Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1884-03-20
"SHE STOOPS TO CON-
QUER"
MARY Grace wightwick in Argosy.I


L
The westering sun was sinking over tho
hills, deepening the tint OF the purple
heather, re-gilding the golden gorSe. It's
level beams made rosy the white, far-distant
cliffs, and intensified the tone of sea al
most too blue to lave an Eaglish shore.
Bernard Civ , brush moved rapidly as he
transferred to his sketching block a group Of
gigantic rocks and a stretch Of moorland
scenery, glorified for the nonce by the
glamor of the sunset. He was not best
pleased when an interruption came in tho
shape of galloping horses hoofs, and rider
appeared on the crest of tho moor, riding
rapidly in his direction along narrow bride
road, ending. as he perceived to his horror,
few hundred yards farther on, in a steep,
broken descent to the sea q thousand feet
below.
And now the runaway animal was near
enough for him to see by the floating skirt
that the rider was Lady, powerless to check
her horse, or even turn its courso.
There was a doubtful moment Of suspense
as the rider and steed reached the crown OF
the hill and began to descend the terrible
slope towariS destsuction-facilfs descensus
Avernus! then came an encounter, q BRIEF
struggle, and Give had gained the victory.
The horse stood painting beside him, and he
received the terrified lady in his arms as she
sank into swoon. Her hat had fallen off; q
tangle of ripping golden brown hair half
concealed the pale deathly face which rested
on his shoulder. This result was more en-
barrassing than the rescue to the young
artist, who knew little Of womankind and
their ways What should he do here in this
moorland wilderness with tho helpless bur-
den lying prone upon his armf He looked
around 10 right and left only rocks and
heather and the sea rippling far below; but
on the far horizon, inland q dark speek,
which soon developed into galloping groom,
who arrived pale with agitation expecting
nothing less than the worst
Bernard Give had no pity to spare for the
white faced groom, who seemed half mazed
with terror and excitement. His thoughts
were absorbed by his helpless charge as he
laid her tenderly down on . bed of heather
beneath sheliering rock. supporting her
bead upon his knees as he gently fauned her
with his hat. 1t seemed an age before 4 faint
color futtered lack to the pallid cheek and
the breath began to return In painful, gasp-
ING highs. Bernard had never seen a woman
faiut before, aud bis face looked sufficiently
concerned as he bent over her, wondering
how best to give the sufferer relief.
That she was young and beautiful naturally
Increased his compassion
He felt infinitely relieved when, just as a
pair of the ioveliest possible gray-blue eyes
unciosed and met his wistful ones with
dreamy look of surprise, followed by charm
ing tinge OF color, the roll of carriage wheels
1,H tha
hove in sight, drawn by two thorough
beds, with the returning groom in
attend ance as outrider. neat-looking maid
stepped from the carriage and FASTENED
towards her prostrate mistress with demon
strations OF distresA
~Hush." cried Bernard sternly. @She Is
already coming round. Don't alarm her
Tell them to turn the carriage and will take
her TO 1t At orce. You are better, madame,
are you mott"
"Yes, yes; can walk"
"You are able tot Take my arm then
Thers. that Ia wight" az she slowly tottered
70 the caxriase supported between binlsslf
and her maid
He waited bareheaded to watch the
brougham drive jolting away over the rough
grounI and then went to collect his scattered
painting materials Suddenly the carriage
stopped and the footanan came hastnuimg
back. Ny Lady Crewe wished to know the
gentlenan's name and address
The artist handed the man card upon
which he had scribblcd the name of the little
tcn in CoInbeh,iist village where he was stay
it>g, nnt them sung his hnapsach over his
sfculdcr and went Oil his way.
The sun had sank below tho hills. Sea and
sky were surging iuto gray uniformity Of
c~lor. The twilight glo,m WAS deepening
cvor the moor, and gorse and heather r1,st!ed
sadly in the evening breeze, the Ichabod Of
their departed glory. So at least it seemed
to Give; and when he returned to his tenn
poYa1y quarters at the village inn, there WAS
nothing about the dingy little parlor TO laise
his spirits.
Soue dfsturbirg element had come be-
tween him and his work. Do what he would,
his capricio,n pencil could trace no other
outlines than those Of the lovely face which
had rested SO pale and placid on his knee
short time since. He went for stroll in the
dusk TO try and forget his adventure There
was not much chance Of it Every stone
abolt the little rural village seemed echoiug
the name Of Lady Crewe. The schoolsi-
Lady Crewe had built them. The church,
Restored by Lady Crewe. The peasant
mothers, the village children had her name
aud the story of her goodness always Oh their
HIPS. Give could sec that he himself rose in
tho estimation of his worthy landlord when
later in the evening little note was brought
to him from the great lady of the village.
"Would Mr.. Give be SO good as to call upon
Lady C1ewe at o'clock the following after
noonf"
He obeyed the summons; and punctually
at the hour named stood beneath the massive
portico of Conbehulst. The man servant
who answered the door led Give through a
lofty hall of Ponpeiian style and oolering,
along tile Iaved passages to my lady's own
boudoir; charming little sanctum, where
peacock-husd hangings gleami & with golden
threads made a fitting background to one Of
the loyeliest pictures that Give, in his artist
life and artist dreams had ever looked upon
Ii Lady Crewe had seemed to him passing
fair i'll the dark ruling habit Of yesterday,
what must he think of her to-day in these
creamy-lace-softened draperies, with the out
lines of her shapefy head, ind golden hair
dressed in fashion all her own, defined
against harmonious background Of soft,
yet brilliant tonei
She half rose as he entered, and held out
her hand with gracious alacrity.
"You will excuse this informal reception,
Mr. Give: am in no mood for visitors to.
day, and am not at home to the world at
large. This is my cousin, Miss Warner, who
kindly keeps me company in my loneliness.
Alicia let me introduce Mr. Give, my brave
preserver of yesterday. Hep me to thank
him for his prompt herosln."
The elderly duenna, whose large sausage
curls proclaimed the era of her lsng past
youth jumped up-displacipg as she did SO
large white cat which lay purring in her lap
and heartily shook hands with the visitor,
seizirg this opportunity of shedding few
teers from a reservoir very near the surface
with Miss Warner, and always apt to brim