Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1880-03-25


me. But her influence WAS so purify
ing, so strengthening,that, as children
said of her, she made me good, and
| DO not think she ever discovered
the weakness of my character until
that great overthrow Of all her hopes
came.
arrived at Searidge one morning,
and ninging myself from my horse, en-
tered the house, as usual, without GER
emonv. The drifting petals of the
red roses were scattered over the step
and upon the white mating of the
hall. passed on to the open door OF
the pa,lor and paused An airy
fairy girl stood before the pier. lass,
binding A wreath Of hop vine about
her golden head. And as she twlned
the dancing sprays, she sang:
Sair she Sights the lads
Three are like To dee,
-Four in sorrow listed,
And five llcwito sea"
Little coluette.' thought; she is
chanting her own conquests.
Tuning to catch glimpse of her
vine wreathel curlS, she saw me
She laughed. She was very pretty.
She came and gave me her hand.
4 know you, she said. You are
Stone Floyd am Adele Sevisne,
and Victolre is my sister.
So this Was VICTORIES little sister,
come from school. She was full sew
enteen, and | had been inclined to
think her child of twelve. told
her of this, and that she was beanti
| full She poutel, laughed and We
sat down to chat.
As | have said, | never thought |
could be false to Victoire, but Adele 5
howerlike beauty excited all my sen
snous fancy. made compliments to
her lips, and wrote verses on her lin,
g,r.tip<, until the contemplation Of
her charms became habltual, and to
make her smile vas my daily delight
lul exercise.
Nictolre never anticipated my fnl
sly. She looked upon Adele AS but
cuild. She set US to amuse each
other when she was to he absent or
engaged. Our lovers Quarrels wers
made up b fore her very eyes,and 'he
never suspected, SO truthful and high
minded WAS she, that it was any thing
more than JEST.
The situation increased my !nfatua-
ton. ! was madIy jealous when suit.
ors for Adele appeared.
| one was DDCloI Leon, an oIi ClaSs
mate of mine. He was "a sensible
man, but infatuated by the girl 5
beauty. When saw that she favor!
ed him, rerroached her, PASSIONATE
ly.
We were in the garden by moon
'hght. she turned her white should.
er on me.
What right have you to care whom
| like. demanded she. 'Iou are en-
gagged to my sister.
But love you, and | had never
seen you when became betrothed to
Victoire, uttered my cowardly lips.
what can | do?'
She pulled rose careessly. Her
clustering hair fell back from Ler
dimpled face. She turned her head,
and her fragrant breath swept across
my lips. Should | see her taken from
me- Never
But only promise to marry me, |
cried, and will free myself. There
is nothing would not do, Adele, il
YOU would be mine
She clasped me, pas'lonately. With
the tickle fervor Of her years she loved
me, think. | promised her my un-
dved heart. She vowed to be true
to Inc.
Then we feared the difficulties Of
the situation. How could we face
Nictoire?
We never faced her. That nj ght
we eloped, were married in New
York, and set sail Immediately for
Europe.
For a few months | was happy
happy, without thought, in tie pos.
session Of Adele's beauty, and the ex-
elements Of pleasurable travel. l did
not hear Victories name, and | for.