Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1885-10-29
Mechancswn Frederick County, Maryland Thursday Oct 29, 1885,

| ~ Dpi "'ci
He elevated bis brows ut the sight 0
Miss Comfort Walker. And she tol(
the story of Ellen O'Brien and hel
wrongs.
May I ask, Miss Walker, why yol
interest yourself 80 markedly in this af
fair?' the banker asked, with a cold
measured calm that contrasted strange
ly with the little woman's heat ant
furry.
Because I think no man has right
to cheat a poor woman out of her hare
earned money
Cheat is strong word, Miss Walk
er,' observed the landlord.
Its the only correct word in this
case, Mr.. Carlyon,' retorted Miss Com.
fort, secretly marveling at her own
courage in thus daring to confront the
stately banker.
Perhaps he is owing something to
yourseIf:' questioned the banker, keen
ly.
| Yes, sir, he is,' Miss Comfort made
answer. But it isn't that came about.
am quite able to attend to my own
! financial debts, even to lose little if it
should be necessary, but this poor wo-
man is friendless and alone.
Mr.. Carlyon glanced at his watch
Miss Comfort turned toward the door.
q AIN sorry that my time is no long
er at my own disposal said he courte-
ously.
And Miss Comfort went away almost
crying.
Now I've nude an enemy of him as
well as Mr.. Lootard, and haven't done
the least good in the world, she tho t.
And he will let the house in the
spring, and-and- after all, | am
not sorry that did my best. Poor,
poor Eilcnl what shall | say to her
when she comes at 8 o'clock%
But that evening, just as Miss Com
fort was beginning again at her pile OF
account books, a ring came to the door,
and Mr.. Carlvon. the banker, was
shown III. Miss Comfort rose, confused
and tuttering.
Miss Walker, pray don't let me dis.
turb YOU, said the banker. I have
only dropped in for little social call.
You showed yourself to-day in differ
ent light from any in which you have
yet appeared
"A dun demanded poor Miss Com
fort, almost hysterlcally.
No-a true-h hearted, noble-natured
woman. But you need no longer dis
tress yourself. The bill is paid. And
now, if You are at leisure, LII just take
my evening cup of tea with you,
How pleased and proud Miss Com
fort was, Us she poured the detection OF
fragrant Young Hyson into her great
grandmother's china cup, decorated
with butterflies and oblong scrolls Of
! gilt and violet And how she kept
, wondering all the while how in the
world Mr.. Carly the great banker
could take such interest iu her homel y
and humdrum little affairs.
But if she had only known it, Mr.
Carlyon seldom came across a true, real
heart in his complicated business trans
actions.
X x X
Its not ,rue,' said Mr.. Leotard. MY
uncle would never make such fool OF
himself at his age. Why, he's fifty il
he's day'
Only fortv.four,' SAID Mrs. Leigh
Creswick, with malicious delight. Bat,
of course, it must be a great mortitica-
ton to you, Mr.. Lcotard, who have al,
ways been looked upon as his heir
And to think, too, he is going to mar
ry that queer little old woman who
keeps the boarding house. For it''
true! True as taxes! | saw the wedding
ring myself at--s.
Mr.. Lestard Carlyon gnawed silently
at his mustache. How strangely little
circumstances are woven together into
life's web, h. thought. If he had paid
that whimporing washerwoman's bill
she would not have conGded her woes
to Miss Comfort Walker; and Miss Com
fort Walker would not have gone to his
uncle; and his uncle would not have
fallen in love with Miss Comforts rosy
checks and bonnet neither, and he
would still have been the rich banker
heir apparent.
He wished he had paid the washer
womans bill.
A Washington lady was much sur
priSed recently upon receiving notice