Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-08-05

deh meanings. Cold perspiratioh trick
clea down my forehead. My teeth
chartered. My knees Knocked togeth'
er. Yet I went On.
At the edge of the wood the cat
paused. l could not see her body but
her eyes glowe'l in the darkness with a
weird light. She began to new and
the sound echoed dismally among the
trees, dying away in smothefed sobs in
the darkness. I could tell by the agi.
tation of the dead leaves at my feet
that the cat was scratching, as if hunt
ing for something. Presently she Ut
tered long, piercing cry that seemed
to make the very trees tremble, and
then she was silent and nlotionless.-
Trembling violently, | struck Il match
and stopped over her. She had her
foot on something half covered by
leaves. 1t looked like dead branch.
l picked it up. 1t was gun-not like
any I had ever seen before, but still
like gun. looked at it blankly.--
Mechanically drew from my pocket
the curious missile which | always car
ried and dropped it into the barrel.
1t fit perfectly. The horror that rush.
ed over me when | knew that | held i'll
my hands the weapon that had slain
MY father was too great to be borne.
The skies recled above me. saw a
hundred pairs Of glowing eyes, tot
tered, groancd, and fell senseless upon
the earth.
Two years passed away. had not
yet solved the mystery. My sister was
about to be married, and I was prepar-
Ing to go to the Wedding. She had
been living with relatives in Cincinnati
where she was completing her musical
studies, There she had met young
man whom l had never seen, but who,
all my relatives assured me, was wor-
thy to become my sisters husband. lie
had been in Cincinnati only two years,
but had in that time made himself Il
| favoritc in the best society Ct the city.
He had plenty Of money, which he said
he had made in the west, where he had
large cattle ranch. | saw no reason
why should object to my sister S
choice.
I had invited Mortimer Melvine to
90 with me. Mortimer was my most
intimate friend, although had known
him less than two years | had the
good fortune to find his pocketbook,
which he lost, and took it to the busl'
ness address written on card inside.
From that trivial incident CUR friend
ship grew up. We ne'rr visited each
other's rooms because we preferred to
sit together in the smoking room of the
modest club to which we belonged.
Having invited him to 60 to the we'd
ding with me l was waiting for him in
nv room where he was to call for me
on his way to the station
Come in," said, hearing knock
at the door.
Good morning, old fellow" he said,
entering, "its d little early yet, but ]
confess was a trihc curious to have a
peep at your rooms before starting.-
Pretty comfortable place you have
here, Bob
ayes, it is. Make yourself at home,
Mort, while | am trying to coax the
total depravity out OF this nccktie.
Mortimer strolled around the room
looking at the pictures. Suddenly he
uttered an exclamation Of surprise. |
turned and saw him looking at the
black cat, which was lying asleep on
the hearth rug.
"Where did YOU get that cat?" he
asked.
"She followed me home one night,
l said.
"She's mine," he exclaimed. II lost
Eher two years ago, before | knew you"
Then he walked to the other side OF
the room and called, "here, Witch,
Witch" The cat ran to him and purr-
ed around his feet.
"You see,' he said, "she answers to
her name. But how on earth did you
get her?'
I looked at nv watch. We had an
hour to spare. sat down and told
him the whole story. AS | went on
noticed that look of deep trouble
settled upon his features. When | had
concluded he said
"Have you the gun YETI
"Yes,' answered, taking it from a
closet.
"My God, knew it," he cried. 1T
is my gum"
"Your gum. | echoed, ashast.