Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1881-06-16

half amused, as we all sat under the
lime trees and talked about the
match.
"You have great deal Of determi-
nation" said Helen to Harold. II
shall never forget Nora's beseeching
face. One would have thought that
the fate of nations hung on your re-
ply"
"There are moments," he replied,
"when. one needs all ones determine
tion; but | assure you it is quite al
lowable to put an enemy out Of the
game, Don't you think so yourself,
Nora ?"-smiling up into my face.
But it not worth an argument.
For pity S sake, don let us fall out
about trihes; real trouble may not be
so far off from any one of US"
Don't talk in enigmas, Harold;
you are very cross to-day Charlie
was the best croquet player l ever
knew; and he never did anything half
so mean"
And who, may ash, is this great
player? Is he a myth, character in
a book or what? Charlie Who can
he be
Harold was laughing now and try
ing az I thought, to keep his temper
We were fast drifting into foolish
quarrel about nothing; but, had
known then the doubts and fears that
were on his mind, I would never have
spoken as did.
"Who is this great authority on
croouet ?" he went on, II am dying
to know.
There he is !" replied impetu
ously, opening locket at my neck
which contained the likeness of my
favorte brother Charlie.
Who is it?' he asked, taking the
locket from my hand.
Helen broke in with a peal Of laugh,
ter.
"Oh, dear, dear, listen, Tom. do
believe Harold is jealous Of Charlie"
But tom had wandered away amongst
the flower beds and did not hear; and
Helen, bea ming with fun and mischief,
vent on, "Don' tell him, Nora; there
is nothing like secret, as | always
tell Tom.
"He j, a very good-looking fellow
at any rate" said Harold, scrutinizine
my brothers handsome face, "aud in.
deed, Nora Hooking up with a smile
II don't know that | shall allow
you to wear this till you tell me who
the owner OF the good.ooking face is.
Wont allow" repeated, laugh.
ing in return, and taking the locket
playinlly from him. well, then
Harold, what will you say when tel
you that he is an officer in a cavalry
regiment, and that he gave me this or
the night before he sailed for India?
"What?' he cried, suddenly start
ing up from his recunbent posture
while the blood rushed over his face
"Oh, Nora, what did you say"
Helen was convinced with amuse
ment, and, thinking he, too, was en-
joying the joke, | repeated my state
ment; and the spirit Of mischief seizlne
ne, added
And l promised him would new
eff part with it-never, neverl
"Nora" a"-laying his hand on m,
arm-"once for all-who is it? l mus
know"
There is no, must in the matter,
was my reply, spoken in jest, for W.
were all playing at ross-purposes.
Ny harmless Joke had bitter conse
onences. To my surprise and conster
nat .on, be suddenly snatched the lock
ct from me aud again examined 1t
while his face grew graver and darker
ca ;h moment. On the other side were
two locke Of hair-mine and Charlie S
Yours and bis, l SUPPOSE" sale
Harold, looking up.
"Exsctly-and he has locket with
my likeness" I answered recklsssly
for | was annoyed at his crosse ,ques.
tioning.
"Oh, suppose SOL he said; then
with suppressed passion in his voice
Enough of this nonsense! l lnsls
,,,o, L,ow;poi T 5esire Won to tel