at grocery in Wa.
tertown, n Y. / suppose every ybody |
thinks the fire was the work of an in