Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1884-12-18

white hand, she disappeared among the
trees.
A few moments he stood motionless
The interview had shaken him more
than he would acknowledge. Pas1
memories, like ghosts, came troopine
before him, when suddenly girls face
seemed to smile upon him through th,
darkness, and the shadows fed.
| "Majorie, my darlingI" he whisper
ed, and with rapid strides vanished
mid the trees.
He was still surrounded by theil
gloom, when pistol shot rang out up.
on the still night air. so close that for g
moment he thought the ball was in.
tended for his heart; but low groan
showed him it had found other distina.
ton.
Making his way quick in the direc-
tion of the sound. he stumbled over the
PROSTATE form of man dying his
clothes in the blood which ebbed from d
Gaping wound. The moons rays
shone upon ghastly face.
He started back, his own lips asked
as he recognized the husband of the
woman from whom he had parted
barely FIVE minutes before.
"Merciful heaven!' he whispered,
when hand fell heavily upon his
shoulder.
"Assassin voice murmured in his
ear.
And turning he confronted two men,
whom the noise Of the shot had attract
ed to the spot. In vain he attested
his innocence.
explain it to the courts" was an.
swered, mot to u.s."
And summoning other help to carry
the wounded and insensible man to his
home, he followed them unresistingly
whittier they would.
The night wore heavily away. Each
moment as he paced the floor Of the
room in which be- had been confined,
awaiting his examination revealed to
HIM the hideousness of his position.
Not yet had he washed the blood
stains from bis hands. His eyes SEEM
ed fascinated to gaze upon them for
with the morning light he knew would
come the question : what motive
prompted your presence in the baron
private park at such an hour?' And
to this question he could assign no an.
swer.
To cay he had gone there to meet the
woman who once had been his promised
bride, but who now was the honored
wife of another, would forever sully her
fair fame, Honor compelled him to
keep silent-honor babe him give up
his life, if need be, unless the baroness
herself revealed the truth.
1t Wa, as he had forseen. In the
crowded courtroom, the fatal question
rang his death. .knell in his ear. Mar
jorire Blaine's sweet, pleading face of
which he had caught a momentary
glimpse in the distant corner where she
sat, seemed to say. "For my sake, at
whatever cost, tell the truth"
A week had passed since that horri-
bic night. The baron still fingered
unconscious, and with but little hope
of his recovery. Rumor was not slow
to assign motive for the deed. Jeal-
ousy of the man who had won the prize
he had failed in securing. His own
noble name, his untarnished youth,
were swallowed up in the frightful sus-
picion which engulted him; and as he
stood in the prisoners dock, faces
which had ever smiled on him were
turned away.
Il can only plead my innocence, "he
said. when called upon-can only swear
no man among you is more guiltless
than I; but of how spent that last
hour, the secret is my own-mine for
time ard eternity! Gentlemen, unless
there be some other way to establish
my innocence you must believe me
guilty"
As he was remanded back to his cell,
after the preliminary examination, to
be held for trial, he found awaiting
him in the ante-room the face whose
pleading he had seemed so heartlessly
to resist.
"Oscarl' she implored, "do you know
that my life and happiness are at stake
with yours? Shall some false honor
keep your lips sealed? Do you owe me
your betrothed, nothing?"
my own!" he said, clasping her
H. ano 1yo