Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1883-01-11

all over the house, ard without heI
own fair chamber a sof.. low tum OF
merry voices.
Marie, do look at this robe and
these exquisite pearls
Marie turned her pretty face from
the scenery of white without, oul Y to
be met with another snowy pile on
the bed, a heap Of white satin lace and
orange blossoms.
'Isn't it beautiful p
"Yes," said Marie, carelessly; "bnt
how little matters cf dress affect me.
"You are so queer, Marie
80 much in love, laughed Debby
Short, smoothing out tenderIy the sat
in sweep of the train,
Evening came with its bright lights
flowers, music and handsome bride
groom; bnt, just as the we' ding party
descended the long stairway; thers
came a sharp, piercing cry from the
large parlor, whore the invalid father
had been wheeled in his easy chair.
What did it mean, that sharp cry
Of anguish and horror? aod as they
hurried forward they found tae guests
IN Wild confusion.
"What is it, cried Marie, pushing
forward. "What has happened p
"You father'' some one gasped;
they brought him a telegram, and he
has tainted >
Tainted No, not tainted, it was
death aud Marie knew in the moment
her eyes fell upon his calm, white
face.
Papa, dear, dear papa r she moan,
ed, sinking down beside nim careless
Of her trailing sat n and snowy veil.
The telegram WAS yt;.l cl1tohed in
his hand, and taking it from out his
clasp, Marie read, in bl&uk amaze.
mont
Il Invested ali as requested and,
all is lost.
J French"
She knew then Ike cause of this
endien death. Poor old father, he
had been trying to patch up his bro
ken fortunes by speenI4tion, and had
lost everything. she Was now sa or
ohsn and penniless.
Little such thoughts troubled Marie
What was loss OF fortune to her balov
ed parent? Bat, her handsome be-
trothei read the telegram, and, with
muttared curse, thrust it in his pock
ct.
And the dav that promised so much
joy ended in sorrow and death.
Christmas Eve, two years later,
opened upon quite different scene.
a little conntry school house nest
lirg in a woodland, and halt buried in
d,lfled snow, from whose doors ISSUES
troops of merry, rosy faced children
OF all ages, and last, with quiet step
and serene face, came ioitn the lady
teacher.
Down the road the merry Jingle of
slejghbelI1 rang out. aud soft pink
came INTO the sweet face ot the teach
er as She recognized the handsome
grays coming nearer at sweeping
trot.
Good evening, Marie,' said the
gentleman. ats delightful sleigh
lng won't You get in?' and ont he
sprang and soon had her tucked in
ptnon, the buffalo robes and away
they dashed.
Marie Strong-for it was she-rais.
ell her bright eyes shyly to her COM
.1anlon' face, it WAS Il remarkable |
face, not for beauty IS much as for
strength, power and man!lness. Not
a city dandy, with supertine clothing
and smirking bow; no, only an hon
est country farmer, sensible, we read
and true ID hls hsart $ core SO dit
fereat FROM that other ST. had known
and who had left her when she lost
her fortune.
"Marie," he said, sudden grave
light coming into bis fine eyes. Il
there is something in your dear facs
that makes me bold. | know you
are lady born and bred, and I can.
not offer you the home you could fill
i