Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1882-05-11

lifted him carefully from the cushions
and bore him within the mountain
inn, even then the death angel enter
el beside him.
i There was one other traveller who
came slowly down the hillside patti
and sought the hoStel's shelter that
night-a dark, pale man, with sketch
book in hand, and enveloped in tn.
folds of IN ample Roman cloak. AND
while the shadows gathered deeper
and the rain p4tt-red on the low roof
the stranger threw himself on the rude
wooden bench beside the window, anc
Nth face buried in his bands seemed
lost in thought or slumber.
The evening wore later; the hote
keeper and his wife bad sought theil
slumbe's; be stranger still lay wrap.
ped IN his cloak folds and almost los,
in the dark shadows; but in an humble
inner room Ariadna E'h-ri1ge and hel
faithful mans rvant watched the
Pickering lamp OF life. For IN hour he
dozei heavily, then the waning hame
flashed up with f'fnl rada' CO; be
started roo his pillow and said gasp.
,n.ly: "Wife Ariadre T.
She ,ame closer and mois.ened bis
lips with wine.
Wife, have something to say to
vou before---before--" but his voice
ia altered IL am eoing--I know it, D." be
gasp-d fe-bly, "and | must talk with
YOU Arladne have been very wicked.
You remember Paul billiard q
The head upon his breast dropped
heavier her beautiful hand clutchsd
~ convu I-lvelv for An instant, then
she |.N v.rv slIIi ag,,n And The man
upun tbr bench ~ the outer room
started To hi> ptboA wit Sudden
bound, And leaned hl4 nead for ward in
an eager lis,-nlng attitude.
My chlld, it Is hard for an cid man
like me to mske thl- con'rs ION, went
on Old John Ethrrl1g- 1t Is ha'd;
unt harder yet togo lnro rtrr"l,y WITT
the stalr of au unconIesSpd sn up III
nv soul. I have been wick ii; but
WI! make what rppara'ion lies IN my
power. Ariadne, listen; | won YOU
through fraud. | coveted you, with
vonr youth and beauty; and when il
WAS b'rnthed to Inc that YOU loved =
poor unknown, humble youth, tuiling
altar over the walters, the fend OF evil
sent suggestion INTO nv IN ind which
Was not long in obeying. How could
nat poor, hnmb youth stand in com
par.on with a rich man? knew that
such We're vour hers wishes; but !
knew To Il such, however much thev
might inhnAnce your decision, would
never your beart And so followed
the evil devices Of my own bra v, and
coined lie AMI spread the rnmor that
in his far Of hom- vonr boy lover hal
xoo+d another. But it was all false
all f4lse-'ny poor child And when you
in your youth and beauty, came to nv
,rms, and the ti,st flush of triumph
was over, when day by day | saw how
mee6ly and uncomplalnin ely you sac
lifced yourself to all an old nan S
whims AMI caprces, then repentance
came and 0 how bitter! Disease came
Ariadne as God is my witness, | joyel
more than | sorrow.d when | felt its
chill fingers at my heart. The physi
clans sent ME abroai; we came here, to
Italy. You did not knov how often |
sent my imagination here before me.
and built d structure whose walls
would be reared above my grave! For,
my child, and his voice sank to a
whisper, aAd he lifted her lace with
one thin white hand. you will odey
me; he is here, and bv and be your
prths will cross each other. Ariadne,
you will be happy yet I"
Then came an unbroken silence in
that death chamber; and the man in
the dark kitchen breathea convulsive-
ly as he rrrpt nearer the door.
Yes. you will be happy vet, gasp.
ed the dying man slowly. And now
| am going-forgive. Your hand my
child here Oh my heart God is good
| have but one wish in this death hour
if could have brought you togeth- !
er-yon two, whom | have wconged
so. If Paul billiard were only herel
Yes God Is good Paul Dillard is
here !" came in husky whispers; and as
~, n,Ia man ctaooarea in from tho