Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1883-08-09

How did you suppose I was going
to take 'em9' said Miss Negley, with
IL scornful laugh. Did you mistake
me for the dust under your feet ?
4 assure You, ma am. that nothing
of the sort was in my mind, humbly
uttered Mr. Barthorne. I wish yor
good afternoon"
lie hurried out, remounted his
gray steed, which, poor beast, was
Just composing itself for a comforta-
Bile doze in the sunshine, and rode
off, making, to Alice Hopkins III,
tense dismay, straight for the shady
cedarwoods, where she still sat ar
ranging ferns around the ribbon of
her hat.
There's no use trying to run away
thought she, I may as well stay
where l am. And after all, why
should | be afraid of Mr. Barthorne?'
Mr. Barthorne checked his rein as
he saw the pretty young school teach
er there under the cedar. He nodded
pleasantly.
Fine day, Miss Alice" said he
wiping his brow with the identical
yellow silk pocket handkerchief
which had but now served rs Il duster
for his boots.
Yes said Alice, standing like
some fair wood nymph beside the
spring. please, Mr. Barthorne what
did she say?
What did who say said the mid
die aged gentleman, turning scarlet
Miss Negley. Don't think me IN
trusiye,' she added but know all
about it.
The duce you do..' said Mr. Bar
thorne. 'Why, she wouldn't let me
get in a word edgcwlsc that's what
she said Perhaps, however, I've had
a lucky escape"
But YOU must own that it IS hard,
said Alice earnestly.
lizard " echoed Mr. Barthorne. 4
should have supposed it would have
suited her exactly. But, II new
idea bursting athwart his brain,
there's as good fish in the sea s ever
We're caught ont of it. Miss Alice,
what wonld you say if | were to ask
you to be my wife,
Alice Hopkins looked at him in
amazemcnt.
I, Mr. Barthornc" she exclaimed.
You arc young enough to be my
daughter, sure enough said the
worthy man, not without some bit
terness. But I'm not so very Old
either, and I've IA good home to offer
any woman who will take pity upon
my loneliness.
Loneliness.
Alice looked at Mr. Barthorne in
surprise. 1t had never occurred to
her little innocent heart that Mr. Bar
thorne, in the big white house, with
the pair of horses and the close car
riage, could ever be lonely. And
perhaps there was something in the
dcwy brightness Of her eyes, as she
raised them to Mr. Barthorne 5 face,
that emboldened him to plead his
cause with more energy.
/ should love you very dearly,
Alice he said, with a tremble in his
voice 4 would be very good to You,
Won't you answer me, Alice:
Her head dropped; there was an IN
slant of silence, and then she said III
a low tone:
Yes, Mr. Barthorne, I'll marry
you
He bent and kissed her forehead.
You'll not regret it, my lass, SAID
he, And you re the very girl would
have picked out of a thousand. I'm
glad; now, that Miss Negley wouldn't
listen to me,
Alice started.
Oh, Mr. BARITONE, said she, was
that your errand:'
OF course it was, said Barthorne.
DR. Smiley said she was the very
woman | needed to regulate my house
hold. But the moment | limited at
the subject, she as good as ordered
me off the premises. Not that Pm
sorry for it She has the face like a
man, and a figure like P1usslan
grenadier' -,
Alice broke out laughing. She