Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1881-08-04
three o'clock one Saturday afternoon,
instead of the usual hour.

Home came the secretary, and as
cended to his delightful room and ca
sy chair with eager step. He ha'
longed for both all day, and promise'
himself an hour or two with a favorit
author, before descending to dinner
and the silent observation of one fac,
below him at the table. He was at
tracted by the face; it was gentle, fai
and womanly; there was a tremor OF
the lips, but courage in the eyes.
And she wasn't type of a female
boarder. He liked her for that. Sh,
was
Why. here she wasl Sound asleep
And in his rocking chairl
He felt very much like the Prince
in the Enchanted Palace. And be
would have liked very much to awak
en- her by the same means as the situa'
tiou suggested to the prince.
But modern decorum restrained po
etical ardor. and he made himself com.
Portable on a trunk until the princess
should have her nap out and awaken
to the position herself.
Her work lay in her lap.
He picked it up. Art work, paint.
ing on silk, aud did with skill. Poor
little girl.
She felt the touch Of pity in the air;
it awakened her with a sigh Of pleas.
ure Her eyes fell on the man on the
trunk.
Neutrality-suspicious." she
stammered.
my chair, if you please" he said
politely,
Your chair" still too drowsy tc
take it in.
Your are sitting in it, you know.
he suggested. calmly. my grand.
mothers legacy. 1t is comfortable
isn't it? She thought 80. for she went
to sleep forever in it"
He was interrupted by the young
girl rising with quiet dignity, but
with flushing cheeks.
Il peg your pardonl" she said. "I'
was very presumptuous, l know but
I couldn't help it she cried, in de-
6ant burst Of confidence. "You would
have your door open; the old chair
would invite me to sit i'll it, and as
had nome"
mo easy chair" cried the secreta-
ry on the trunk.
Not a bit OF one. It's an extra, ant
| cant afford extras"
He looked at her gravely.
Then you are claimant on my
grandmothers legacy
She looked at him in wonder,
THE old lady left me her fortune
with a condition attached-that
should every year aid poor gentle
lady. And-and-you-are-one.'
He got down off the trunk.
She looked shy and startled.
1T is true" she admitted, quietly
Then you must be helped. First
Ia rocking chair, eh?'
His laughing eyes made her shy
ones look at him.
II" she faltered.
You cant help it, you know" he
insisted, graveIy. The old lady said
must, and must. You'll have spine
disease if you sit on those abominabl'
things" pointing to the chair he1
paint-box was on. And my concie ice
will reproach me for not fulfilling tht
condition imposed on me.
His manner was irresistl lble-kind
courteous. but pravely earnest.
She thanked him shyly, and gath
cred UP her work.
"Your name, please" lie asked, a.
be proceeded to wheel his property
back into position.
"Oh, it its-Lucy," she fa,tered.
"A nice one too. But ! could mt
tell the shopkeeper to send home g
chair just to Lucy, You know"
She laughed softly.
Lucy Day, please"
II do please very much, Miss Day,
he said gravely.
X X X y
Though Robin Blair insisted upon
sending Lucy an elegant easy-chair,
she would not have his gift. But
one thing she could not refuse when
it was given her, some months later,