Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1881-05-19

brow. Courage, honor ana 're'o
CLEANED in his eyes, and though tie
great expression Of bis face was stern
his smile could be as gentle as won
ans, and this man loved pretty
childish. Renee with all the strength
of his heart, and she-wsll she loved
Lester Sinclair
He threw away his half.burned CT
gar and turned toward the cottage
This face still grave, stern.
Renee came to meet him.
"Oh, Victor, cant 70 down to Ra
moud's this evening? KAthie is 60
ing to bave croquet match. Mar
garet says:no, but you-ohl Victor
may I go? You might come with N.
Victor. Kathie asked you"
He looked at the pretty, childish
face. 'Yes. / viii! go, Renee, hi
said.
Two hours later Renee came down
locking like a wild rose in her pink
muslin robes, with clustering flowers
ia her breast and hair.
They were rather early on Che Gro.
que erouhds, 50 Kathfe snd Renee
tlaved a game by themselves.
Victor Gray WATCHED Renee with
passionate, plying eyes, knowing the
pain in store for her, which he had
been too cowardIy, he thought Bitter
" to warn her OF
II could net tell her" he said, land
yet wish I had"
lie watched her eyes wander to the
gate
She had thrown her hat aside and
the soft breeze lifted the short, dark
curls of her low brow and decpeucd
the rose tint on her cheeks.
He saw the red lips part in Smiles
and the lovely dark eyes deepen, and
turning toward the gate lie saw Les
ter Sinclair tourug to the pathway a
lady leaning on his arm.
The one look Of Reneea face told
Veto. that abe never SUSPECTED the
truth.
Her faith like love was unwaver-
ing. She believed in Lester Sinclair
ss she did in her own royal love.
The lady on his arm WAS delicate
little thing, with certain kind Of
bantv, CT the wax dell order, with big
blue eyes, dainty features and cluster.
ing faxen hair.
They came forward to where Renee
stood.
Glare" he said,.this ia The yothg
lady I told yon Of, Miss CORTLAND
Renee-MiSs CORTLAND my betrothed
wife, Miss Duvane."
"Hls betrothed wife"
The words rang in Renee's ears,
thai seemed to die away with a faint
moaning sound,
Remember she was only seventeen
and childish for her age.
The bright, young face grew pall;d
as death and all the sweet light SEEM
ed to fade from her eyes.
Victor strobe to Der side.
Take me home. Victor IL
don't feel WE'LL Please take Inc"
The words died away on her lips
and the next moment Victor held her
white and senseless in his arms.
=
A magnificent toom, large, lofty
and furnished with almost Oriental
.plendot, from the velvet carpet, In.
TO which the foot sank noisely, the
siIken inlaid furniture, the wondrous
gstns of art that addlned the wall, the
rare statuetts that filled every con-
ceivable hook, to the most minute DR.,
ticlea in the room.
At one Of HE windows tall, sletl-
der jeweled hand, the foaming dra-
peries-a woman radiently, rarely
beautiful, that even the casual passer
by half paused with a look Of iuvol'
utitary admiration on the face.
The low, white brow, the great
dark eyes, the curving crimson lips
and waving masses Of blue-black hair
made a picture almost perfect IN it,
rsre loneliness.
And yet it was not a satisfied face
there was look Of past pain and
present longing, strangely mingled
resting upon it. Where the expires
sion lay you could hardly tell, only il
mo. thoro